Well we are almost done with everything. Yesterday we drove back to Moscow and began our process here. As of now Tanya can officially enter the United States. We have her Russian passport, United States Visa and will soon have her registered with the Russian Embassy. All this means that we will be able to come home early!! We have changed our tickets to return home on Tuesday instead of Friday. The only bad thing is that we will not get in until around 11:00 p.m. at night. It will be a long day but I know that we will be so glad to get back to Salt Lake City.
Tanya is doing great. We have an interesting ride from Ivanovo to Moscow. About half way Tanya got car sick. I do not think that she has ever driven in a car for that long. After we cleaned her up we went on and she has been fine ever since. We are also staying in an apartment this time because all the hotels are full due to an exhibition that is going on in Moscow. It is nicer than a hotel as it is quiet and we have more room. It is not as convienent as the hotel we are in since we are not as close to shopping and restaurants but it will be fine. We now have three days to kill while we wait to return. I think tomorrow we will either go to a circus or the zoo. Then on Sunday we are going to walk over to the Kremlin and Red Square so that Tanya will have a chance to see this before we leave. Then on Monday it will be a day of relaxing.
I am sorry that this is going to be a shore entry but my battery is almost out and I have to walk several blocks to just get internet access. I will probably wait until we return before posting again but then I will give a good final update on our journey.
Thanks for all of you who are sending us encouraging replies. It really helps.
Hi Eric n Paula…… and ms. Tanja herself……. i’ve been checking your blog daily and almost hourly…. anticipating another entry. I am so happy to hear that God continues to move effortlessly in all this timely process. He is so good!
Thank you once again Eric! Your entries are such beautiful stories and it gives me a vivid picture of what’s going on there. And I can only imagine the expressions written all over your faces as you and Paula watch your new daughter’s every step. I actually read your previous entry to my oldest girls and they just beamed and smiled for they too caught on to Tanja’s excitement and bewilderment of her new journey in life. They especially loved the elevator part, the apple and the candy. They keep asking if I have heard about when you will be arriving. They are anxious to meet her. So Tuesday night it is………. we pray for God’s traveling grace upon you all and look forward to give you all a hug. God Bless and be safe!
Leata
I’m glad things have gone so smoothly and that you get to go home early. How is Tanya coping with all the rapid change? I’m glad you are taking her to Red Square and the Kremlin – she should have such a memory of her homeland. Kaye has been looking up the words for “cousin” and “aunt” in her Russian dictionary. Have a safe flight home and
Blessed Be!
Madeleine
Still here reading every word. Can’t wait to see you guys.
Have a safe trip home.
Love, Laurie and the gang
I’m sure you already know these, but if anyone else is interested,
Aunt is tyotya
Uncle is dyadya
Cousin (female) is dvayuradnaya
(male) is dvayuradny brat
Mother is mat’
Father is atets
Sister is sestra
Brother is brat
Daughter is doch’
Dabro pazhalavat’ vnutri nashy sem’ya!
(literally translates to: welcome inside our family! It’s the closest I could come to ‘welcome to the family.’)
Kaye
Eric, Paula and Tanya,
I can’t wait to see you Tuesday! I didn’t answer my phone when you called, Eric, because it doesn’t say Moscow calling you goof ball! It was such a weird number…I wasn’t sure who it was! Anyhow, I am so honored that I will get to meet Tanya so soon! I almost jumped up and down when I got your message! I will be at the airport when you arrive…just call me and tell me where to meet you.
Much Love!
Can’t wait to meet Tanya… SO exciting!!!!! Our prayers will be with you and I am so happy to hear that everything has gone so smoothly. God is doing amazing things and it is so awesome to watch it unfold.
Hello Eric and Paula
I’ve loved reading about your time in Russia and I’m glad all has gone well and that you’ll be home soon. I’ll be praying for your trip home and for Tanya’s adjustment into her new family. She’s such a beautiful girl and she is so blessed to have you as parents. I hope to meet her in the near future. I want to get out there, as I miss you all. Nena’s watching the airline prices and as soon as you feel that Tanya has had some time to adjust and you’re ready for company I hope we’ll be on our way. (Karen too!)
I love you guys.
Julie