Adding on to Yesterday's post

There have been so many exciting things happening.  I want to back up to when we first left to catch our first flight.  To make a long story short,Congressman Geoff Davis was in line in security ahead of us a few people, and as we were finishing up through security, he was smack dab in front of me.  I spoke with him (he acted as if he remembered us~~I had taken an AHG troop to DC 3 years ago and his staff showed us around the capital, and have had other dealings with him), and then Diester added that we had had his # on standby in case we continued to have some problems with our adoption paperwork that we struggled with last week.  It was nice talking with him, and he told me about how his daughter has progressed in AHG.  That being said, before he left, he turned and reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a business card, offered it to us, and told us to feel free to call him if we had any troubles at the embassy in Moscow.  He stated that sometimes there are complications, and he would be more than happy to help us out if we ran into any problems.  TALK ABOUT GOD COVERING US~~WOWSA!  That was such a blessing to start our trip off.  I had to add that, because you know, God just works in small ways that are so huge in the journey.

So we are at the orphanage yesterday, and get up to the room, and at first we did the punch balloons (I think I wrote about that already???)  Then R.A. got his eye on an accordian that was his size.  Incredible, I have never seen such a thing.  So, he goes to get it, and that was all she wrote.  We clapped and marched and danced and played follow the leader with R.A. playing the accordian for most of the time we were there.  Okay, so there were no songs coming from it, but he was loving just marching around, getting that thing to make some noise, and loving the attention that he was getting as we played along with him.  I.A. was enjoying it also. 

Diester wanted to talk with them about some things, so he got all of us to sit with him on the floor, and our interpreter talked to the boys for us.  Diester explained to them that we are going to take them to live with us.  I.A. was obviously oblivious to any of this, although he was peaceful on Diester's lap, but R.A. was listening and responding positively, as much as he could comprehend since he doesn't really understand life outside of an orphanage.  We had gotten the photo albums that we left with them, and showed it to them again, trying to show them pictures of their sisters, which I am sure they don't get that either.  Can you blame us for trying??  hehehe

During our visit, I.A. was really enjoying Diester carrying him around, and enjoyed us swinging him around, etc.  It was so sweet.  He would walk up to Diester with his arms out to indicate that he wanted Diester to do something again, or just to pick him up.  R.A. was still playing the accordian and marching around the room.  At another point, Diester made R.A. put the accordian up so that we could play something else, and he just collapsed on the floor.  He never threw a tantrum per se, but would be visibly upset that Diester was taking the accordian away, but it was really good training for him to have Diester tell him what to do, and then for Diester to comfort him as Diester would redirect him to do something else with us.  And then Diester would help him put the accordian back on after a bit.  So, there was some good give and take between the two of them, authority and surrender through these interactions.   Important stuff for our boys~~

Also, I had brought some raspberry tea that I had made for our trip.  It was so cute, because it was in a huge 1 ltr water bottle, and little I.A. got his hands on it, so I asked him if he wanted a drink, and I took off the cap, and he was so funny, he put his eye up to the bottle to look down into it at the drink, and then he put it to his nose (he is quite a Monk type, Diester says) to smell it, and then he put it to his mouth to try it, and I am letting him do these, and helping him so it doesn't spill all over, and so we finally get the drink almost to his mouth, and he pulls it away to check it out some more.  So, I let him check it out, and then he is trying for a drink.  Um, we finally make it to his mouth, and some of it spills, but he gets a taste.  He didn't think it was too bad, so he checked it out some more, and then we tried again.  It was a nice time for us to bond.  Then as we were getting ready to gather everything up to end our visit, I.A. was back for more, and then R.A. wanted to try it.  Now mind you, he has been marching around for an hour or more with an accordian, and was mighty thirsty by this time.  So, I had R.A. in my arms, and he indicated that he would like to try it also.  I gave him a bit so see if he liked it, and he responded positively (I have no clue what he said), but there was not disdain.  Um, so after he tried it the first time, it was as if he could not get enough, so I kept helping to get him drinks, and he let me help him.  He did not try to take the bottle from me to do it on his own.  That may sound silly to you, but in all actuality, it was huge for me.  These kids are so independent that they do a lot on their own, so any way that we can connect with them is a step in the right direction of bonding, and I will take any that I can get.  You all know that Diester is a big kid~~children naturally just gravitate to him.  However, I am a bit more stuffy, and don't have that knack like Diester.  I will have to work on the bonding in other ways, such as the nurturing.  Isn't that what moms are for?  So, for me the drink was a blessing to share with them, and initiate more bonding.  Praise the Lord that he is so good! 

A couple of other things to mention, and then I am going to sign off.  We are meeting up with some missionaries here.  He is from Madison, WI (WOOHOO, a plug for WI where Diester is from) originally, and she is actually from Geneva, Switzerland.  I found out that she has studied under Francis Schaffer.  So excited to pick her brain about him, and his teachings.  I am sure that played a major role in her becoming a missionary.  How sweet!  She is taking us to a farmers market today, and then tomorrow we are going to church with them, and out to lunch. 

Another thing I wanted to share is the education I am getting about some hx of Russia, and the Russian people at least in this area.  Our interpreter, Ilena has lived here all of her life.  She has shared many things with us about growing up here, which has been really interesting, and Diester can understand a lot of it, considering that his G-ma came from Russia.  So, we were headed to the orphanage.  Dandelions are done blooming, and now there are just absolutely beautiful wildflowers that grow along in the fields, and forests that we pass along the way.  So, I asked if we could please pick some flowers along the way home, and also, if we could stop for these special mushrooms that only grow during this certain time of the year there in the forests.  They refer to them as 'little red fox' mushrooms because of their beautiful orange color, and official name is 'chanterelles??'.  She went on and on about how her and her mother have a special place they go to pick them every year, and how you have to wait for 3 days after the rain, and the mushrooms will be there, etc.  So, we actually stopped by and bought some along the roadside from a peddler.  Our driver Eugene, bought a pail full, and shared them with Diester and I.  I made chx, w/mashed potatoes, and put these special mushrooms sauteed with onions over the mushrooms.  I normally do not enjoy or go for mushrooms, but I couldn't pass on them, they are such a speciality in this area.  And they were beautiful in color, and delicious.  Neat to get to sample the flair of Siberia! !  

I have to go!  Lunch and then meet with Iris (and possibly Tim) for the market!  Have a blessed day!

We made it safe and sound! and got to go see the boys!

So, we are finally in our apt. that we will have for our stay in Krasnoyarsk (Kras for short).  It is very spacious on the 10th floor in the heart of the city.  I figured out that we spent 33 hours in airports or on planes, or in a hotel during a layover to get here, and then we lost 12 hours in the meantime.  We got in at 6:05 a.m. today, and were brought straight to our apartment.  It was a beautiful morning with the sun coming up over the hill sides, and shining down on the forests, and the villages.  It was also very cool~~probably a good 60 degrees or less.  We packed for hot summer time, not for these brisk days, so what are we to do?  We left some of the items from our luggage (due to being overweight by 6 kilos in one bag, and 2 kilos in another) in Moscow with our facilitator there.  He was kind enough to bring us an extra suitcase since he saw when he took us to the hotel for our layover, that we had some really heavy bags.  He did not want us to be charged, but we took out our jeans, thinking those would be the last things we would need.  Boy, were we mistaken, at least today.  Today may bring more heat.  We'll see.

We unpacked.  Diester is all about organizing.  I was getting into the food we brought because I was hungry.  We passed the time familiarizing ourselves with the apartment, and skyped with our lovely girls (who happen to be in Indianapolis, which was a total surprise to us).  I love the spontaneity! !   And we skyped with Diester's mom, and filled her in.  It was nice to catch up.  Diester has a niece (with her husband and daughters) who were headed to Japan for his duty in Okonawa flying on the other direction from us at the same time we were heading here.  Kind of neat!

So we are waiting to get a ride to see the boys, and Diester was pacing the floors wondering when our ride was going to arrive.  Just couldn't get it off of his mind.  It was past the time that they were supposed to be here, and he was excited.  I reminded him, as I have to remind myself over and over again that God's word says "Do not be anxious about anything; but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace og God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." So, we just started praying and thanking God for his blessings on us, and sure enough, the doorbell rang.  They were here~~it is so nice to have that calm in the meantime.

Off to see our little guys.  It was a lovely ride.  The wild flowers that were flowing in the fields along the roadside were so beautiful.  We got there, and put on our lovely blue plastic shoe covers.  And as I was waiting to go to the bathroom (I think there is only one in the whole place for adults), I turned around, and there was R.A. looking my way.  Now, I have to admit that for some reason, I did not have my glasses on, so because of the distance, I had to do a double take.  When I realized that in fact it was him, I started to wave, and told Diester that R.A. was at the end of the hallway.  He was waiting for us as they knew we were coming.  He did give us smiles, and held on tight to us when we picked him up.  Still quite a bit timid~~I think at his age he is trying to figure all of this out in his little mind with his limited scope of understanding.  It was so nice to be able to love on him, and hug him.  It was just a sweet moment.  They did tell him that we were coming, so he knew to expect us, but it had been a while since we had last seen him, so some holding back from him is actually healthy (in my little mind with my limited scope of understanding :-)  )  We headed up stairs to the music room.  There was the little guy~~haircut and all, and in an outfit that was not yellow.  WOOHOO! ! !   He was definitely glad to see us and wasn't afraid to show it.  He immediately went for Diester~~it was precious!  So, here we are and we pull our our fun for the day, which was punching balloons (the kind of balloon with a stretchy string on it, so you can hold on to it, and punch the balloon around.  That was nice just getting them out of the packages ~

I am getting way to tired, and will have to finish in the a.m.  I will highlight some of the great times we had with them today~hopefully tomorrow.

Count your blessings! ! !  Michelle

One of the BIGGEST blessings of our 1st Trip!

Grace w/Stacey (mom)

Hannah & Aaron (oldest son) playing Airsoft Guns with some friends.

Esther (youngest daughter) w/Gloria (oldest daughter) goofing off in the pool.

Margeaux (friend) , Aaron, Gloria, and Hannah

As you read the blog post below, you might notice that it was written a week ago.  I was trying to include some pictures, but struggled, and have been terribly busy since then.  I am going to try to include the pix of the girls' stay at the Oestings, but if not, I will go ahead and publish the post.  Notice there are no pix of Mallory~she was behind the camera instead of in front, but that won't again.  We are leaving tomorrow, and I think I have the settings corrected to be able to receive comments on the blog, but would appreciate someone trying to put a comment so I will know for sure.  Have to go finish packing~~~Thanks, Michelle 
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Today is June the 29th~~only one week until we leave again for Russia for a month. We will be gone from July 6th through the 2nd of August. And, we are getting geared up!


It is a beautiful, lovely day here! The sun is shining, our lawn is mowed, the water in our pool is not green (hehe~~it was only slightly green for a couple of days when we first took the cover off of it a couple of weeks ago), and my garden is growing nicely. The girls are sleeping in still, which they need. And I got up early this a.m., and watered our hanging baskets and the garden plants, and some other things we have planted around the yard, along with weeding; and Diester just vacuumed out the pool.

I have been really behind in taking the time to shout out another “Praise to God” about our adoption journey. Today, I want to take a moment to share with those of you who do not know, that the girls stayed with the Oesting family while we were on our first trip. We are friends with the Oestings through a Christian homeschooling co-op that we have been involved in. We just plain love that family! What more can I say? There is the mom~Stacey, the dad~ Brett, oldest son Aaron, then 3 girls, Gloria, Grace, and Esther. The plan is that our girls will also stay with them while we are gone on our second trip. I can try to describe this family, but nothing that I say will be enough to compliment the blessing that they have been to us. It was the day after we got home from our first trip that the girls shared with us everything about their time with the Oestings. The Oestings were such a blessing, and the girls had a wonderful time with them, felt totally comfortable, made many happy memories, got to sleep in a LOT later than normal at home (oh, I take that back~~they did have to get up early on the mornings they skyped with us, so there were many mornings that they didn’t get to sleep in), got along with the entire family (they are easy to get along with), and were just blessed all around. Hannah is soooo excited, and can’t wait to go back! She did not hold back in telling us as much. Mallory said that it made it easier for her (not missing us so much) since we were able to ‘skype’, but she was blessed and totally enjoyed her time there as well. She described it as being on vacation. The Oestings were so considerate to them. You know. . .have you ever gotten the feeling that your kids have more fun at someone else’s house? like they would rather live there?? Okay, so I (not Diester) was starting to have a moment of a tad bit of jealousy! It was not good, considering how very tired I was to boot. I asked the family if I could just have a moment to regroup, and I took some time to offer it up to the Lord. I am in tears as I write, because it was then that the Lord showed me that he had taken care of this part of our journey just as well as everything else he has taken care of so beautifully. We couldn’t have asked for a better situation for the girls while we were gone. It was such a blessing! And to think that I was getting jealous~~YIKES! It was just another way that God covered us, and showed me that he is taking care of all of the parts of this adoption (that I don’t try to take control of~~hehe). Praise God!

We are getting excited about going back to Russia to get the boys. We have been getting some things done around here that will help when we get the little guys home. Diester ended up taking the bunk beds down that we had put together, thinking we had their room all ready. He had altered Hannah’s loft bed, building into it a lower bed to turn it into a bunk bed set, which we were going to use for the older one~~it was so nice and sturdy! And we had gotten a toddler bed for the younger one, until he could be big enough for the bunk beds. Then we got to Russia and saw how small these dudes are, and the beds they sleep in now, and realized that we were a couple of years ahead of ourselves with the bunk beds we had set up. So, now the toddler bed will now be used for the older one (who I am going to state in here from now on as R.A.), and we got a crib for the younger one (who I am going to state in our blog as I.A. from here on out). I also took one of the twin flat sheets that were originally for the twin mattresses, cut it in half, and sewed them into 2 crib mattress sheets, and they look so cute. A big thank you to my mother-in-law seamstress/quilter/sewer extraordinaire who showed me via SKYPE how I could do it. A bunk bed would have been too big for these little guys. So, into storage (a.k.a. garage) we put the bunk beds, and the mattresses were sold so they don’t get out of shape in the meantime while we are waiting for the boys to grow. That will happen soon enough though, I am sure.


Between Craigslist, consignment shops, and garage sales (which all of us love, except our Mallory) and the gifts of some friends and family, we have gotten many needed items. We got a car seat. We have gotten a gate to use at the top of the steps, a crib and mattress, clothes galore, socks and underwear, (do you know both of them are potty trained? It is incredible!) a toy box, a wagon, a fort for the backyard. You get the idea. Things are coming together.