Waiting...

Kaitlin is now 1 day overdue! I know it doesn't seem like much but for someone who had a baby- yes- Kaitlin- who went way overdue you really, truly, start to feel that you will be pregnant forever. So, I can sympathize with her.
That said, having gone through international adoption and not knowing if or when you will get a child teaches one big patience! So, my heart is with her I will be patient for her and we will greet that little guy very soon.

Miracles happen! If you doubt this is so, read this..

The family who is in Kaz, presented with twin girls (not the single child they had financially planned 3 years for and consequently did not have the $13,000.00 addtional dollars they would need within 12 days) have received in donations from the vast network in the adoption community, family, and friends- $12,000.00 in 12 HOURS!
Having been in Kaz without any money, etc. I know the helpless feeling one has when one is in a very urgent situation.
This family now has the security of knowing they can adopt these 2 girls and can relax and focus on the bonding period of 2 weeks with them.
Thank-you to all who have donated, prayed, and passed the word!

"Out of the mouths of babes"

Yesterday, we (Sasha, Masha and myself) had to come back into town after the bus dropped the kids off at home. There was about 2 inches of snow. They wanted to play real bad! Sadly, we were not going to be home until after dark.
So, the conversation goes something like this:

S: Oh, I want to play in the snow so bad!
Me: Well, you better pray the snow is still there tomorrow
(a minute or so passes)
Me: "Sasha,
M: Mama, shh, Sasha's praying.

They just make me smile all the time!

Please Read- Urgent: a family in Kaz needs your help!

An Adoptive Family Needs Our Help
by Lori Anderson-Printy on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at 4:32pm
FORGIVE ME I ONLY ASK BECAUSE OF THE URGENCY OF THE SITUATION....

The Gobble's a family well know in the Kaz adoption community are in Kaz right now trying to adopt. It took them more than three years to get to Kaz and when they finally got there they waited another two weeks before finally being able to go to the baby house . Yesterday they finally met a sibling set-twin girls! They are three and half years old wth some medical issues and the family is in love.

The problem? The Gobble's fundraised for years to adopt just one child and must now figure out how to raise an additional $9,000 by the time they finish the official bonding period in less than 2 weeks. If they are unable to raise the additional money in the next 12 days they will not be permitted to adopted these girls.

If you can help please make a donation.
Payne County Bank - Just make a deposit into Phillip and Lanetta Gobble’s Savings Account – Adoption Account.

Paypal – Our personal paypal is lanettagobble@yahoo.com

Here’s the info. For making a tax deductable donation through Lifesong:

Checks:Made out to Lifesong for Orphans Memo: Gobble 1246
Sent to:PO Box 40202 N Ford streetGridley, IL 61744

Online @ PayPal:http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/donation.htmlmark "

Probably no one is checking this blog anymore since I have been so negligent of it.
I have very little time to spend on the computer but hope to get some new photos and updates on soon.

Happy winter!!

Last night and today we have been dumped on with snow. Wet and abundant snow. I stayed home with the kids as no one was available to watch them and Dave had a shoot scheduled.




We had a terrific day. We played outside. The kids like to slide down the 5 steps on the back deck on a small sled. That kept them busy for quite a while. We built a small snowman. It seemed easier when I was much younger (and shorter). Later we made and decorated Christmas cookies. What a blast! There was icing everywhere.

Today I post for my sweet, lovely, and wonderful daughter Kaitlin.
In August she got married (still waiting to get photos to post). She married a terrific man- Joey.
They are doing very well and just bought a house for which I am very proud of her being able to do. She was my baby and I would drop everything to run to her if any slight thing was wrong. But tonight I had to hold myself back and let her husband do what I felt was my right and responsiblity for so long. We spent a terrific evening at the mall with the kids and Joey pulled up just as I was dropping her off. We chated a minute, then I went home. A few minutes after I got home she called in tears. After I left, they were walking up to the house and were surprised by two unfamiliar dogs. One of them had literally ripped off the front of one of her rabbit cages and had killed her rabbit and she had to see it. They got the dogs tied up, called the police and had the dogs taken away. She has one other rabbit who was not harmed and now worries about that one. Kaitlin is the most sensitive person I know, is a huge advocate of all animals (she even goes to the animal shelter and walks and visits dogs there), so I know how hard this was for her. All I wanted to do was run back into town and be there for her, but I bit my tongue and assured myself that Joey would do it (and I thank God he was there)- take care of her - which is no longer my God given right.
So, Kaitlin , my arms are holding you tight in my heart. I hope you can feel it in yours.
Love,
Mom

first month home

So, here I am! I have not dropped off the face of the earth- but honest to goodness Lori was right when she posted that you really don't have any spare time for luxuries like blogging and other stuff. I've regularly checked in on other families at various points in their adoptions and am joyful for some, sad for others, and prayerful for all. I may not have ever met any of these families but feel a bond to all of them. This truly is a gut wrenching, faith testing, journey and we are so thankful that for us so far we have 2 incredible children home with us. I feel in my heart that a child still waits for us in China, but we are truly blessed with Sasha and Masha in our lives.

1st Day of School

Sasha and Masha started school today. They were both very excited and happy to go to school. The small issue came up when I said goodbye to Masha and she decided I should not leave her.
Sasha was a bit hesitant also. I can only imagine going to a new place where there are a bunch of kids you have never seen before (and of course most of them know each other) and everyone is speaking a language you are still trying to learn and you are in this environment that all you have to compare it to is the orphanage you recently left. THAT'S A LOT! I lurked around for about 30 min. after which they seemed fine. I hope we were able to reassure them they would be home everyday after school. Thankfully, it is only a 1/2 day of school. I will probably be a wreck by noon worrying that everything is OK.........

Official

Yesterday, we received Sasha and Masha's official certificates of US citizinship. Congratulations to our 2 little Kaz/Americans!

crazy times

Sasha and Masha have been home nearly a month now. They seem to be adjusting well. At least I hope so. Language is still our biggest barrier. I feel aweful when one of them spends several minutes telling me something and I can only listen and show interest. sometimes, I think they are trying to tell me something that happened or is going on and I say "show me" or I hear a familier word/s. Then I can figure it out. It must be more frustrating for them when we don't understand them.
We have been to a Ukranian families home twice now and to Ukranian sunday school twice. Nina, our main contact in that family and a translator for our hospital tells me their language is very mature and proper and that they speak very beautifully. Oh, I wish I knew what they are saying. They love the Ukranian sunday school (we go on Friday night). This past friday they got very excited when we walked up to the church. They speak only Russian/Ukrainian so of course Dave and I are out of place again. However, all of the Ukrainian people we have met, especially Nina's family are so kind and warm towards us. I have learned to make Borscht which both kids love, especially Sasha. My next cooking lesson with Nina will be Cabbage rolls- yum yum!
This week we are very busy getting ready for Kaitlins wedding on Saturday. We have so much to do around here and my ability to get anything done is very limited- sigh! I am trying to keep my anxiety under control but it is very hard. I have been on an emotional roller coaster these last few weeks and this week will be challenging. Kaitlin has been wonderful. She has been here with me a lot and gone with me when I venture into town. I do not do that alone! It is very overwhelming to the children to take them places. Meltdowns and sulking/pouting is common. They want everything in sight. I constantly hear "mama, mama, mama" with pointing and "oh". It is just to much for them. The funniest was Sasha getting very upset when we wouldn't buy him a yellow bottle of mustard- he doesn't even like mustard! I think it was the color that attracted him. The worst was a full blown double meltdown at Kohls when we tried to get him shoes for church/wedding. Unfortunately, he saw the spiderman shoes (mind you he already has a pair of spiderman shoes) and that was the end. Masha saw the prone kicking and pounding and decided she should do the same. We took the kids to the car and Dave finished the shopping alone. Oh well, an involuntary way to save I suppose. We have learned the best bathroom stops are certain fast food places. The ones where there are no candy bar racks, toys, or bright colors evident between the door and restroom. lol
Everyday, I think they are learning and understanding better. Even the sulking/ pouting sessions don't last as long. It will still be awhile before I take them anywhere alone.
I am hoping to get the softwear/cables needed to download a vidio of Masha dancing to a cd of her favorite music from the orphanage. She just loves to dance!

dogs, icecream, and playgrounds

Today has been a more difficult day. Both kids are fine with the older dogs: Murray and Mcgee but are afraid of Hank our 1 year old Shitzu and Annie our 2 1/2 year old golden doodle. Granted they are younger and more excitable and rambunctous.

Sasha has taken to kicking. When I try to explain to him that he can't kick (especially the dogs) he gets mad, pouts, stomps and will go to his room and lock the door. I now have all the bedroom doors locked so he can't get in and lock himself in. I know the language barrier is frustrating for both of them. It is for me and I am a grown-up who understands that this is part of the process and it will pass.

I finally decided to keep Hank and Annie in the barn for the remainder of the day and when I went into the barn I heard this little tiny mewing sound from under Dave's Kubota. I thought that maybe Bella (our smallest cat) was trapped under it somehow. But after calling and coaxing- to my huge surprise a very tiny grey and white kitten came out from under. Well, as you can imagine mama mode kicked in and now Kosh-ke (russian for cat) has a bed and food and drink in the barn. What cracked me up is how Dave spent at least 1/2 hour out there with him last night. When I asked him why he was out there so long he said Kosh-ke was very lonely and needed attention. Awe...

After dinner (which for the kids was buttered noodles, carrot sticks, cherry tomatos, and homemade applesauce) we went into town for ice-cream. Not knowing what flavor they would like we started with vanilla. We will have to try others as language develops and likes and dislikes become known. Woodland sweets also has a big safe fenced in playscape. With the exception of one big sulking session (because S had to wait for miss M to finish her ice cream) the night ended up well.

No idea how I got the butterfly image there and can't figure out how to rotate an image from my card to blogger. So apologies on having to bend 90 degrees to the left and enjoy the butterfly (from Meijer gardens back in April).

Exhausted but happy

We are all adjusting bit by bit.

Masha came home with a raging cold- which Dave, myself and Kaitlin all have now. She really doesn't seem to be bothered by it. She is pretty good at blowing her nose but I have to get the tissue there before the yellow globs go everywhere. We have ventured out a few times to quieter less busy places. Except once. Dave and I had to get Sasha a new pair of tennis shoes. Our guessing at his shoe size before he came home was a good size or two off. Walmart is not the place to bring children who have had minimal contact with the outside world, especially the world of american retail. We will rethink those trips for awhile.

Masha and Sasha don't mind the car at all. They have figured out how to get us to stop if they want to get out. A request for "pee-sat" or "ka-cut" with the appropriate pained look on the face will get us to a restroom quickly.

Sunday we traveled downstate for my dads birthday. They have both charmed the rest of the family and Masha especially loves her 20 year old cousin Erik.

We have been to the beach twice. Both Sasha and Masha enjoy the beach and the water

but Masha only likes it if there are no waves. Otherwise papa has to carry her. Friday we went for a walk accross the street on the conservancy land and hiked the short distance to Elk lake. Both kids loved picking and eating the wild raspberries and Blackberries along the way (what would the mamas at the orphanage have to say about that- I shudder to think). When we arrived at the super tiny beach Masha suddenly started pulling off her clothes. Sasha looked at us with a look that said "well, is it ok?" and we looked at each other and gestured yeah, go ahead! So for about 1/2 hour both kids jumped and splashed about in Elk Lake completely naked. It was so darn cute I could hardly stand it. Of course we didn't have any towels with us at all - we thought we would just show them the lake and then walk back- oh silly parents!!!!

Kids coming!!

We had word today that Sasha and Masha will arrive in Grand Rapids tomorrow evening at 8:10 pm. We are very excited!
Stay tuned...

On Their Way

I woke up this morning thinking, the kids are on their very first plane ride right now about to land in Almaty. Then I thought, I hope they're not afraid or anxious. I hope their little tummies don't hurt from nervousness or their ears don't hurt from the altitude. They are with 3 other children from the preschool house so I hope they are having a little fun but not driving Alma stark raving mad. I can just picture Masha running through the airport waving her little arms all over the place and singing la la la la la. I know Alma would not let that happen. She is probably the one person who can manage with 5 children in tow who are having quite the experience of their lives. Alma will meet Oleg in Almaty and he will take them from there for all the necessary appointments. They will finally begin the journey home either Tuesday or Wednesday.
Please send prayers to all the traveling families, Oleg and Alma and all the children, that they have a safe and happy trip home.

Hi to all.

Thanks to all for your patience and support. I am sitting here thinking about all the new friends I have made so for on this journey. All of us at various stages of the process. And often waiting during those stages. We now wait for our children to come home. For several reasons we have decided to have Sasha and Masha escorted to the US. Hopefully, they will be here the last week of July. We have met with the escort twice and feel very comfortable with him.
We miss them very much and can't wait to hold them and hug them again.
Here are some of my favorite photos.