Time is over

I can't believe it...we leave tomorrow. We leave this precious baby girl, and all we can do is continue to pray that our invite back for court will come quickly. Today was quite bittersweet. Officially, we were only allowed two days for visits to the orphanage, two times each of those days. I think because of the pathedic look on our faces at the end of our two days alotted, they gave us a "freebie" visit yesterday. It was so quick, but at least we held her in our arms once during the day. We asked, and begged, for Eugene to let us see her today (friday). We paid him a days wages (trust me, with Moscow traffic...it takes a complete day to make this little drive across town), and he stepped up and took us. She had quite the traumatic morning with her schedule, so we only saw her for 15 min. the first time today. She went straight ino my arms and settled in contently. No cries, no fear...just recognition that this lady must be someone I need to get to know. She fell asleep in my arms, and before I knew it her nanny came to get her. Tears just started to flow, knowing that there was only one more time to be with her before such a long absence. We went and sat for while with Eugene in a coffee shop. I tend to feel like the third wheel, as he and Charles get caught up in conversations like teenage girls on their cell phones. It was really nice to get to know Eugene on a more personal basis. He has been working with international adoptions for 12 years, and has a very interesting history. He's our age, and such a hardworker. We had our 2nd visit, and each moment seemed to disappear into a distant memory. She was not feeling well, so our time was very quiet and tender. We saw her nanny come in, and fought to hide the tears. We had a blanket, teddy, and a few pictures of us we wanted to leave with her. I passed them onto to her nanny, and then Baby Girl. It took a while to get ourselves together after she left, but we then headed downstais to leave. We know that her caregivers love her and take such good care of her. We have often been told that she is one of the "favorites". It still aches inside knowing that there is more time to experience without her, until we can hold her forever. This experience has already changed our lives in such profound and amazing ways. There is also this thing called "the love of a parent", which Charles and I are still in awe as to the depth this can run.
We did get to spend her 1st birthday with her this week. What a blessing! We are already making memories. Our prayers continue as we await getting her home.

Time is flying by!

We are mid week already...and I can feel the sadness grow within us as we realize we only have a couple days left with this sweet baby girl. Today was so wonderful. We spent a whole two hours with her this morning. We played and read books. All of a sudden, her eyes began to flutter, and in seconds she was out like a light in Charles' arms. We think that is good sign...as it shows she was so relaxed in his arms, that she was comfortable enough to sleep. She slept for about 20 minutes...and then it was back to play time. She loves the stacking cups. She holds one in each hand, and will not let them go. Oh, she is so much fun!!! She really gets a kick out of peek a boo. She doesn't yet grasp the game..but boy does it make her giggle. We got her first laugh out of her today. Too precious to desribe. We had a quick trip around town this afternoon with Eugene, our driver. We ran up to St. Basil..and then literally right back to the car. Freezing cold weather. It hurt to smile, as my teeth became icecicles. We headed back to the orphanage for another quick visit with her, but had to wait for a bit. It was so nice to sit still, we could of fallen asleep. She came to see us in a little dress with a bow clip in her hair. Oh...it pulled at my heart. This girl will have quite the collection of ribbons and bows, if I have anything to say about it. Charles already warned her! I guess this may be payback after all of the times I ripped and pulled bows out of my hair..right before my school pictures. We are back home now, and quickly fading. I am thinking an early bedtime tonight. It was Eugene's birthday today..which he never mentioned! We found out thru someone else who was working with the three of us late this eve. Poor thing was missing out on his birthday celebration..just so we can have peace of mind each day. Fabulous person!!!

We wanted to send out a very big thank you to our parents for all they have done to support us. We are so blessed to have such amazing parents, and as we get closer to getting this baby girl home...I know there will be a daily committment made for Charles and I to set the same examples and to serve as a loving guiding force for Baby Girl Gray as our parents did for us. The yard sale was fabulous, and so many thanks to all of our familyand friends who helped donate items for the sale. You all have been so loving and giving to us! Thank you!!

The case of the flooding washer and not so good but downright expensive pizza!

We're here!! Yes, we flew across that little ole' pond and over some land to a place called Moscow Russia. Quite the ride!! Long flight...with a man on the other side of the plane that snored like there was no tomorrow! Little to no sleep, but we made it. We then met our driver..who has quickly become our new best friend. He is fabulous!!! It has been culture shock, to say the least, but he has not lef tour side during the day, and has guided through so much. By 2, we got settled into the apt. Not much to look at, but it will be fine to call it home for a week. Because I am such a germaphob, I have been spraying down every thing possible with Lysol. I thought I was being so proative by taking all of the towels and putting them into the wash. Charles and I couldn't figure out a lick of directions for this machine, so we took our chances and just guessed. After the clothes washing for literally two and a half hours...we saw that the kitchen floor (where the wash is located) had flooded. Oops!! There isn't a dryer..just a drying rack so we hung all of the towels. Once we solved the problem, we can honestly say we have the cleanest towels in the world.

We forged thru our exhaustion, and went to find something to eat. It is our goal now to have pizza in as many places in the world as possible. So...we found a place close by that looked like a great place to eat. We tried to plan ahead as to the cost, but were shocked at the outcome. The pizza was not the greatest..at all. It made our thin crust pizza back home look like thick crust. We survived, though.

Today was eventful. We went to the Ministry of Education first to receive our referral. It's a Baby Girl!!! She's 12 mo old, and absolutley beautiful. Oh, she captured our hearts from the moment we met her. We were able to see her twice today..before and after nap time. Things went much better after her nap, to say the least. Oh, I can't begn to explain how gogeous she is! We played with her, read her books, and even introduced Peek a Boo to her..with me running all around "hiding" She adores Charles!!!I can tell already she feels safe in those arms. She watches everything I do, but will then turn to him to check that he's still the one holding her. I also think she's checking for reassurance from him that I am not the crazy lady I have been acting. It broke our hearts to leave her, but will go back tomorrow for two more play times. We can't wait. Everything is still very preliminary. We are getting feedback from dr.'s here in the states to confirm some medical aspects before we give the approval. She already has our hearts. We will update tomorrow with more news. Wishing everyone well!!