Winter in Russia

Here I sit wide awake at 11:24pm. Typically I am in bed by 9:00PM for early rise at 5:00AM, but not this week! Since the quick turn around trip to Russia my internal clock is way off. I have tried Melanin and Tylenol PM but no luck. All I can do is think about Zack and Sophie and where they are and what they might be doing at this moment since they are awake when I should be sleeping.

My last day in Russia we went to the notaries office where I signed the final paperwork needed to prepare for court. After that we drove the 3 hours to and from the orphanages. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to see Sophie as long as usual. We had only about 30 minutes together. I had just enough time to love on her, play with her hair, and give her some more new clothes which she loves. I will never forget the look on her face when that door opened. She saw me and a big smile took over her face as she ran into my arms as fast as she could and held on tight. I miss her so very much!

I spent more time than usual with Zack on my last day there. He was so excited to see me. He brought with him all of the toys I had given him the days before including the purple balloon that he was very focused on blowing up himself. He was pleased to show me that he had figured it out. He blew it up and then stuck about 50 Bambi stickers to it. He had never played with stickers before! He had a toy sword in his hand which we were told Santa brought him. It was all he asked for and it was all he got. He was very proud of his new sword. He kept touching it and Gina would act scared. He said in Russian with a giggle, "It's just a toy." She kept playing along, and he'd touch it with a finger and she'd wince and then he'd do it again and again. He had a great time, and a I took many pictures of him as Gina engaged him. I was glad she was there because I was exhausted from the game of balloon bopping we had played for at least 30 minutes. He is all boy, and I LOVE IT!!!! I find myself dreaming of him in little league someday.
I miss him so much!

When I got home, my friend Wanda and her family were waiting for me at the airport! I was so thrilled to have someone there eager to hear about the kiddos! What a great reception it was! Shortly after the pick up, we were at Taco Bell. There are no frijoles in Russia!!!!! This little half latina was looking for some good Mexican food. Taco Bell had to do because babushka was waiting and boy was she eager to see me. She called like 4 times requesting that I get home as fast as possible! Once home, we watched every video that Gina took of Zack and Sophie and we looked at all 400 pictures! I am happy to say that my mom and family are so eagerly anticpating the arrival of our new little ones. They are already so LOVED!!!

Now, I wait to receive an appointment for a court date which is when I will return to Russia to pick up my little ones. In Nizhky Novgorod, the second trip will go something like this:

Day 1 drive to see kids in Vizhka.
Day 2 go to court in the morning.
Day 2 afternoon see town while Olga files paperwork.
Day 3 go to pick up kids in Vizhka.
Day 3 take overnight trip by train to Moscow.
Day 4 - Day ? complete kids medicals, wait for necessary paperwork to leave Russia

This second trip could be as few as 5 business days! This is what I am hoping happens! I can't post pictures openly, but if you're curious, feel free to email me, and I'll see what I can send.