We wanted to share our plans for the trip to pick up Olivia Ann and John Mark.
Oct 6 - Thursday - Flight to Moscow arriving on the 7th
- 8:10am - MGM to Atlanta - Delta Air Lines 5315
- 11:57am - Atlanta to NY - Delta Air Lines 72
- 5:10pm - NY to Moscow - Delta Air Lines 30 (arriving on the 7th at 10:55am)
Oct 7 - Friday - Flight to Samara
- 2:00pm - Moscow to Samara (arriving at 3:50) - Aeroflot 831
- Spend night at Hotel in Syzran
Oct 8 - Saturday - Pick up kids and fly back to Moscow
- Go pick up Olivia Ann
- Go pick up John Mark
- 5:45pm - Samara to Moscow - Aeroflot 832 (arriving at 7:30pm)
- Go to Apartment
- - NEW ARBAT 22 RETRO SUITE
Oct 9 - Sunday
- Day spent with children
Oct 10 - Monday
- 9am - Doctors Appointment for Children
- Go to Embassy
Oct 11 - Tuesday
- 11:30 - Go to Embassy for Visa
Oct 12 - Wednesday
- Day spent with children
Oct 13 - Thursday
- Day spent with children
- Meet Val to get paperwork to return home
Oct 14 - Fly back to MGM
- 12:55pm - Moscow to NY - Delta Air Lines 31
- 7pm - NY to Atlanta - Delta Air Lines 73
- 10:53pm - Atlanta to MGM - Delta Air Lines 5373 (arriving at 10:43 pm)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Leaving on a Jet Plane!
We are waiting to board our Aeroflot flight to Amsterdam. We have a five hour layover in Amsterdam and then on to Atlanta. We are ready to be home out of the smoke from all the Russian who smoke constantly. All the "smoking is bad for your health" campaign must have failed here or never made it across the ocean.
We can't wait to get back to tell you all about the trip in person. We are especially ready to love on Tucker.
Please pray for our safe travel.
We can't wait to get back to tell you all about the trip in person. We are especially ready to love on Tucker.
Please pray for our safe travel.
Court Today
We arrived to the courthouse an hour early, which for us was more waiting just a new venue for waiting. The head doctors of both orphanages and the social workers assigned to each orphanage were in attendance along with the prosecutor for the region of Samara. Court began by the judge arriving and immediately reading the case. Black family adoption petition was the main idea, she read a lot of stuff and the translation we received was Black Family Petition for Adoption proceedings.
The judge was a woman and except for Greg everyone in the courtroom was a woman. The judge began to read our dossier aloud for all to hear. Thankfully she did not read it all or we would still be sitting there. She read highlights from it about our house, medicals, our parents, employment, salaries, and about Tucker. Then she read a lot about Olivia Ann Polina and John Mark Baytimir. She read about each child's family background or lack thereof. Once the judge completed the readings she and the prosecutor asked me several questions. The questions were related to things such as 1. Will you treat adoptive children the same as biological child? 2. Will you take time off from work when children get home? 3. Are you financially prepared to care for children with disabilities? 4. How will your marriage hold up under the stress of a larger family? 5. If the children needs require, will you quit work? 6. Who will help you with the children if you need help, other than Greg?
After my questioning it was Greg's turn to answer the questions form both Judge and Prosecutor. They asked him: 1. How have you prepared for the education of the children? 2. Will your salary be sufficient to support the family if Rayla needs to quit work? 3. What is your plan for spending time with the children? 4. Who will care for the children if you and Rayla can not for any reason do so?
Once these questions were answered the Judge asked the doctors and social workers to speak about the children. Both doctors gave their reports, all medical information included things we had been told on the first visit. Both social workers explained how they had searched for family of each child. Olivia Ann's biological mother, grandmother and uncle had all terminated rights and the letters stating so were in the court proceedings. John Mark's family could not be located after much search according to the social worker. The social workers went on to explain how Russian families had been contacted to adopt both children. No one wanted John Mark because he does not appear Russian and no one wanted Olivia Ann because of her disability related to her right hand and right leg. The discussion of these facts were hard to listen to without crying. Bottom line is no Russians found either child suitable for adoption. I can't wait for everyone to meet both children and then you will all wonder like Greg and I wonder how they could not want to adopt these precious gifts from God.
Both the doctors and social workers recommended the adoption. They all agreed it would be best for the children to be adopted by us.
After the doctors and social workers finished, the judge asked if we heard anything new about the children or if we had any questions. We did not have any questions and none of the information was new to us so she stood up and left the room. We were a little nervous about that action but Svetlana said not to worry, she would be back with a favorable verdict. Fifteen minutes went by and she returned and stated that she agreed with the recommendation of the prosecutor and the doctors and the social workers that it was in the best interest of the children to be adopted by us. Then she said she wished us luck, happiness and a healthy larger family. She finally smiled and it was over.
The children are now officially our children and their names are officially changed. I wish I was an eloquent writer like some of you reading this blog so I could adequately express our emotions about the finalization of the process today. It was all I could do not to immediately begin weeping. Olivia Ann and John Mark were chosen by God to be ours all the way from Russia. The gravity of that is so much to comprehend and explain. Know that we are so excited to say the least and so thankful to God for blessing us with these children. We are also so grateful to each one of you who have been there with us throughout the aches and pains, ups and downs, excitement and tears of the adoption process. It is not over yet, so keep praying but we are so very close, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.
Svetlana hugged us and it was over. The whole court hearing took about an hour and half. It seemed almost too good to be true. That was it, in 10 days the paperwork will be signed and then Svetlana will do some paper work and we will return to Russia on the 7th of October. Leaving Montgomery the 6th. We will be home with our precious children very late October 14th. We will post more about the travel arrangements for the 3rd and thankfully final trip later.
Thank you so much for all your prayers. You have helped us survive the process to this point and we appreciate each one of you more than you realize.
The judge was a woman and except for Greg everyone in the courtroom was a woman. The judge began to read our dossier aloud for all to hear. Thankfully she did not read it all or we would still be sitting there. She read highlights from it about our house, medicals, our parents, employment, salaries, and about Tucker. Then she read a lot about Olivia Ann Polina and John Mark Baytimir. She read about each child's family background or lack thereof. Once the judge completed the readings she and the prosecutor asked me several questions. The questions were related to things such as 1. Will you treat adoptive children the same as biological child? 2. Will you take time off from work when children get home? 3. Are you financially prepared to care for children with disabilities? 4. How will your marriage hold up under the stress of a larger family? 5. If the children needs require, will you quit work? 6. Who will help you with the children if you need help, other than Greg?
After my questioning it was Greg's turn to answer the questions form both Judge and Prosecutor. They asked him: 1. How have you prepared for the education of the children? 2. Will your salary be sufficient to support the family if Rayla needs to quit work? 3. What is your plan for spending time with the children? 4. Who will care for the children if you and Rayla can not for any reason do so?
Once these questions were answered the Judge asked the doctors and social workers to speak about the children. Both doctors gave their reports, all medical information included things we had been told on the first visit. Both social workers explained how they had searched for family of each child. Olivia Ann's biological mother, grandmother and uncle had all terminated rights and the letters stating so were in the court proceedings. John Mark's family could not be located after much search according to the social worker. The social workers went on to explain how Russian families had been contacted to adopt both children. No one wanted John Mark because he does not appear Russian and no one wanted Olivia Ann because of her disability related to her right hand and right leg. The discussion of these facts were hard to listen to without crying. Bottom line is no Russians found either child suitable for adoption. I can't wait for everyone to meet both children and then you will all wonder like Greg and I wonder how they could not want to adopt these precious gifts from God.
Both the doctors and social workers recommended the adoption. They all agreed it would be best for the children to be adopted by us.
After the doctors and social workers finished, the judge asked if we heard anything new about the children or if we had any questions. We did not have any questions and none of the information was new to us so she stood up and left the room. We were a little nervous about that action but Svetlana said not to worry, she would be back with a favorable verdict. Fifteen minutes went by and she returned and stated that she agreed with the recommendation of the prosecutor and the doctors and the social workers that it was in the best interest of the children to be adopted by us. Then she said she wished us luck, happiness and a healthy larger family. She finally smiled and it was over.
The children are now officially our children and their names are officially changed. I wish I was an eloquent writer like some of you reading this blog so I could adequately express our emotions about the finalization of the process today. It was all I could do not to immediately begin weeping. Olivia Ann and John Mark were chosen by God to be ours all the way from Russia. The gravity of that is so much to comprehend and explain. Know that we are so excited to say the least and so thankful to God for blessing us with these children. We are also so grateful to each one of you who have been there with us throughout the aches and pains, ups and downs, excitement and tears of the adoption process. It is not over yet, so keep praying but we are so very close, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.
Svetlana hugged us and it was over. The whole court hearing took about an hour and half. It seemed almost too good to be true. That was it, in 10 days the paperwork will be signed and then Svetlana will do some paper work and we will return to Russia on the 7th of October. Leaving Montgomery the 6th. We will be home with our precious children very late October 14th. We will post more about the travel arrangements for the 3rd and thankfully final trip later.
Thank you so much for all your prayers. You have helped us survive the process to this point and we appreciate each one of you more than you realize.
Adoption Court Hearing is Over
We are now officially a family of 5! The court proceedings went well and the judge ruled in our favor for the adoption of Olivia Ann Polina and John Mark Baytimir. I can not describe our feelings right now. So much joy, relief, gratefulness, and thankfulness. We will write more later tonight. We are so blessed by your prayers and love throughout this process. We love you all!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
A Day of Waiting and Waiting
Today was a free day. We had not appointments or requirements today. We ate breakfast with Eric and Elizabeth, the couple from Nebraska. They had their court appearance today and passed. Greg and I came back to the room to wait on their return and took naps. Yes, I even took a nap. All the travel and stress was catching up to me I guess because usually naps are not on my agenda.
When Eric and Elizabeth returned we talked to them about court and found out a few things to expect. We then all discussed the return trip to pick up the children with Svetlana and Sergey. We will be returning at the same time Eric and Elizabeth are returning. Eric and Elizabeth left for lunch on the way to the airport so Greg and I walked around looking for souvenirs. We bought a few things and came back to the hotel and spent the rest of the afternoon looking at possible flights and apartments for the return trip.
For dinner we decided to try the Argentinean Big Beef House. They had an English menu so we thought it was safe for us since we do not speak any Russian. We ordered and in a few minutes our waiter came back trying to explain something about the steaks we ordered. We did not really understand what he was saying but agreed to something. We soon found out exactly what we agreed to when the ticket came. The steaks were priced by the gram not by the steak. We thought we were paying about twelve dollars for our steaks plus about 4 dollars for a baked potato. When the ticket arrived we realized we were paying twelve dollars a gram for the steak. Needless to say dinner tonight is most likely the most expensive meal Greg and I have ever eaten. The steak was good but not that good. We decided this meal just added to the "Adoption Experience". Traveling in a foreign country has all kinds of challenges and eating out is just one of those challenges. Next time we see an Argentinean Steak House we will know not to even step inside.
Tomorrow our court hearing is scheduled for 10:30am. While you are sleeping tonight, all of you except JJ that is since she is in Africa. Please pray that the proceedings go smoothly and we have wonderful news to blog about tomorrow.
Love to all and thanks so much for keeping us in your prayers.
When Eric and Elizabeth returned we talked to them about court and found out a few things to expect. We then all discussed the return trip to pick up the children with Svetlana and Sergey. We will be returning at the same time Eric and Elizabeth are returning. Eric and Elizabeth left for lunch on the way to the airport so Greg and I walked around looking for souvenirs. We bought a few things and came back to the hotel and spent the rest of the afternoon looking at possible flights and apartments for the return trip.
For dinner we decided to try the Argentinean Big Beef House. They had an English menu so we thought it was safe for us since we do not speak any Russian. We ordered and in a few minutes our waiter came back trying to explain something about the steaks we ordered. We did not really understand what he was saying but agreed to something. We soon found out exactly what we agreed to when the ticket came. The steaks were priced by the gram not by the steak. We thought we were paying about twelve dollars for our steaks plus about 4 dollars for a baked potato. When the ticket arrived we realized we were paying twelve dollars a gram for the steak. Needless to say dinner tonight is most likely the most expensive meal Greg and I have ever eaten. The steak was good but not that good. We decided this meal just added to the "Adoption Experience". Traveling in a foreign country has all kinds of challenges and eating out is just one of those challenges. Next time we see an Argentinean Steak House we will know not to even step inside.
Tomorrow our court hearing is scheduled for 10:30am. While you are sleeping tonight, all of you except JJ that is since she is in Africa. Please pray that the proceedings go smoothly and we have wonderful news to blog about tomorrow.
Love to all and thanks so much for keeping us in your prayers.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Medical Exams
While you were all sleeping we had our medical exams. The exams were a formality we quickly figured out. Eric and Elizabeth, the couple from Nebraska, had their medical appointment at the same time we did. This is their second adoption so they told us this appointment was no big deal and they were right. We saw seven doctors and I use the term "saw" very loosely. Seven doctors came in and out of the room while we were there and yes they visualized us but most just signed the papers and walked out of the room. One doctor tapped our knees and arms and had us follow her hammer with our eyes. Her tap was more of an aggressive tap than a normal test like this that you would have at you local doctor. We had to roll our sleeves up for the Hematologist and she looked at our veins and asked about drug abuse.
A nurse took my blood pressure and those of you who know me well you know I have high blood pressure in normal circumstances so when the lady said "normal" and wrote something on the paper I know she either quit allowing the needle to go past normal or I know God intervened in some way be cause I do not have "normal" blood pressure and it is never normal under stress. The psychologist asked us if we were in good health, we said yes and he signed the form. He wanted to know why Montgomery, Alabama is named Montgomery??? Maybe at one time I knew why Montgomery was named Montgomery but I could not even think of a good reply today except…"I really have no idea." I was prepared for him to ask the question we were told he would ask…"Have you thought about death???"…meaning suicide…not about Montgomery. Greg was no help because he did not know either. Having never studied Alabama history we were completely at a loss. I might need to google that later so I will know if I am ever asked again.
One doctor had us stand with our feet touching, arms out and eyes closed. We were then asked to touch our nose with our fore finger. Easy enough right??? Greg missed his nose completely with his left hand, he looked at the doctor wondering what she would say. The doctor was not looking at him at all and totally missed the fact that he missed his nose. So as you can tell all in all these exam were definitely a formality and nothing to be concerned about.
After we made it back to the hotel we walked around with our adoption buddies Eric and Elizabeth. We bought a couple of souvenirs and ate lunch together. Now everyone is napping except me. The fire alarm went off randomly at 3am. We got up to start to get ready to do evacuate this old building but just as we were very good and awake the alarm went off. By then though we are very much awake and never went back to sleep. We looked at flight times in preparation for the 3rd and final trip. We skypped with Tucker, Granny and Nana and still were ready ready early for breakfast.
This evening we are going down to the river front to walk around and do a little sightseeing.
Our court time is 10:30am on Wednesday which is about 2:30am for most of you. Please pray that the proceedings go smoothly and Olivia Ann Polina and John Mark Baytimir will finally officially be ours.
A nurse took my blood pressure and those of you who know me well you know I have high blood pressure in normal circumstances so when the lady said "normal" and wrote something on the paper I know she either quit allowing the needle to go past normal or I know God intervened in some way be cause I do not have "normal" blood pressure and it is never normal under stress. The psychologist asked us if we were in good health, we said yes and he signed the form. He wanted to know why Montgomery, Alabama is named Montgomery??? Maybe at one time I knew why Montgomery was named Montgomery but I could not even think of a good reply today except…"I really have no idea." I was prepared for him to ask the question we were told he would ask…"Have you thought about death???"…meaning suicide…not about Montgomery. Greg was no help because he did not know either. Having never studied Alabama history we were completely at a loss. I might need to google that later so I will know if I am ever asked again.
One doctor had us stand with our feet touching, arms out and eyes closed. We were then asked to touch our nose with our fore finger. Easy enough right??? Greg missed his nose completely with his left hand, he looked at the doctor wondering what she would say. The doctor was not looking at him at all and totally missed the fact that he missed his nose. So as you can tell all in all these exam were definitely a formality and nothing to be concerned about.
After we made it back to the hotel we walked around with our adoption buddies Eric and Elizabeth. We bought a couple of souvenirs and ate lunch together. Now everyone is napping except me. The fire alarm went off randomly at 3am. We got up to start to get ready to do evacuate this old building but just as we were very good and awake the alarm went off. By then though we are very much awake and never went back to sleep. We looked at flight times in preparation for the 3rd and final trip. We skypped with Tucker, Granny and Nana and still were ready ready early for breakfast.
This evening we are going down to the river front to walk around and do a little sightseeing.
Our court time is 10:30am on Wednesday which is about 2:30am for most of you. Please pray that the proceedings go smoothly and Olivia Ann Polina and John Mark Baytimir will finally officially be ours.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
A Day With John Mark
Today we spent the day visiting John Mark. This morning we picked up Lori and her friend at the airport. We drove 35 miles an hour to the airport today,(not the normal warp speed) evidently we were very early because we still waited almost an hour at the airport for Lori to arrive. We made it to the orphanage about 10:45. The care givers brought Sofia to Lori first. She is a doll. She is 3years old and is going home to Ohio not Texas as I said in the post before.
A short time later the orphanage director brought John Mark in to us. He was a little shy at first but came to me pretty easily. He gives the best love. He just snuggled in on my shoulder. It is so sweet and such a precious feeling. He was a little intimidated by Greg at first too but warmed up fairly quickly.
We played with him until lunch. John Mark sat in my lap to eat his lunch of chicken broth soup with rice and a meatball and creamed corn of some kind. He also ate shredded up cucumbers with the corn and the meatball. He ate all of his lunch with ease. He feeds himself very well considering he is not 2. All the children learn at a much younger age how to feed themselves out of necessity at the orphanage.
After lunch he played with Greg and played with the toys we brought. He really enjoyed watching the video we brought on the ipad of Tucker. Tucker says in the video "Hello brother and sister, I can wait to get you." Short and sweet message.
We brought shoes and clothes for John Mark to try on today. We guessed right on all the things we brought for him. Size 7 shoe, 3T shirt and 2T pants. He has short little legs right now.
Right before lunch, another couple, Eric and Elizabeth, arrived for their second visit to the orphanage. They are from Nebraska. They are adopting a second child from this same orphanage. They adopted their first son when he was 18 months old, now he is 5 years old. They are adopting a 3 1/2 year old little boy now. Their court date is Tuesday and will return to pick their son up at the same time we return to get John Mark and Olivia Ann.
Around 1:30 or 2 John Mark began be very sleepy. He just sat in my lap for a while and started to take a nap. I took him down to his room so he would sleep better. He did not want me to hand him to the caregiver. He whimpered and then was about to really cry and they gave him a treat so he would not cry. Bribery works well with children of all nationalities. Of course my heart melted when he did not want to let me go.
John Mark came back after nap and we played more. This afternoon we took him outside for a little while. He had a nice time swinging. We stayed outside and played with Sofia and John Mark. Sofia wanted to be doing everything John Mark was doing. When it was time to go we were all sad as usual. It is especially hard when John Mark did not want to leave my arms to go back to his caregivers. I hope somehow in some little way that he and Olivia Ann will know that we will be back soon to get them.
Today we talked to Svetlana about the schedule for tomorrow. We will go for our medical exams tomorrow at 11:30. In theory this is not supposed to be a big deal. Lori said it was easy and nothing to it, last trip the lady from Israel indicated it was not fun at all. I am hoping to report to you a "Lori story" about the doctors tomorrow.
A short time later the orphanage director brought John Mark in to us. He was a little shy at first but came to me pretty easily. He gives the best love. He just snuggled in on my shoulder. It is so sweet and such a precious feeling. He was a little intimidated by Greg at first too but warmed up fairly quickly.
We played with him until lunch. John Mark sat in my lap to eat his lunch of chicken broth soup with rice and a meatball and creamed corn of some kind. He also ate shredded up cucumbers with the corn and the meatball. He ate all of his lunch with ease. He feeds himself very well considering he is not 2. All the children learn at a much younger age how to feed themselves out of necessity at the orphanage.
After lunch he played with Greg and played with the toys we brought. He really enjoyed watching the video we brought on the ipad of Tucker. Tucker says in the video "Hello brother and sister, I can wait to get you." Short and sweet message.
We brought shoes and clothes for John Mark to try on today. We guessed right on all the things we brought for him. Size 7 shoe, 3T shirt and 2T pants. He has short little legs right now.
Right before lunch, another couple, Eric and Elizabeth, arrived for their second visit to the orphanage. They are from Nebraska. They are adopting a second child from this same orphanage. They adopted their first son when he was 18 months old, now he is 5 years old. They are adopting a 3 1/2 year old little boy now. Their court date is Tuesday and will return to pick their son up at the same time we return to get John Mark and Olivia Ann.
Around 1:30 or 2 John Mark began be very sleepy. He just sat in my lap for a while and started to take a nap. I took him down to his room so he would sleep better. He did not want me to hand him to the caregiver. He whimpered and then was about to really cry and they gave him a treat so he would not cry. Bribery works well with children of all nationalities. Of course my heart melted when he did not want to let me go.
John Mark came back after nap and we played more. This afternoon we took him outside for a little while. He had a nice time swinging. We stayed outside and played with Sofia and John Mark. Sofia wanted to be doing everything John Mark was doing. When it was time to go we were all sad as usual. It is especially hard when John Mark did not want to leave my arms to go back to his caregivers. I hope somehow in some little way that he and Olivia Ann will know that we will be back soon to get them.
Today we talked to Svetlana about the schedule for tomorrow. We will go for our medical exams tomorrow at 11:30. In theory this is not supposed to be a big deal. Lori said it was easy and nothing to it, last trip the lady from Israel indicated it was not fun at all. I am hoping to report to you a "Lori story" about the doctors tomorrow.
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| This photo has all the children and families that we met this trip. |
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