One more pic

Couldn't resist, since we don't see the cat and dog in the same place very much. It is so funny how in tune they are to the changes. They know that something is happening....

The room has furniture in it!

We were able to pick up the furniture today for T's room. I love it! It is perfect for a little boy. We still need to refinish Sean's dresser. We hope to get that done this week, while Sean is still on vacation. The cats and the dog know something is going on. They were underfoot the entire time

we were setting it up, and both ended up on the bed as soon as it was made. Our cats and dog

NEVER get on the same piece of furniture at the same time, yet there they were! I hope that T learns to love animals....because they are definitely interested in what is happening around the house!
We still have plenty to do in his room, but it is nice to have the furniture ready. We still need to decorate walls and put up some finishing touches....there is plenty of time for that!

Merry Christmas - and thank you to our families

We have had a wonderful Christmas with our families. Though Baby T was not with us physically, we thought of him throughout our celebrations. He has so many cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and even great aunts, uncles and grandparents that are awaiting his arrival. They all included him in their gift giving....toys, clothes, books and even a highchair from Grandma!

We are so blessed as a family to have the support of all of those around us. Even though T will be grandchild #6 on one side of the family and grandchild #9 on the other, each of our parents are as excited as if he were the first in the family. I've spoken to so many people that didn't have the support of family through an adoption. I want to say thank you to each family member - not only for the gifts - but for your excitement and support of the process, and for T. We love you all.

Let the reaccreditations begin!

I hardly ever check "the boards" in the evening, but for some reason, I wandered in to the computer this evening. So glad I did! On FRUA, our ever helpful Jim has posted a translation of a Russian Goverment Website. The translation states, among other things that....

Accreditation documents are being accepted as of December 20th!!!

This is the best Christmas gift we could ask for. I can see it now, the outside of the MoE looks just like Best Buy on the day after Thanksgiving...a line of people ready to get in. And, selfishly, I hope our agency's rep is at the front of the line.

Thank you God for answered prayers!

Days are slow, weeks go fast

I can't believe that it has been 10 weeks since we first saw T's sweet face. There are days when I don't think evening will ever arrive, yet it just seems like yesterday that we got the call from our caseworker that we had a referral. At the time, we had a glimmer of hope that we would have him home for Christmas. It was a far fetched dream, and we won't be sharing Christmas with him this year. But, we already have wonderful plans for next Christmas with him. Maddie has already designed the 2007 Christmas card - we are all in PJs and santa hats (Sean's not so sure about the pjs thing) - and we've talked of how fun it will be to wake up for Santa. In the meantime, there are presents under the tree for him - from grandparents and cousins - so even though he is not physically here with us, in spirit he is already a part of our family and traditions. Hopefully the next weeks will fly by, accreditation will occur, and we will be off to Russia to meet our little boy.

Baby T update

The calls come when you least expect them. We had just seen our caseworker on Saturday, and everything was status quo. So, when I got a message that there was an update on him, my heart began to race. Luckily, the message went on to say he was doing great, and to call in for more details. He is healthy, and the local MoE confirmed that they are ready for us to come see him. Not much info, but at this point to know that he is doing ok and that the adoption committee considers him to be ours....I will take those calls every day!

We are anxious to see him, and pray that reaccreditation will move along quickly so that we can travel and meet our little boy!