Girly Things

Yesterday I went to get a pedicure and they just put in a new chair especially for little girls. It's little and looks like a bunny. There was the cutest little girl sitting there getting little pink flowers painted on her toes. She and her Mom were laughing and talking about how fun the new chair was. I almost started to cry right there in the nail salon. My eyes watered up with joy thinking that one day I'll get to share those special moments with my little girl. I can't wait to have those girly girl times with her and the special relationship that will grow through those times. I think I might have had a few tears of sadness in there because the process is taking sooo long. But I feel comfort in knowing that it will happen, in the perfect time. I'm so thankful that we get to take this journey and all the waiting will be so worth it in the end. I can't even imagine the blessings that will come with a daughter and I can't wait for the day to come when I get to take her for her first little pedicure in the bunny chair.

Father's Day

I just got off the phone with my sweet Dad and had to thank God for the relationship I have with him and what an awsome Dad he is. He's everything a daughter could ever wish for in a father. I couldn't help but think how this day next year will be so different. Eddie's celebrated six Father's Days now, but next year it will be his first with a daughter. He will be the best Dad in the world for a little girl. I can't wait to see him as a Dad to a daughter, he has no idea the blessings that are in store for him. She will have him wrapped around her little finger in no time.

Eddie and the boys

Me and my Dad

Russian Winters

After worrying about how I was going to handle the cold in Russia I searched for pictures of Russian winters and all I can say is "Beautiful". We will get to see things we'd never see here in Texas, gorgeous ice and snow sculptures, Moscow lights in Red Square and so much more. The snow sculptures reminded me of the sand sculpture competition they have every year on Galveston Island, but 10 times more beautiful. I'm actually getting excited about traveling in the winter, it's amazing how differently I can view this now. Bring on the coats and gloves and hats and long johns, I'm ready. "Amazing"

St. Basil's covered in snow

Father Frost, Russia's Father Christmas

Snow Sculpture

Ice Sculpture

Shopping Center at Red Square

Sharing the blog with Austin

I don't know why I haven't started until now, but today I read the blog to Austin. He listened so intently and said things like "I remember that". When I read him the part about how the boys always ask "when is she going to get here" he said, "yeah, when IS she going to get here, how many more years do we have to wait?" I reassured him not years anymore, hopefully down to months. When I read him the post about the cold weather in Russia he said, "Oh Mom, I want to go to Russia, I'd be fine with all that cold. I have like 3 pairs of gloves and probably 20 hats in my drawer upstairs, and my coat is huge, way bigger than Tyler's". I think he's trying anything he can to get to go, but in the dead of winter, at home with Grandparents is a much better place for the boys to be. Plus I want that one on one special time with our little girl, for her bonding and ours. We then went on to read some other adoption blogs together and he could see others experiences and other families in a similar situation as us.

Am I Ready for the Cold???

The other day, I was reading from a Russian adoption chat board and the title was "How Cold is Cold". My eye went right to it because that is something I've been a little worried about. Odds are we'll be traveling in winter and it can get -30 below in Moscow. I'M GOING TO FREEZE!!! I use to tease Eddie that I could never live any further north than Dallas because of the cold and in the past few years I even changed that to I'd never want to live north of I-10. It was around 95 degrees today and I wasn't even hot. Of all things for me to worry about, I can't believe this is on my list of worries. Of course her health and well being are at the top of my prayer list and then there are so many others, but this is definitely going on the list. I just need to pray God prepares me for the cold and her for our heat. Maybe all my friends from up north can help me with this one. I think Eddie will be fine, he's been to NY for business so many years in the dead of winter. I choose to go with him when the business trips are scheduled in Florida. This will be a hard acclimation for me just like the heat in Houston I'm sure will be for her. I need to start preparing my list of clothes now I'm afraid. This is definitely not something I want to try to figure out in a hurry. So to answer my own question "Am I ready for the cold? No, but I will be, NOTHING especially cold weather, could stop me from going to get our little girl!!"

Aunt April and Uncle Brock brought our little one her first present the other day, her first pink Cinderella bike. It's a little big , but she'll grow into it in no time. It's the first girly thing in our garage and I love seeing it out there. I can't wait for the day when she is riding around on it ringing the little bell (which Tyler has transfered to his bike for the time being, but promises to put it back when we bring our little sister home), hopefully very soon. Now I can't wait to start painting her pink room.

Visitor Location Map

I love that I added the visitor location map at the bottom. I know where each one of those location dots are and who they represent. Thanks for checking on us and for all your support. We couldn't be doing this without you. I'll do my best to keep you posted!!