Kashin~ day two

I worked on some of these post when we had no internet then just copy and pasted them. This is the second day in Kashin with Varya.

Today we discover just how loving Varya's orphanage is. They spend most of the day outside with all of the children, there seems to be at least 20-25 children ranging from infant to preschool. As soon as one of the nannies sees us enter the gate then rush to get Varya. They always put her down to come see us and she runs to get a big squeeze from me. She is super snuggly and loves hugs and kisses. Today she gave me a kiss on her own. She is absolutely adorable and soooo sweet. She likes to mimic everything we do. Jason was playing drums on the outhouse and each time she would look to see where he tapped and made sure she did on the same board. She also would look and see if he used his fist or flat hand. They describe her as quit and I can see what they mean; she is very laid back and content with what ever you give her. This morning we came into the gate and the nanny (Irena) gave us a stroller and showed us where we could push it. They let us take her where ever we want. They said “Paka” (see you later) and wrote on the magnadoddle 11:30. So off we went for two and half hours walking around. Kashin is a quiet small town. There is a great pizza place where we have picked up pizza twice, mainly because we know what to order and they know we are American so they are patient and kind. On our afternoon visit I went ahead and look up the word for diaper and size so we could buy some for Varvara. To our surprise Irena said “Salva, Salva” when I didn't realize what she was saying she looked in our little Russian book and pointed to “vzyat” which ment take. She wanted us to take her to the Pharmacy to get the diapers. So we did. We went up town with our note paper and walked into the pharmacy and bought diapers. Funny thing, here they buy part of the pack of diaphers not the whole pack. We bought the whole pack and wipes for Varia. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the playground of the ophanage.

Posted in: on Sunday, July 31, 2011 at at 7:29 PM 2 comments  

Let's Celebrate!!

We made it home. I figured we should celebrate with some photos :)












Posted in: on at at 2:43 PM 1 comments  

From the little Village

I KNOW PHOTOS FIRST AND WRITING SECOND. HERE YOU GO, SHE WILL MELT YOUR HEART!!!
15 MINUTES AFTER WE MET


Varia is so sweet!





and super silly!


The orphanage lets us take her anywhere in the village. We took her
to the toy store. Just like her big sister Isabella she loves babies.
She fussed over this doll for two hours. Strapping it in the stroller and
making sure she got some grapes just like her. ;)




Varia loves being carried, she laughs and hugs you the whole time.



After a two hour drive we arrived in Kashin with Boris, Irena and Maria. Boris has taken excellent care of Jason and I. He makes us call him when we leave and when check in with him when we return. He always is asking if we need anything and even said today as he left us for two days that we can call him at anytime 24 hours a day. He said he would drive the two hours to Kashin to help us if we need him to. Very happy with our facilitating team, they ROCK!!!
Our meeting with Varvara went great! She is a very smart little girl. Like Matvey she is very tiny and so super cute. She will melt your heart in a minute. It is so hard to put into words how I feel being here. At times it seems as though we are on the outside looking in. It is hard to believe she is real after staring at just a few photos for the past year and half. She was sleeping when we arrived so we learned about her history( family and medical) that is for the next post. They showed us a video of her at therapy and they brought out a photo book with pictures of her. It was her very own book with her name on it. When she woke up they brought her in. She seemed a little over whelmed at first and I kid you not she looked at me and walked up to me and put her arms around my neck and hugged me for the longest time. I do have to admit she has daddy wrapped around her finger already. She is very happy sitting with him and if he is not around she looks for him. We get to visit her two times a day once 9-11:30 and once 4:30-7. Today we stayed from 2:00-6:30. Varvara is very much loved. They speak to her so kindly and brag about all the things she can do. Her doctor at the orphanage beams! Our little one has been loved. We asked what we could bring to the orphanage and the doctor said do not bring anything. They believe what we are doing is so good that they expect nothing more. We did get some bananas and cookies for the kids. This orphanage is so different from Matvey's. They are very happy we are here and smile at us while we are with Varvara.
There are so, so many children :( We played with Varvara outside only, they said there was no place inside where we could play. She is a very content little one, we played with the toys we brought and she was quite happy. She loved bubbles blown in her face. Also she loves the magna doodle and coloring.
She will be four on September 24th and she is about the size of an eighteen month old. I can not believe how tiny these children are.

Posted in: on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at at 3:48 PM 9 comments  

From Here to There!!!

Ok I will post the photos first since I know that is the only reason why you are here :)

Always in deep thought. Wondering why the Babushka's
say NO SUN!! more later about that :)

Jason showed Matvey on the morning visit how
to bang these together to make noise. He even copied
rythms. Vary smart boy!



Babushka's say "hat", Matvey says "No"


Attemps at a timed photo.

I know it is early to say but this is my absolute
Favorite!!


So here are some photos I took to show you how small Matvey is. He is now 2 years 7 months.


These are infant shoes and he still has room for growth.
Also Jason wheres a mens size 8

tiny hands :)


So here are the gorey details :)
Sunday we spent the day in Moscow. We people watched mainly. Boris, our facilitator, insisted on us taking tours of the Kremlin wall but we were way too ober whelmed to attempt to buy tickets. We walked around then went back to the hotel for a bit them headed out to dinner. Again it was a bit over whelming. We looked and looked for TGIF but had no luck but them we spotted something familular.

Yep thats Chilies. Let me tell you is was awesome!!! And our waiter spoke great english!

So early Monday morning Boris and Irena picked us up to head out to the kiddos region.  We drove about 2.25 hours. We hit the ground running.......
Appointment after appointment. But we were interviewed by the head Lady of Social Services in the car on the way to the orphanage. It was nice because I didn't expect it so I didnt' sit around and anticipate. She asked us over and over "why we choose a child with Downs Sydrome"  I gave her our reasons and then some adn she still continued to ask. We arrived to the orpahange in about 10 min and boy was I relieved. After she saw us with Matvey she no longer asked.  It was a bit of chaos. After about two minutes of being there they brought him out and handed him to me. Since we landed her I kept thinking to myself "Why am I doing this? This is crazy" but at that moment when they placed him in my arms I knew the reason. I had no doubts why I was here. He is just the sweetest thing. The head Social worker said "Matvey afraid of strangers. He cries with strangers" Matvey did not cry once with us. As soon as he was handed to me he layed on my shoulder. Social Worker said "He know where he belong" and I said HELL YES HE DOES!!!!.. not really but I thought it. LOL!
During our visit right at the same time the doctor came and read all of his medical info to us. I have got to say she loves our little guy. She talked about him with smiles and made eye contact with me and up to this point no official even look at us not even acknowledged us. The first office we walked into the women didn't even turn her head from the computer. NOT ONCE, talk about intimidating. Those who know me know that I am not imtimidated too easy, I have been sence I stepped off of the plain. Just when we get comfortable we move on. Yesturday we were in Moscow, today in Tver and then after our am visit tomorrow with Matvey we will head to Kashin to see Varvara; we will stay there until Thursday afternoon. Then head back to Tver until Saturday morning when we head back to Moscow to fly home.
Second visit with Matvey:
We arrived about 20 min late UGH!!!  We have permission to see him from 9:30-12:30 and then 3:30-6:00 The nanny brought him out to us to walk around outside OUT OF THE SUN!! Just imagine; It was late afternoon and like at home it does not get dark until 9:30ish so there was barely shade and we had to share it with another couple visiting there little baby. The orphanage sat on less then an 1/4 acrea. Matvey would not keep his hat on adn we sat on the cement parking lot for awhile (it was the only shade)
I will continue the rest in a bit I know a few people who are waiting for photos and they have to work ;) for you taryn)
There alot of details so I can remember for myself. This blog is a place to hold my memories
Let's resume. I did notice some typing errors but you will just have to forgive me. I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. Also today we were goin on little food. Boris took us to the market it was just like Sams Club. I was so relieved because we are heading out tomorrow to Kashin and not sure they will have much plus we will be alone. Boris will take us to the first appointment and then off to meet Varvara then on our own for two days. Yikes!! A little freeky. I have got to say for all of you who are coming to this area adn working with Boris's team you will love him. He is funny, goofy, impatient, a scatter brain and talks alot. He is quite entertaining. I can be sacastic and joke with him and he laughs. When I post a photo of him you will see he has alot of marks on his face.... looks like acne but it was an alergic reaction. While in "Sams Club" he walked around and just ate stuff, just about anything. He was eating what I think was arugla, yes green plant, He wanted us to buy some. HE said "It good, He love" then said "but I be carful, alergic" I said you should get more then LOL!!! Then I said "Boris! that is silly put it back!" He looked at me with a huge smile and said "Thant You, I need you tell me that".  Then he tried talking us into a healthy bread "NOt make belly fat" I said "No I want the kind that makes you fat. LOL!!" Then he turned around two seconds later "you want to buy ice cream? How about candy?" I busted out laughing at him and told him "your a fool!" I enjoy being around him he is so funny. And he opens food right in the store "to try them and see if He like" (a bag of chips after he bought his "healthy" bread)
So all you region 14 families don't worry you will love Boris and Irena. Also they take very good care of you. Always making sure you have what you need and if you don't ASK!!!! They will get anything and they will work at it until you get it.
And I have not seen any Reece's Rainbow babies yet. :( sorry. Maybe in the morning or Thursday when we return to Tver.
Ok I have to go my eyes are shutting as i type.
Updates may not come until Thursday night when we return from Kashin
Strange to type those words.... we are in Russia. Very bizzar :)


Posted in: on Monday, July 25, 2011 at at 12:52 PM 9 comments  

WE are HEre

We made it!!! Safe and sound!

Posted in: on Sunday, July 24, 2011 at at 6:22 AM 0 comments  

And let the fun begin

It's early afternoon and we have made it here safe and sound. The flight was uneventful and not too long, 10 hours from NY.  The airport was so quite when we arrived you could of heard a pin drop, barely anyone in sight just the people from our flight. We hit the gound running, as Jason says. We met with Boris and Irina part of our facilitating team, and they were very nice.  We will be heading out to Tver for Monday and Tuesaday to meet with Matthew. Tuesday we will head out to Kashin; a two and half hour drive. We will stay in Kashin two nights then head back to Tver for the last two nights. We will get to see the kids 5 times each this trip.
I myself am very excited to be here, feeling a little culture shock but Jason on the other hand is in complete culture shock. I am sure it is from lack of sleep. I am hoping we head out in a couple of hours to go see the Red Square, we are only a block away. We may just stay in since we have to get up at 5am to head out and start the fun! I will not post much after today since Tver has week internet and I am not even sure what Kashin is like. So for now we will say "Paka"

Posted in: on at at 5:45 AM 3 comments  

Heads UP

I am hoping to post while we are gone, I know all of you are just as excited to see the babies as we are. But I did get word that Internet is not good where we will be. Very slow and limited. If I don't post please do not send out the bounty :) I will post on Saturday the 24th; we will be in New York for a 15 hour lay over. We will arrive at 3pm and go straight to our hotel for the night so I will post photos and news. Thank you all for your prayers and support.

Posted in: on Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at at 8:51 PM 0 comments  

Update on Funds

We did receive permission to pay Matthew's commitment fee before our second trip which is $8250 so that means we have a little, not a lot, a little time to raise the last $7000. A few people have read and copied and old post of mine thinking we still need $9000 and little time to get it. I suppose some people may say $7000 in about 6weeks is not a lot of time either but if you know me I would say there is no time line God can not reach and the money issue has always been in his hands from the beginning.


Thank you all who have donated. Thank you for your love and support. We will be having a fundraiser sale the weekend we get back, praying it is as successful as the one last year.

I have added our donation links to the side bar. Please remember every dollar counts. We are blessed for what ever you are willing to give.



Check out the new clock I added so you could all see what time it is while we are in Russia. :)

Posted in: on at at 12:17 PM 0 comments  

Just clearing up

We did receive permission to pay Matthew's commitment fee before our second trip which is $8250 so that means we have a little, not a lot, a little time to raise the last $7300. A few people have read and copied and old post of mine thinking we still need $9000 and little time to get it. I suppose some people may say $7300 in  about 6weeks is not a lot of time either but if you know me I would say there is no time line God can not reach and the money issue has always been in his hands from the beginning.
Thank you all who have donated. Thank you for your love and support. We will be having a fundraiser sale the weekend we get back, praying it is as successful as the one last year.
I have added our donation links to the side bar. Please remember every dollar counts. We are blessed for what ever you are willing to give.

Check out the new clock I added so you could all see what time it is while we are in Russia. :)

Posted in: on Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at at 8:34 AM 1 comments  

Flight Numbers!!!

Some of you (Connie ;) requested our flight numbers. We are flying on Delta to and from Russia. We will be leaving Saturday from  Detroit at 1:55, flight #2455 landing in NY and Leaving for Moscow, Russia at 5:00pm on flight 30.
Return home on Saturday July 30 leaving Russia at 12:55 pm on flight 31 landing in New York at 3:15pm. Keep in mind Russia is 8 hours ahead of us. We have a 15 hour layover in New York so will not fly home to Detroit until the next morning at 7am on flight 1486. Thank you for all of your prayers. Next time I post on here we will be another world away meeting our babies for the first time.

See you guys on the other side!!! Here we come babies!!!

Posted in: on Monday, July 18, 2011 at at 8:37 PM 0 comments  

Signing off....


Just five days and we will be boarding a plane to head to our babies country. By next Monday after noon we will be holding the little ones God grew in our hearts. So as for this blog I will be signing off for just a bit. You can head on over to our private blog while we are in country to catch up on all the info. If you need permission you will have to find me on FB or email me. Satan's trolls need not apply.
Our private blog is www.ourjourneytoonelife.blogspot.com

I will leave you with this song, it inspires my mission. I refuse to sit around and wait for someone else. http://youtu.be/g_m2FkisN98

Posted in: on at at 7:32 PM 0 comments  

One Week =

7 DAYS
We leave in one week!! All photos are now removed from our public blog. This is the only place you will see photos of the babies. Stay tuned......
Our story is starting a new chapter.
Thank you for all your love and support.


Our sweet baby girl
she has grown so
much.


Our little guy
and stay tune
soon we will reveal what
the name we have chosen
for Him.

Posted in: on Friday, July 15, 2011 at at 11:11 PM 3 comments  

WHATS NEXT?????

What do you mean whats next? WE MEET OUR BABIES, THAT'S WHATS NEXT!!! Can not believe I am typing these words. I am sure in the next 8 days I will check our flights to make sure it is real. So we leave next Saturday from DTW we will arrive in NY for a one hour layover then off to Eastern Europe we will arrive at 10:55am on Sunday which will be 3am here. We have one day in the capital and then on Monday we will head to the region where our babies are. After that I don't care what we do........
We will be in country for 7 days we will return on Saturday but have a 15hour layover in New York. Not super excited about that but we will enjoy the time while we are there. We will be home at 9am Sunday morning. After that we will wait for court. We don't expect that until some time mid-September or October.
So some of you are asking what we need. We need continue prayer for many things. For our kiddos we are leaving home with family especially Keegan he doesn't not like to be gone long from us, two days max. For our travel, safe and smooth with out incident, for appointments in country; we will have one with Ed. Dept to accept referral of the two kids and also with court where we will deliver our papers. Also we will be meeting our babies please pray for them to accept our love and be open to spending time with us. Also pray for Jason and I that we will have a sense of peace in our spirits and the excitement and anxiety will not overwhelm us (me ;).  I want to enjoy every moment and not miss the details the Lord has set before us.

Thank you EVERYONE for all your prayers and continued prayers. Thank you for all your love and support. Stay tuned because this is where the fun begins. And don't forget.... Any donations made up until Friday July 22 will be entered into our drawing for the ILIVE docking system (100.00 value) We will do the drawing the next weekend when we return. There are a few other prizes also scroll down to see. We still need to raise $7400 to be fully funded. donations can be made on the side bar of this blog. Thank you for giving with a generous heart.

Posted in: on at at 10:24 AM 4 comments  

Willing? Able?

We are willing and we are able to travel across the globe to rescue our little lovies.


 We are not able through our own power but of faith. We are not able without Christ.  We are not able to do it with out all of  you. We are not able to do it without the hands and feet of Jesus. We are His hands and feet. We are willing to be His hands and feet and we are so able.

 
                                      We are willing to love and welcome....we are able.
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.Matthew 18:5

We are willing to speak up....we are able.

Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

Our children have no voice. We are it! We are all they have got.


Are you willing? Are you able? If so please help us speak up and seek justice. We are commanded to do so. We are all held responsible.

Proverb 24:12 Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.
He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

What do we know?
We know that without prayer this can not be done.
We know that our story needs to be shared as for all the stories of orphans.
We know God calls us all to help. He does not call all of us to adopt but He does call us all to help.
We know that without donations this could not be done.
We still need prayer and lots of it.
We still need $7700.
We still need all of you to share our story.
This journey is not just about our family. You are all part of it. You all have a place in it. We may never know all of you who help but you know your part and God know your part. Its a burden, I know that, but it is a blessing that I carried with humbleness.
Thank you for all you have done and what you all will do to bring us to end of the journey of adoption. Follow us as we finish, follow us as we will begin a new chapter in our lives. A chapter that could of never be written if it wasn't for you and our God alone.

tax deductible donations http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsorplummer
monatary donations Paypal

Posted in: on Friday, July 8, 2011 at at 10:11 AM 2 comments  

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