A year ago today.....

We went to Red Square and lost Neil's shoe!

I fell asleep more exhausted then I have ever been!!

Went to the US Embassy and got Neil's passport and VISA.

We were a new family and loving every min of it!!

Just 5 min ago.....

So I thought I would blog every day this week and put a picture of what we did one year ago on that day. In doing this I wanted to lead up to his Gotcha Day on Saturday.

Well, a year ago we were traveling from Moscow to Novokuznetsk to see Neil one last time before we went to court the next day.

BUT...what just happened 5 min ago is way to funny to pass up.

I put Neil into bed for his Quiet Time and I just went to check on him and this is what I found. Now, keep in mind, every single one of those books was in his blue elephant book shelf when I put him into bed and now, they are all missing..oh no wait...they are in the crib with him! After a little "talking to" aka discipline I have come up with a solution.....

Can everyone say it with me...Toddler Bed!

Today one year ago....

Remember the miracle? The physical? The way that God made "eyes blinded" and His grace and mercy was upon Coby and I? Remember all the prayer for today?

I remember! This was the exact time that we were walking into that clinic and having that physical done on a rainy day in Moscow!

What a day! What a moment! To actually see God's hand do such an amazing thing!!

I just read through all the e-mails that I got on that day and how encouraging they were to read again!

"Thank you Lord for that day a year ago that you showed your face to me so clearly!"

Today one year ago.....

We arrived in Moscow.

$30 for 2 Starbucks!!! Oh the memories!!!

Today one year ago...

We got on a plane and left for Russia to pick up and bring home our son!

How we felt about becoming parents of a 17mo old!!

Today...we woke up our son and brought him in bed with us. We told him that one year ago Mommy and Daddy went to Russia to bring him home to our family and that we loved him very very much!

Neil was laying in bed and then sat up, turned around and looked at Coby and said, "Thank you Daddy."

Thank you God!

Blanket..

This made me smile today!!

This picture is of Neil's 3 blankets. "Yellow", "Green" and "Blue" (that's what he calls them)

These blankets are about $4 and they are yucky and have holes in them. But the greatest thing about these are that they smell like Neil and for a mother...it's the sweetest smell in the world!

Anyway....since we have brought him home these are the blankets he loves. Not the fluffy, soft, hand made or expensive ones...but these.

Until today!!

He was upset and crying due to just being disciplined by mommy...yup he's not perfect! He walks in the office and had this blanket:

This is the first thing that I made Neil.

I have made him many things since then...but I made this and brought it to Russia with us hoping he would love it. It sits upstairs on one of his chairs and he really has not shown any interest in it until today. He has not let it go. He has been walking around all day holding it and sucking his fingers and rubbing it on his face and loving it!! It made me so excited.

I know...it's silly, but it made me smile to see him enjoy something so much that I made especially for him with lots of love!

Thought Aunt Dana, Uncle Michael, Oma and Opa might like this picture. He still sleeps with and loves his turtle!!!

Kate....he loves his pillow!!

A face lift!!

I felt the need to give our blog a little face lift! Hope you all like it! I also gave my photography blog one too...check it out!!! www.brandylynnphotography.blogspot.com