One year ago today! (Part three)

This entry celebrates two big anniversaries. One year ago today, we met Andrey and Ilya for the very first time. And eight months ago this week, we brought them home to Kansas. We'll try to chronicle our first whirlwind trip to meet the boys and let you know how they're doing now that we've been home eight months.

"They tell me you're my new Mom."

After a harrowing two-day travel schedule, we got to Krasnoyarsk on 4-27-06. We were whisked away to the Ministry of Education to get permission to meet the boys. Then, with a bit of trepidation, we went to meet the boys. They were in two seperate buildings, which makes us pretty sure they had never met each other. We first met Carson, and it wasn't a happy introduction. We scared the heck out of him, and he bawled for 15 minutes or so. He finally let Mama hold him, but was warry of both of us the whole time. The journal entry documents, "Sweet kid, a little scared, quiet but endearing."

"They dressed me all fancy just to meet you."

Conner was another story all together. We'll never forget sitting in the tiny lobby when he came in from outside all bundled up in a fake-fur winter coat (it was probably 60 degrees outside). He gave us a big smile and a giggle when we pretended to tickle him. When they took us to the visitation room, he came in and dutifully gave Mama a hug, and commenced to playing with ever toy in the room. Wore us out! The journal documents, "Big smile, funny outfit, ACTIVE!, loved chasing bubbles...put away every toy when asked to do so."

Another moment we'll never forget was being told by the orphanage physician that Conner had been diagnosed with bronchitis nineteen times, and hospitalized five of those times. Holy cow! That wasn't in the two-page medical history they sent us. How could they leave that out? Was he ok? Sure was an active kid for being so sick. We decided, with western medicine, he would be ok. We were right. Look at them now!

Our first trip to Krasnoyarsk was a whirlwind. Barely enough time to process everything. And so much was yet to come! We were wisely told to tour Moscow while we were there, and had a wonderful time with Phillip, our private tour guide. We went home very motivated to get back asap to bring the boys home. Looking back, it was miraculous that we got through the process during such turmoil. We feel that we may possibly be one of the very last people to bring home two unrelated toddler boys from Russia.

Our most sincere thoughts go out to the families who are waiting for news of reacreditation. It can't be possible that Russia will forever close its borders to parents willing to give a better life to these children.