Tomorrow is the day!

Another beautiful day in Spassk. We arrived at the Detski Dom around 11AM. “K” was in school so we took “I” to the park. We played with bubbles, the beach ball, and a basketball. We watched as “I” went both up and down the slides. He found it very fun to let his Mach 5 car go down the slide first. If you remember from our first visit, we took the kids to this same park and “I” wasn’t real sure about being there. Not today – he loved it! He wanted to try all of the slides and rides except the teeter tauter. We needed to head back to the Detski Dom for 12:30 so “I” could have lunch and then we could wait for “K” to finish with school. We were waiting for “I” and “K” to return to the room and get to play. Soon they were back. We gave “K” a puzzle to do. We were told yesterday that she loved to do puzzles. She did a great job! The kids also got yo-yo’s and thought they were very cool. “K” also was using stickers to decorate some papers and we found out that she really likes to play with stickers. Our translator told her that Mama and Papa had a some stickers at the hotel for her to play with when we get there on the 20th. She was very excited and said Da! From the other side of the room, “I” says “what about me?” (in Russian of course) Another small victory. Then we pulled out some books to read to the kids, Kenny worked with “K” and I worked with “I”. They were simple picture books with words and colors. Kenny and “K” had quite the thing going. Kenny would say the word in English, “K” in Russian and then Kenny in Russian and “K” would giggle at his pronunciation. Kenny tried to get “K” to say the words in English but we do not think she is ready for that just yet. “K” also asked her Papa to pick her up so she could look for something on the top shelf. Again another small victory. When it was time to leave, both kids gave both of us hugs good-bye. More small victories! We will not get to visit the kids tomorrow because we have our court hearing at 2PM (Remember that is 10PM Thursday night at home). We will be able to visit the kids on Saturday. So for now we will let you go. Tomorrow is a big day for the Duda Family! Please say an extra prayer that the Judge says “Da” to us becoming a family of five!

He's baaack!

Sergei that is...................our driver. We really missed him! He is a lot of fun! And his English is getting better and better. The morning was uneventful. The nice part of the morning was that we got to spend time with our blogger friends, Michelle and Bill Curran. It was great to just talk. We do not get much time to do that in the evenings because we get back so late. Kenny and Bill went to exchange money and Michelle and I sat in line waiting for the notary to open. No surprises on the updated medicals. After the notary, we took the Currans back to the VMI and dropped them of so they could go visit their little guy. Now we were on our way to Spassk. The ride was uneventful and we were in a few traffic jams but we made it there around 3PM. "I" was still napping and "K" was on a field trip with her group. Not long after we arrived the caregiver woke up "I" and he came into see us. We could tell he was still tired, so we helped him get dressed and he sat on my lap afterword for a while. We were going to take him outside as soon as he had his snack and wait for his sister to arrive so we could go to a local park. So after his snack, we went outside and played with his tractor and then some bubbles. "I" loves machines and such and they are working on the road near the Detski Dom so Kenny and "I" went by the fence to watch. Two boys in heaven looking and talking about road graders and such. It was very cute to watch. "I" pointing and then talking all about it. When the boys were done watching the machines, we tried playing with chalk on the blacktop. Kenny and I drew some cute pictures, "I" was more interested in looking at it and seeing how it worked. He did draw lines but wanted to understand how it worked more. It was a beautiful day in Spassk and the weather was nice. While playing bubbles again, "K" 's group came around the corner from their field trip. She waved at us in excitement. When they got to the Deski Dom she ran over to us and gave me a hug. Remember small victories! We played outside for a little while with the bubbles. The caregiver asked Kenny to take a picture of "K" 's group so he did and now we are trying to figure out how to get it printed for her. We had to leave the Detski Dom by 530 so the kids could have dinner. "K" did not get there until 5 so our visit with her was very short and she let us know in her own way that she didn't like that. We told her we would be back tomorrow and get to play more. So "K" went off with her caregiver and we took "I" back to his group that was outside doing yard work. Remember on the first day when we said "I" had his head down and was fidgeting with his fingers, well when we were taking him back to his group, the head went down and the finger fidgeting began. The caregiver said "He doesn't want to leave you". Again a small victory! Gotta love them! We are going early today to the Detski Dom to visit the kids because we have to have a mock court session with Tanya this evening around 6PM. So until later......
Paka from Russia

He said yes!

The day began at 3am. No longer able to sleep. So what to do when you can't sleep- Skype - We called Kenny's mom and step dad and talked to them for a while. Let them know everything was okay and we made it safe and sound. After the call.........we figured we could go back to sleep. YEAH at least for a little while. Our driver and translator came to pick us up at 745am. We had a new driver (Anton) and Elana as our translator. We had Elana on our last trip (the last visit with the kids). The 3 1/2 hour ride to the Children's Home was uneventful. Anton is a very speedy driver. When we reached Spassk, we had to pick up the social worker and take her with us to the Children's Home. Again uneventful. When we got to the Children's Home, "I" was outside with his group and one of the caregivers saw us and brought him over by us. He kept his head down and fiddled with his fingers. They say he does that when he is nervous or just being shy. The caregiver told us thru our translator that he has been waiting for us. Then when we went inside we went directly into the directors office. We showed her all they toys we had brought and she suggested we give them to the kids ourselves. "I" came into the room. He was still being shy until we brought out the tractor we had brought for him. We think at that moment he realized it was okay to look up at us - but still no smile. About five minutes later, the rest of his group came in and we showed them all the toys we had brought. The girls all got dolls and we even had extras. By the way....Kenny handled given out the girl stuff while I was with the boys and the cars. Surprise Surprise! The kids also enjoyed the punching bags that Kenny had to blow up. After about 10 minutes the caregivers took the rest of the toys (legos, jump ropes, balls, bead kits) and the kids into another room. So we were alone with "I". "K" had not yet arrived back from school so we had about a half hour with "I" and it did not take that long for him to warm up to us. We played with the tractor and the other cars that were in the room. The way to that boys heart is with wheels of any kind. We got many smiles and even some laughs. We decided to try on some clothes that we had brought to make sure we got the right sizes or if we needed to go shopping. Success with "I". The shoes fit perfectly (size 11), the pants (4T) fit great! The shirt (5T) was a little big but wouldn't want it any smaller. "K" came into the room a little shy but Mama couldn't wait so I went over and gave her a big hug. She hugged me back! (YEAH!) We gave her a little time and also gave her a Barbie ring. We played for a little bit and then we tried on clothes. Again success! The shoes (size 11) fit great! The shirt (6 6x) fit awesome! The pants (7 slim) fit okay. The length was good but the waist was a little big - thank goodness for adjustable waistbands. Okay enough about the that! The day was great! We played with kids until lunch/naptime and then we left to get lunch ourselves. Wonderful cafe with wonderful Russian cuisine. YUM! We headed back to the Children's Home to wait for the kids to get up from their naps. Low and behold "I" was wide awake in his bed waiting for us to come back. There was still 1/2 hour left in their nap and the caregiver brought "I" in to see us because he was just to excited to sleep. So no nap for "I" today. That's okay - we had playing to do. So we took him outside and was kicking the beach ball around outside for a bit. Not long after "K" came out and joined us. That's when we brought out the bubbles. "K" liked the bubbles the last time we were here and "I" liked to pop them but would not blow them. Well today was different. He started blowing bubbles as soon as I put the wand to his mouth. I gave him the bottle and he went to town. Loved blowing the bubbles. "I" and his sister were having a blast. We were outside for about an hour or so and had attracted many other children so we decided to go inside. Elana told us we should start having the kids say yes or no instead of da or nyet. So we were trying really hard to get "K" to say yes when she wanted to play with the video recorder and instead on the other side of the room with me "I" yells "YES". Small victories are wonderful! Just a note...."K"'s hair has grown and is past her shoulders and no luffa on top of her head. She looks like a different girl. Her front teeth have come in and give her an even more beautiful smile which we hope to see many times. "I" laughed out loud many times and is still very ticklish. Kenny's goal before he leaves to hear "K" giggle like "I". More to come from our next visit. We will be leaving the hotel with The Currans to go to the notary and exchange money. Then off to see the kids again!

At the VMI...Safe and Sound...

Well here we are! Made it this afternoon without a hitch! Korean Air is awesome! twice the leg room of United in Coach and the food (you all know I love food) was amazing. It's about 6:00 pm here and we are pooped. We ate dinner and are turning in as we depart at 7:45 to go see the kids (remember that 3 hour drive). K is in school till about 11:30 tomorrow so we should get there right after lunch and get to see them for a couple of hours. We have two big suitcases full of toys for the orphanage we are also taking tomorrow. We have met our friends the Currans and two other families from WACAP that are here and look forward to spending time with them and comparing notes! Keep checking back for updates...Pictures of the kids on the 21st...after the 10 day wait. Thanks for everyones prayers too.

Kenny and Gloria

Seoul, Korea

Well we made it here fine! The trip so far has been uneventful! Thank you Robin for the ride to O'Hare. We hope the rest of your birthday was as much fun! Right now it is 4AM (Monday)(2PM Sunday-at home) and we can't sleep anymore-still on home time. Our flight for Vladivostok leaves in 6 hours. The airport here in Seoul is beautiful. Wonderful play areas for the kids when we come back thru here on our way home. More updates to follow as we continue our journey! Thanks everyone for your support, encouragement, prayers and love! It means the world to us! So until later...................

P.S. Nancy, good advise!

Were down to a wakeup....

Until we leave, I just checked us in on united.com for our flights...got to move seats so we are now on the aisle for the long flight from Seattle to Tokyo. Gonna ask for exit row when we get to the gate....I think I'm ready except to zip up my carry on in the morning. Gloria says shes all packed...OK Curren's Last one there is a rotten egg...Ready, Set, Go....see ya at 3:30...on Monday!

One day and a wakeup....

Last night we completed the packing...my suit made it home from the cleaners and we got it bagged up and put in the suitcase. Gloria is working hard on getting the last of the paperwork in order. I completed the reservation for Gloria and the kids for their overnight layover in Seoul. We are leaving Saturday morning to go to Gloria's friend Robin's house and she is going to load up a "moving truck" with all of our stuff and haul us to the airport. Fortunately, we will be able to check our luggage all the way to Vladivostok and will not have to handle it again until we get to the Vladivostok airport. We are looking forward to our trip and can't wait to finally get to see the kids again and get to tell them on Saturday the 10th that they are our Son and Daughter!