Still waiting for paperwork

We are still waiting for the updated paperwork list. We continue to gather what we can. Still hoping that we will get the information soon. The hardest part is knowing Alex is just waiting for us to come back.

Novosibirsk

We could not believe that the Amazing race was right in Novosibirsk where we had just been. The train station was right across from our hotel and we could see our hotel as the camera followed the people on the race! It was fun to watch it with Adam and let him see the sights and sounds of Novosibirsk. He said he was ready to go drive a snow plow!!!We are hopeful that there will not be any snow on our next trip!!!!Here is a picture of the same train station!

More Paperwork

We know some of the forms we will need. It shouldn't take that long and we will forward them to Moscow and hopefully we should get a court date. This is truly the hardest part to wait for. So there is more paperwork and still a list that we don't know about yet....It will be nice to get everything we need. For those of you seeing the blog for the first time....scroll down and you will see pictures of Alex and at the end yo will see a tab for older posts....they will show details from our trip!

More Pictures

Airplane outside the hotel in Kuibyshev

Scott and Celeste in the hotel in Novosibirsk

Novosibirsk

The road home from Kuibyshev

Outside the hotel in Kuibyshev

Kuibyshev

Big trucks that go between Novo and Kuibyshev

Chris and Celeste..Tatiana and Natasha...

Awaiting the Department of Education and the referral of Alex.

Downtown Novosibirsk

Where the taxi left Scott behind in Novosibirsk by the Department of Education.

Novosibirsk

Neat Building in Moscow

Cool Arch in Moscow

Main street of Moscow

Guards at the Kremlin

At the Kremlin

The Kremlin

Building down the street from the courtyard.

Hotel in Moscow

Church on the corner

Across from Red Square

Now what are the odds of traveling with another couple to Russia to adopt a child from the same orphanage and figuring out that the husband has a sister that lives right around the corner. And then that a very good friend happens to run into the sister who talks about her brother meeting someone from Castle Pines.......Too funny and what a small world. The other couple "Chris and Celeste" live in Michigan and Chris's sister lives in Castle Rock. Here are some more pictures of Moscow and Novosibirsk

Happy to be home

KFC in Novosibirsk

Inside the Kremlin

Chris,Celeste and Scott at the Kremlin

Lots of snow

The orphanage

Playground

He wasn't sure about us!

He liked his car (Celeste actually gave it to us!)

He looked scared and sad.

My first picture of Alex

Alex's view of Scott.

The music/piano room

toys at the orphanage

The fireplace and flat screen in our hotel in Kuibyshev.

One of the bathrooms on the way to Kuibyshev...Scott was the brave one along with Dr. Ladda.

Scott saw my cute background and said it looked like one of my cards!!!!!!So I had to take off the bows and make it a little more of a manly man page...although it still looks feminine. I at least removed the bows. We are almost completely adjusted to the time change and are getting back to being rested and relaxed. We are still waiting for a list of forms....I thought while we were waiting I will add a few more of our pictures. Looking back...it was just so fast and crazy and to be able to tell you how it felt was nearly impossible because of how tired we were. Scott would fall asleep in about 5 minutes anywhere he could lay down. I on the other hand was so wired that I couldn't fall asleep ....thinking we might miss where we were suppose to be. I didn't want to take a chance! Now that we are back....I am appreciating being able to sleep and relax and to enjoy life here! It will be a great thing to go back and get Alex...but for now I am enjoying our daily routine and life going at much more of a normal pace. Scott wanted you all to know that even though I sign this Scott and Kathy.....it is really just me writing. He reads and gives me his opinion,but I have been the author...only for the reason that in Russia he was sleeping! Now it is because he is working.....It will be fun to have him comment when he can....Next time maybe he can be the author!!!!!

Making this blog Our Own!!!!!

So now that I am getting used to this whole process....Now I can figure out how to get one of those really cute backgrounds on the blog....All before we go back and get Alex. I have been reading other peoples blogs about the adjustment period after we bring Alex home. How they have to adjust to everything being different in their lives. I know it will have its days and just pray that the Lord will make it as easy as it can be. It is all part of the adventure. For now I can enjoy the time with Adam and get ready for Alex to arrive. Lots of things to do and lots to get ready.

While We Wait!!!!!!!!!!!

It has been a good week as our bodies adjust to the time difference and the jet lag. At this point the hour for daylight savings time will be a piece of cake! We went up skiing for the day and are really enjoying the time at home and with Adam! It is hard not to think about Alex being back there in the orphanage wondering where the heck those people went! It is hard to imagine what that feels like. We know he is in good hands and they care for him and he does what he has known for the last year of his life. Still, It is hard. You wonder after a couple of hours with a little person how they can wrap their little hearts right around yours!!!It is truly amazing!
We are just waiting to get our court date. First of all we have to get our documents list that will be required. Once we have that and they can be filed then our court date will be established. It is usually 8-12 weeks. So all we can do is wait. The good news in all of this is that our home study agency is not on the black list coming out of Russia saying they won't do business with those agencies.
So for now.....we just recover from our trip and plan and prepare for the arrival of Alex. We can't wait till Alex and Adam actually meet and spend time together. It will be fun for the entire family and we are looking forward to that to happen.

Additional pictures

Here are some additional pictures from our trip....It is quicker to upload them now!

Home Again!

Glad to be back in Colorado and at home with our son! Adam was glad we got home and we were glad to get home. We look forward to the next trip...We'll keep you posted to its timing. Love to all you guys who followed along.....We could make this open to whoever....but not until the adoption process is completed. We wanted to share it with our closest friends and family!!!!!