visit #4

Visit #4



This morning we were picked up at 9:00 am we first went to a notary to get something signed then we went to see Josiah it was already 10:30 so we had missed 30 min when we got there the kids were playing outside again I hoped that Josiah would not be upset like he was the last time after coming from outside. We got into the home put on our booties lol and went to the room they brought him to us and he came right to us and I picked him up and kissed him his little face was cold so I think they had just come in but he was not upset he was happy. He sat on my lap and played with the music toy and looked at the photo book I made with the kids pictures and mine and mikes on the front I would point to the kids and say their names and sister or brother he pointed to Jordan and said brother and he kept going back to Amelia's picture he even kissed it and pointed to her eyes then to his then he shut the book and said papa he knows mike is papa and he pointed to mikes picture. then they told us it was time to go he was going to have lunch so we stood up I gave him hugs and kisses and then he reached to hug mike and he put his hand up to feel his beard sweet then the nannies asked me if I wanted to help him wash his hands of course I did she sent us to the back room where there were three little sinks just his size we washed his hands then he went out and sat at the table they gave him his soup and he held his hand out for his bread and he ate like a big boy we waved and said bye bye and he waved back saying bye bye. It was a great visit. Then we went to take all the paperwork we had signed over the last couple days back to the committee. Then or coordinator took us to have pancakes but they are not like home they are thin and they put stuff inside them it was good. We also stopped and got a pizza from pizza hut to eat later at the hotel the pizza tastes the same as it does at home only better the coke even though its in a coca cola bottle from the coca cola co it does not taste the same and all drinks are warm here no ice. Oh its almost 7:00 am in Portland we are going to Skype the kids its 6:00pm here. Sorry I cant add pictures for some reason I can’t.

3rd visit .

Visit #3 we got to go back and see him for a 3rd visit usually they only let you come once a day but they said we could come back after his nap so of course we did. So we got there around 4 pm and the children were having tea is what they said, they get tea and cookies or cracker or fruit after nap. I guess like I give my daycare kids snack after nap but I would sure never give them tea our coordinator said tea is given to Russian children almost from birth. .They wanted to let him finish his tea So they took us up to this little room the size of a close.t it had a small sofa and a book shelf with a few toys but also a file cabinet and some other stuff like maybe storage, it did have a window. Mike and our coordinator and I all had to fit in this room and somehow play with a 3 year old boy lol. at first we thought it was crazy but it worked well it was easier to contain him and he was not distracted by his little friends coming to the door, he just sat on my lap and played for the most part. He loved the little music toy I brought that plays songs and nursery rhymes. he figured out fast how to work it and would choose the same song over and over. he would put it up to his ear to listen and he danced a little so cute. I also brought some animals for him to play with, he liked them and choose the giraffe to hold but would take the others out and I would say the sound and he would look at me and giggle so hard then our coordinator told me the sound they make for the animals in Russia (who knew animals sounded different in Russia lol) anyways that’s why he was giggling because I was saying it wrong. The room we were in was the path to the Dr office where they give the kids shots and checkups, when the nurse came thru Josiah moved up in my lap and made a funny face. she said," no no its ok no shots." and patted his heads he was ok then lol he knew what that room was. earlier when we where there for our visit the nannies would take tow kids out at a time they were crying they told us they were going to get a flue shot, then when they came back they were all smiles. not sure what they did after the shot maybe gave them a candy. While we were playing with Josiah I took his hand and kissed his palm, he like that and kept giving me his palm up to my lips then once he grabbed my nose and giggled. when he giggles it is not just a little giggle it is a GIGGLE! he's so cute and has such a since of hummer he likes to tease. We had a taxi take us for this visit and he waited for us we told him one hour so we had to go, it was already past an hour. Josiah didn't want to go, I’m glad. When we got back to the hotel the Internet was not working I’m so upset I need to call the kids! it is still not working now but I’m writing this on the desk top and will copy it over as soon as I can. we will be leaving soon to go back to the committee to sigh the last of the papers. then to the notary to get them notarized. and then to our 4th visit. We have not done any sight seeing and to tell you the truth we don't really care we are so tired we just crash in the hotel. but I know we need to go see something or we will regret it. I think Boris our driver will take us someplace tomorrow maybe the winter castle. The hotel we are staying in is right near the bay of Finland and we can see it out our windows it is pretty. they also have little gift shops all thru the hotel 3 restraints a bar and the water park that also has video games and stuff for kids I think a lot of the locals come here for those things.

2nd visit

 Today we got to Skype with the kids first thing this morning. it was great to see them, we miss them so much, our hotel has this huge water park pool in it and we went and looked at it today and wished the kids were with us.  after we talked to the kids we had breakfast. our hotel has as great buffet that is included in our hotel stay. then we were picked up by our coordinator and taken to Josiah's baby house. there were kids playing out side in all three playgrounds all bundled up in snow suits. it was so nice to see them outside playing and I have to say this baby house orphanage is great. they love these kids, they take them outside, they have great playrooms. on the walls in the hall are pictures of them with the kids at the beach, building a snowman, working a little garden, having a Easter party. these kids get to have fun not just sit in cribs all day. the nannies teach them colors, shapes, all the things little ones need to learn. now I am not saying that these kids don't need families they do! nothing can be better then a mama and papas love but while they are waiting for their families to find them they are in a good place.when we got into the room they put us in the room to play with Josiah. its also where they eat lunch. we could hear someone crying it was Josiah, he didn't want to come in from outside but they were bringing all the kids in. he was really upset so when he got to us his face was all red and he was crying. I picked him up and put his cheek on mine and said, "shush shush its ok and he stopped crying" he pulled his head back and looked right in my eyes for a long time, that was so great I was able to comfort him. we played for a while he liked the toy that sings songs that we brought him, he learned real fast how to make it work. he was distracted though because he could hear his friends in the other room, then one of the nannies got plates and bowls out to get ready for lunch and that was it! he was done! I asked if we could take him in with the other kids and watch him they said yes, they were watching a movie he sat right down and watched with them, so I sat down too. some of the kids came to me and shook my hand so cute! there was another little girl in the group that has down syndrome she came over scooted closer and closer until she was in my lap. I asked if that was ok they said yes. then I pulled Josiah over on my lap too so I was holding them both. I hope we can get this little girl on to Reeces Rainbow and find her a family she is so sweet.when it was time to eat Josiah got up and the nannies looked at him and shook her head yes, he took off to the other room where the little tables were. when I got in there he was sitting down eating soup like a big boy no mess wow! after that we left. I felt so grateful that they let me come in and sit with all the kids most orphanages don't let you do that. we are going back for a 3dr visit in 30 min

A Mama's thoughts after meeting her baby boy for the first time.

A Mama's thoughts after meeting her baby boy for the first time.

There are no words to describe the feelings I felt when I set eyes on my boy for the fist time. He is now real not just a picture and some words on paper, not just dreams. The sweet smell of his little neck, his soft skin, his bright eyes, huge smile and contagious giggle and can that boy giggle.Today was amazing I will never forget the feeling I had when I held him in my arms. He is so much more then I had dreamed he would be.Thank you Lord for giving us this blessing of this special boy,thank you for choosing me to be his Mama!

what you have all been waiting for 1st visit

We pulled up to the baby house a cute yellow building with a short fence and three play grounds, a cute place. we buzz the door and a man opens it, they give us booties to put over our shoes to not track dirt in. (wish I had them for my daycare room) then we went down a long hallway, they make us wait what seems like forever but then take us to a room full of toys and 4 little wood tables and 4 wood chares at each table, there are two doors off this room one leads to another playroom the other to the back room with sinks and changing area. We sit down on a little sofa and wait, they tell us they are taking the kids to get a flu shot and its his turn. so in a few min we see them walk thru the room with 3 children one was Josiah. then about 5 min later they come back . They bring him over to us and I picked him up and kissed him all over and felt his little face, he giggled and loved it. we spent the next hour getting to know him, playing with him. he giggled every time the flash went off on the camera. it was a great 1st meeting. Then it was time to eat so they came in and told us it was time to go.we said bye bye and then had to go meet with the doctor. she told us all about Josiah from birth till now. his sizes how he grew what illnesses he had so on and she came to the part where she said he had just had a full body exam and that there was no longer a heart problem, there was also three other medical problems he had had even back in march that were no longer there. I teared up because I have been praying for the Lord to heal his insides and he did thank you Lord.


Then after the dr was done we had to go talk to the head lady, she gave his history about his parents. we even got to see pictures of them. they both signed the papers giving him up the day he was born. that is good because that means that is already done for court. it ends up he has a 19 year old brother but no other siblings .
It was a lot of info to take in for one day but it was great. we signed the papers to agree to adopt him at that moment.

IST VISIT

Update and Pics from my Mom and Dad!!!!!!!!!!

We had such a great day emotional but wonderful! Josiah is better then we ever dreamed he is so cute so so smart and giggles alot! You guys are going to fall in love with him! everyone that meets him is. God is so good, they read us his medical file and as of Oct 2010 he has no more heart problem it is gone! and the other three things that were wrong in his insides are also gone. God healed his insides just how I prayed he would.

The shorts he had on were size 18 months, his hair is the same color as mine and his eyes are dark brown.

                               Isn't he so cute!!!? I can't wait to meet him!!!

                                          He looks like he loves Daddy!

To me, it feels like a dream, it doesn't fell like my parents are all the way in on the other side of the globe meeting my baby brother we have waited so so long to see! :)
 Amanda

They have arrived !!!

My Mom and Dad just called!
We miss them so much!
They got to there fine. Said the airplane ride was really long.
They are less than 30 minutes away from the MOE meeting. After the MOE meeting they will get to meet Josiah. I'm so excited to see new pictures of him and knowing more about him!!
LOVE YOU MOM AND DAD!!!


                                                                                                                           Amanda

7 hours!

We leave in 7 hours! Im so excited!
I will post  as soon as I can. we should be there by 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon.. they are 11 hours ahead of us. so that will be 2:30 a.m.  back home.
ok I'm off to get the last of the last stuff done.

8 months

 Today it has been 8 months since the day we committed to adopt Josiah. And it feels about right if I were 8 months pregnant I would be having all these same feelings mood swings and such. Ok yah I don't have a big belly, a sore back and indigestion no wait I do have all that stuff just not from a baby lol. I know I have said this before but everything we have done to this point seems like a dream, like I can't even remember doing it. I know that at the time putting together the dossier and all that was stressful and I thought I may go crazy. But I can honestly say when I think back I don't remember that at all . Now I have excitement filling me each day that gives me a little stress but its a good stress. we are going to see our baby soon, in 5 days!.
I have been thinking about money because although we have everything we need for this first trip. I calculated up how much we still need to finish this adoption and its almost $20,000 we have already paid over $18,000 and to tell you the truth I don't know how! we haven't gotten many donations or any loans or grants. The Lord just made sure we had what we needed just as we needed it. And that is a fact! because never ever before this adoption if someone asked us to have $18,000 in 8 months would we have thought we would have it. We would have thought they were crazy. But look we have had it, God is good!! We still need help though so maybe someone reading this will have it laid upon their heart to be one of the people the Lord uses to get us where we need to be to bring Josiah home. Maybe a donation, maybe a loan? like I said we still need $20.000 and we may get a court date as early as December, that does not give us much time to raise $20,000 but I know God has a perfect plan.

A Letter from Amanda to Josiah.

Hey little brother, eight months ago I didn't know you existed. When mom and dad first decided to adopt they didn't know how old you were gonna be, where you were gonna be from, or what you looked like.  One day mom was on Reece's Rainbow scrolling through the "waiting kids" list and your picture came up on the screen. Right then and there she knew you were her's. She called me over to look, as I saw your picture something in my head said "He's my baby brother, I need to hold him, he needs to be here with us." From then on you never left my mind. You were two at the time. Mom told dad about you, he knew as well that you were his boy. Mom and dad committed to adopt you,  We have loved you since we saw your picture. Even though we have never met you.
Mom told me if we didn't adopt you and you turned four because you have Down Syndrome you would be sent to this place called a mental institution. Where you and other kids would probably die within the first months. You  could be tied to your crib, only taken out for a feeding or a diaper change. When I heard about this terrible place I cried for the kids who were sent there just because they are different.  YOU would not be one of them.
We began on this long journey to bring you home. First the home study we prepared for it by cleaning every room and putting your crib up. Bev, our social worker, came and did the home study. Little brother, you don't know how nervous I was when it was my turn to be interviewed. I thought maybe I would say the wrong thing and we wouldn't be able to adopt you. I didn't though. After months of waiting Bev sent us our completed home study. Mom and dad then finished all of the other paper work. All we could do was wait. Wait for the committee to send us a date for mom and dad to go meet you. It was just a big waiting game. One day, right when I got home from school, mom got a phone call. I could tell it was an important one. It seemed like she was on the phone for a life time! When she hung up the phone she looked at me. I immediately knew what it was about and started crying, happy tears of course! Mom and dad had just gotten the date to go and meet you!
Little brother, I want you to know you have taught me A LOT. Before I knew about you I used to say the R-word a lot. Now I never say it. You have taught me that when people say words like that it hurts the family members of a person who has special needs. You have shown me that I want to adopt someday and open a special needs daycare.
Little brother, every night I think about you and wonder what it'd be like to be you, all alone, with no one there for you when you are hurt or sad. No one to love you. But then I realize mommy and daddy will be there for you soon. You will come home and forget all about being alone. I don't know what I would be doing if I never knew about you.
Even though we have never met, I love you more than words can explain. I can't wait until that day when you come home and I get to see you and hug you My life will never be the same. I love you!!!!!!
 
Love your Big Sister Amanda!

Answer the Cry film

Answer the Cry film

getting ready for trip #1

So Mike and I spent the morning getting the last of the things we need for the trip. stuff like zip lock bags not too exciting, but I did get some little ballet slipper type things to put on my feet when we go for our visits. I have been told they make you put covers over your shoes so I thought this way I could be comfy in some cute little slippers. Mike had to get some warm boots because it is cold there and may snow.I am already packed yep a week before we go! I just want to make sure I have everything ready and not in the wash or something. Everything I'm taking fits in my one carryon and one personal item (a nice sized bag holding lots of stuff lol). We had to get a few more papers notarized for our agency so we did that when we picked up the last of our new cash we have to take. Our visas came on Friday, our hotel is booked and we have our airline tickets, we are all set to go.I feel strange, excited but sorta scared. I keep saying to people it is like being pregnant I know it sounds strange but its the same feelings I had in that 8th month waiting for the baby to be born. This is an adventure for sure I'm so glad I have the love of my life my husband by my side for all of it, we have grown in so many ways even this far, and I know we have a lot more to go this is just the beginning.

three years ago today a baby boy was born

  Three years ago today a sweet little fuzzy red haired baby boy was born. I can't help but think about his Mother. I think how heartbroken she must have been. I'm sure she had no choice but to give him up. She already had six kids at home and in her country she would have no support, no place to turn for help, no medical care,no schooling,no place in society for a child that has down syndrome. I'm sure they gave her no choice. She almost aborted him when she was 3 1/2 month pregnant but changed her mind and let him live. How hard it must have been for her having him grow in her tummy feeling him move for nine months and then letting him go. I wonder if she got to hold him or even see him, I wonder if she visits him if she thinks about him often . I know that God put him on this earth in this way for a reason. He led us to him, he knew before anything that he would be our son. But I feel for his mother , how sad she must be today thinking about him on this day she gave birth to him. How grateful I am to her that she did!

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY JOSIAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Josiah!

Today is Josiah's 3rd birthday and all though we can't be with him to celebrate, we will be there in 12 days. This will be the last birthday he will spend without us.




I thought for his birthday I would share the poem I wrote for him back in a the spring. we love you little guy and we will be there soon

Little boy do you know
 how much I already love you, how I look at your picture and long to hold you, long to kiss your sweet face and rub your fuzzy little head?



Little boy do you know
how I think of you in everything I do wondering what you are doing, if you are safe, how you are feeling, if someone is comforting you when you cry?


Little boy do you know
that God put you in my heart and I already love you as if you were growing in my tummy, how I hate the idea of you learning and doing all of your firsts without me,first smile,first tooth,first step,first word?


Little boy do you know
 you have sisters and brothers that are waiting for you to come play with them, a daddy that is waiting to tickle your toes and kiss your forehead and teach you to play ball?


Little boy do you know
 how many people are praying for you each day,you are special and loved?


Little boy do you know
 how hard we are working to bring you home,that God loves you and will be with you no matter what and that he is bringing us to you?


Little boy do you know
I love you?


written by Mommy for Josiah

check

$2,197.88  Plane tickets booked. Check!
$700  Visa's ordered. Check!
$840  Hotel room reserved. Check!