tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53440867183523935132024-03-13T13:37:20.314-07:00From Texas to Russia with LoveDear family and friends,
We've started this blog to share with you our adoption journey. We'll keep it up to date with posts about where we are in the process until we bring our little angel home.Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-8960928143392035242011-01-25T19:18:00.000-08:002011-01-25T22:32:12.221-08:00We're Still Here, What a Fantastic Ride the Last 9 Months Have BeenI'm so sorry everyone, it's probably ridiculous for me to even post after so long, but I know some of you still come around and check on us, so I had to give a quick update. I quess I'm really not much of a blogger, but I do still keep up with all of yours. My how things have changed in a year. All your babies are just precious. Anyway, it's been crazy busy, but oh so fun. Nicole has grown and changed so much. She is one of the happiest little girls I've ever seen. She smiles with her whole face with pure joy and excitement. She is so loving, she gives hugs all the time. When the boys come home from school and Eddie comes home from work the first thing she does is run to them and give them a big hug. She's also started to say, "I love you too" after we say I love you. It's so sweet. She has the cutest little voice. I thank God for her every day. She loves her big brothers, playing outside, and dancing. She's a little dancing queen, whenever she hears music, that boody starts shaking. She loves to listen to music in the car and the only thing she'll watch on TV are live concerts. She is so precious to watch, she makes us all laugh when she starts dancing. American Idol is going to be so fun to watch with her this year. Who would believe she was just crawling a year ago. She has made so many huge milestones in her 9 months home. When we arrived home with her, she was 16 months old and crawling. We started her in physical and occupational therapy right away. They evaluated her at 16 months old as being developmentally that of an 11 month old on their charts. By 18 months, she had jumped developmentally to that of a 16 month old and by 19 months she hit all the markers of a 19 month old and continues to be right on track. She's been running around ever since. (Keep in mind, she was very premature, so this is super exciting for us.) She is also so smart, she picks up on things so quickly. Can you tell I'm a proud Mama. She goes to mother's day out 2 times a week and the rest of the days it's mostly me and her. It's so fun. It seems like she's always been here. I can't imagine her not being our daughter. Here are a few pictures of how she's grown over the past few months and that big beautiful smile, and yes those beautiful curls are natural, man am I jealous. She has the best hair, she's just perfect in every way possible. The pics start with the the kids fall picture and ends with a few pictures of Nicole back in May, her announcement pics. It's kind of a journey back in time. I haven't even loaded my Christmas pics into the computer yet, so those might be a while, but hopefully I'll get them up before Easter.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-3lgFuNuI/AAAAAAAAAXs/XQR0phcna28/s1600/Necklace%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566369519350200034" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-3lgFuNuI/AAAAAAAAAXs/XQR0phcna28/s400/Necklace%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-3ladvKNI/AAAAAAAAAXk/hHkpBBo7Tbc/s1600/d15.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566369517840312530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-3ladvKNI/AAAAAAAAAXk/hHkpBBo7Tbc/s400/d15.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-3lMocrGI/AAAAAAAAAXc/GbOBMHqXPY4/s1600/d12.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566369514127141986" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-3lMocrGI/AAAAAAAAAXc/GbOBMHqXPY4/s400/d12.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-2VBY7oXI/AAAAAAAAAXU/of4kkL79l48/s1600/d9.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566368136719737202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-2VBY7oXI/AAAAAAAAAXU/of4kkL79l48/s400/d9.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-2UyyXIYI/AAAAAAAAAXM/TmW6y2WFw7Q/s1600/310.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566368132799865218" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-2UyyXIYI/AAAAAAAAAXM/TmW6y2WFw7Q/s400/310.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-2UsqTaeI/AAAAAAAAAXE/o4odAG6hzBk/s1600/037.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 316px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566368131155454434" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-2UsqTaeI/AAAAAAAAAXE/o4odAG6hzBk/s400/037.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-2Uk8i10I/AAAAAAAAAW8/zSxDaMUF_ME/s1600/015.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566368129084479298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-2Uk8i10I/AAAAAAAAAW8/zSxDaMUF_ME/s400/015.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-2UfJjVyI/AAAAAAAAAW0/4TQOrm5-ypM/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566368127528425250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-2UfJjVyI/AAAAAAAAAW0/4TQOrm5-ypM/s400/014.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-zF62qWeI/AAAAAAAAAWs/rbK181kcNOg/s1600/z17.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566364578732464610" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-zF62qWeI/AAAAAAAAAWs/rbK181kcNOg/s400/z17.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-zFg78CKI/AAAAAAAAAWk/jZiBO_3lyXk/s1600/z11.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566364571775273122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-zFg78CKI/AAAAAAAAAWk/jZiBO_3lyXk/s400/z11.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-zFLJEftI/AAAAAAAAAWc/m3_VnaEzp2A/s1600/z10.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 347px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566364565924773586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-zFLJEftI/AAAAAAAAAWc/m3_VnaEzp2A/s400/z10.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-zFCRPOrI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Aw9lBeB2UAI/s1600/z9.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566364563543112370" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-zFCRPOrI/AAAAAAAAAWU/Aw9lBeB2UAI/s400/z9.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-w19R3BbI/AAAAAAAAAWM/LIiI7ohVlO4/s1600/P1020168.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566362105482249650" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-w19R3BbI/AAAAAAAAAWM/LIiI7ohVlO4/s400/P1020168.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-w1XvCC6I/AAAAAAAAAWE/X_lZZbARM-A/s1600/P1020124.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566362095404059554" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-w1XvCC6I/AAAAAAAAAWE/X_lZZbARM-A/s400/P1020124.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-w0535yzI/AAAAAAAAAV8/Zw_CcZJhOpo/s1600/nicole%2Bschool%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566362087388203826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-w0535yzI/AAAAAAAAAV8/Zw_CcZJhOpo/s400/nicole%2Bschool%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-w0V5spjI/AAAAAAAAAV0/K99bn67VaTk/s1600/Kristyn%2BEddie%2BNicole%2B-%2BCopy.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 271px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566362077732054578" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-w0V5spjI/AAAAAAAAAV0/K99bn67VaTk/s400/Kristyn%2BEddie%2BNicole%2B-%2BCopy.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-w0QX63kI/AAAAAAAAAVs/x9L5ld1Pb5g/s1600/kids.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566362076248202818" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-w0QX63kI/AAAAAAAAAVs/x9L5ld1Pb5g/s400/kids.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-u_280RRI/AAAAAAAAAVk/wgDmM58mba4/s1600/IMG_4037.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566360076558812434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-u_280RRI/AAAAAAAAAVk/wgDmM58mba4/s400/IMG_4037.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-u_Q_ShQI/AAAAAAAAAVc/nT6MYWTVqfQ/s1600/IMG_3921.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566360066368636162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-u_Q_ShQI/AAAAAAAAAVc/nT6MYWTVqfQ/s400/IMG_3921.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-u_QL1XBI/AAAAAAAAAVU/y5jXRSuJLco/s1600/IMG_3907.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566360066152815634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-u_QL1XBI/AAAAAAAAAVU/y5jXRSuJLco/s400/IMG_3907.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-u_Gt8HmI/AAAAAAAAAVM/WAmeVyS3-bM/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566360063611510370" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-u_Gt8HmI/AAAAAAAAAVM/WAmeVyS3-bM/s400/IMG_3836.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-u-9sXsOI/AAAAAAAAAVE/aD4lgI_Lpg4/s1600/IMG_3688.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566360061189009634" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-u-9sXsOI/AAAAAAAAAVE/aD4lgI_Lpg4/s400/IMG_3688.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-tcNV2ACI/AAAAAAAAAU8/RWNcKCJGhFA/s1600/IMG_3653.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566358364582445090" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-tcNV2ACI/AAAAAAAAAU8/RWNcKCJGhFA/s400/IMG_3653.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-oxe8A9pI/AAAAAAAAAU0/J3hQShpT1fk/s1600/IMG_3559.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566353215802618290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-owgpEsbI/AAAAAAAAAUc/MhEIL5Dib88/s400/IMG_2750.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-owQyWvYI/AAAAAAAAAUU/TMnAq3cb4J8/s1600/IMG_2711.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566353211546582402" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-owQyWvYI/AAAAAAAAAUU/TMnAq3cb4J8/s400/IMG_2711.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-mHvisO2I/AAAAAAAAAUM/Q4kpkfKVdfU/s1600/IMG_2494.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566350316404489058" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-mHvisO2I/AAAAAAAAAUM/Q4kpkfKVdfU/s400/IMG_2494.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-mHU22t0I/AAAAAAAAAUE/y2MHah6CS5o/s1600/IMG_2371.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566350309241304898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-mHU22t0I/AAAAAAAAAUE/y2MHah6CS5o/s400/IMG_2371.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-mHLYjn6I/AAAAAAAAAT8/nvZ7QNOf_2E/s1600/IMG_2117.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566350306698305442" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-mHLYjn6I/AAAAAAAAAT8/nvZ7QNOf_2E/s400/IMG_2117.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-mHD2cIwI/AAAAAAAAAT0/OYEGS_f03iw/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566350304676160258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-mHD2cIwI/AAAAAAAAAT0/OYEGS_f03iw/s400/IMG_2099.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-mF2fw5II/AAAAAAAAATs/2rnp88W4-RE/s1600/IMG_2062.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566350283911521410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/TT-mF2fw5II/AAAAAAAAATs/2rnp88W4-RE/s400/IMG_2062.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-19449029254958406292010-05-20T13:28:00.000-07:002010-05-20T18:15:58.046-07:00Tyler's PreK Graduation and Program<div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_Wd2z9fKWI/AAAAAAAAASU/a5CMBLpWJGo/s1600/IMG_2411.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473454487125305698" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_Wd2z9fKWI/AAAAAAAAASU/a5CMBLpWJGo/s200/IMG_2411.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_WdLye4QAI/AAAAAAAAASM/1Og8lzEcUYk/s1600/IMG_2402.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473453747994116098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_WdLye4QAI/AAAAAAAAASM/1Og8lzEcUYk/s200/IMG_2402.JPG" /></a> I can't believe my baby boy graduated from PreK yesterday. He is an official kindergartener now he says. Today we're going to cut off his long cute bowl hair cut and get him a big boy hair cut. He's been begging me forever to get his hair cut like Austin's and I said he could when he became a kindergartener and his teacher's told him yesterday that he was now, so off we go. I'm attaching some video's and pictures from his program. He had the longest line in the whole show, he said," Sit back in your seats, we're ready to go. Strike up the band, get on with the show." He did such a great job. I'm so proud of him and the sweet boy that he is. He is my little sunshine, always smiling and trying to make everyboday laugh. If he can be on stage and making people smile, then he's happy. Congratulations sweet TyTy, you fill Mommy's heart with joy.<br />His Best Friend<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473494825464676034" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_XCiz_CvsI/AAAAAAAAATU/uHVSLKYsuWY/s400/IMG_2421.JPG" /> <p align="center">His Pictures on the Program Slideshow<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 401px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473494817520271330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_XCiWY8v-I/AAAAAAAAATM/Ws7WDGAma0Q/s400/IMG_2401.JPG" /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_XCh_PF0tI/AAAAAAAAATE/WQFCYDTqfZA/s1600/IMG_2399.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473494811304907474" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_XCh_PF0tI/AAAAAAAAATE/WQFCYDTqfZA/s400/IMG_2399.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_XChMs9a-I/AAAAAAAAAS8/HDuZZ4mlhpU/s1600/IMG_2397.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473494797739977698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_XChMs9a-I/AAAAAAAAAS8/HDuZZ4mlhpU/s400/IMG_2397.JPG" /></a> His Precious Teachers<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_W_aF_thnI/AAAAAAAAAS0/jlzn2zeP2rg/s1600/IMG_2425.JPG"> <p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473491377145611890" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_W_aF_thnI/AAAAAAAAAS0/jlzn2zeP2rg/s400/IMG_2425.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">Getting his PreK Diploma<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473491369248988082" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_W_ZolAm7I/AAAAAAAAASs/PCCfqGYS7lA/s400/IMG_2424.JPG" /> His Laua Party<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_W_ZGljOjI/AAAAAAAAASk/vaoRafkghWs/s1600/IMG_2419.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473491360124451378" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_W_ZGljOjI/AAAAAAAAASk/vaoRafkghWs/s400/IMG_2419.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_W_YnqTiKI/AAAAAAAAASc/2MpXemNU9RE/s1600/IMG_2415.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473491351822895266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S_W_YnqTiKI/AAAAAAAAASc/2MpXemNU9RE/s400/IMG_2415.JPG" /></a></div>Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-37105242301997590802010-05-15T06:58:00.000-07:002010-05-15T07:48:16.300-07:00I Love the MorningsI love the mornings, and I definintely did not use to be a morning person, but this is what I get to wake up to every day. These smiling precious faces are the joy of my life and I thank God for them. Austin is always the first one up. Getting him up and ready for school has never been a problem. He wakes up in the happiest mood every day, refreshed and ready to go. His spirit gets me up and going. Tyler is my sleeper. He doesn't start school until 9am so some mornings he's still asleep after Austin's already gone. He's the one I do have to wake up, but when I do he opens his eyes with the sweetest softest smile and quiet "good morning Mommy." And my sweet baby girl Nicole wakes up with such joy. When I walk in the room she smiles the biggest smile and sometimes laughs with excitement. When I walk to her crib, she lifts her sweet arms and kicks her legs with joy when I pick her up. She is another little Austin, waking up in the best mood. Good sleep must help, she sleeps from 8pm to 7am. And, thank goodness for the baby monitor. She hardly makes a peep when she wakes up. She just plays with her lovey or fingers until I come in. When the boys were little they didn't have the video ones just the audio, but they would talk and talk. She's so quiet, I'd never know she was awake if I didn't have the video. Baby things get cooler, every year. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-6xgnt2eVI/AAAAAAAAASE/bMZjIoE8USo/s1600/IMG_2117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-6xgnt2eVI/AAAAAAAAASE/bMZjIoE8USo/s400/IMG_2117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471505771276958034" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-6xQ6h2O3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/PlHlMvY8Svs/s1600/mommy+and+nicole.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-6xQ6h2O3I/AAAAAAAAAR8/PlHlMvY8Svs/s400/mommy+and+nicole.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471505501448977266" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-6w1sv41ZI/AAAAAAAAAR0/XP0XskM5oXQ/s1600/announce+pic+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 322px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-6w1sv41ZI/AAAAAAAAAR0/XP0XskM5oXQ/s400/announce+pic+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471505033893303698" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-6wjgCCssI/AAAAAAAAARs/ju7JtQVgy1k/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_2031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-6wjgCCssI/AAAAAAAAARs/ju7JtQVgy1k/s400/Copy+of+IMG_2031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471504721242141378" /></a>Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-55054148711288290192010-05-11T18:41:00.000-07:002010-05-15T09:03:32.729-07:00Mother's Day 2010 - A Dream FulfilledTwo years ago, Mother's Day 2008, Eddie gave me the most thoughtful Mother's Day gift. He knew I had wanted to adopt for a while and through that time he was praying about it and searching within himself if that was something he really wanted to do. I collect Willow Tree figurines and on that Mother's Day he gave me a figurine with a Mommy, Daddy and little girl and told me that day that he too felt as strongly as I did about adding a child to our family through adoption and that he was ready to get started on the process. I will never forget the tears of joy I cried that day. Fast foward two years and that figurine has come to life. I use to always say things like, "It would be so great if she were home for Christmas or maybe she'll be home by Easter" but having her home for Mother's Day couldn't have been more perfect. It's full circle from where we started. I'm so thankful God opened our hearts to this journey. I absolutely can not imagine our life without her, she has added such joy and love to our family. It's been so fun to see Tyler as a big brother and Austin as such a sweetheart with a little sister. And Eddie, oh my, what a little precious girl can do to such a big strong man. He is a big marshmellow when it comes to his little girl. I love what she has brought out in him. He was the most amazing Dad before, but seeing him with her, I can hardly put into words. People use to always tell us that we were doing such a wonderful thing adopting and giving a child a life and home. It couldn't be more opposite, she has already given us so much more and we're only four weeks in. We still have a lifetime of blessings to come. Thank you God for this wonderful Mother's Day and for our little angel that could have only been sent directly from You.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oaq79KxNI/AAAAAAAAARc/i1ve4aX8_tU/s1600/IMG_2247.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 337px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470214022345966802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oaq79KxNI/AAAAAAAAARc/i1ve4aX8_tU/s400/IMG_2247.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oYdWffOvI/AAAAAAAAARU/7XbxzGJFeB8/s1600/IMG_2274.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470211589927811826" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oYdWffOvI/AAAAAAAAARU/7XbxzGJFeB8/s400/IMG_2274.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oYNYo6w7I/AAAAAAAAARM/PpdGNVIW6tk/s1600/IMG_2157.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470211315626329010" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oYNYo6w7I/AAAAAAAAARM/PpdGNVIW6tk/s400/IMG_2157.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oX-OtEtOI/AAAAAAAAARE/WIGD5JG-p8U/s1600/mothers+day.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 350px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470211055261365474" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oX-OtEtOI/AAAAAAAAARE/WIGD5JG-p8U/s400/mothers+day.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oX1a9oFsI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/sYbm4IFJM2g/s1600/IMG_2276.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470210903933195970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oX1a9oFsI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/sYbm4IFJM2g/s400/IMG_2276.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oXbjMZhYI/AAAAAAAAAQs/KNUZLSjbOSI/s1600/IMG_2263.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 336px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470210459466040706" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-oXbjMZhYI/AAAAAAAAAQs/KNUZLSjbOSI/s400/IMG_2263.JPG" /></a></div>Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-50957790002082968812010-05-10T20:56:00.000-07:002010-05-10T21:38:52.511-07:00Nicole's First Pool PartyThe heat has officially arrived in Houston, reaching into the 90's last week. We kicked off the hot weather with a neighborhood pool party. Nicole loved being in the water, she laughed and splashed and was upset when we had to get out. She'll be a little fish like her big brothers in no time. Tyler stayed in the pool all day, only coming out long enough to eat. He was one big raisin at the end of the day, he reminded me of his Aunt April. <br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jbdp9ZFhI/AAAAAAAAAPs/oAU9il-Fc-8/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_2171.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469863049967506962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jbdp9ZFhI/AAAAAAAAAPs/oAU9il-Fc-8/s400/Copy+of+IMG_2171.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jbdC396DI/AAAAAAAAAPk/l7Rxbl6669w/s1600/pool+kisses.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469863039475771442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jbdC396DI/AAAAAAAAAPk/l7Rxbl6669w/s400/pool+kisses.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jbb11pFMI/AAAAAAAAAPc/bZJP8nI7Fd4/s1600/IMG_2240.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469863018796487874" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jbb11pFMI/AAAAAAAAAPc/bZJP8nI7Fd4/s400/IMG_2240.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jbbLwzAOI/AAAAAAAAAPU/6kHssVSHRYw/s1600/IMG_2237.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469863007501877474" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jbbLwzAOI/AAAAAAAAAPU/6kHssVSHRYw/s400/IMG_2237.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jat-qzf5I/AAAAAAAAAPE/4O_RbaIh_fM/s1600/IMG_2175.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469862230892969874" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jat-qzf5I/AAAAAAAAAPE/4O_RbaIh_fM/s400/IMG_2175.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jatYDt-zI/AAAAAAAAAO8/r4yp372rrGw/s1600/IMG_2224.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469862220528483122" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jatYDt-zI/AAAAAAAAAO8/r4yp372rrGw/s400/IMG_2224.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jas18Y42I/AAAAAAAAAO0/s_wiDBUHbjM/s1600/IMG_2219.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469862211370935138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jas18Y42I/AAAAAAAAAO0/s_wiDBUHbjM/s400/IMG_2219.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jasNPcuOI/AAAAAAAAAOs/4RTQgOUAuug/s1600/IMG_2176.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469862200445024482" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jasNPcuOI/AAAAAAAAAOs/4RTQgOUAuug/s400/IMG_2176.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jXrdmGlrI/AAAAAAAAAOk/s6WxlEvHFQo/s1600/IMG_2221.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469858889120257714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jXrdmGlrI/AAAAAAAAAOk/s6WxlEvHFQo/s400/IMG_2221.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jXq5cnnkI/AAAAAAAAAOc/0crZPB_HyNY/s1600/IMG_2194.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469858879416802882" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jXq5cnnkI/AAAAAAAAAOc/0crZPB_HyNY/s400/IMG_2194.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jXqoaUzjI/AAAAAAAAAOU/36_Lh87waEg/s1600/IMG_2177.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469858874843778610" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jXqoaUzjI/AAAAAAAAAOU/36_Lh87waEg/s400/IMG_2177.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jXqFOopPI/AAAAAAAAAOM/hIGWKYw-tHI/s1600/IMG_2179.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 271px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469858865399506162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jXqFOopPI/AAAAAAAAAOM/hIGWKYw-tHI/s400/IMG_2179.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jXpnrz2JI/AAAAAAAAAOE/nwvvkdD545k/s1600/IMG_2169.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469858857468811410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-jXpnrz2JI/AAAAAAAAAOE/nwvvkdD545k/s400/IMG_2169.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-31907363558982940352010-05-06T19:18:00.000-07:002010-05-06T20:02:25.161-07:00Mischievous Little Thing<div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-OAgNE4UjI/AAAAAAAAALY/B2I1gVs-Bn8/s1600/IMG_2140.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468355663312212530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-OAgNE4UjI/AAAAAAAAALY/B2I1gVs-Bn8/s200/IMG_2140.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-OAN-SWCOI/AAAAAAAAALQ/Y_UUODAhTqA/s1600/IMG_2143.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468355350104508642" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-OAN-SWCOI/AAAAAAAAALQ/Y_UUODAhTqA/s200/IMG_2143.JPG" /></a><br />Today was such a fun day and we didn't even leave the house. We have been so busy running around it was nice to be home and boy did she get around. She had a ball with her basket of diapers and then her first spaghetti dinner. These pictures are priceless! <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-OA3N4CzcI/AAAAAAAAALg/7zMUo2taBnw/s1600/IMG_2146.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468356058663800258" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-OA3N4CzcI/AAAAAAAAALg/7zMUo2taBnw/s400/IMG_2146.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-OBqDFEpRI/AAAAAAAAALo/kjva2TT3mfU/s1600/IMG_2135.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468356931938985234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-OBqDFEpRI/AAAAAAAAALo/kjva2TT3mfU/s200/IMG_2135.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-OCUH-AnII/AAAAAAAAALw/BU_gArGxHEE/s1600/IMG_2136.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468357654806043778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-OCUH-AnII/AAAAAAAAALw/BU_gArGxHEE/s200/IMG_2136.JPG" /></a></div></div>Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-6159357046695146752010-05-04T10:33:00.000-07:002010-05-07T08:15:32.312-07:00Grandparent VisitsOver the past few weeks the grandparents have been coming in to meet their sweet grandbaby. It made me cry everytime each one of them held her to see and know the abundance of love outpouring for this little angel. There are so many people that love and adore her. I am so happy for her and this wonderful new life. I am so grateful to be a part of it, thank you God!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-QuZQOguRI/AAAAAAAAAN8/x46cNzor1ZA/s1600/phillips+fam+pic.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 335px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-QuZQOguRI/AAAAAAAAAN8/x46cNzor1ZA/s400/phillips+fam+pic.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468546858922064146" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-BdoJyIvpI/AAAAAAAAAKA/dO6U4eku9E8/s1600/IMG_1840.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467472892030140050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-BdoJyIvpI/AAAAAAAAAKA/dO6U4eku9E8/s400/IMG_1840.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-BdnkuhkyI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/oGCjjmHXyxg/s1600/IMG_2014.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467472882082878242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-BdnkuhkyI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/oGCjjmHXyxg/s400/IMG_2014.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-DW6q_hxmI/AAAAAAAAAKY/a4R-a73xZWg/s1600/nana+papa+1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 315px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467606251089282658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S-DW6q_hxmI/AAAAAAAAAKY/a4R-a73xZWg/s400/nana+papa+1.JPG" /></a>Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-62421774372381417792010-04-17T07:15:00.000-07:002010-04-17T09:32:28.686-07:00We're Home!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8niluui1mI/AAAAAAAAAJw/z7knAwrRy4U/s1600/IMG_1805.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8niluui1mI/AAAAAAAAAJw/z7knAwrRy4U/s400/IMG_1805.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461145160989726306" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8nFrgcw8LI/AAAAAAAAAJg/0duhtbHXTmU/s1600/IMG_1822.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8nFrgcw8LI/AAAAAAAAAJg/0duhtbHXTmU/s400/IMG_1822.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461113374399066290" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8nFrEj-1GI/AAAAAAAAAJY/pe5VdH3nCJo/s1600/IMG_1802.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8nFrEj-1GI/AAAAAAAAAJY/pe5VdH3nCJo/s400/IMG_1802.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461113366913143906" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8nFqnmBapI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/O97OP2Msks8/s1600/IMG_1782.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8nFqnmBapI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/O97OP2Msks8/s400/IMG_1782.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461113359137073810" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8nFqPkKDOI/AAAAAAAAAJI/lyIt0OrdLXc/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8nFqPkKDOI/AAAAAAAAAJI/lyIt0OrdLXc/s400/IMG_1810.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461113352686800098" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8nEnK9plTI/AAAAAAAAAJA/i3ib26oO5YM/s1600/IMG_1778.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8nEnK9plTI/AAAAAAAAAJA/i3ib26oO5YM/s400/IMG_1778.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461112200400311602" /></a><br />We are so thankful to be home!! Having all three of my babies in my arms at the same time was better than I could have ever imagined. The boys were so excited!! They have been so great with her, so many hugs and kisses and Austin is just in love with her. He wants to hold her all the time and Ty is being absolutely Ty, trying to make her laugh every chance he gets, our little comedian. God has blessed us with miracles every step of the way up until the moment we were able to board that plane Thursday, with 16,000 flights being canceled we were definitely worried, but again He provided the way home. Seeing this little angel with her new family and the joy and happiness coming from her, it breaks my heart to think joining these Russian children with loving American families could possibly stop, it just can't. My journey continues to be one of prayer for all of you waiting to bring your children home. The positive outcomes so outway the negative ones. I can't imagine what her life or ours would have been like without each other. I'm praying for you all.Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-33432285912352477592010-04-14T06:03:00.000-07:002010-04-17T09:31:29.449-07:00One More DayNow I can say we're counting down the hours, not days until we are home. We spent the day at the Kremlin and Red Square again. We were there almost all day and she did so great. Even though the stroller and pack-n-play were bulky and a pain, they were so worth it. The stroller has been a life saver and allowed us to really get out and about. We've also had the most amazing weather, sunshine everyday. Eddie hasn't worn a coat the whole time we've been here. It's been great for sight seeing. We hadn't done hardly any souvenir shopping so today was our last chance. We got some really cool hats for the boys. We also found her an authentic Russian dress, a spoon to start her collection, a Faberge Egg jewelry box, and a Nesting Doll, of course. While in Kaliningrad we got her a pretty little dragonfly necklace with four amber stones in it, the four different colors of amber. Kaliningrad produces 90% of the worlds amber because it is right on the Baltic Sea, there is amber everywhere. I bought myself a green amber stone ring and pendant to always remember the special place where she was born. Tonight we'll stay in the hotel for dinner and call it an early night. The packing is almost done and we are ready to be on that plane. 17 hours till boarding!Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-20353696592332595362010-04-13T10:32:00.000-07:002010-04-13T11:12:56.893-07:00US Embassy Today<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8SyiGc5bxI/AAAAAAAAAI4/RdtbRNqxGO8/s1600/IMG_1631.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8SyiGc5bxI/AAAAAAAAAI4/RdtbRNqxGO8/s400/IMG_1631.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459684947196997394" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8SyaWpkNSI/AAAAAAAAAIw/EYVm4PSCoAE/s1600/IMG_1472.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8SyaWpkNSI/AAAAAAAAAIw/EYVm4PSCoAE/s400/IMG_1472.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459684814106146082" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8SyNrFvacI/AAAAAAAAAIo/HLSu0d7CNmQ/s1600/IMG_1486.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8SyNrFvacI/AAAAAAAAAIo/HLSu0d7CNmQ/s400/IMG_1486.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459684596254730690" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8SyGJr-9aI/AAAAAAAAAIg/cl82ZB_D_-8/s1600/IMG_1577.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S8SyGJr-9aI/AAAAAAAAAIg/cl82ZB_D_-8/s400/IMG_1577.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459684467029243298" /></a><br />We went to the US Embassy today to get Nicole's American Visa. Oh how we have been waiting for this day. Needless to say, it's been crazy being over here in the midst of everything that is going on. The news is awful here on Russian television and I can completely understand their anger at this woman and her unforgivable decision. I just pray they don't stop everything due to this terrible case. It breaks my heart to think what this women in Tennesse could have done to waiting families and waiting children, and all the lives she could have ruined with her selfish acts. My heart goes out to the families waiting for their court date. I will be praying for you all. From what I have learned while we've been here, court is still taking place. Adoptions have not been suspended on a whole, but some sort of treaty between the two countries needs to be signed. We know our region has put into place more requirements and restrictions. <br /><br />Despite all the stares and looks we've been getting, we're still getting out and making the most of our time in Moscow. We've been here since Friday and it really is amazing!! St. Basil's, Red Square and The Kremlin are sights I will never forget. We had a lot of time to sight see, but I am so ready to get home. We saw 5 other families at the embassy today, 4 boys and 2 girls total. The woman at the embassy was so happy to see all of these famiies. She asked us to please fulfill our requirements and keep up our post placement reports because they wanted to see this room filled with adoptive parents for many years to come. It was nice to be there and feel such support. We could come home tomorrow, but of course Wednesday is the only day of the week that Singapore doesn't fly to Houston so we have to stay until Thursday. I miss my boys so much. I can't wait to come through that kitchen door and have all three of my children in my arms at the same time. The journey we all take to make this a reality is not easy, it takes your whole heart, body, mind and soul. I will continue to pray for you all that have worked so hard to bring your babies home, God has and will work miracles.Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-42040314810725529112010-04-07T09:06:00.000-07:002010-04-08T02:05:18.199-07:00Gotcha Day!!! In Ours Arms Forever<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S72XKkPQleI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/HAHpr4qFDuM/s1600/IMG_1406.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S72XKkPQleI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/HAHpr4qFDuM/s400/IMG_1406.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457684531225073122" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S72Wq_aDiGI/AAAAAAAAAII/jcA1SX95L2U/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S72Wq_aDiGI/AAAAAAAAAII/jcA1SX95L2U/s400/IMG_1402.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457683988762298466" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S72WK-DfQLI/AAAAAAAAAIA/nU4KctKI4U0/s1600/IMG_1354.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S72WK-DfQLI/AAAAAAAAAIA/nU4KctKI4U0/s400/IMG_1354.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457683438643396786" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S72U0optIYI/AAAAAAAAAH4/iB5s8_OxIqI/s1600/gotcha+day.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S72U0optIYI/AAAAAAAAAH4/iB5s8_OxIqI/s400/gotcha+day.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457681955429360002" /></a><br />Hi everyone, <br />I'm 2 days late, but internet access is limited. We picked up our baby girl, I can now reveal her name, Nicole Yelena Romaka, Tuesday afternoon. She is amazing!! We took cakes, flowers and gifts to the baby home as thank you's for taking such good care of our baby the first year of her life. She was so happy to see us, she smiled the second she saw us. As we were coming down the stairs leaving the baby home, we went into the room she normally plays in to say good-bye to her caregivers and she was grabbing on to Eddie, holding him so tight. I think she thought we were taking her back and going to leave again, like on our visits. Not this time!! It was so wonderful leaving with her in our arms. She was wonderful on the drive back and has been an angel ever since. She did not want to eat anything at all that first day and did not like the formula I bought either. She did great in her bath and fell asleep easily. Around 11:30 she woke up scared and crying. She calmed down and then ate like a champ, baby food, but still no formula. Thank goodness for Jeanette's blog, I read it the day before we left and someone mentioned their little boy would not take formula, but he would take Pediasure. I ran to the store and bought some, thank goodness I brought it with us, she loves it. I'm using half pediasure and half formula for her bottles and it's working great. I had to go with our coordinator for a couple of hours yesterday so Eddie took her for a long walk. They walked around the city for almost 2 hours and she did so good in the stoller. Then we went out for some ice cream. We got up this morning and went down to our favorite cafe for breakfast. Now we're back in the room and Daddy and Nicole are both taking a nap, sleeping like babies. She is our miracle daughter. We should have named our blog, Our Miracle Baby, that's exactly what she is, nothing short of a miracle. Thank you Lord for this precious baby. I know she has been in your hands from the beginning, as have we. The road has not been easy getting to this point, but it is so awsome to see your glory revealed at the end!! <br />Just thought I would share, some essentials I brought from home have been the pack-n-play, stroller, teething toys, pediasure, baby oatmeal, and playtex drop-in bottles(so easy). The oatmeal wasn't working until I added a packet of sugar. Anything I think of that I can pass along for those coming soon I will. Now for some pics!!Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-26449582621887588382010-04-04T14:26:00.000-07:002010-04-13T11:08:31.131-07:00leaving for pick up tripWe're in the airport now getting ready to board our final plane to Russia. We pick up our sweet baby on Tuesday. I will post pics as soon as I can. We'll be in "Kaliningrad until Friday and then off to Moscow. We'll spend the next 6 days in Moscow and fly home Thursday the 15th. Thank you all for all your thoughts and prayer. Now the fun begins!!Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-11819366294456922152010-03-31T07:02:00.000-07:002010-03-31T07:04:38.378-07:00Quick QuestionI was just wandering when I can post pics of our sweet baby. Can I post them as soon as the ten day wait is over and we pick her up in Russia or do I have to wait until we are home? Any answers would be great, of course I want to post them as soon as I can. Thanks guys.Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-29230404121583546092010-03-29T08:49:00.000-07:002010-03-29T09:10:23.655-07:00The WaitingOh, why do the days keep dragging? We waited six weeks in between our first trip and the court trip and they seemed to fly by. I guess because I was still running around like a crazy person doing paperwork most of that time. This time it's just waiting. At least we've had some great weather so the boys and I have been able to spend a lot of time outside. One week of waiting down, and one more week to go. I know it will be here soon, just not fast enough. I want her home with her family and the boys can't wait. Poor Tyler, he's been so confused as to why we keep going to Russia and keep coming home without his baby sister. It's just too much for a 5 year old to understand. Today I'm packing up our angel girl's stuff. I have it all layed out in her room. Clothes, shoes (I forgot how precious tiny shoes are), coat, hats, bows, blanket, diapers, bottles, formula, teething toys (oh my is that baby teething), bibs, backpack carrier, medical kit, sippy cup, snacks, and her famous phone. Good thing Eddie and I are light packers, I feel like I take the same thing every trip. We live in Houston, I don't have too many warm things to choose from. I'm amazed at how little I've really needed, and Eddie could probably go somewhere for 2 weeks with just a backpack. I just keep telling myself to keep busy and Sunday will be here before I know it, then I'm never leaving any of my babies again.Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-282886663981904972010-03-24T13:00:00.000-07:002010-03-24T14:04:25.083-07:00We're Home from Trip 2 Court was a Success!!!We arrived home yesterday from our court trip. It was a long trip, but the non-stop flights from Houston to Moscow made such a difference, it cut out at least one extra day of travel. We started our week in Moscow getting our medicals done. Then we flew to Kaliningrad and spent five days with our sweet baby. It was so wonderful to hold her again. She grew taller and got heavier. She's still not walking, but I think she's almost there. And as for her hair, it is definitely not longer, in fact they cut it right off. Her little bangs are so short, but she's still the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen.<br />I can't say enough about how wonderful her caregivers and baby home director were. Everyday we went to visit she was clean, smelled like a doll, and dressed as cute as can be. They hugged her and gave her kisses on the forehead many times. She looked at them with trust and security. She's definitely felt love as much as she can in a baby home. They made us feel so welcome. One day we spent our visit in the director's office and she offered us hot tea and cookies, she was so kind. A few times, during that visit, she would come over and run her fingers through her hair as she talked about her. I'm so thankful she's been in such loving care.<br />We loved every visit and every minute we got to spend with our little angel. On the first day, I don't think she remembered us because she cried again, but she warmed up quickly. Eddie had such a way of making her smile and laugh. She was fascinated with him and his facial prickleys the day he didn't shave. With each day she became more and more comfortable. By day three, there were no more tears. When they brought her in the very last day, she gave us the sweetest smile when she saw is. It was a happy smile, but at the same time it looked like a smile of relief, like she was saying in her little mind, "oh yeah, it's you, you're here again, you came back." It melted my heart and is an image I will never forget, a sweet innocent smile of hope. I just pray she really has no concept of time and isn't sad that we're not there now. When we were leaving that last day Eddie said, "This is the last time we'll ever have to leave this place without her." She was also fascinated with the dresses they put her in. I think this is the first time she has ever been in dresses, she kept lifting up the hems and looking at them, it was so cute. One of her caregivers told us she knew she liked us because each day they dressed her she would smile, it's like she knew we were coming because they were dressing her up. The baby home director said that our visits were having a positive affect on her. She said she was smiling and lauging more than they had ever seen. I even think she gained weight during the five days we were there.<br />Monday we went to court. Eddie got most of the questions, then the social worker spoke and the baby home director. Then I got a few questions and then the judge went out to make her ruling. At 12:30pm the judge came in and granted us our application to adopt our sweet baby girl and officially named us her parens. I thought for sure I would cry, but I didn't. I was so overjoyed and thrilled, but no tears. Eddie welled up a bit, he's become a big marshmellow for this little one, I love it! And then it was hugs all around. After court we took our translator, driver and coordinator for a celebration lunch. Almost 2 years after starting this journey we finally have our baby girl, our miracle baby, in so many ways. After all this, I totally forgot to take a picture of us in front of the court building after the hearing. I'm kicking myself.<br />Yesterday we flew home to wait out the ten day wait. We'll head back a week from Sunday to pick her up. I'm pretty ready, but I know these next few days will fly by with last minute to do's. I wish I could post pictures and as soon as we're home for good I will.Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-20361155726099780972010-03-13T20:05:00.001-08:002010-03-13T20:19:27.185-08:00Leaving for Court Trip TomorrowAHHHHHH! I can't believe it's finally here. We are heading to Russia tomorrow and will get to see our little angel again in just 4 days. I can't wait to hold my baby girl again. I wander if she's grown, I wander if she's started walking, I wander if her hair is longer. I hope she remembers us. Finally, finally, finally, she is almost ours forever. We leave tomorrow at 5:45 and have a direct flight to Moscow. We'll be in Moscow for two days getting our medicals done, staying at the Courtyard Marriott, so comfy beds, yeah. Then we're off to Kaliningrad. We'll spend 5 days with our angel girl before court and then court is Monday March 22nd. I don't know how long that will take, but I pray everything goes smooth and easy. We head home the next day to wait out the ten day wait. I already have all of her clothes laid out ready to be packed for that trip. The boys are so excited. They talk about her like she is already here. They are going to be the best big brothers, I am so proud of them and the love they already have for her. I think it made it so real when we were able to come home and show them pictures. Thank you all for all your thoughts and prayers, they are felt and appreciated.Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-4912067044197160132010-03-01T13:41:00.000-08:002010-03-01T13:48:36.224-08:00The OlympicsI'm a little bumbed that the games are over. This year was so fun because the boys really enjoyed watching them with us. They were so cute cheering on our US team. Tyler decided if the US wasn't competing then we all needed to cheer for Russia "because that's where our baby sister is". He was so cute cheering "Go Russia Go Russia" all 2 weeks. We recorded the closing ceremonies last night so the boys could see a little bit about Russia. I can't wait for the next winter olympics in Sochi. Our doctor from St. Pete said her family lives in this part of Russia. It will be so fun to watch with the kids. I can't believe our little girl will be 5 at that time, so actually I can wait. I don't want the next four years to go by fast at all!!Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-65338279193451059282010-02-19T20:30:00.001-08:002010-02-19T20:39:15.604-08:00Another PicI was just headed to bed and hand to come look at the pictures of my sweet baby girl on the computer before I did. Very soon I won't just be looking at her pictures, but I'll be saying prayers, singing songs, and tucking her in each night just like I do with the boys. Anyway, in the same set of pics is one of the boys we took when we got home and gave them their much anticipated gifts. Just thought I'd share.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S39m0gdRtTI/AAAAAAAAAHw/EopcZ4o3Fb0/s1600-h/IMG_0958.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S39m0gdRtTI/AAAAAAAAAHw/EopcZ4o3Fb0/s400/IMG_0958.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440179927138809138" /></a>Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-24065266798928057642010-02-17T14:32:00.000-08:002010-02-17T14:42:59.594-08:00FBI Clearances Are in my Hands...Woo Hoo!!The last thing I was waiting on paperwork wise to take to court with us were our FBI clearances and they got dropped off this morning. Yeah!!!! What a stressor that was. They say not to send them off until after your first trip when you get a court date so they won't expire before court. Good, b/c you don't want them to expire, but when the FBI tells you it will take 8-10 weeks for you to get them back and you have court in 4, it turns really bad. So last week I called our congressman and both senators needing help to expidite our clearances and they came through. I've got to say a big thank you to Congressman Ron Paul's office, I know they took care of it. Word to the wise, if in a bind don't be afraid to call for help, they want to help, they want your vote, I know who will be getting mine. Now I can get these last few things sent to Austin to be apostilled and we are almost paperwork done, if that's really possible. One step closer to our baby girl. We'll be holding her again in 3weeks from tomorrow. Oh, little one, we are coming!Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-41145027110740833262010-02-16T17:59:00.000-08:002010-02-16T19:02:13.003-08:00Bedroom RedoWe thought we might need to put up the crib, but wanted to wait until we met our little angel before we put it up for sure. I guess in the back of my mind I never thought we'd be given a referral young enough to need a crib, I'm so glad I was wrong. After meeting our teeny tiny peanut, there was no question we needed to set it up. She's sleeping in a crib right now and I think it will make the transition easier, plus she's way too tiny for a bed. I'm really glad we got to set it up. I've been carrying around this crib bedding for over 7 years. I got it from Pottery Barn when I was pregnant with Austin, just sure he was a girl, ha. Then Tyler came and it stayed packed away. I couldn't let it go, I just knew one day I'd have a little baby girl. Well I finally got to pull it out!! It' doesn't quite go with the stripes I painted, but I still love it. I think it's so sweet.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3tREo_iWjI/AAAAAAAAAHo/bP2YFR2VYCo/s1600-h/IMG_1003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3tREo_iWjI/AAAAAAAAAHo/bP2YFR2VYCo/s400/IMG_1003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439030115145243186" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3tREYNV14I/AAAAAAAAAHg/QQwehH0SpvA/s1600-h/IMG_0997.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3tREYNV14I/AAAAAAAAAHg/QQwehH0SpvA/s400/IMG_0997.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439030110639740802" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3tRD1DOMyI/AAAAAAAAAHY/jZuw0q66FjM/s1600-h/IMG_0996.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3tRD1DOMyI/AAAAAAAAAHY/jZuw0q66FjM/s400/IMG_0996.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439030101202055970" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3tRDu6nP_I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/0SjmUoqV1HE/s1600-h/IMG_0995.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3tRDu6nP_I/AAAAAAAAAHQ/0SjmUoqV1HE/s400/IMG_0995.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439030099555336178" /></a>Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-67957980296817026192010-02-13T14:53:00.000-08:002010-02-13T15:48:18.319-08:00Had to Share a PicOk so I had to share two of my favorites, her sweet little hands and tiny little feet. I have to give Eddie credit, he's never been much of a camera man, but he did great! I'm usually the one with the camera around my neck, but not this time. He took pictures of everything and looking back at them now, I'm so glad he did. I'll post a few of the "sights" soon, but just wanted to get these 2 up now. I can't wait to post more, especially the ones of her precious little smile. We think she looks like our Tyler boy. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3c52Q9ofRI/AAAAAAAAAHI/rCZ6lxEs2dY/s1600-h/her+foot.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3c52Q9ofRI/AAAAAAAAAHI/rCZ6lxEs2dY/s400/her+foot.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437878679502355730" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3c52UWNs9I/AAAAAAAAAHA/gCx84hKfG_8/s1600-h/her+tiny+hand.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 326px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_foDX7c7FgsE/S3c52UWNs9I/AAAAAAAAAHA/gCx84hKfG_8/s400/her+tiny+hand.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437878680410764242" /></a>Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-78547551401103457162010-02-08T16:52:00.000-08:002010-02-08T17:08:31.174-08:00We're home! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!So sorry you guys that it's taken me so long to update, but here we go. We made it home late late late Saturday night after one of the most amazing weeks of our lives. Our little angel girl is an absolute miracle. I adore her to pieces and can't believe I have to wait here for the next 4 weeks without her. She is the most precious little girl I have ever seen in my whole life. I knew the second they carried her in and I got the first glimpse of her sweet face that she was meant to be our daughter. I've never been more sure of anything in my life. They brought her in all bundled up in a hat and snowsuit and it was a moment in time I will treasure in my heart forever. I always heard people say you will know it in your heart, but never understood really what they were talking about until i experienced it myself. Eddie knew immediately as well. We got to spend the week with her and with each day she bacame more and more comfortable with us. She absolutely loves Eddie and I have never seen him like this. It really is different with a girl, I think she could feel his love. At one point she was sitting on his lap and put her nose to his tummy and then just layed her head down on his stomach. She is loving, sweet, content and has the cutest smile. We could tell that she has been loved where she is now. They are taking such good care of her. On Thursday we had to tell her good-bye and it was the hardest thing I have ever done. These next 4 weeks, until we go back for court, can't go fast enough. I also have to say that I just loved our coordinator, translator and driver in our region. They are some of the most thoughtful, caring and compassionate people I have ever met. They will hold a special place in my heart forever. They helped bring us to our little miracle and I will be forever grateful. Please continue to keep us and our little one in your prayers.Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-68325079149568845572010-01-29T12:50:00.000-08:002010-01-29T13:14:49.999-08:00We're in the airportOkay so I can post write now b/c my phone works here, but unless I find a wireless internet cafe while we're there, this might be it until we get back. I didn't bring my laptop b/c we made it on with carry ons and it just wouldn't fit. The man next to me here at the airport has the best little thing. It's like a mini laptop, like 6X8 inches. I'm going to look into getting one of those for our last 2 trips. Well anyway we're off. Nothing left to remember now, I've either got it or I don't.Now I'm telling myself to just relax, pray and enjoy this wonderful experience God has led us to. Please keep us in your prayers. By for now, as my sweet Grandma use to say.Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-90347117216554339392010-01-28T07:07:00.001-08:002010-01-28T07:16:13.603-08:00The Butterflies are Officially HereNow that I've got most of the stuff done and most everything crossed off the list, I'm really starting to feel the butterflies. I feel a lot like I did right before I headed to the hospital to have the boys. An excited nervousness, hard to describe. I just can't stop smiling, I feel such a joy and excitement. I can't wait to meet our little girl, the little one I have prayed for for so long now, not knowing her name or age or where she lived. Now I know all that and am just a few days away from seeing her precious face. I have dreamed about that moment for so long and can't believe it's actually going to happen. I can't wait to see her in person for the first time. I'm coming little one, just one more day until I get on that plane and just 4 more days until I can finally hold you in my arms. Then I'll be on the fast track to getting you home!!!Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5344086718352393513.post-70082920590779415162010-01-26T20:27:00.000-08:002010-01-28T07:06:58.073-08:00Visas and Packing CheckI picked up our Visas today from the Russian consulate in Houston. Yeah!!!! I was a little worried until I had them in my hands, we leave in just 3 days. It was getting a little too close for my comfort, but now I can check that worry off the list. I also just finished printing out a list for the grandparents of the boys schedules and pretty much every little detail that could arise while we are gone. I didn't really realize how much we do in a day until I wrote it all out. And biggest of all, I think I'm pretty much packed. I have a backpack of little things to take to the orphanage, snacks, board books, stacking cups, small hand puppets, bubbles, and a doll, lovey and photobook to leave with her while we are gone. I also somehow managed, I can't believe it, to get all my stuff to fit in one carry on. Eddie told me there was no way, but when he came home from work yesterday I had it all done. Rolling the clothes instead of folding them makes all the difference. I'm so thankful we don't have to check anything, it'll make things just that much easier. I think I'm actually beginning to see my list shrink instead of getting longer by the minute. Gotta go now, I've got to fill out TyTy's kinder registration paperwork before I leave. One more thing I can check off the list.Kristyn and Eddiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06801687534951523429noreply@blogger.com1