A Few Photos from a Memorable Weekend...
The Happy Family
Carlin Park - Celebration for Roman & Jadon....many friends and family members joined in this great time of fellowship as they were introduced to the ones they'd prayed so long for!
Chris and Penny giving their public dedication to the Lord of Roman & Jadon - Pastor Dan Plourde
Proud family members looking on with great joy!
Labels: adoption, family, friends
Big Weekend!!!
Today's a big day. It's something our family has talked about for months now and I can't believe the day is finally here! It's a day of celebration and we'll be spending it with some of our most dear and loving friends and family. We will be introducing Roman and Jadon to the many who have prayed over them for the past 2 1/2 years.
What a time of rejoicing this is, and it's all thanks to our kind and loving, merciful and gracious God who made it all possible. He rescued these two little ones from the ends of the earth and placed them in a loving home with parents who fear and serve the Lord. How much more of a gift could one ask for in their days on this earth? And what a blessing for me to be a close witness to the workings of God's hand!
I'm forever changed by my love for these boys and God's love for our family in placing them with us! So, even if you're far from south Florida and unable to join us on the beach for this great time of fellowship, you can still rejoice with us and lift your praises along with us to the God who gives so abundantly!
Labels: adoption
Russian Oddities...
On our trip we came across several peculiar sights, many of which we were unable to photograph. However, I did manage to catch a few on camera and I thought I'd share them with you.
While shopping at Arbat Market we noticed a camera crew filming something at the Puskin Museum.
As we were leaving Red Square I spotted this "bum" who was sipping a bottle...hmmm....could it be a little vodka?
One of the most unexpected things we noticed were the many monuments to & symbols of communism still erect or embedded in buildings. Here's one of Carl Marx.
Several times throughout our city walks we came across portable toilets. They were there for public use and cost just a few rubles....yes, the woman in the open stall was there to collect!
Our last morning in Moscow, as we were turning the corner to the Marriott, we stumbled upon what appeared to be a crime scene and Dave couldn't resist the urge to pose.
Here's a closer view...what you can't see in the photo is the shattered glass all over the walk. By evening all the blood had thickened into a jello-like substance due to the cold. That's a blood-soaked hat in the corner..
Labels: adoption
Big Day for the Boys!
Rather than give a long post on the boys first big day out on the town, I thought I do a photo post, describing each picture. Enjoy!
Starting out on our 1 1/2 mile walk to Red Square from the Marriott. The blue Mosmart strollers were just the ticket!
About half way to our destination we came upon TGI Fridays....yes! American fare! We had to carry the boys in their strollers up two flights of stairs to get to the restaurant. Restrooms were another two flights up. The food was good, but came slow and intermittently. When you eat out in Russia, plan on a good wait from beginning to end! Jadon didn't mind, as he got a sweet little nap!
Just one of the thousands of side streets with cars clumsily parked half on/half off of the sidewalks.
Another one of the many interesting sights on our long walk to the Square.. This one, the former KGB building, also know as Lubyanka, now the headquarters of the Federal Security Service (the new KGB). A little history lesson: The Bolshevik secret police seized this building from an insurance company in 1918 and used it to house their agency during the communist era. There is a bare patch of grass in front of the building where a monument to the Soviet secret police founder Felix Dzerzhinsky stood for decades before it was torn down in 1991 by pro-democracy protesters. It was a bit chilling to think about the many interrogations and torturings that have occurred in this building over the years.
Red Square coming into view as Penny and I pose with a smile.
The large brick building behind me is the National Historical Museum which is the official repository of Russian historic artifacts.
The Resurrection Gates are the best way to enter Red Square. It gives a breathtaking view as you enter with St. Basil's straight ahead, the Kremlin to the right and GUM, Kazan Cathedral (a 1990s reproduction of a 17th century church) & Gate Church of the Iberian Virgin to the left. The Square itself is almost domed, like a hill, the center of the Square being the top of the hill. It's covered with dark cobblestones and made for a very bumpy ride for the boys in their strollers!
Just before entering the Resurrection Gates we noticed a group of people enthusiastically gathered around an individual. Upon further inspection we observed what we later found out to be a great tradition amongst the Russian visitors. A circular brass medallion is embedded in the cobblestones. Apparently all of Moscow is measured from this point in the ground. It is considered "good luck" to stand on this spot and throw rubles over your shoulder. People were standing around waiting their turn to toss their coins, while "babushka's" patiently waited for the crowds to clear so they could collect the bounty scattered across the street.
To the right, inside Krasnaya Ploshada (Red Square), just in front of the Kremlin wall is Lenin's tomb--yes, he's in there!
We couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a family photo taken in front of the infamous St. Basil's. I overheard a couple nearby speaking flawless English. After inquiring, I found out they were from Washington D.C. They were happy to take our photo and we took theirs as well.
Chris & Dave in front of GUM, where we took a little side trip to warm up...it was
cold that day!
Inside GUM...it's gorgeous! Very old world and glamorous, yet a bit eerie. I felt like we were being watched continually. There were Moscow police and plain clothes security everywhere...
...even inside the men's room! Dave & Chris took Roman "pees" and this is what they had to pay a few rubles for, all the while being watched by police and a "babushka" cleaning around them!
After a full day of sights, we made our way back to the Marriot via the Metro. What an adventure for the boys! Roman was wide-eyed and full of excitement. He asked Dodya Dave in Russian - "Can we do it again?"
What a memory! I'm sure as they closed their little eyes for the night their minds were filled with visions of all they'd experienced that day with their newly-appointed family!
Labels: adoption
Beth & Dave's Moscow Adventure...
Roman falling asleep on Papa while waiting in the lobby...
Taking a moment to get our bearings
The Kremlin
Arbat Street vendors
Mansion built in 1899, near Arbat
Starbucks???
Moo-Moo, the best restaurant for the money anywhere in Moscow
MOSMART--sight of the big stroller purchase!
Chris & Penny had a 1:30 appointment at the American Embassy to get the boys' visas so they could leave the country. We arrived at their hotel around 11:00 after our near 2-hour travel time. We found that the 76 cable- bus was a bit quicker with fewer stops, but it continued to take no less than 40 minutes, just on the bus.
We played with the boys on the 4th floor a bit, fed them a lunch of ketleti, and then bundled them up for their "convenient" naptime appointment. We waited in the lobby with them for their driver to arrive and watched little Roman fall asleep in Papa's arms. Their driver finally made it. Chris left us with one request--find and purchase two strollers for the boys. So, once they left, so did we. This was our day for adventure...
We made our way back to the Belorusskaya Metro station and headed for Arbat Street on the west side of the city. Chris and Dave had hit this famous market just the day before so Dave knew his way pretty well and after thirty minutes or so, we were walking along the cobblestone street eyeing the array of peddlers selling their wares. We were looking for certain items, hand-carved Santa's, metroska's (nesting dolls), and amber. We found all we were looking for and were pleased with the reasonable prices.
It was decided before we left that morning that we would have lunch at My-My (pronounced moo-moo). It had been highly recommended by a casual acquaintance back in the states and we thought we'd go for it. It's a cafeteria style restaurant with a menu consisting of traditional Russian fare - varenyki, borscht, blini, slaws, etc. The atmosphere was a rustic, two-story building covered with vines and wood beams, stone floors. Very clever. The food was delicious, authentic and we were delighted!
Our stomachs full, we stepped back out onto the street, taking in more of the sights and sounds of this bustling street. We came upon Starbucks and couldn't resist. I got a large caramel macchiato and Dave a large, regular coffee. It felt so good to drink coffee that tasted familiar and was amazing going down!
Our adventure continued as we took the mile long walk down Ulitsa Arbat to Red Square. The architecture is so mixed in this sprawling city. Nineteenth century mansions, juxtaposed against more modern communist era buildings made for an interesting effect. We kept walking and once the enormous red brick towers were upon us, our breath was taken away! An eerie feeling enveloped us. The Kremlin has a foreboding air to it, especially with the amount of militia encompassing its walls.
We followed the path adjacent to the high brick walls, passing the tomb of the unknown soldier and heading through the gates of Red Square. St. Basil's Cathedral was now in view, straight ahead, and it was stunning! To the right, Lenin's tomb, and the Kremlin just behind him. To the left, GUM (pronounced "goom"), the Government Department Store. We briefly took in the sights and started back toward the Marriott, along the way keeping our eyes open for any store that may sell baby strollers.
After about 35 minutes of walking up and down the surrounding streets, we gave up due to the fatigue we were starting to feel from walking so many miles in the cold. We found the nearest metro station and were glad for the ride to meet up with the family.
Once we arrived we were all tired and rather than going out again we decided to have dinner in the hotel restaurant. Definitely not very kid friendly, though they tried. Nothing is fast in Russia (except the people running through the metro and walking on the streets!) The food comes slowly, unevenly, and so does the check. The kids were antsy so I took Jadon out toward the balcony and we walked around and played a bit to keep him from the meltdown he was inching closer and closer to as the minutes passed. Finally the food came and we shoveled it into the kids while taking a bite for ourselves here and there.
We all went back to their room, once we paid the bill, and got the boys ready for bed. Chris gave Jadon a bath, we took Roman to the 4th floor to unleash any leftover energy before bedtime. When we returned to the room Chris then gave Roman his bath and once both the boys were in their pj's and ready for bed Dave took Jadon and I took Roman. JJ fell asleep with Uncle Dave doing the "windshield wiper" on him (laid him on his side in his lap, head on Dave's knees, swooshing back and forth)--boy did he fight it! I held Roman on my lap and rocked him until he, too, was fast asleep. We placed them gently in their beds, kissed them good-night and quietly left Chris and Penny to a peaceful room.
Our night was not over. We were determined to find strollers! Once we got off at our bus stop near the Maxima, we continued walking straight ahead to Mosmart , a Russian-style Walmart. We walked in, found the only two umbrella strollers in the store, took them to the check-out, got yelled at by the cashier, paid the $119 which included the strollers, two waters & two sprites and went to our hotel room where we showered and crashed for the night! What a day!!!
Labels: adoption
First full day in Moscow
Going down into the Metro System (no photos allowed-iPhone came in handy here!)
Chris & Dave spent an afternoon scoping out the city, Arbat Street in particular
Moscow Harley Davidson - T-shirts, $90!
McDonald's was Chris' favorite find!
Starbucks! The only one in Moscow, or Russia for that matter I think!
We ended the day with dinner out at Sbarro's (the boys had their first pizza and ice cream & loved it!).
We got up early and had a delicious FREE breakfast in the very nice breakfast room....ham, egg dish, diced potatoes, croissant, coffee -- NOT instant, yay! Slaws were available, but I passed on them:) We met a very nice Canadian couple and chatted for a few minutes and then made a dash to the lobby to catch the 9 a.m. shuttle.
He hadn't arrived yet so we looked at the souvenirs and found the exact pocket knife we were looking for for Ben. It was a small switch-blade with CCCP on it and it even had a lighter! We asked if the desk could hold it for us and told them we were leaving on the shuttle for the metro station.
"Oh, there's no shuttle today. He's having car trouble," the employee told us. WHAT??? We went to the desk and spoke with reception. It was confirmed. Oh, and by the way, it doesn't operate on the weekend, oh and did we mention it's a holiday weekend? There'll be no shuttle until next TUESDAY!!!! I wanted to cry right then and there!
We had no choice, so we started out for the closest bus station. We walked about a block, took the underground to cross the busy street, then walked about another half-block to the 244 or 76 pick up. At least we had a pass now!
We jumped on the 244 with a boatload of Muscovites, enduring the smell of what each of them had had for breakfast that morning--probably something consisting of sausages and garlic, just a guess. Due to the fact that the bus was at maximum capacity, we were forced to stand, all the while taking in the additional aroma of everyone's armpits minus any Right Guard! Did I mention the temperature inside the bus had to be near 90º? Try standing in that for 45 minutes with no hope of removing any of your winter gear!
I gulped back the gut-wrenching sensation to cry or vomit. It took everything in me to do so.
We finally disembarked and made the short walk to VDNKH for another excruciating leg of our trip to the Marriott. I'd heard about the rush hour commute in Moscow, but you have to experience first hand it to fully appreciate it. I never knew so many people could fit onto one of these trains.
By the time we arrived at the hotel it had taken us two hours to travel about 7 miles. We knocked on their hotel room door before sliding the room key they had given us. No one was in the room; they were on the 4th floor lobby area giving the boys a little exercise. I was relieved. It gave me a moment to melt down without them having to witness it! I sat on the bed and sobbed!!
After washing my face and pulling myself together, we met them on the 4th floor. The sight of my nephews helped bring perspective. What a joy it was to feel their little arms around my neck and kisses on my cheek! I was still a bit emotional when sharing our nightmare with Penny, but she was so comforting. I used the free internet to email my mom and boo-hoo a bit, asking people to step it up on their prayers! It was therapeutic and as the day went I felt better about our plight. It was all part of God's plan for us and He was about to use it to teach me some great lessons.
Penny, the boys, and I had some lunch from the little grocery and then put the kiddo's down for a nap (while we napped alongside!). The "big boys" then started out for a little adventure of their own.
They went to Arbat Street, a famous shopping district, but only after searching for and finding the only Harley Davidson store in the country. That was a real highlight for them! On Arbat, they enjoyed McDonald's and Starbuck's, giving them a little taste of what was waiting for them back in America!
They made it back to the hotel in time for dinner. We took the underground and walked about a block to Sbarro's. More American fare! It was actually Roman and Jadon's very first taste of pizza. They loved it! For dessert, we got them a little cup of Basking Robbins (doesn't quite taste the same in Russia!)--their first ice cream....that they loved, too.
Once back in their room, we gave Roman a bath, put them both in their pj's and kissed them goodnight. We were ready to tackle the long trip back to Maxima Slavia!
Labels: adoption
Moscow
Aeroflot - headed for Moscow
The lovely view from our hotel room at the Maxima Slavia, Moscow
Our Metro Station - VDNKH
We were told by reception that the hotel offered a free shuttle service every 90 minutes to the nearest metro station which was supposedly only 2 kilometers away. At 3 p.m. we met the driver at the front entrance and stepped into the like-new and very clean van of which we were its only occupants. Fifteen minutes later we were dropped off in front of the VDNKH Metro Station and before we could ask any questions the driver was gone.
A bit dazed, we made our way through the entrance and found the line to purchase metro passes. No English spoken or written anywhere in this place! We exchanged rubles for a 20-ride pass and followed the "herd" toward the escalator down into the underground. Caught up in the mass of people, we realized no one was stepping onto the left side of the escalator. They made a single-file line to the right, leaving an entire lane empty. We walked right onto the left side with no pushing, no fight at all. We quickly realized why....we were in the passing lane! People started piling up behind us, wanting us to move, so move we did. We suddenly found ourselves running down the 45 degree slope of this very old moving staircase! Breathless, we made it to the main floor and merged our bodies to the side, up against a wall, to keep from being trampled. Now to find our line.
Thank God Dave could read the signs...he found it. We worked our way over to the loading platform of the Orange line which arrived in seconds. We squeezed into the train and held on tight! Three stops later was Prospect Mira and our cue to change lines. We pooled out and, like a giant school of fish, wound our way through stairs and overpasses to get to the Brown line. Once again, we wedged ourselves onto the next train. After two more stops we spilled out onto Belorusskaya, got pulled through more winding stairs and walkways until we landed on the street which lead to the Marriott. We asked a police officer where we could find the hotel, we knew it was very close. He pointed to the left and walked away. Not very helpful! It was only a half a block away, so despite the lack of help, we found it within a few minutes.
What a joy it was to be reunited! They'd had their own adventure that day. We shared our stories and soon started to feel hunger coming on.
Just a block away was a very nice grocery store. Reminded me of Whole Foods, Russian style. We found the deli/bakery where they had a variety of some favorite Russian dishes. We had them package up some halupsi (cabbage rolls), apple blini's, & ketleti (little meatloafs). We said our good-byes and started our journey back to our hotel to eat our warm dinner.
The first leg back was a breeze. Walk a half block to the Belorusskaya Station, take the brown line to the orange line and then get off at VDNKH where our shuttle would be waiting. We arrived at VDNKH about 30 minutes early. Our shuttle was scheduled to arrive at 7, so we walked around the plaza and took a few pictures while waiting.
It was starting to get cold and by 7:15 we were really worried when our driver still hadn't shown. Dave called the hotel. "You must have missed him. Take bus #77 or 244." What? I told Dave not ten minutes earlier that there was no way I was getting on one of those busses! Well, it was that or walk.
We got kicked off the first bus because we thought the metro pass would work--it didn't and the driver stopped, yelled something in Russian and opened the door pointing for us to get off. The next bus driver let us stay, as we paid him in exact change, 50R. Forty five minutes later we were in our hotel room eating frozen halupsi, discussing how we were so happy we wouldn't have to ride one of those stinky, over-packed, city buses again! That's what we thought!
Labels: adoption
Good-bye Kras, Hello Moscow!
View from our hotel room in Kras
Posing by the infamous Kras bridge (it's pictured on the 10R bill-they're proud of this fact!) 
Roman - a big helper on our way to the lobby at 4:15 a.m.
After about 2 hours of restless sleep (I was terrified we'd oversleep!), we showered, dressed and got our luggage together. I shot down the hallway to Chris and Penny's room to help with getting the boys ready for the 5-hour flight to Moscow. Amazingly, we got to the lobby before Sergei and Yelena! But, like clockwork, they arrived on time and we were in their boxy, right-side driver, mini-van at 4:30 a.m. headed to the Kras airport.
Yelena was a huge blessing! She took care of the whole check-in process and she & Sergei even helped us through security check-point #2. She made sure our seat assignments were right across the aisle from each other which made for a much easier flight.
After about an hour in the "holding pen" we finally made our way to the aircraft via the standard bus system. Roman was in awe! "Samaylote!" he would say excitedly, over and over again each time he saw an airplane. His eyes were as big as saucers, absorbing all the new and strange and wonderful things he was seeing. Once we made flight, looking out the window he said in Russian, "That's where I live!" I thought to myself, how smart he is and how gracious that God took him out of that place and he'd soon be in the home he was created for!
Breakfast soon came around 7:30 a.m. By the smell of it I could tell it wasn't going to be pancakes and sausage! Our choice was fish and rice or chicken and potato...hmmmm, decisions, decisions....I'll pass, thank you very much! Everyone else had their fill, including the boys, who were starting to get tired.
After filling his little tummy, Roman slept for a couple of hours and did well overall. Jadon was a different story! Penny got him to sleep but it only lasted about 20 minutes. The rest of the flight was spent wrestling or pacifying him. Five hours is a long flight for anyone, especially a baby used to prompt schedules and naps. I tried my hand at baby JJ, standing and gently bouncing him for about an hour. It did the trick at keeping him calm, but he never fell asleep.
Five hours and four time zones later, we found ourselves landing in Moscow. It was much to our relief to get off of that cramped Aeroflot flight! We made our way through the EXIT security check where they made me open my carry-on....they needed to see what was in it--chocolate, lot's of it. Then they let us leave.
We made our way through the doors toward our next obstacle; a barrage of taxi drivers vying for our patronage. Much to my delight, we were able to avoid that nightmare, as our aforementioned friend, Lucy, had made arrangements for us. I wanted to kiss the man holding the sign with our name on it! Igor, who knew not a lick of English, was expecting us.
He took us about 50 feet to his waiting Toyota LandCruiser...a welcome sight! He helped Dave load the bags and off we went. (In case you're wondering, Chris and Penny had their own ride waiting which had been provided by their agency--we would hook up with their driver for the ride back to the airport.)
The ride was long. Long and excruciating. I was fighting an almost unbeatable nausea at this point. Dave took the front seat and I the back where I could put my head back and close my eyes for what turned out to be an hour long maze through horrendous traffic. Dave and Igor & his two cell phones kept busy talking while I tried to push the Russian disco beat dance music out of my mind. We arrived at our hotel, Maxima Slavia, none too soon. Thank the Lord I didn't upchuck all over the beautiful interior of Igor's SUV!
Igor kindly helped Dave unload the bags and carry them in and then assisted us in the check-in process. Sadly, I know we will probably never see this man again, never mind be able to repay his kindness. Tears welled in my eyes as I thanked him with a two-handed handshake and said good-bye.
Our room was on the 9th floor, room #906, the top floor. It overlooked some industrial buildings and just beyond that a cemetery and birch forest. It was beautiful if you covered up the buildings in the foreground with one hand and the smokestacks in the distance with another hand, squinting and tilting your head to one side all at the same time. I didn't care, though. The room was new, clean and simple and the bed was the most comfortable one yet. I sank under the covers and slept hard for two and a half hours. I'm not sure what Dave did during that time, but he seemed happy when I woke.
After I showered and took two Advil, we made the quick decision to try out the trip to Chris and Penny's hotel, The Marriot Grande on Tverskaya Ulitsa. That's a story all in itself and I'll continue with it tomorrow...
Labels: adoption
Day Two - Krasnoyarsk
We woke up to our second day in Siberia feeling refreshed and revived after a hard nights sleep. We met the "Goeppner Family" in the breakfast room and enjoyed doting over our sweet little nephews. I gulped down a cup of "Sanka"---yuck, instant--and a pastry. Not really satisfying, but it had to do.
We spent the morning playing, reading and babysitting another family's little boy while they were at court. It went by quickly and before we knew it, it was nap time.
I jumped at the opportunity to take a ride with Chris, Yelena and Sergei. There were more documents to be filed so we we jumped in the van and headed down the street a few blocks. Chris went into the government office with Yelena while I stayed outside with Serg. He offered to take my picture and I consented--I have few of me and thought it would be nice to have a shot with a Siberian side street as a backdrop! Chris and Yelena were in and out in five minutes with the necessary stamped paperwork in hand and then we were back in the van on our way to the hotel.
Lunch was a type of "ramen noodle soup" we had purchased the day before at the local grocery. I think they actually do it better--styrofoam bowl, seasoning packet & butter packet. Just pour hot water over the noodles, add the packets and let stand for 5 minutes. It was quite satisfying and very filling.
The boys were up at 3:30. We gave them a little snack and then all went outside for a stroll in the plaza. After a little bit we got cold and headed back inside. We hooked up with the Swingles and made for a good long walk to an italian restaurant called Il Patio--Russian version of Olive Garden chain.
The menu was all Russian. Dave read the items to us and described them. Chris and Tim found chicken parmesan and were very happy! Dave ordered vegetable lasagna and Penny, Debbie and I ordered a baked chicken dish with french fries. The boys got a fettuccine dish on the children's menu. Everyone got their food and was quite contented with it--except Debbie and me. We waited and waited. Our waitress told us several times in Russian -"3 more minutes". After 45 minutes Chris and Penny had left with the boys. The manager came to our table and apologized saying they were having trouble in the kitchen and it would be 15 more minutes. Dave thanked him kindly and asked for the check. The manager was undoubtedly shocked! He hung his head in shame and returned a few minutes later with our bill (which could only be paid with cash--no credit cards, rubles only!). We paid the waitress and as we walked toward the door it seemed every employee had lined themselves along the entrance path, heads hung in humiliation as we made our way out. The manager was last in this strange line-up and made his apologies as we exited. Bizarre!
Debbie and I were obviously still hungry so we made a stop at the tiny grocery store for some more soup. In the meantime Chris had called and asked us to pick up some candy bars while we were there. The store was mobbed with people! We filled our little basket and started for the check out only to find two lines of 20 or more people. Those who came to the line after us but only had one or two items immediately made their way to the front of the line, cutting everyone in between. No questions, no arguments! Dave decided this must be the way the "Express Lane" works in Russia!
After about a 25 minute wait we finally checked out and started back to the hotel. What an adventure! Who would ever believe it except the Swingles who graciously endured the whole evening right alongside us!
Labels: adoption
