Gotcha day and our time so far!

The day we picked them up at the orphanage was a really emotional and tiring day. Picking up Zhenya was somewhat painless as she has just been at the orphanage in Kichiry for nine months. She was ready to go and kissed each child in her group, hugged her teachers then immediately started taking her clothes off. She was ready to get the new duds on and get going!

We went over to Alyosha's building and all his class was there ready and waiting for us because they were putting on a special program in honor of his leaving. The kids were all dressed up in various costumes and excited when we arrived. We went into the music room and they immediately started the show! It was absolutely precious.

They quoted wonderful words to all of us about how happy they were for Alyosha and his new family. They said some really sweet things about Alyosha too (we only know through what Tanya our translator told us). They sang songs and danced. I was pretty teary eyed through the entire program and toward the end I could no longer hide my emotions. I believe I started a domino effect with all the kids and teachers. There was not a dry eye in the room, even Zhenya was crying. It was hard, but also a sweet time of saying goodbye crying, hugging, and kissing.

It is a day we will never forget. We will also never forget all those sweet faces of those precious precious kids and will continue to pray for them and the hope that one day they will get a family of their own. Everyone needs a mama and papa and I know if anyone met these beautiful children they would want to take them all home like we do!!!

Our last few days having the kids has been so much fun! Everything is new to them! They remind us of toddlers who start discovering the world around them for the first time, except that they're faster, stronger, and smarter! Once they looked everything over thoroughly and asked millions of questions, in Russian mind you, they have calmed down considerably.

Zhenya is just a ball of energy and has had a few strong willed moments and some mild meltdowns. I'm so thankful for Dave. He corrects her, calms her down and she has made positive strides in learning some self control. Alyosha is a quiet, sweet guy and the only thing we've had to help him with these last few days has been a little sneakiness!

We really have had a good time eating out, walking around, taking the bus, and playing here in the apartment. Zhenya is so cute when we're walking around. She is used to saying "drasty"(hello) at the orphanage whenever people walk by, so when we're out she says "drasty, drasty" to everyone and most of them don't say it back so I taught her to just shrug her shoulders and make a silly face..it's our little game :D

Okay, there is so much more I could go on about, but I'll spare you this time!!

We have been very disappointed that our lawyer and translator have not been able to apply for the kids passports yet. It's something about the bureaucrat who signs the birth certificates is on vacation so they're trying to find someone who can do it for us. This has been a typical hold up throughout our adoption process over the years. It seems there is only one important person who is able to do whatever you need done and they are either on vacation, or in another town, or are unable to be contacted for some reason or another.

So at this point we think that unless a major miracle happens, Friday the 9th is out and Sunday is looking sketchy. We will wait and see knowing that God is looking out for what is best for us and does not withhold anything good from us.