Photo Session

I wanted to get a couple great photos of Colby to put on his birthday invitations. Here is what we got. He is such a ham!!!! Which one is your favorite???

A Few Great Pre-Christmas Photos

Ok. So it hasn't been the best of holiday seasons around here. Mike's grandmother, Nanna, passed away 2 weeks ago and now my mom's Aunt Arlene has also passed away. 2 funerals within a couple weeks do not make for a great holiday. But, we are doing well. Colby is extremely excited about Christmas, especially the decorating and partying. He has made a gingerbread house at school and today was pajama day to celebrate the holiday watching the Polar Express. The kitchen looks like the sprinkle fairies blew up and there is wrapping paper and bags everywhere. A typical Christmas at this house. I love seeing the holiday through Colby's 4 year old eyes. Each year has been different, and this year has been the most exciting. He is BEYOND excited about the holiday, although it was the first year he didn't tell us exactly what he wanted Santa to bring. So, to offset the not so great previous post here are some great pre-Christmas photos. I have more to post from Colby's first Christmas pageant too, but enjoy.

And what does your holiday look like this year???

A Year Ago

A year ago today, Mike and I were in Yekaterinburg, Russia making our way to Kamensk-Uralsky to see a little boy. The uncertainty of that trip and all the emotions are still vivid in my memory. The road was a long one, about 2 hours south from Ekat, and along the way we tried to chat with our coordinator. Then, just to add some fun to the fix, we were stopped by a police officer. I am told now that this is a common occurrance in Russia. The police still pull people over to try and get money from them. However, we didn't know that then and all I could do was sit wide-eyed in the car as our coordinator walked across the street and got into the police car. I stared at Mike and asked, "Now what?". He wasn't sure but wanted to know if we had the phone numbers handy. I told him no, that they were back at the hotel except for our coordinator's and that wouldn't help. It seemed like forever but she soon returned and we were again on our way.

A year ago today, Mike and I walked into a baby home in Kamensk-Uralsky and were lead up the stairs to talk with the director of the baby home. She seemed nice as she talked to us about this little boy. Now I know that she is nice and a wonderful person to take care of those children and love them as she does. We were then led downstairs and outside to the play area.

A year ago today, Mike and I stood outside the baby home wondering how it would be to see this little boy. He was 14 months old then and probably unaware of the emotions raging through our minds and hearts. And then, he was brought out to us and our coordinator placed him in my arms.

A year ago today, Mike and I held a little baby boy who would change our lives forever. He came into our lives then and for many months thereafter we fought paperwork, emotions, and separation to bring him home to us and our families.

Today, we have been home for 4 months but yet it seems Colby has been ours forever. What an amazing voyage we have made in just 1 year.

Today, I am the mother of a beautiful 26 month old named Colby. And that little boy we met one year ago has changed so much.

Then: June 23, 2008:

Now: June 23, 2009:

Update

Mike and I are still waiting for our official update from our agency. From the emails that we have received, it seems that winter is trully in effect in Siberia. It must be so different from when we saw it 7 months ago in late June. The roads from Ekat to Kamensk are very bad and Svetlana hasn't been able to go to the baby home. Once the roads were better, the director of the baby home was on vacation. The Russian Christmas was just 1/7 so things are now back on track.

I mentioned not receiving the official update from the agency, but this morning I received a wonderful surprise. I guess I was so excited that my yell to Mike to get up (he was still in bed, I had gotten up to let the dog out) startled him and he was worried something bad happened. Nothing bad today! Today Svetlana was so sweet. She sent the official update to the agency which we should receive tomorrow but she also sent us 2 updated photos of Colby. He is even cuter than I remember. He certainly has grown a little and he has lost some of that "baby face". He is standing in both photos so I am sure he is now walking. What a difference a day makes. Today is a good day and so should tomorrow be. We will receive more info and more photos! YEAH! Svetlana mentioned that she and the social worker are meeting with the judge on Wed. Perhaps a court date will be set! Keep your fingers crossed!