Monday, Nov. 1st - Is that Subway, subway, or "subway"?

I got to see my boy twice today! Hooray!!! It was definitely a bonding day for Max and Annie. This morning she got her first Max hug. He was playful with me, but he wanted Annie. They crawled together, played piano together, played ball together,... he was all over her! He was fascinated with her brackets (braces)! He watched everythind she did and everything she said. He watched how she formed her mouth to make words and he mimicked her sounds. These are all great signs that he can learn, will learn, and has bonded with Annie!!! The only thing that would have made all of this better is if my other daughter could be here. Then came time to eat - they have Subway in Russia! Annie and I both really like Subway and, considering that we single handedly caused stock in McDonalds and Pizza Hut to drastically increase this week, we were ready for a change. So, we quickly found out that Subway isn't the same in Russia. We decided that one more trip the the Golden Arches was a preferred option. Something is really wrong when you choose to eat McDonalds because it's easier on your stomach than the other options! lol So now the real fun begins. We took the subway as we've done for the passed three days. I counted the stops... four on the red line, get off, and then six on the blue line. I counted carefully and made sure we were right by the doors for the sixth stop. The subway comes to a stop and you aren't going to believe this... THE DOORS DIDN'T OPEN!!! We rode to the next stop and since I didn't know what to do I got off so that I'd have time to think. While standing there trying to figure out what to do we noticed a young girl quite sick. I quickly emptied one of our bags and grabbed my little packets of tissues and Annie ran them to her. By the time she got back to me, the young girl and her companion were back on the subway. Let's recap - I'm lost in Russia, can't read any of the signs, can't speak the language to ask directions, we're hungry, and now my hands are full - and until this trip, had never been on a subway even in my own country! There were only two lines at this particular station and I knew that the one I just got off of had already passed my stop, so I got on the other one. We went one stop and got off and we were at our stop! Whew!!! By this time I'm emotionally drained and Annie was tired, so we decided to just get a pizza and take it back to the hotel. We got to Pizza Hut, placed our order, and said "to go". And you won't believe what the waitress said..."ahh, yes, subway". NOOOOO! I've had enough "subway"! The word subway is supposed to be English. I'm supposed to understand English! May I speak to the bilingual 3 year old again, please - at least she, I'm not supposed to understand! So, we decided not to eat at Subway, we got lost on the subway, and we got our pizza "subway"!

Sunday October, 31st - Hallelujah!...the universal language! (but what does mmoooo sound like in Russian?)

We went with our friends, the Alikin family, to church this morning. It is an Assemblies International church and it was WONDERFUL! It is an English speaking church and the Pastor is a retired military Chaplain from California. Most everybody there spoke English, but it's amazing how none of that matters when you are praising God! Scripture is scripture and praise music is just that - it's not the language that defines it. Anyway, we had a great time praising God with our new friends. We then went out to eat at a cafe for a Russian meal - pigs in a blanket, mashed potatoes,and Pepsi! Mmmmm. It was really good. We then went to the zoo. We all had a good time, but the kids in particular had a BLAST!!! I was especially touched that their oldest son was begging for us to come back for his birthday on Dec. 4th! I do hope we are here for it!! The ongoing joke between Annie and I, since we've gotten here has been what different things sound like in Russian. It all started because she saw toy monkey in the DC airport that laughed. I told her to wait until we got to the St. Pete airport because maybe they'd laugh in Russian. She naively agreed. When we landed in St. Pete somebody sneezed and my comment was "that's what a sneeze sounds like in Russian". At another point, we passed a dog and I said that I wonder what a bark sounds like in Russian. Then somebody blew his nose and ... you get the idea - it's been like that and we've laughed since we got here. Cows are Annie's favorite animal and unfortunately they were eating so we still don't know what a moo sounds like in Russian. lol We have had the best time here and to make a fantastic weekend even better, I found out this morning that we will be able to visit baby Max twice tomorrow! Hooray!!! Is it 10am yet???

Saturday October, 30th - Where am I???

It's Saturday! Our day to get to sleep in - and we did! Our bodies still have not adjusted to Russia time. On top of the 8 hour difference, everything here happens at about a 2 hour difference. For example, the sun doesn't rise until around 9am, so it feels like it's 7am. This has almost made us late a couple of times. The day starts later, schools get out later, meals are later, etc... which sounds like it would work in our favor, but it doesn't. Somehow between the hours forward and two hours back, our bodies have defaulted to "it's night and we want to sleep." I figure we'll get it all straightened out sometime on Monday - we're leaving on Tuesday. lol Regardless, we had a blast today!!! We went to a Russia bakery and bought a chocolate cake kinda thing to take to our friends' for desert. I had no idea what they liked, but chocolate for female never seems to be a bad choice. My friend was going to pick us up so I kept looking out the window for him to pull up. Well, I didn't realize that "I'll pick you up" meant that he'd ride 2 subways, a tram, and then walk 3 blocks to the hotel! How incredible that he would do this for people he doesn't really even know! We then repeated the travel process in reverse to get to his family's apartment. We walked in and it smelled WONDERFUL! His wife is absolutely sweet and his kids are so friendly. We were all sitting on the floor of his 3 year old's bedroom when she, in Russian, kicked the adults out so that she could play with the "americana" (aka - Annie) by herself! Their two sons (8, 11) flirted with her in the typical pat on the shoulder and run kinda way. It was fun to watch the kids all interact since they did not speak any English. I helped prepare a salad while we had great spiritual conversations. Dinner was delicious! We had a traditional Russian meal, which was basically a big meatball, mashed potatos, and salad. During dinner, their daughter began speaking French! How in the world is a 3 year old bilingual?! I do good just to be lingual - see! lol Anyway, we then all gathered on the boys' bedroom floor for a game of Memory. I knew before we even started that this wasn't going to be good. Then it got worse...I saw the cards. I can keep picuters of Disney characters straight or Winnie the Pooh, but no.... these cards were from Holland! I was surrounded by little windmills, geometric shapes, and wooden clogs with patterns on them. Okay, I'm an American who only speaks English, sitting in a Russian home with a three year old speaking to me in French, playing a game from Holland...where am I??? The world suddenly became even smaller than it was when I landed here and my awareness of how uncultured I am became huge! We enjoyed a delicious pumpkin pie and the chocolate stuff for desert, and then headed back to the hotel. You won't believe this - I offered for him to just tell me the number of stops so that I could count them, get off the subway, and then walk to the hote, but he refused. He insisted on escorting us the entire way back to the hotel and then he repeated to journey home. God is good. No, God is GREAT! And, I am very thankful to my new friends for extending their hands, opening their home, and sharing their hearts! I can't wait until church tomorrow!

Friday, October 29th - Sonny Boy..."what's my name?"

First of all, NO! I'm not old enough to know that song. Secondly, his name is Maxim Alexey Stickley! I decided to keep it pretty much the same. I wanted his initials to be MAS, and coincidentally, his birthname initials were MAS. And most importantly, he already knows and responds to his name. Anway, I only have a few pictures from today because my little boy is sick. I chose to return him early today because he was feeling so miserable! It was really hard for me to do, but I know it was best for him. The workers agreed to make sure that he gets to see the doctor. I won't get to see him again until Monday. :-( Then, Annie and I did something we've never done before - we rode the subway. I have to tell you, it was quite interesting! It started off very empty but by the time we got to our stop, it was rediculously crowded. All that pushing and shoving - I hope I didn't hurt anybody! I'm actually serious - we had to shove our way off. I don't know what we'd have done wandering around a huge city where we don't speak or read the language. I had my backpack, purse, and computer bag, and Annie had a bag - we'd have looked like street rats! Anway, this weekend will be a time of sightseeing with friends and church on Sunday! I'm hoping that it makes Monday come quickly and we can see Max!!!

Thursday, October 28th - The verdict is in...

His birthday is July 1, 2008! My little firecracker!!! We got up and rushed down to breakfast, excited about getting to the baby home! Annie got her usual rice with butter (and yes, I said that right - she likes a little rice with her butter!), and I got a bowl of corn flakes. Well, here in Russia their corn flakes are puffy, unsweetened, and they use room temperature cream instead of cold milk. Annie did well with her breakfast and mine sent me running out of the pectopah (restaurant) even faster than I ran in! I think this is Russia's contribution to helping me with my weighing the suitcase trauma that I experienced before I left. Anyway, we got to the baby home where Max was a little hesitant to come to us. Within minutes he was grasping my sweater, was giggling, he wouldn't let me put him down, was giggling, was playing with Annie, oh yeah - and he was giggling. He would set up two child-sized chairs, would knock them over, and belly laugh. We did this today for a total of over two hours!!! When we left the morning visit, he grasped ahold of my sweater and cried. Even after we got him loose, he was still reaching for me - it was heartbreaking! During the visit, the social worker and the director watched us interact for awhile. The social worker called him a "kitty cat" because of the way he was crawling on me and she said "it looks like he's made his decision, too!" This is WONDERFUL!!! God is truly going before us and preparing the way! The afternoon visit went just as well and, although my little guy didn't feel well, he was just as happy as can be! Now the big decision for tomorrow...I have to officially state his new legal name! I keep teasing Annie and telling her I'm going to name him Moses Joseph and call him MoJo! lol I love the little guy too much to do that to him, but is sure is fun to tease her!!! Although, it would make singing the Name Game easy... "Moses Moses MO Boses..."

Wednesday, October 27th - Happy Birthday, Mom! - umm when is Max's???

First of all, Happy Birthday, Mom! Well, today was a BIG day! Woke up and it was still pretty dark outside so I was just having quiet time when I happened to glance at the clock - 9am! Uh oh - meeting in 1 hour and have to get through city traffic! We threw ourselves together and took off like a shot. I was told that if I was asked certain questions during the meeting, that I would need to lie. Now those of you who know me know that I just can't lie. I prayed and prayed and I thought that I had a way of answering those questions so that I wasn't lying or being deceptive, but...it wasn't necessary! During the meeting, family services did not ask me any questions!!! They gave me Max's info., wished me luck and said the look forward to my answer, and they granted Annie permission to visit the baby home, too! Three prayer requests answered in less than five minutes! From there the day just got better! We left there and went for some stress management - AKA SHOPPING!!! FYI - shopping is just as therapeutic in Russia as it is in the States! We ate a traditional Russian brunch - when you ask what is in something the answer is always the same - "meat." So, we ate all kinds of mystery foods and it was delicious. But we quickly learned that Russian food is like Mexican, it's tastes great but then...well let's just say that tomorrow we're sticking with McDonalds! Then came the best part of the day - we went to the baby home!!! It was a rather dismal place that had toys, but no sounds of children anywhere. Very sad. But then I walked around a corner and there was my son! He was standing there in his little turquoise blanket sleeper holding his hand straight up for the worker to balance him - an image I will never forget! He is cuter than any picture and is as sweet as can be. He sat on my lap and kept wrapping my arms around him to hug him!!! We played for about an hour and a half (pics posted on facebook until I learn how to do it on here). He loves music and just giggled and giggled at Annie! The tough part is that they are saying it will be 2-3 months before we can take him home (but we are praying against that!). The worker came in with an official document that stated his birthday is July 1, 2008 but Famiy Services said that his birthday is January 28, 2008. Hmm. They are going to try to get clarification from Moscow tomorrow. Leaving the baby home was difficult. I asked Annie what she thought and she said "can't we just take him home!" We get to visit him Monday-Friday from 10-11:30 and from 4-5:30. Is it 10 o'clock tomorrow, yet?!

Tuesday, October 26th - What time is it???

Okay - it was a six hour time difference in Germany. Now it's an eight hour time difference in Russia. My computer and watch say American time, the clock is now set for Russian time, and my body has not clue what to do or when. We ate breakfast - mashed eggs (kinda like scrambled eggs but mashed instead of whisked), ham and cheese sandwich and rice with butter(normal but it was weird having them for breakfast), porridge (oatmeal), and "pancakes" (the thin outer layer of a crepe without all the gooey stuff that makes them so good). We were so tired that if it wasn't good, we didn't notice. We slept most of the day, and then woke up to venture out for some Russian culture. We quickly changed our minds when we saw a Pizza Hutt!!! Culture quickly gave way to familiarity! It is now 4am and I am ready to go!!! My body is saying..."what time is it?" lol

Monday, October 24th - Fly'n the Friendly Skies...

Okay so we're in our seats on the plane leaving DC when Annie announces that she had to the bathroom. This wouldn't have been a problem except that we were in the middle of the row. I hesitantly asked the man beside me if she could get out - he politely moved. He had looked at me several times prior, but hadn't said anything. He then asked me about my sweater and it being hot in Germany (where our flight was going). I told him that I was going to St. Petersburg and that they already had snow there. His response was "you're kidding - I'm from St. Petersburg". Come to find out, he is the Head of the Department of Biblical Studies at St. Petersburg Christian University - the only Christian college there! We talked theology and of God's love for hours!!! We are supposed to get together later in the week, if possible. He and his wife and kids want to treat us to dinner and give us a tour! Many of you know that I said repeatedly that it is very important to me for God's love to show through this trip - He started revealing his answer to that prayer before we ever left the airport! The other interesting part of this is that the adoption agency was concerned that we didn't have enough time to make it to our connecting flight because Frankfurt it is HUGE airport. Well, he knew his way around the airport and we were able to just follow him. He was very helpful with our bags and gracious with his time! I believe that we will be lifelong friends! Even he said that it was a divine appointment by God, and then continued to say that he is painfully shy and never talks to anyone! He talked to me for hours about his doctoral dissertation on the early/Old Testament church that was just published and can be purchased for $167! I'm pretty sure that we were the only ones on that flight going on to Russia! God is GREAT!!!

Sunday, October 24th - The results are in...!

Today is the big day - well, one of them (they kinda all seem like big days at this point). I've never flown out the country before so we got to the airport early - like 5 hours early! Standing at the luggage check in I began an early pleading my case that I had weighed it the night before and it was exactly 50lbs, stated that I had already taken some items out,...and then the results were in - 50.5lbs! It was half a pound over!!! The woman just looked at me and I responded with the first thing that came to my mind - overnight water retention! The woman laughed harder than I've seen anybody laugh in a long time and then allowed it to go though. She then thanked me for the entertainment! I wore all of my heavy clothing which was a wonderful idea - until the security check! I had to strip to my pants, shirt, and socks - which left about three layers in bins going through the machines. Luckily jewelry wasn't a problem! After redressing in front of an airport full of people, we headed to the shuttle. 50 million people and no seats! They had a city version of hug a tree - everyone grabbed a silver pole. This seemed harmless at the time, but then....this standing room only bus shot out of the terminal faster than any roller coaster that I'd ever been on and left me doing a very unintentional kinda pole dance that left an entire shuttle of people laughing hysterically! All I could say was "they need warning signs that read 0-60 in 3 seconds!!!" I have now unintentionally stripped and pole danced in an airport but, we made it onto the the plane. Can't wait to see what God has for us tomorrow!

Saturday, October 23rd - Does anyone have a big hat a big collar and a big buckle I can borrow?!

Packing for Russia, oh my! I'm standing and looking at my wardrobe thinking "the pilgrims had the right idea - they were going to a 'new world' where they didn't know what weather to expect, yet they didn't have this problem!" Suitcaese is packed and now I have to weigh the sucker - can't be over 50lbs. Can't read the numbers on the scales while weighing just the suitcase so I'll weigh myself holding it and then weigh myself without and then do the subtraction. Good idea! I get on the scale and think okay, but then "oh crap" - the suitcase is on the other side of the kitchen! Russia here I come will be followed by Weight Watchers here I come!!! Got the suitcase, weighed it, and adjusted a few items and am on my mery way. So, here I am. Very aware that once I set foot on that plane tomorrow, my life will never be the same. The world will seem much smaller and God will be much bigger! I am absolutely excited about going to the place that when I was a child was the most feared country in the world. I am obviously excited about meeting my son! At the same time, it is my greatest heart's desire for the Russian people to see the love of God through this situation and through our lives! I know that God is going to do amazing things on this trip. Again, I'm going to meet my son, yet it feels very much like a mission trip!!! Now does anyone have a big hat, a big collar, and a big buckle I can borrow?!

Friday, October 22, 2010 - What a day!

What a day! I got up this morning and started to worry a little because our passports and visas had not arrived. I kept reminding myself that FedEx is guarenteed delivery by 10:30am, so I kept hope. Then 10:30 came and went. I have to admit, panic was beginning to override my faith. So, I called FedEx. They assured me that I had a package that was to arrive by 4:30. I proceeded through my day giving little thought to the situaiton. Then 4:20 came and so did the FedEx truck. Hooray!!! There was a package for me. I excitedly opened it to find....our high school students' test results! Now in full panic mode, I drove home to see if they delivered it there instead of work - nope. I frantically began calling everyone I could think of, and found out that I had a second package from FedEx to be delivered at the school where I work by 6! A second package - nobody ever sends me anything and I have two in one day! I drove back to the school where our custodial intern informed me that I missed the FedEx truck by only a couple of minutes. But then he added that our custodian had signed for a package that arrived for me and put it in my box. THANK YOU MR. OUTMAN!!! I'm going to Russia!!!

Russia - here we come!!!

"Mom, I keep having this thought go through my head and I don't know if it's a thought that God keeps putting there or a thought that I keep putting there, but I think we should adopt a little boy." These were the words spoken by my, then 10 year old, daughter, Annie, on November 21st last year - and these words have changed the direction of our lives forever. Annie is a precious little spitfire who has overcome her share of physical challenges. She began searching the internet and screeched "Here he his! We have to adopt him...he has Down Syndrome and nobody is going to want him and you know us, we love everybody...". Annie had no idea of my childhood dream to adopt (actually, I began saying at about the age of 8 that I want to adopt one child for every child whom I give birth - I have 2 daughters), nor did she know my heart for Down Syndrome children. As we adults often do, I immediately began to argue the idea "but I'll be a single mom - oh, wait...I already am." "But I'd be a single mom of a special needs child - oh, wait...I already am." "I'm a single mom and I don't have an extra $30k lying around" to which Annie completely trumped with one quick comment - "but it's a life." Annie has also announced that she wants to raise the money for the adoption so that I can use my money to buy clothes, diapers, etc. Remember when I called her a spitfire...! So, anyway, here we are. Annie and I leave in 2 days for Russia to meet our little guy for the first time. We will both be posting on this blogspot so everyone can follow our journey. Feel free to comment, aske questions, etc - our greatest desire is for God's love to shine through our story and impact as many lives as possible.