Introducing Our New Son. . .

Alexander Patrick
This was his Russian name of sorts and we just reversed it.

Well, the ten day wait is over, it is 5:30 in the afternoon in Moscow. I will pray all is well and there was no petition against the judge's decision. These are two photos from our July trip. He is such a ham! We were outside on the playground of the detsky dom playing with him when I took these photos. He would blow some bubbles and then put the wand up to his tongue, look at us and just giggle.

We got to see him Friday after court. It had been 6 months since he had seen us, which to a four year old is an eternity. He remembered us and came running! I picked him up and he gave me a big hug and then looked at Dawn and pointed and grinned some more. They had cut his hair to a style that is very common for the boys. I did not care for it, but it will grow out. I have enough LA redneck in me that I like the hair a little longer.

Dawn had purchased some animal crackers in a store we shopped at the night before. She opened them and gave him one. Then we tried to teach him the sign for "more". He picked right up on it and as soon as he finished that one, he signed "more"! Dawn jokingly rubbed her tummy. I signed "more" and he brought me one and then rubbed my belly and laughed and laughed.

I was supposed to travel back to Russia today, but my invitation letter did not make it to the Russian embassy on Friday. As a result, they would not issue the visa. The agency is supposed to e-mail this week with new travel dates. Hopefully everything is just postponed one week. Originally, I was to travel this week to get him a passport - or at least start the process of getting him a passport. It was to be a VERY quick trip lasting only four days. We were then scheduled to travel back on February 14 to start the embassy paperwork, register him with the Russian consulate and then come home February 19. Like I said, I hope things are just postponed a week.

We will share more later this week.

We Have a New Son!

I'll be short and sweet and save the details for later. We were awarded custody of Sasha by the court on Friday morning. Had us worried for a short while that things were not going to work out (I'll share details later). After court, we went to the detsky dom and were able to see Sasha for the first time since mid July. To a four year old, that is an eternity so I wasn't sure if he would remember us or not. But he did! When he saw me, he cam and jumped in my arms and gave me a big hug and a squeeze. He pointed to Dawn and grinned real big. Made my day.

I have to return in eight days to start the paperwork to bring him home. Would not be so bad, but I leave tomorrow on a business trip that will put me out until Friday evening.

Thanks so much for all the the prayers. I do not have time now, but I want to share with you all the little bumps in the road that were suddenly solved. We were in God's hand and he took care of everything. Again, thank you very much!

God Bless -

Tony B.

P.S.

Holiday Inn - Sokolniki is #1 in my book.

Arrived in Moscow

Just wanted to drop a quick note. We arrived safely in Moscow where it is cold! Having a hard time adjusting to time difference. It is near 10 AM and I have been awake since 2:30AM. Great hotel, great staff. We went and had breakfast at the buffet this morning and that will probably cover lunch as well. We have a very busy afternoon today. Please keep us in your prayers!

A God Thing

Real quick, I have a "God Thing" to share real quick. I mentioned in my previous post that I thought my blood tests were missing results for two items - HIV and Syphilis. This morning I went to the blood lab 30 miles away and explained my situation. I'll spare you the details, but their answer was "No - it can't be done that quick and you can not do it with out doctor's orders. My doctor is closed today. They did send me down the road to a clinic. I went inside, explained the situation and they informed me they did not think they could get it done that fast either. I offered to drive to Atlanta or Birmingham if they could just do it. They made a few phone calls, came back and said yes we can do it and we will e-mail your results!

Wow! God is amazing!!

Almost Time

A couple of hiccups. I was looking at my blood tests yesterday (we have to take a copy) and I did not see results for syphilis and HIV. There is a blood lab in town and I am hoping they can run the tests for me quickly and get results to me by the end of day tomorrow. The really frustrating part is that they will duplicate the exact same test when we arrive in Moscow. I don't mind getting the tests completed - once.

Also, I have come down with a head cold. I am taking over the counter medicine in hopes it will go away.

This time next week, I hope to have good news. Please keep us in your prayers!

Progress

Airline tickets ordered, travel visas ordered and arrangements made for the children. I guess I should add that hay was purchased for the horses to help out in the event Christina does not feel like getting out to feed them.

This week, I will take our suits to the cleaners and start the process of getting "clean" money. That last task is the most frustrating part. Russian money changers do not like and will sometimes reject bills that have any markings, are too worn or have too many creases. Some parents have gone so far as to iron each bill so that it looks as good as possible. Some banks look at you like you are nuts when you hand them money and tell them it is too dirty or too worn and that you need better looking bills.

Keep us in your prayers...

GREAT NEWS!

We were notified this evening by e-mail that we have a court date!!!! Because of privacy issues, we will not share the exact date, but we will have court the end of this month and if all goes well, we will bring our little one home in February.

PLEASE, pray for our family and our little one as work quickly to prepare for court and to bring him home.

We look forward to sharing more with you soon -

Tony B.