Thursday

Thursday I went to pick up Heath's passport and then to the Embassy to drop off paperwork and get our appointment for tomorrow (well, actually it's today now).  Once we go to the Embassy this morning at 11:30, we will have everything we need to go home.  We are going to come back and nap and then head out this afternoon for supper with Julia, who is the lady who has translated all of Hudson's post placement reports.  We met her last trip and just loved her!

We had a full day yesterday with lots of sight seeing.  There was a big festival going on in Red Square and they had two people doing dressage, it was so cool.  I will have to post pics of that sometime.  

Heath is still doing great!  We think he's already gaining weight.  He is filling out 12 months clothes.  We have his sleep schedule so screwed us, but he is just easy going and doesn't seem to mind or be cranky.  We've all been up since 3 a.m. here and are going to head back to bed here soon.  

I can't wait to see everyone Saturday!  Our plane lands at 5:30 rather than the original 5:45.  I might have mentioned this already, but I am a little worried our layover at JFK won't give us enough time to make our connection.  So once again, I ask you pray that we can make it on time.  Otherwise we won't get home until close to 11 that night.

 

Wednesday

Well, I had my days mixed up so today we went to the Dr.  It is something the US Embassy requires, very short and easy.  It was the same Dr. we saw with Hudson.  Then we went to the Uzbeki restaurant.  We were going to go to Red Square but decided to just wait until tomorrow and we would have more time.  So we all napped then went out for supper and to the grocery store to get some of these amazing creme puffs and to get some candy and juices for some folks back home.

 Sunrise from hotel this morning.

This boy babbled non stop today.  I think he's going to give Hollynn a run for her money since she also talks NON STOP!  Only a few more days and we are coming back home, I am so ready to land in Nashville!!

Tuesday

So today we didn't do too much.  In the afternoon we walked around quite a bit and ate some seriously good food!  Casey slept at least 22 hours, okay, maybe not that much but I'm pretty sure her and Jason could sleep anywhere, anytime.  I go back and forth between being jealous and angry about it! Ha!Ha! 

While I was laying in bed this a.m. (while everyone else was sleeping ;) I just asked the Lord to let Heath feel so much more comfortable today, to babble and explore and relax in our love.  And you know what, he babbled non-stop, checked everything out, didn't get upset if I took his cup to try and help him.  He was glad for my help and realized that if I took his cup or food, it was only to help him so he actually started handing it to me.  Tonight when he got tired and without my prompting he turned around, crawled in my lap and laid on my chest.  And yes, my heart melted right there.  

I am full of overflowing joy and yesterday there was just a moment where I could not push the lump in my throat back down.  We did face time with Jason where we could see them and they us.  It was the sweetest thing ever when Hudson was on and saw Heath.  In the softest voice he said, "Hi Heath, I'm your big brother.  I can't wait for you to come home."  And he just talked to him so sweetly.  I'm crying again just replaying it in my head.  Then Hollynn got on and just squealed (and I mean squeal, y'all know she can call the whales) "Hi Heath" "Goodmoauning" (in her country voice).  I hope it will be on video in my head forever!

Tomorrow I have to go in the morning to the passport agency and then to drop papers off at the American Embassy.  Then we are going to come back and get Casey and Heath and then go to a fantastic Uzbekistan restaurant and off to Red Square.  We have things to do Wed.-Fri. so since we will be paying a driver those days we are going to take advantage of it and do all of our site seeing!  
 

Gotcha Day Details...

Scroll down if you haven't seen pictures from Gotcha Day on Monday.  This post is a little lengthy but just details our day...

We started our day out yesterday by first going to sign some paperwork for his passport and then we went to a supermarket to get a cake as a gift to the orphanage and then it was off to get him.

They do not let people up to where the babies stay, our translator says that never happens, but of course everyone always asks.  But yesterday was different!  Not sure why, but the director of the orphanage let us go and we got a little tour!  They even let me take pictures.  So I have pictures of 2 play rooms, the kitchen and the little seat where he sat, the bathroom, and his bedroom.  I couldn't believe they were already sleeping in toddler beds.  This is the part that breaks my heart the worst, their were beds lined up down both walls.  With Hudson, I think they became really comfortable with us since we visited every day for several weeks so when we asked to see more of his rooms, they let us but no camera.  So I have the pictures in my head.  I can still see the tiny room with cribs lined up around the wall and down the middle, his was the second from the door.

They also gave me the camera that I had left for them to take pics with and they had taken 60 pics so I am excited about that!

They changed his clothes and we said so long forever to baby home #13.  I did check on Alyssa while I was there and she does have a Russian family adopting her, they have already been to court!  That was great news to hear. 

Heath totally chilled out and took it all in.  He was laughing with me before we left the baby home so we just continued to while we were driving.  He HAD to be holding my hand and I of course, had no problems with that :)  We went to Arbat St. and ate at My My's (pronounced Moo Moo's).  He did great, continued to just take it all in.  He is a good eater!  Then we came back to the hotel and I gave him a shower and we played.  He fell asleep on me the exact same way Hudson always did.  And we discovered he is a thumb sucker!  I had never seen it until yesterday when he laid his head on my chest.

He got a little cranky yesterday and then I realized it had to have been b/c he was starving so we ran to a little cafe and grabbed something to eat and he was back to all smiles.  They are on such strict schedules and I am stuck on TN time so I didn't realize how late it was, whoops!  I let him stay up until 10 last night, which he normally goes to sleep around 7, but we were having fun!  Might as well get him used to being a night owl!  

He loosened up a little yesterday and started babbling.  He has yet to crawl around and explore.  I can't wait to see him come out of his little shell, I can remember watching Hudson go from quiet little boy to mr. personality.  I think over the next few days as Heath becomes more comfortable we will start to see the same transition.

Thank you for your prayers, they were definitely answered!  God is so good and deserves every ounce of the glory, I just praise Him!

One last thing, Casey's bag has still not arrived, and we really need it to.  Praying it gets here today!

  

Gotcha'!!

 Getting ready to leave!

 Back at the hotel.  He hasn't missed a beat, it has been absolutely great!  Thanks be to God, He has definitely answered our prayers!

 Such a sweet moment, when he just laid his little head on me.  All 3 of mine are cuddlers :)

 Of course had to give him a shower (no bath tub, but thankfully the shower head comes off), now he is smelling all good and fresh!

And now he is taking a nap, think I might take one too :)  I'll post more details later but had to get you some pics up!

We made it...

We arrived today with only one hiccup.  Casey's bag didn't make it, it is still in New York but should make it here tomorrow and be delivered to the hotel.  Thankfully we put some of her clothes in my bag.  Our hotel is very nice, but we haven't ventured out yet.  We have slept about 3 hours in the past 31 hrs. so I am hoping to go to sleep soon. 

We are getting picked up at 9:40 in the morning (12:40 p.m. central time), then we go to the passport agency and then off to pick up Heath!  The first thing I did when we got to the hotel was get his outfit out and pack his little bag for tomorrow.  Those of you who have done this know the swirl of emotions I am feeling...

I could cry at the drop of a hat.
I am soooo excited.
And hoping he has a smooth transition.
My stomach has butterflies fluttering.
It's just too many emotions to name!

That is my constant prayer right now, since he hasn't seen me very many times, that he not be anxious about this transition.  We spent so much time with Hudson before we picked him up that he never missed a beat, never cried a tear out of fear.  When the time was near for us to pick Hudson up, he was so used to us that he would cry when we would leave him every afternoon at the baby home. 

We are hoping to get out and about tomorrow as well, I don't want to stay all cooped up in a hotel room all week! 

I will try my best to have you all pictures posted by the time you wake up!

We're still here...

Yes, we are still here.  Yes, I have lots of pictures to post and news to share.  Yes, I just now unpacked the stuff I need to upload pictures.  No, I just don't have it all together right now!

Why didn't someone shake me and tell me that moving our family and downsizing by 1/2 would not be the smartest thing I ever did, less than 2 weeks from leaving the country to bring home our next child!  I have decided I am not superwoman and should not act like it!  For some reason I thought this wouldn't be too bad but then Jason said, "You need to get rid of about half of your clothes!"  And then I realized I'd have to get rid of a bunch of stuff or else we were going to live in nothing but clutter.  So while unpacking each box, we are going through and getting rid of a bunch of stuff.  So maybe that's why this move seems harder than the last, it hasn't been unpacking and everything having a space, it's been going through every. single. little. thing.

Hopefully I will get Heath and myself packed by tomorrow.  Of course, Casey, is already packed.  But this is typical of us!

Yesterday Hudson told me that he pretty much already missed me and I wasn't even gone.  He couldn't wait until Heath was home and when he sees us in the airport, he's going to run as fast as a jet and give us all 4 big hugs a piece.  I'm pretty emotional at this point, so I'm pretty sure I let some tears roll.

Hollynn on the other hand picked up a wooden spoon a few days ago, looked at me, shook it a little and said "You hear me?"  several times!  Then just busted out laughing, it was hilarious.  I'm pretty sure she has only seen me do that a couple of times! HA!

Okay, lots to do, and when I get to Russia I'll do lots of updates since I don't sleep much while I'm there and I have pics from Hudson's baptism and Beth Moore :)  

My specific prayer that I started praying yesterday is "Lord, this is the absolute busiest season of my life, so while I feel covered up with things to do, please cover me with peace."  I don't want to feel overwhelmed with this move, packing, etc.  Please pray for us, all of us, especially the transition Heath will be making in several days!   

Hudson Luke Carney...

Yes, that name was just written down in heaven, because he just asked Jesus to be his Savior.  I am a very proud mama right now.  Although he did just tell me I'm now his brother in Christ!  Ha! So maybe I'm a very proud brotha! 

He has been talk about this for some time now and here lately he has brought it up almost daily, and totally on his own.  We wanted to be sure he understood everything so we have tried to talk with him every time he brings it up do be sure he did.  Tonight when they were reading his Bible story, it was about Jesus being the Living Water and he told Jason he wanted to be saved.  So again, we talked to him, and tonight my sweet boy prayed for Jesus to forgive him for his sins, professed that He died on the cross and conquered death, and thanked Him for saving his soul.  And he just squeezed my neck when I told him that angels were singing in heaven and his name was being written down.  He threw his arm in the air and in total excitement said, "I get to go to heaven!"  Yes, buddy, you do, and a prayer I have prayed since before I ever saw his sweet little face, was answered tonight!  Can't wait to see the things God has planned him, cause you know they are great :)

Last visit until Forever...

So these are all from our last day of this past trip.  Looking at these, I wonder how can 17 more days seem soon yet so stinkin' far away?  I'm trying to balance moving, homeschooling, working, chasing my 21 month old, and nesting.  And really, all I want to do is jump 3 1/2 weeks from now when we are all together.  Don't worry, I'll stop whining when he gets here :) 

I am LOVING homeschooling Hudson!  I know it's only been a week, hopefully I will still feel this way in 39 weeks :)  I think this summer has been so crazy busy that just hanging out with him like this is great.  Hollynn LOVES to draw, or shall we say "dall").  So in the mornings when we do some of his work she is also enjoying herself.  We are doing some work in the mornings and some at nap time. 

I am going to do an entire post to this, but I have to tell you I not only met Beth Moore this past weekend, but I think we are best friends ;)  Don't worry, I'll tell you all about it b/c I'm pretty sure other than marrying Jason, and the first day I held my kids, this day goes right under these! 

Birthday Boy

Saturday we celebrated Hudson's 5th birthday by going to the back to school bash, then off to Monkey Joe's, and then finished up with some pizza and swimming with two of his best buddies Ethan and Lucas.  They had a BLAST!  And Hollynn did not miss a beat in keeping up with them!

I'll have to post pictures from Sunday.  Hudson chose Japanese food for his birthday lunch and since our life is constant motion we didn't have a family birthday party but did get together for lunch at Fuji's.  Casey made him a really cool dinosaur cake.

I can't believe he is 5 today.  I am up way too early to go to the barn and get work done so I can be here for breakfast to stick 5 candles in his waffles!  FIVE!  Where is time going?  I am so thankful for Hudson Luke.  He is so kind, funny, smart, and I love that he still cuddles with me :)  What an honor that he calls me Mom!