There and Back

I haven't posted in several days because once Thursday hit our worlds were in a tailspin. On Thursday the 10th we left our hotel at 9am for the one hour drive to the orphanage. Once we arrived there we met with the orphanage director. She was a wonderful woman and very open with us about the information which was in the child's files. She went through the social and medical histories and the translator interpreted for us. Once she had read the information in the file, we were then able to ask her questions. She told us that our oldest son has been making wonderful gains in his motor skills in the last few months and our youngest son was the "star of the orphanage". As we were finishing up, I could hear the sound of children outside the director's office. She called for the door to be opened, and in came the boys. Those first few moments were surreal, as we had been waiting SO LONG for this moment. I was not sure what to do at first as I wanted to pick them up and hug them but essentially I was a stranger to them. We pulled out some Goldfish which they thoroughly enjoyed and then I gave them some blocks. They spoke to us in Russian and began to imitate my models of words in English along with some sign language. Our youngest little guy thought we were quite funny and giggled quite a bit. His laughter was infectious. Our older son is more reserved but more likely to give out hugs (as he did when we arrived the second day).
I wish we could share pictures and videos from our trip, but we cannot post any until the adoption is finalized. The boys were amazing and I really enjoyed our trip (with the exception of the flights). Chad didn't enjoy things as much as I did (the different food, language barrier) except for our time at the orphanage. We were sad to leave the boys on the second day but happy to head home. We missed the girls, sleeping in our own beds, and our dogs.
This week we are working on finishing the paperwork required for our court date. We will submit it next week to our agency where it will be translated and then be sent to Siberia via FedEx. Our judge will review our documents and then we will be invited for court. We hope this process will be quick, but most families have to wait two to three months for a court date.
Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. We are so close to bringing our boys home!

Ready to meet the boys

Yesterday we arrived in Kemerovo city in the Kemerovo region. It was nice to know we would not have to get on another plane for a few days. During our travel we lost a day with the time changes, and this has caused us to feel really worn out. On the flights it was difficult to sleep as well as we were pretty cramped. I felt really bad for Chad as his legs were cramped into a small space. I was able to sleep a little more than him.
After leaving the airport in Kemerovo we wanted nothing more than a hot shower and a bed to fall into and sleep. Our coordinator Anna informed us she was taking us to a cafe and then to the Department of Education building where we would officially receive our referrals. Anna reviewed the basic information for us about the boys as we would possibly be asked a few questions by the administrator at the DOE. I was surprised to see that the boys are the same height and differed by one kilogram in weight. I guess that will make buying clothes easy as they will be the same size! We did see that the boys had a physical last month and that there was some different information about the older boy which we are hoping to get answers about today. The visit to the DOE went pretty smoothly; we could tell our coordinator had made excellent connections with different people which allowed us smooth sailing.
We then headed out of Kemerovo to Novokuznetsk and another three hour ride. The roads are quite bumpy and I got a little car sick; luckily no vomiting occurred. We arrived to our hotel at 2:00 in the afternoon yesterday (Wednesday). After exchaning some of our cash for rubles, we paid our hotel bill. Our room reminds me of a dorm due to its size and two twin beds against the wall. I guess our trip isn't going to be a second honeymoon after all. That's okay; we were so excited sleep is the only thing we had in mind.
The couple we are traveling with is from Virginia and are very nice. We have quite a bit in common and the wife is quite a talker. I know, I have no room to talk in that area. I think we will get along quite well. I need to go for now, but will end with a thank you for all of the positive thinking and prayers. Please continue to think of us as we have a big day today meeting the boys and learning as much as we can about them to help us make our decision about what our next stop should be. I hope to share more information with you all this evening.

WE MADE IT TO MOSCOW

We are sitting in the Moscow airport awaiting our next flight to Kemerovo. Our journey had been going quite well until I mentioned in New York how I was crossing my fingers...... then of course I jinxed us. Our flight to Moscow was initially 45 minutes late departing due to an "electrical problem". Then, after we had been flying for about an hour we had to turn around and head back to New York as the "electrical problem" was still an issue. We then were fortunate enough that Delta brought in another plane which left about six hours after it was initially scheduled to depart. Our bodies are kind of screwed up right now as we flew overnight from the US, but arrived here in Moscow at about 4:00pm. We did not get to sleep much as it was just too uncomfortable. I felt awful for Chad as I was cramped, so I can't imagine how he felt. On our flight from Minneapolis to New York we met a marshal from Homeland Security. He was really nice and asked us all about our adoption process.
Once landing here in Moscow, we were delighted (yes, I used the word "delighted") to see how clean and modern the airport here in Shremetoyo (sp?) is. The terminal is new so everything is clean (including the bathrooms) and many signs are in both Russian and English. We changed our clothes and brushed our teeth and got a snack after our driver/translator assisted us in checking in our luggage for our flight and getting some money exchanged. I can't speak for Chad, but I was sweating BIG TIME when we went through passport control. Chad went first, and he kept looking back at me to help him answer the questions. Unfortunately, I only know Russian phrases you would use with young children. I don't think the young passport control guy would appreciate if I asked "peeska?" "poopka'? (pee? poop?) I guess I could have said meenya zavut Cheryl Gipson (my name is Cheryl Gipson). They have Pepsi and Diet Pepsi here in the vending machines which isn't bad tasting but we have not hit the jackpot yet with any Dew or Dt. Dew... we could only hope. I guess this may be a good week to learn how to wean myself off of my addiction to the sugar buzz that is rotting my teeth. I will keep the updates coming for all of you Stateside.

Have visas will travel

FINALLY... we are going to Siberia. I have to tell the story of how we found out about our trip. On Martin Luther King, Jr. day (January 17th) I met my friend Angi and her daughter for brunch at Spudos in Galesburg. I asked her about questions she felt were important to ask our orphanage director about the boys. As we wound up our brunch, she stated she felt I would hear something about our travel dates on the 18th. Lo and behold, on Tuesday January 18th I received "the call" from Anna at Adoption Ark. We had been invited to travel from the Department of Education in Russia to travel on February 7th! I was sitting in my office at WIU and quickly told my co-workers about our exciting news. After talking to Chad, my mind raced to all of the preparations that needed to be made within the next few days. I read through the information Anna from the agency had emailed that detailed our trip. I found a travel agency recommended by the agency and the other adoptive parents from my message boards. I spoke with Victor about our airfare and was relieved when he assured me everything would be fine. After a few kinks, we acquired our airfare for the "cheap" price of $1600 per person round trip to Kemerovo, Russia. We also had to acquire visas in order to travel to Russia as Americans are required to complete. Those cost us a little over $800. I try not to think about the costs involved as the end result is very well worth it.
I had an interesting experience this week that I would like to share. I was speaking to someone I had not met before. She was in her early 20s and had heard about our adoption. She then told me about her adoption story. She had been adopted by her single mom from another country. She told me what things her mother had done that helped her embrace her native culture and feel "comfortable in her own skin" as she looked very different than her family. It was an amazing experience to hear first hand what things had made an impact in her life as an international adoptee. As she told me her story, I noted the pride in her voice. It is people like this young lady that will help me answer when people ask me "why Russia"?
We will leave for Kemerovo Monday, February 7th out of Peoria and return Sunday, February 13th. I will post updates on the blog here for everyone to hear about our process. I will post pictures of Chad and I on our journey as well! Bon voyage! Or, in Russian da sveeyi danya (goodbye)!

Christmas greetings

Today I have been doing what many other women do on Christmas Eve; baking and completing the last minute preparations for the big day tomorrow. As I go through my day I can't help but let my mind wander to how thankful I am to have two beautiful and bright daughters. I don't stop there as I feel as if there are two family members missing from our home today. We still have yet to meet the boys due to more bumps in the adoption process. I don't understand how I feel so close to the boys when I truly do not know them yet. I don't know if they like the crust cut off their toast, or if they even like toast. All of the little things which a mom knows about her children.
We initially found out about the boys a year ago on December 17th. I showed Chad the picture of the oldest brother, and from that moment on we made a vow to give him and his brother a family. Chad's commitment to the adoption has never wavered; he has been the wind to keep my sailboat moving forward. We were both initially very disappointed in late November when we were informed we would not be traveling to Siberia until the beginning of 2011. We have had the time to let things sink in. I have thought of the families which are traveling to Siberia this month so that they can pick up their children to have them home for Christmas. These families have been waiting just as we have so I wish them all a joyful Christmas.
So today, I wish our boys in Siberia a Merry Christmas. We know that they will be with us next year. Imagine, they have never celebrated Christmas as we do here. It will be quite an experience.
As far as a timeline, we expect to travel to Siberia in late January; we don't care it will be bitterly cold and the roads will be treacherous. We will get to meet our boys!!! We will officially sign our intent to adopt and come back home. The entire trip will last about a week. We will spend only about eight hours with the boys during the first trip. We will then return home to wait AGAIN for our court date. The second trip will culminate with court where we will be granted the adoption decree. This trip typically occurs about three months after the first trip. The boys will have another birthday before we are able to bring them home.
Merry Christmas.... and hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2011.

Thanks and Giving

We were truly blessed with a bountiful Thanksgiving this year. We spent the holidays with both the Lydic and Gipson families; eating great food and way too much of it! The boys are on Chad and my mind's more than ever. We were truly hoping to be in Russia by now visiting with the boys. Last week our coordinator in the region of Russia we are adopting from emailed our agency to let us know we unfortunately will not be able to travel for our first visit until early 2011. We were terribly disappointed to have yet another bump in our path. After we had a few days to process through the news, we realized that we had forgotten a very important thing. This was that we are not in control of how our journey unfolds. This has been determined by God and we must continue to put our faith in Him that things will come together exactly when and where he feels they must. So, we took a deep breath and realized the importance of recognizing the joy of this time of the year and how important it is that we be available to celebrate with our girls. Callie asked last night about the magic of Santa Claus, and if he disappears back up the chimney if the dogs see him. She was concerned our Great Dane would scare him away with her lumbering size. Apparently, Callie saw fit to let everyone at church know she would like a kitty for Christmas; we will have to disappoint her in this regard. However, I am sure she will be well taken care of in the gift department with all of her grandparents, aunts, and uncles! We have been fortunate to be able to refinance our home in Cameron to assist in paying for our adoption expenses. We were reluctant to have to seek loans for our adoption as we have saved and fundraised for all monies thus far. Refinancing made the most financial sense from an interest rate point of view. Security Savings Bank has been such a wonderful institution to work with; they truly embrace their motto.. part of your community, part of your life. Our loan officer saw my determination and passion, that's for sure! We continue to stay busy as most people this time of the year. Chad and I continue to coach Samantha's sixth grade basketball team. I think the girls are having fun and it is nice to see them begin to progress in their fundamental skills. If they start to set picks during their offense, I will be one happy coach! Yesterday I spoke with my friend Anna D. about starting up our club volleyball program in the next two months. I know coaching takes a lot of time, but I do enjoy the kids and seeing how athletics helps instill important life skills. I am hoping Anna and I can find a coach so I may step into more of a role as the director of the program. Callie has her first Christmas program at school this week; they are including the Pre-K for the first time this year. This past weekend we went shopping for the girls' Christmas dresses. Callie is very opinionated already regarding what type of dress she wants to wear! She definitely knows what she likes. Now that Callie is five, she feels an adjustment in her bedtime is appropriate. After some discussion, she determined a bedtime of 8:29 instead of 8:30 was fair. Sam has happily agreed with the arrangement, although she has a huge grin on her face every time we talk about it! Samantha is a great big sister for Callie (most of the time), and I think Callie will enjoy having the new role of big sister soon. We hope everyone enjoys the holiday season. I will be posting fun videos on Facebook soon, so check them out.

Adoption pregnancy

This week I have been thinking about our upcoming events with our adoption. In many ways, the emotions I have been experiencing are very similar to my feelings during the last few weeks of pregnancy with the girls. For those women whom have been pregnant maybe you can relate. I'm just ready to be done with the process, but anxious about returning home from Russia with the boys. The whole thought process can be quite overwhelming if I think about it too much! The differences would be that with the girls I was able to slowly learn about their little personalities, and to meet their needs was fairly easy. You know, change their diaper, feed them, rock them. When we come home with our little guys they will already have their personalities formed. Their wants and needs will be so much more beyond eat, sleep, and use the bathroom! I am confident between Chad and myself we will parent the boys and be successful as we have been with Sam and Callie. I am also sure that there will be times we struggle as parenting is a wondrous and challenging task. As I longingly look at items for the boys while shopping, I am reminded to slow down and appreciate our family RIGHT NOW and take a deep breath as we prepare to make some big changes.