On Friday night, all of the rough edges of a stressful week were smoothed away when I ate a hot dog.
It just wasn't any hot dog. It was a hot dog that represented love and support and friendship and understanding and compassion and hope. Don't you wish you could buy one of those somewhere when you're having a rough week?
A wonderful batch of girlfriends threw a fundraising "Wild Weanie Roast" for us yesterday evening. There were silent auction items, tables full of food, children's games and activities, balloons...and love and support and friendship and understanding and compassion and hope.
There were friends from work, from church, from a greyhound rescue group my family has been involved with for years and years. My parents were there, and Brian's dad, and every single person in the room wanted one singular thing: for our success in our adoption journey.
I'm astounded by the generosity of those around us - not that I ever in a million years thought them ungenerous, really more I suppose I'm astounded that they felt we deserved their overwhelming generosity. The efforts of the organizers and the presence of those who attended and the giving of those who offered silent auction items simply humbled us. A friend passed a family heirloom related to adoption on to me, and just the thought of that amazing act of compassion and generosity stops me in my tracks every time I think of it.
The money that was raised will be so incredibly helpful to us. I wish I could figure out a way to pack a hot dog in our luggage when we return to Russia in a few weeks for the judge's final decision so that the lovely feelings could be right there at my fingertips. But, something tells me that our cherished memories will help serve that purpose and we'll wrap ourselves in the love and support of our friends and family when we go.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The comforts of HOME!
We arrived home late last night, or really early this morning, after a marathon 28 or so hours of awake and travel time. I know it's trite, but there is nothing, nothing like coming home! Things like your own bed and your own pillows and smells that you're used to and like and your wonderful memories of your lives together and who you really are. Oh, and a washing machine because someone who needs to go run errands like getting some groceries and pick up the dogs has not one pair of clean underwear because she had to take every single pair she had for our long-ish trip! (Note to self: Buy more underwear).
Sorry for being absent for a while! Things were crazy as we appeared in court Tuesday and then had to prepare to be picked up very early on Wednesday to travel home. Essentially, we have a bit more waiting time ahead.
The judge declined to issue a final decision in our appeal to adopt. She decided she would like us to come back in a few weeks in July to meet with the girls again and for a final court date. While it was a somewhat surprising turn of events, we fully understand that things remain very sensitive and in flux with relations between the two countries because of recent events. An incredibly tough process is informally now even tougher and we have no choice but to accept the court's mandates and do whatever we need to do.
So, it looks like we'll be headed back in a few weeks for a shorter trip than this one (thankfully; no three-day holiday weekend to endure!) and then see what we know about what the future holds from there
Now we look forward to the awesome event our friends are planning for us tomorrow night, the Wild Weanie Roast! We're very lucky!
Sorry for being absent for a while! Things were crazy as we appeared in court Tuesday and then had to prepare to be picked up very early on Wednesday to travel home. Essentially, we have a bit more waiting time ahead.
The judge declined to issue a final decision in our appeal to adopt. She decided she would like us to come back in a few weeks in July to meet with the girls again and for a final court date. While it was a somewhat surprising turn of events, we fully understand that things remain very sensitive and in flux with relations between the two countries because of recent events. An incredibly tough process is informally now even tougher and we have no choice but to accept the court's mandates and do whatever we need to do.
So, it looks like we'll be headed back in a few weeks for a shorter trip than this one (thankfully; no three-day holiday weekend to endure!) and then see what we know about what the future holds from there
Now we look forward to the awesome event our friends are planning for us tomorrow night, the Wild Weanie Roast! We're very lucky!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Days 6 & 7, June 13 and 14
Sunday was really rainy (rumbly even) and dreary and we didn't leave the hotel. It made for kind of a long day, but we did our best to enjoy relaxing and not having anything we HAD to do. We'd wanted to walk back to the grocery but didn't feel that we needed to get drenched particularly, so we made do with some snacks and leftovers we had here from our previous trip to the grocery.
Today is cool and grey, but not rainy. It's an official government holiday and things seem a bit quieter than a normal weekday, but folks are out and about. After breakfast we walked to the river, which is just a few blocks from the hotel. It has some green areas and a walkway down by the river. From there we walked to the grocery and got some more bread, cheese and juice for today's fine dining. We try to save money as much as possible; this trip I think we'll only eat dinners in the hotel restaurant 2 times total. Breakfast is included with the room so we hit that every day.
I'm especially having trouble getting my body to adjust time-wise this trip. Maybe it's because it's been a long weekend with no official "stuff" to do. If I get up, get going and keep going I'm fine, but on days when we don't have to get up and go somewhere I find myself getting really sleepy during what's late US or overnight US hours. Then at midnight here, when it finally gets somewhat dark and my brain accepts that it is finally bedtime, my body is like, "NOPE!" and I am wide, wide awake. Oh, well. I guess on this trip it doesn't really matter when I'm sleeping!
We're just going to putter more today and then tomorrow head to the grocery one last time for a few items to take home. Russian chocolate is GOOD. Then we are being picked up tomorrow at 2:30 for our 3 p.m. court appearance. I hope the judge has a 4 p.m. docket appointment so we're in and out! Hopefully tomorrow's post is that she's signed the decree and we just have to wait out the 10 days!
Today is cool and grey, but not rainy. It's an official government holiday and things seem a bit quieter than a normal weekday, but folks are out and about. After breakfast we walked to the river, which is just a few blocks from the hotel. It has some green areas and a walkway down by the river. From there we walked to the grocery and got some more bread, cheese and juice for today's fine dining. We try to save money as much as possible; this trip I think we'll only eat dinners in the hotel restaurant 2 times total. Breakfast is included with the room so we hit that every day.
I'm especially having trouble getting my body to adjust time-wise this trip. Maybe it's because it's been a long weekend with no official "stuff" to do. If I get up, get going and keep going I'm fine, but on days when we don't have to get up and go somewhere I find myself getting really sleepy during what's late US or overnight US hours. Then at midnight here, when it finally gets somewhat dark and my brain accepts that it is finally bedtime, my body is like, "NOPE!" and I am wide, wide awake. Oh, well. I guess on this trip it doesn't really matter when I'm sleeping!
We're just going to putter more today and then tomorrow head to the grocery one last time for a few items to take home. Russian chocolate is GOOD. Then we are being picked up tomorrow at 2:30 for our 3 p.m. court appearance. I hope the judge has a 4 p.m. docket appointment so we're in and out! Hopefully tomorrow's post is that she's signed the decree and we just have to wait out the 10 days!
On our walk to the river
Beware the river
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Day 5, June 12, the Friendly Fran
Because we have a three-day weekend ahead of us, we'd saved starting to get out and walk around, go to the indoor market, etc., until today. It's actually been rainy so we were totally fine yesterday after court with coming back to the hotel room and crashing a bit.
Today dawned bright and sunny and warmer than it has been - windy, too. We hit the hotel breakfast buffet (included in our room price - it has some cereal, juice, coffee, tea, bread, sliced meats and cheese, some fruit and typically a few hot things like hot dog-style sausages and an egg casserole-type thing) and then headed out. In December we'd walked to a pedestrian mall and found a mall-like building that includes an indoor grocery market.
We were excited to discover that there was more merchandise than in December. We were scoping out food to buy when we have custody - milk, bread, fresh fruit, yogurt, etc. We found all that, then went back to start going through aisle by aisle, starting, of course with the vodka aisle.
I love being in a country that has a whole aisle just for vodka.
We were a few rows in when a woman approached us and spoke English, saying she'd heard us speaking it. Her name is Fran and she's here studying Russian. She was wonderful! We told her about the adoption and she offered to have coffee with us or get together when we are here next; she gave us her local number and even told us she thought the education program she is here with could give us a few hours of Russian lessons to help us better communciate with the girls. She also clued us in to an outdoor market nearby that we never would have discovered on our own.
After buying some snacks at the market (we purchased neither the caviar- nor the crab-flavored Lays but did buy some Russian chocolate, chips, fresh baked bread, cheese and sodas, which were not to be found in the market when we were there in December; we will head back on another day to stock up on vodka and other stuff to take home) and then headed in the direction of the outdoor market.
It was only a few blocks from the indoor market and we were glad to go, because it certainly gave us some local flavor and atmosphere! Some of the stuff was like at a flea market - odds and ends and old books, etc. There were also live animals (dogs, cats, chicks, geese, fish, turtles) and then some areas that appeared to have new items like rugs, etc. We didn't purchase anything along that route but enjoyed it. The trip to and from the outdoor market took us along the Volga River, which was nice to see via a pedestrian route and not from the back of our agency rep's van.
Now we're back in the room chilling and just enjoying the breeze coming in the window and the sounds of Tver. It's a holiday weekend here so we're not sure if the atmosphere is different at all.
A view of the Volga.
A glimpse of the Tver outdoor market.
Goose in a bag.
Chicken, anyone?
A pretty mosaic on the side of a building,
on our walk back to the hotel.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Day 4, June 11, Court part 1
We've survived the first of two court appeareances. And, boy, are we glad at least that part's over! Today was essentially a review of our documents for the record; Tuesday we'll answer questions about us, each other, etc. I was more worried about today. I'm sure Tuesday we'll be grilled about the Tennessee incident, but our feelings on that are clear and we just have to communicate that.
In the room with us and the judge were the translator, a prosecutor, the director of the baby home, a social worker who has monitored us with the girls and the court clerk. It was interesting to hear about court proceedings in Russia in general.
Our final court appearance is Tuesday afternoon, so we've got some time to fill! We'll probably do some wandering and shopping starting tomorrow. I came home from court and crashed, snoring heavily for a number of hours. Bri watched a movie on the computer. Now he's sitting and staring out the window. Hmmm. This could be a long three days!
Until later!
In the room with us and the judge were the translator, a prosecutor, the director of the baby home, a social worker who has monitored us with the girls and the court clerk. It was interesting to hear about court proceedings in Russia in general.
Our final court appearance is Tuesday afternoon, so we've got some time to fill! We'll probably do some wandering and shopping starting tomorrow. I came home from court and crashed, snoring heavily for a number of hours. Bri watched a movie on the computer. Now he's sitting and staring out the window. Hmmm. This could be a long three days!
Until later!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Day 3, June 10
Well, they are simply too stinkin' cute for words.
We made the 2-hour trek to the baby home today. We'd called ahead about 1/2 hour out so they knew to be watching for us. When we arrived, a number of children were outside in the playground area. We opened the van door and the first thing I saw was the smiling face of the younger girl. She and her older sister were all bundled up, which is typical for Russian children in any kind of weather. They were in these cute little mismatched ensembles and then they whisked them away, saying we'd see them in a few minutes.
We found that renovations are underway at the baby home - good news, indeed! We went to the director's office, where we first met the girls in December and it was a lovely space! The director had just moved back in, either yesterday evening or this morning. New floors, window casings, wall coverings, etc. The home was full of sheetrock and building permits, which made us very happy.
Then the girls came in, now sporting a dress with a ladybug (which is a good luck talisman from my adoption board!) and a cute floral dress. Then calamity of the best kind ensued - there was giggling and jumping, dancing and stickers being affixed to Brian's watch and arm, clothing being tried on under and over existing dresses, coloring, stuffed dogs to be played with, couches to jump off of, tickles to be given and enjoyed and much more!
Now tomorrow...court seating #1. We're going to answer questions about all of our documents filed with the court. Wish us luck!
We made the 2-hour trek to the baby home today. We'd called ahead about 1/2 hour out so they knew to be watching for us. When we arrived, a number of children were outside in the playground area. We opened the van door and the first thing I saw was the smiling face of the younger girl. She and her older sister were all bundled up, which is typical for Russian children in any kind of weather. They were in these cute little mismatched ensembles and then they whisked them away, saying we'd see them in a few minutes.
We found that renovations are underway at the baby home - good news, indeed! We went to the director's office, where we first met the girls in December and it was a lovely space! The director had just moved back in, either yesterday evening or this morning. New floors, window casings, wall coverings, etc. The home was full of sheetrock and building permits, which made us very happy.
Then the girls came in, now sporting a dress with a ladybug (which is a good luck talisman from my adoption board!) and a cute floral dress. Then calamity of the best kind ensued - there was giggling and jumping, dancing and stickers being affixed to Brian's watch and arm, clothing being tried on under and over existing dresses, coloring, stuffed dogs to be played with, couches to jump off of, tickles to be given and enjoyed and much more!
Now tomorrow...court seating #1. We're going to answer questions about all of our documents filed with the court. Wish us luck!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Day 2, June 9
We've completed (again) our in-country medical visits. Hooray! Our originals expired after 3 months and since it's taken six to be invited back, they expired and had to be redone.
Tomorrow we go to the baby home and see the girls! We're both excited and scared to see how much they've changed.
We've met more adoptive families at the hotel this time around. Another agency has one family in-country on their first trip; they met their referral, at the girl's orphanage/baby home, yesterday and were headed out this a.m. for their second visit. We learned that another family is also here on their court visit, with their first appearance today. We're hoping to connect with them and get some intel prior to our first court visit on Friday. We've been STRONGLY warned that the judge is going to be even tougher than previously, and that she'd already been tough. This Tennessee event is VERY much on official's minds here; a Russian psychiatrist seeing us this a.m. really grilled us and warned us (as did our agency staff) to expect much more from the judge.
All we can do is say we abhor the decisions that were made and that we've already investigated where we could go for help, if needed, with adjustment issues or with any kind of behavioral issues - related to adoption or not! We've got a list going so we can study it so that when the judge asks specific questions we can provide specific answers and not just generalities.
BUT...I can also say that though we're getting lots of questions from people about the poor decisions that were made, we also get wonderful support and comments from people and they thank us repeatedly for our perserverance in continuing toward the girls' adoptions. One of the doctors today said she got goosebumps thinking of us. So, while I'm sure the judge will be tough - and frankly, has every right to be - I also get the sense from other Russians that they truly appreciate the true good that comes out of international adoption.
It's cool here; Blogger tells me it is in the mid-60s but I wonder if it's even that warm! The rain has turned everything muddy, but all the trees are green, which is quite different than it was in December!
I'll update tomorrow after we see the girls (I can't post pics, but I can tell you a lot!). We hear there are renovations going on at the baby home so we're eager to see what that is all about.
Have a great Wednesday, everyone at home!
We haven't been anywhere photo worthy today, but here are a few shots of our room. We left windows open and came back and it's chilly in here. Brian, though he said he was going to try not to, fell asleep (it's hard when your body thinks it's like 4 a.m.!) and then got cold and has been entirely under the comforter the whole time. The second pic is our food table; in an effort to save money, we pack non-perishables to eat in the room. Our limits are that it has to be completely cookable (is that a word?) with hot water and no microwave. That means lots of noodle bowls. My mom got us a big box at Costco and 2 of them were dinner last night!
Tomorrow we go to the baby home and see the girls! We're both excited and scared to see how much they've changed.
We've met more adoptive families at the hotel this time around. Another agency has one family in-country on their first trip; they met their referral, at the girl's orphanage/baby home, yesterday and were headed out this a.m. for their second visit. We learned that another family is also here on their court visit, with their first appearance today. We're hoping to connect with them and get some intel prior to our first court visit on Friday. We've been STRONGLY warned that the judge is going to be even tougher than previously, and that she'd already been tough. This Tennessee event is VERY much on official's minds here; a Russian psychiatrist seeing us this a.m. really grilled us and warned us (as did our agency staff) to expect much more from the judge.
All we can do is say we abhor the decisions that were made and that we've already investigated where we could go for help, if needed, with adjustment issues or with any kind of behavioral issues - related to adoption or not! We've got a list going so we can study it so that when the judge asks specific questions we can provide specific answers and not just generalities.
BUT...I can also say that though we're getting lots of questions from people about the poor decisions that were made, we also get wonderful support and comments from people and they thank us repeatedly for our perserverance in continuing toward the girls' adoptions. One of the doctors today said she got goosebumps thinking of us. So, while I'm sure the judge will be tough - and frankly, has every right to be - I also get the sense from other Russians that they truly appreciate the true good that comes out of international adoption.
It's cool here; Blogger tells me it is in the mid-60s but I wonder if it's even that warm! The rain has turned everything muddy, but all the trees are green, which is quite different than it was in December!
I'll update tomorrow after we see the girls (I can't post pics, but I can tell you a lot!). We hear there are renovations going on at the baby home so we're eager to see what that is all about.
Have a great Wednesday, everyone at home!
We haven't been anywhere photo worthy today, but here are a few shots of our room. We left windows open and came back and it's chilly in here. Brian, though he said he was going to try not to, fell asleep (it's hard when your body thinks it's like 4 a.m.!) and then got cold and has been entirely under the comforter the whole time. The second pic is our food table; in an effort to save money, we pack non-perishables to eat in the room. Our limits are that it has to be completely cookable (is that a word?) with hot water and no microwave. That means lots of noodle bowls. My mom got us a big box at Costco and 2 of them were dinner last night!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
We've arrived
We have arrived safely once again in Tver, Russia. We left the US Monday morning and arrived in Moscow Tuesday morning, with the time change. We tried to stay awake on the 2-hour or so ride from Moscow to Tver but neither one of us had much luck. We got checked in at the hotel and then collapsed and slept for a bit. We forced ourselves awake for some evening hours here and went to bed around midnight local time. Now it's about 6:40 a.m. Wednesday and we'll head down to breakfast soon. We have a 9 a.m. meeting with agency staff to plan today and tomorow; we have court on Friday, a 3-day weekend then court on Tuesday.
It's funny what is familiar and what is new here. When we were here in December the daylight hours were incredibly short. It would stay dark until about 9 a.m. and then start getting dark about 3:30 p.m. By evening it was pitch black.
Last night I asked Brian what time it was; it was perfectly sunny and bright. His response: 11:30!!!! Even at midnight when we turned out the lights there were still streaks of light in the sky.
I'll try to take some pics out and about today; even when we see the girls I can't post pics yet, until it's all legal and all that jazz. But, I'll try to give you a glimps of what we're seeing!
Sleep well, friends and family!
It's funny what is familiar and what is new here. When we were here in December the daylight hours were incredibly short. It would stay dark until about 9 a.m. and then start getting dark about 3:30 p.m. By evening it was pitch black.
Last night I asked Brian what time it was; it was perfectly sunny and bright. His response: 11:30!!!! Even at midnight when we turned out the lights there were still streaks of light in the sky.
I'll try to take some pics out and about today; even when we see the girls I can't post pics yet, until it's all legal and all that jazz. But, I'll try to give you a glimps of what we're seeing!
Sleep well, friends and family!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Wild Weanie Roast!
My girlfriends ROCK.
Look what they are planning for us!
After months and months of painful, frustrating, and expensive procedures, our friends Holly and Brian Shriner decided to approach expanding their family by exploring a different path. And, that path led them to Russia and two little girls waiting for a mommy and daddy. Holly and Brian will soon travel to Russia to continue their journey to adopt Hope and Leah.
Join us for a hot dog dinner, childrens’ games, a silent auction with awesome items to bid on, and FUN as we raise money to help Holly & Brian Shriner with the adoption fees for bringing Hope & Leah home from Russia!
Suggested dinner donations are $5 for children and $7.50 for adults. Additional donations accepted.
Feel free to invite friends! Please be sure to RSVP so we know how much food to purchase.
Hope to see you there!
Alana, Amy, Carolyn, Grace & Sarah
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126391884056473
These women have literally been beside me on our family building path every single step of the way. They have provided endless support, encouragement and shoulders. They have been there with a card, a lunch, a chat, a hug. They've shed tears with me, jumped with joy with me and have already raided closets to give us some of their favorite clothes that are no longer needed by their own kiddos. The parents in the group have patiently answered my questions about toddlers and have never once made me feel stupid for asking whatever I was asking. They have propped me up, held my hand, prayed for us and genuinely share our excitement and joy. They love the girls already.
And now this. We are truly blessed.
Look what they are planning for us!
After months and months of painful, frustrating, and expensive procedures, our friends Holly and Brian Shriner decided to approach expanding their family by exploring a different path. And, that path led them to Russia and two little girls waiting for a mommy and daddy. Holly and Brian will soon travel to Russia to continue their journey to adopt Hope and Leah.
Join us for a hot dog dinner, childrens’ games, a silent auction with awesome items to bid on, and FUN as we raise money to help Holly & Brian Shriner with the adoption fees for bringing Hope & Leah home from Russia!
Suggested dinner donations are $5 for children and $7.50 for adults. Additional donations accepted.
Feel free to invite friends! Please be sure to RSVP so we know how much food to purchase.
Hope to see you there!
Alana, Amy, Carolyn, Grace & Sarah
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126391884056473
These women have literally been beside me on our family building path every single step of the way. They have provided endless support, encouragement and shoulders. They have been there with a card, a lunch, a chat, a hug. They've shed tears with me, jumped with joy with me and have already raided closets to give us some of their favorite clothes that are no longer needed by their own kiddos. The parents in the group have patiently answered my questions about toddlers and have never once made me feel stupid for asking whatever I was asking. They have propped me up, held my hand, prayed for us and genuinely share our excitement and joy. They love the girls already.
And now this. We are truly blessed.
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