God is so good and faithful! Yes, Derek is still sick and slept about half the night on the bathroom floor, but God has given him strength when he needed to take care of something with the children. He gave me strength to balance taking care of my husband and my two new kiddos. He's also calmed B and C when we need it most. We could have changed our plane tickets to fly in a day earlier(today), but thank God we didn't! We are so thankful that His hand has been in our adoption the entire way through!
Derek says he's feeling a bit better. He still has pains just below his rib cage, but he brushed them off today as simply hunger pains, as he hasn't eaten in quite some time. He hasn't vomitted since the middle of the night (it's 10 a.m. here). We're hopefully optimistic that his health continues to improve and that Bennett, Celia and my health stays stable.
Unfortunately, I think we may be the only family to have adopted from Russia who never sees Red Square. Supposedly, it's only thre blocks away. But that's just a little too much for Derek at the moment, considering the bitter cold, the continuous snow and all the effort and time it takes to bundle the four of us up before going out. Oh well. We'll have to come back.
The airports in Moscow haven't had the best track recod in the last several days. One (of the five) lost all power and all flights were canceled for at least a day, due to a terrible ice storm that hit the night before we came in. Since then, the airports have faced more cancelations and many delays. We know of two couples who thought they would beable to leave yesterday that are still here. He pray that we are able to make all of our flights!
I can't wait to be home!
Showing posts with label Hurdles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hurdles. Show all posts
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Strength
Remember back in elementary school when your teacher assigned you to write about the person you most admire? My answer had been for the longest time my brother, Trevor, who went through so much to change his life around and be the amazing brother, son, father and friend that he was.
I have to say, I think my answer has changed. And I think Trevor would completely understand. The people I admire most are my children.
My son's strength completely blows me away. He had never felt the love or embrace of a mother. He was never rocked to sleep by a parent. He's never had a father figure--or any male for that matter--in his life. He was recently taken from everything he ever knew by people who look, smell, talk and act different. He rode in a car and on a train, something he's never had a memory of doing. He's slept in three different beds in less than a week. He's eating foods he's not used to and being asked to eat some of which he doesn't like. (We're learning he can be a picky eater) He's taken to strange places with lots of different people, never knowing why he's there, for how long he will be there, or if he will be left there. Today, his Papa had to leave the car and ride with someone else, leaving him alone with sister and me. He had no idea if he was being abandoned again or not. B's gone through all of this--which is much more than any two-year-old should go through--and yet is so strong. Sure he cries and we've seen a tantrum or two (or three or...) But he's still able to cuddle with Mama and Papa, help console his sister (who he just met!) when she is crying, and just go on functioning like a normal two-year-old who is scared. We are thankful that our son definitely has a strong personality and can show emotions, and hasn't simply shut down as, sadly, many children who live their whole life in an orphanage do. I so admire his strength.
My daughter's joy completely blows me away. The same situations I described above for B can be said for C. Despite all that, not only does she still smile the beautiful smile she has, but her eyes completely light up with life, love and excitement. To have that joy amongst so much uncertainty is unbelievable. I so admire her joy.
Today was difficult, to say the least. Derek is still throwing up. My poor husband drug himself out of bed to make it to the Embassy appointment and sit with and care for his son (while C was glued to me). Despite throwing up twice at the Embassy, he made it through. Afterwards, he was taken to a different hotel, where the other couple who had gotten sick in St. Petersburg gave him some anti-nausea medication. I took our two kids back to our hotel by myself (and our driver who speaks very little English), which was a feat, if I do say so myself! When Derek made it back to the hotel, the kids were amazing and behaved so well. I took the time to run down the street to a market to pick up some food for myself. It was 5:30 p.m. and the first thing I had to eat all day other than half a banana was two pieces of white bread, some kind of meat and cheese. It was DELICIOUS! Or was I just beyond starving?
Friends, please pray that Derek feels better soon. Please pray that neither the kids nor I get whatever he has. Please pray we are all 100% for the long trip home. Please pray I don't lose it! Ha ha ha!
I have to say, I think my answer has changed. And I think Trevor would completely understand. The people I admire most are my children.
My son's strength completely blows me away. He had never felt the love or embrace of a mother. He was never rocked to sleep by a parent. He's never had a father figure--or any male for that matter--in his life. He was recently taken from everything he ever knew by people who look, smell, talk and act different. He rode in a car and on a train, something he's never had a memory of doing. He's slept in three different beds in less than a week. He's eating foods he's not used to and being asked to eat some of which he doesn't like. (We're learning he can be a picky eater) He's taken to strange places with lots of different people, never knowing why he's there, for how long he will be there, or if he will be left there. Today, his Papa had to leave the car and ride with someone else, leaving him alone with sister and me. He had no idea if he was being abandoned again or not. B's gone through all of this--which is much more than any two-year-old should go through--and yet is so strong. Sure he cries and we've seen a tantrum or two (or three or...) But he's still able to cuddle with Mama and Papa, help console his sister (who he just met!) when she is crying, and just go on functioning like a normal two-year-old who is scared. We are thankful that our son definitely has a strong personality and can show emotions, and hasn't simply shut down as, sadly, many children who live their whole life in an orphanage do. I so admire his strength.
My daughter's joy completely blows me away. The same situations I described above for B can be said for C. Despite all that, not only does she still smile the beautiful smile she has, but her eyes completely light up with life, love and excitement. To have that joy amongst so much uncertainty is unbelievable. I so admire her joy.
Today was difficult, to say the least. Derek is still throwing up. My poor husband drug himself out of bed to make it to the Embassy appointment and sit with and care for his son (while C was glued to me). Despite throwing up twice at the Embassy, he made it through. Afterwards, he was taken to a different hotel, where the other couple who had gotten sick in St. Petersburg gave him some anti-nausea medication. I took our two kids back to our hotel by myself (and our driver who speaks very little English), which was a feat, if I do say so myself! When Derek made it back to the hotel, the kids were amazing and behaved so well. I took the time to run down the street to a market to pick up some food for myself. It was 5:30 p.m. and the first thing I had to eat all day other than half a banana was two pieces of white bread, some kind of meat and cheese. It was DELICIOUS! Or was I just beyond starving?
Friends, please pray that Derek feels better soon. Please pray that neither the kids nor I get whatever he has. Please pray we are all 100% for the long trip home. Please pray I don't lose it! Ha ha ha!
Please Pray for Derek
Both of the kids took a morning nap today by the grace of God. Celia woke up so I took her downstairs to the lobby so she wouldn't wake Papa and Bennett.
Derek has been throwing up several times over last night and today. A couple who we befriended had the stimach virus in St. Petersburg. We don't know if it's that or Derek's gallbladder. He fears it's the latter. He's had severe gas and indigestion for the last couple days.
We have to go to the Embassy at 1, where we need to go in unaccompanied (no one fromour agency). Please pray we can keep everything together and get through it. Please pray that Derek's strength and health is returned as soon as possible. Please pray the kids aren't hurt or scared by Papa's change in disposition. Please pray Derek is better for the flights home.
Derek has been throwing up several times over last night and today. A couple who we befriended had the stimach virus in St. Petersburg. We don't know if it's that or Derek's gallbladder. He fears it's the latter. He's had severe gas and indigestion for the last couple days.
We have to go to the Embassy at 1, where we need to go in unaccompanied (no one fromour agency). Please pray we can keep everything together and get through it. Please pray that Derek's strength and health is returned as soon as possible. Please pray the kids aren't hurt or scared by Papa's change in disposition. Please pray Derek is better for the flights home.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
D'oh!
So, we sent in our I-600A to the United States Immigration and Citizenship Services a little more than a week ago. Pretty much, the form is meant to give our government a "heads up" that we are adopting internationally. We will then be asked to fill out more forms, get fingerprinted, etc. as required by our country.
Our check made for the processing of the I-600A was deposited last week, according to our bank statement. We got excited!
After checking the mail this weekend, we received a letter from USCIS. At first glance, we noticed the letter was on "official" paper, watermarks and all. We got REALLY excited!
We read the body of the letter and... D'OH!
It seems our application was incomplete. While we did send a $670 check for the processing of the form, we did not send in the required amount for our biometrics (fingerprinting). Oops! This isn't the first mishap in the process, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Luckily, it's a quick fix.
We also received another packet from our placement agency. They received our application and cashed our application fee check. Woot! But with that came a few more items we have to fill out. Many are duplicates of what we had to do for our home study, so hopefully it won't take too long.
So, unfortunately no checklist this post. Only more things to add to our "To Do" list. I feel like the sixth season of "Lost"—instead of answers, we frustratingly only get more questions. We'll keep trodding along though!
Our check made for the processing of the I-600A was deposited last week, according to our bank statement. We got excited!
After checking the mail this weekend, we received a letter from USCIS. At first glance, we noticed the letter was on "official" paper, watermarks and all. We got REALLY excited!
It seems our application was incomplete. While we did send a $670 check for the processing of the form, we did not send in the required amount for our biometrics (fingerprinting). Oops! This isn't the first mishap in the process, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Luckily, it's a quick fix.
We also received another packet from our placement agency. They received our application and cashed our application fee check. Woot! But with that came a few more items we have to fill out. Many are duplicates of what we had to do for our home study, so hopefully it won't take too long.
So, unfortunately no checklist this post. Only more things to add to our "To Do" list. I feel like the sixth season of "Lost"—instead of answers, we frustratingly only get more questions. We'll keep trodding along though!
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