Gotcha Day Letter from Oct. 17th

DEAR BUDDAH,
Today is your "Gotcha Day". Do you know what that means?
It means that we "Got You" 4 years ago from Russia.
In Russia, you lived in a small town called Borovichi, until you were about 9 months old. In Borovichi you lived in a HUGE house that was full of women who loved you and lots and lots of baby friends. During the day, you would get up at about 5am and drink a raw egg and eat a cookie. Then you would drink a bottle full of yummy stuff that you loved. You would then play with wonderful caregivers, toys, and your baby friends. Somedays, you even took walks in a stroller around the HUGE house. Then it would be time for another bottle and your morning nap. You loved this time, and the caregivers told us that you loved to sleep and they were right!
Lunchtime was your favorite...meat, potatoes, and tea. After that you would have more playtime, because that's what babies do, (with Caregivers and babies) and then you would go down for another nap. When you awoke, more play-time. Sometimes they even played instruments with you in music class. They said you loved listening to music.
Dinner consisted of vegetables and bread, and of course another bottle.
Every night, before you went to bed, one of the caregivers would tell you a good-night story. It was a story about how one day your Daddy and Mommy would be coming to take you home.
One night, without you even knowing it Mommy and Daddy were flying across the ocean to meet you. After an 11 hour plane ride, and a 10 hour van ride, Mommy and Daddy arrived in Borovichi. At that point you were just waking up from your morning nap. One of the caregivers came to your crib and picked you up. They smiled at you and said, "Your Mamma and Papa have come to meet you." You smiled from ear to ear. As they dressed you, they were telling you what Mommy looked like and that you looked just like your Daddy. You were getting so excited! Once they dressed you, they brought you over to the office room and opened the door. To my surprise you were here...they didn't even tell us that you were coming in! When you saw me for the first time, your smile was huge. I began to cry because I had waited so long for you and I couldn't believe I was finally meeting my son.
You began touching my face and tears of joy streamed down your face...you just couldn't stop belly laughing. Our hearts connected immediately. Daddy didn't quite know what to do, he was trying to video tape our meeting and see you at the same time, but he was crying because he was so happy to see his boy.
We spent about 3 hours playing, feeding, and even taking you for a quick walk around the HUGE house.
I told you that we had to go back home, to America, to get your room ready and for us to wait to hear from the court to see when they would give us permission to adopt you. It was hard leaving you, but our hearts had connected and I was focused on getting back to you already.
A long long long drive back to Moscow, Russia and a long long long flight home was very hard, but we were trying to stay positive. While we waited to go back, I bought tons of toys and clothes for you. I finished your Froggy Nursery, and just 2 weeks later we went back to bring you home.
When you saw me for that second time, it was like I hadn't been away from you at all. You were attached immediately. You even grew 2 new (top 2) teeth while we were away. We played for a while and then it was time for court. I knew that the next time that you saw me, I would officially be your Mommy.
Court was a breeze and we couldn't wait to see you! On a very foggy, cold morning, we left Veliky Novgorod, where court was, and drove to a "meeting point" with the caregivers. You rode in a van to meet us. They handed you to me, from their van, and I put you in our van. The caregivers had packed you 2 warm bottles for the trip back to Moscow. They were sad to see you go, but knew you were with your Mommy and Daddy now, and they could let you spread your wings and fly away.
This was your "Gotcha Day", and I will forever remember how you filled my heart in an instant. I hope that you will know how wanted you were and are. You are so special in every way and I love you so much...you are my heart. Thanks for saving me, being so amazing, and for just being you. Isn't it amazing how we were chosen for one another? Always remember that you and your sister share this amazing bond as well.
love you forever,
MOMMY

Thanks for the responses! The trip date has been moved to the middle of November, so I'm going to give myself another week to sort out everything to see if I can go. I'm such a coward when it comes to traveling by myself, so it's a HUGE step for me.

Many of you said that you just couldn't leave yet, and although I feel the same, I still have that sense of longing to go and help if only just a bit. If I didn't have my husband staying here, it would be much harder! I'll keep you updated...

Last weekend we went to a Fundraiser for the KidFirst Foundation...a Russian Dinner. It was a amazing time! Next year it would be VERY cool for people to make this a get together type of function, and it's all for a wonderful cause...helping Russian orphans. Russian food, music, dancers, etc... in Indianapolis. Thanks for pushing for us to go, Cara. We had so much fun.

ME, Cari (mom to Kate...from Kirov and waiting on #2), Cara(mom to Victoria...from Kirov)

Mark my word...No Traditional Toasts (with Russian Vodka) next year! ! :)
What a picture to capture the awesome atmosphere of the evening!

Josh and Cara (proud parents of Victoria Marie...Kirov)

It's been so quiet in Bloggerland! Almost too quiet. We are all so busy now. All of our kids are getting so big, and I am so bias when it comes to how cute all of our Internationally Adopted children are. It is quite amazing that they all look totally different from those scared little faces at the very beginning. They have all gained weight, have totally different coloring, and look so happy and full of life. Quite different from the stark orphanage photos of little-no emotion.

Hope all is well with all of you!

JEN

NEWS UPDATE

Ok, remember how I said my EXCITING NEWS UPDATE would be revealed soon? Well, I would have revealed it sooner if I had known the details. I STILL DON'T HAVE THE DETAILS, BUT the hint that it dealt with Russia shouldn't surprise anyone that I don't have the details to reveal!
WITH THAT BEING SAID...it is a mission trip to RUSSIA!
I am waiting on details to find out where and when we would be leaving...that's when I'll make my final decision if I'm going to go or not.
(MIGHT BE THE WEEK OF OCT. 15TH)
I'm getting some negative feedback from my hubby and parents about me going. It's only going to be for a week, (maybe only 5 days) but I'm getting the sense that people think I'm crazy for leaving my kiddos and job to do this. Am I being selfish...even though I am going to deliver thousands of dollars that will specifically help orphans? Am I abandoning my kids for my own selfish passion to help other children in need? I can't wrap that around my brain, but maybe you all can give me a better insight about this.
I understand that any travel is a risk...even driving to work each day is a risk. I understand that being in a foreign country heightens some kind of a risk, but so does being at an ATM machine at night. It would be ONLY me going, not my husband or parents (whom have already said they "have it covered" to be with the kids). Jason, my husband travels with his job for weeks at a time. I actually think that 5 days with the kids, alone, would be wonderful for him...as long as he had some support from the nanas and papas.
I kind of think I need to hear from you all. What do you think?

WHAT COLOR ARE YOU?

i REALLY LIKED DOING THIS! IT WAS SHORT AND FUN...ENJOY

You Are Olive Green

You are the most real of all the green shades. You're always true to yourself. For you, authenticity and honesty are very important... both in others and yourself. You are grounded and secure. It takes a lot to shake you. People see you as dependable, probably the most dependable person they know.

What Color Green Are You?

Buddah's 1st Day of Preschool, CQ reads, and Exciting News UPDATE...not yet revealed, but some hints. :)

Buddah really enjoyed his first days of school. When he was dropped off, in the classroom, CQ screamed and cried for him. She was so upset that he was leaving her. Poor baby. The second day was much better. She was still slightly sad, but once she found out that Nana was going to take her to McDonalds, she was ALL smiles. She really is much more ready for school than Buddah was at 2years, but I have decided to keep her home, with Nana, for 1 more year. Due to some of the attachment issues that we have had, it's just better for her to work on those things for a little while longer. She will have FOREVER to go to school! Here is a very short video of her reading...she gets mad when my sister gets up, she tells her to "sit down, sit down" to listen to her read. It's so funny and cute!
Buddah also started his 2nd session of ICE HOCKEY/beginning skating, and he loves it. Here is a very small clip of his 1st skating lesson. He's the one with the CCCP jersey...we got that in Moscow last Dec.

Well, I would share my exciting news if I really knew that it was "a go"...but it's not yet. NO, it's NOT another baby (yet :)), but IT DOES have to do with Russia. I promise I will let you all know really soon! BUT in the meantime, I would like to ask everyone a few questions.
1. If you had the chance to go to Russia again, to visit, or adopt, would you?
2. How ready/serious are some of you thinking of going to Russia to adopt again?
3. Would it be worth going back to Russia to help other children and/or orphanages as well as learn more about the culture, even if it meant leaving your kiddos at home (with family)for a week or so?
*Just a few thoughts... (big hint too!)