8 days!

It's hard to believe that we will finally see our sweet little boy again next Friday. Is there a fast forward button anywhere that can get us to the 25th faster?!?

Things on our list are finally getting done and crossed off. The packing has begun and his room is a mess as a result of it. Those of you that have traveled on trip 2 before, please tell me how on earth did you fit everything you needed into the luggage? I really am trying to pack light, but I am not even sure where our clothes are supposed to fit. I am sure I will pack and repack about hundred times before next Wednesday.

Shane's birthday dinner was a success. There was a wonderful turnout, 35 people. Thank you everyone for coming. He was surprised and couldn't believe I pulled that off and that no one gave it away.

We leave next week. I can't believe it! Here is the schedule so far:
1/23- Leave the US
1/24- Arrive in Moscow
1/25- Arrive in Novo, 1st visit w/Bryson
1/26- 2nd visit w/Bryson
1/27- 3rd visit w/Bryson
1/28- COURT!

A lot of people have asked when will we return home. The answer is, we don't know. Russia generally requires a 10 day waiting period after court, before we can take custody of him. There is a 50/50 chance that the judge could waive the 10 days. If the 10 days are waived, then the we will be heading home on 2/6. If the days are not waived, then I am not sure when we will be heading home, but I imagine it will be the following week sometime. Cross your fingers that they are waived!

Happy Birthday Shane

Today is my amazing husband's 30th birthday. He is the most wonderful and caring man. He will be the most unbelievable father. He is having a hard time accepting his age this year though I am not really sure why. I can't poke fun at him because I am only a few months younger.

Tonight I have planned a surprise dinner with family and friends at a restaurant in the area. It should be a nice, relaxing night. On Christmas Eve, my family asked him if he was throwing a party for his birthday and he looked right at me and said "No, Marie don't plan anything." Silly boy. He hasn't learned by now that when you tell me not to do something, it only makes me want to do it that much more. Besides, it's a milestone birthday and I had to surprise him somehow. Though, nothing can top the early birthday present he got yesterday, our court date!

This news could not have came at a better time...

We got a court date for January 28th. I have been in a crappy mood for the past few days, but this has definitely changed my mood. We could not be happier!!! We have to arrive in Russia a few days earlier to visit with Bryson on 3 separate days before court. I will post more on our travel schedule later. There is so much to do. I don't even know where to begin. My emotions are all over the place. I am just so happy to know that Bryson will be with us before our 5th wedding anniversary on Valentine's day. Will post more later...

Happy Birthday Sandy!

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday. We have a wonderful relationship and for that, I am thankful. I honestly could not ask for a better MIL. She has been a huge part of our support system through everything. Especially our long, bumpy road to trying to start a family. She has been there whenever we needed her. Shane is extremely close with his mother. I actually call him a mommy's boy (don't tell him I told you), but he denies it. I can only hope that one day, Bryson and I have will have the strong relationship that Shane has with his mother.

Happy birthday!

Merry Christmas Russia

Today is the Russian Orthodox Christmas. If you would like to learn more about it, check out this link:
http://www.rochedalss.qld.edu.au/xmas/russiachristmas.htm

No news on the adoption front. A lot of people have asked when we will hear something. Our agency said that the courts are basically closed till 1/13, so we don't expect to hear anything till after that. It would be wonderful if I had some good news for everyone sometime next week.

If you would have seen me in the card aisle today,

If you would have seen me in the card aisle today, you might have laughed. I love greeting cards and will take my time reading them all to find the perfect ones. It so happens that Shane, his mother and his grandmother's birthdays are this month (along with one of my brothers), so I went to get cards today. As I am reading these cards, my eyes are filling with tears. I had to stop every so often before I started bawling. I am a pretty emotional person. Hell, I even tear up at commercials these days.

I would like to thank everyone that has chosen to continue to read our blog although it is now private.