brothers

Some more pictures

Jonathan after his first dinner at home-jetlagged-and with his proud brother, Will


J waving bye to the Vladivostok airport

getting ready to leave Vladivostok


the Vlad Inn,

bundled up outside of the orphanage

picking J up after court

more pictures

I received some (a lot!) of pictures from one of the mothers who was there and who adopted from the same baby house. Here are few of those: Jonathan with Mark, who was in the crib next to J at the baby house, and Hannah, who was from another orphanage. The frozen tundra is of the inlet off the Sea of Japan. Cold!!!! These pictures were taken at the Vlad Inn and near the Inn.

Just a few pics

I want to begin posting some pictures from Vladivostok.

The orphanage (baby house)









The food of choice for Jonathan before I arrived











The courthouse in Vladivostok















The social worker, my facilitator and me after the court hearing.

We're Home

We arrived safely back to Pittsburgh on Tues, Mar 10 @ 5:30 am. I was deeply humbled that some friends from church were there to greet us! Jonathan did well on the flights as he slept off and on from Seoul to LA and in LA. He didn't sleep on the flight to Pittsburgh....

I arrived in Vladivostok on Wed., Feb 18 and was told that court had been moved to Thursday, Feb 19 because a snow storm was expected. As a result, I had to head to the orphanage after arriving as per court order. The workers woke Jonathan, who wasn't a happy camper. I struggled to sleep that night--jet lag and pre-court jitters. Court went well! I was the last of three families and my court appearance lasted a whole 20 minutes.

After court, we all headed to a bakery and picked up cakes and chocolate for the workers at the orphanage. We got to the baby house and were given our children. So, from almost day 1, I had Jonathan. I'll detail more later. Thank you to everyone who prayed for us!

Leaving on a jet plane

OK--A very overused phrase. I'm finishing a few last minute tasks at work and then I will be heading home to finish packing. I leave in the late afternoon. My mom arrive on Saturday night and will be watching Will while I am gone. I am SO VERY THANKFUL that she is willing, able, and happy to help in this way. I will arrive in Russia on Wed afternoon. I will be able to visit with Jonathan on Thursday and then court is on Friday, Feb 20. Please remember us in prayer.

Even as I ready to leave, I'm beginning to miss Will.

getting ready.....

My departure date is set--Feb 16. I will arrive on Wed, Feb 18. The plan, as I understand it at the moment, is that I will visit Jonathan on Thursday and go to court on Fri, the 20th. I'm sure that I will have other things to do in addition, but.... I also anticipate actually being given custody of Jonathan on Friday after court. We will have to follow much protocol after court, which I am yet to know about, and will be leaving on Mar 9.

I have finished all the paper work that I need before leaving although I expect to receive my visa on Wed or Thursday.

I have a lot to do at work to prepare for my departure as well as the normal work that is due for this week. It does seem that extra work has come my way this week in the "normal" course of this week that I didn't expect. I'm not worried that it will get done--the week is just extra hectic.

Will is very excited about Jonathan's arrival--Since he requested prayer last Sunday evening--He asked that God would bring his brother home quickly.-- So, of course, he has consistently said that we know when Jonathan is coming home because he asked God--He then quickly says that he has to thank God--and he does. I'm so touched with that attitude.

The snow is melting as we've had a couple of days in the 40s. We've had to be creative with inside activities--see the picture of Chef William--as well as the frozen tundra choice.