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Brewing equipment in Murmansk. Food was fabulous as well!!!!
Katie Aunna and Mama in the Old Arbat Hotel garden. It was Divine!!!
Katie Aunna exploring flowers;-). I love the "firsts" with newly adopted children.
Katie Aunna the "MOVIE STAR"
What a show off. My I do adore her so much!!!!

I just wanted to take a little time to catch you up on my post in Murmansk where I said there was something going on that I could not talk about. It was horrifying for both Duane and I as our facilitator decided to give out our information about what hotel we were staying at with Katie Aunna. Much to our shock and dismay on the 10th day of the waiting period we were contacted by an ex-family member!!!! I want to say that the other couple adopting a precious little girl at the same time kept us calm. They were wonderfully supportive and I will always love them as our special friends.

Anyway, it was a horrible extra stressor for us to endure during our adoption process. When we left Murmansk this person was waiting for us at the Murmansk Airport!!! This really made me mad as I did not want Katie exposed to her again. I was also highly shocked when we returned to the USA and we received a phone call from this ex-family member. What I could not understand is that this person had not seen Katie Aunna in several years and relinquished any/all rights to her long before we began the adoption process. Needless to say, we have changed and unlisted our phone number.

Okay....Now to more pleasant business. We debated, due to the expense, of staying at an apartment, but, Duane decided he wanted the experience of a nice hotel. It was certainly nice. We stayed in the Courtyard Marriott which was as nice as the Marriott Grand or the Trveskaya Marriott. It was snuggled more into a little side street, but, was only a few blocks from Trveskaya Street so we were able to get our vodka to bring home;-).

While in Moscow we met up with another couple who had adopted an adorable little baby boy in Murmansk. By the way, during our long...long.....long stay in Murmansk we had dinner with this couple. This nice couple took us to a cool restaurant right after Duane's own heart...his hobby...beer brewing. The picture of the huge steel tanks are brewing beer. It was delicious beer if I do say so myself!!!! The couple was running a few days behind our process with their adoption. So they did not arrive in Moscow until shortly after us.

They stayed at the Arbat Hotel in Moscow and there I took some beautiful pictures of Katie Aunna. We had such a wonderful day with them and their new little boy. He showed off like a true movie star and was a joy to be around. We walked around old Arbat Street which was a treat for us as on our previous adoption trips we had not seen Arbat Street. Our dinner was wonderful at the Hard Rock Cafe;-). Katie loved the loud rock music and so did we!!! I hope you enjoy these photos from "Russia With Love". I have a few more pictures to show you of Russia and so will make another post to include them as only five pictures at one time can be placed into each post.

We're home!!!

Katie Aunna in America!!!
Katie Aunna and our grandchild DeeDee.
Christian, Katie Aunna, and Karissa putting a puzzle together on Katie's first day of home school.
The girls welcome Papa home from his first day back to work!!!!
SISTERS FOREVER!!!!!

Just wanted to at least say that we are home now and resting. Trying to to get into a routine again and recover from severe jet lag. I try to start moving around doing things and then it hits me and I am totally exhausted with a dizzy feeling. I believe it must be recurring jet lag. Duane amazes me as he seems to instantly recover...lucky dude!!!! I want to tell you how wonderful Katie Aunna is. We are enjoying her more and more every day!!! Her English continues to improve rapidly.

Today she swam in our pool without any floaties and only a little push here and there to the steps or side wall. Then she gained the courage to slide. We all praised her bravery!!! Once she did it though there was no stopping her from returning over and over again to slide and doggy paddle to the side. It shocks me how fast she has caught on to swimming. However, most everything she does is at a fast pace. Katie is extremely smart. I believe because her vision is so bad that her other senses are very acute.

Last week we took her for her first check up and she ask me if she was going to get a shot. I felt so badly that I said "not today". So, I tucked the order for blood work into my purse and will take her next week for her blood work. I am really dreading doing this, however, it must be done. She has a great trust in her Mama and so I am worried about having to do blood work on her. We are scheduled to see a pediatric doctor who frequently cares for internationally adopted children and the ENT in Lubbock next week. She will also see a specialist for her eyes who is top notch. It would be so wonderful if she could see clearly!!!

Well, I have included some pictures of her with her brothers and sisters. She is so in love with her new family!!! I don't know if I have ever seen a happier little girl and I can say she is everything that our family ever dreamed of having. We adore her and will continue to blog about her so that those who love her too can follow her progress!!! Each night we get out our "English Book" and study the names of each picture in the book. Smart little girl!!!

She is also pictured with Christian and Karissa as they work a puzzle in home school together. I am so surprised at what a good student Katie Aunnie is in home school. She is a perfect example for her brothers and sisters. Thank you to all who have prayed for us and helped our dream come true!!! Many blessings!!!!

Mother's Day 2008

Feeding the birds and making new friends;-)
Katie Aunna pets a pigeon!!!
Pigeon flying off of my arm...remember Home Alone...Lost in New York??? This is "Gone From Home and Lost in Russia"....ha ha!!!
Katie Aunna feeding the "seagulls"!!!
Hey Shane...wouldn't RM, Inc be jealous of this unit?!?!!!

Katie Aunna on what we called "The Young Man of the Sea"?!?!

Factory Smoke Stacks and factory windows.
Run out of gas???? Call your local army truck;-).
Russian version of Allsup's 7-11 Store!!!!

Today is bitter sweet for us. We are so happy to have our little Katie Aunna and we realize how much she needs and loves us. All she talks about is coming home to America. She loves to look at the Kodak photo album of everyone!!! She still insists on calling Casey Sasha...so expect that Casey;-). Any way I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day today, Kisty, as you are the mom for all the kids this year!!! We wish with all our hearts that we could be there right now and united as a family. However, since that is impossible, we will have one heck of a celebration party when we get home next weekend.

Today we went out and walked in a completely different direction. I thought maybe we could get a closer picture of the big factory stacks that blow smoke night and day...seven days per week. I have noticed a slow down of the smoke stacks this weekend. However, they NEVER stop working. It is a factory and I will ask some questions to see what type of factory it is. I am posting the pictures we took. There were ARMED guards at gates and so we could not get any closer than the fence across the street. We were concerned that our camera might get confiscated if they saw us taking pictures and we would certainly not want to break any possible laws.

As we strolled along we passed a statue and our little ham had to jump upon him for a picture. The statue has an anchor on each side of it and he is facing towards the sea. It leads me to think he may be the sailor or explorer after which Murmansk was named or he may be a memorial or tribute to sailors. Sorry, but, can't read any Russian....ha ha!!!!

Next, we had crumbled up some old bread we dried out for the millions of pigeons here in Murmansk. We went to a nearby park where two little girls were also feeding the pigeons. Just for laughs....Katie Aunna has learned the word for seagull and EVERY bird is a seagull. She kept telling these little girls "seagull" and they thought she was out of her mind. First, she was saying a word which made no sense to them. Secondly, when I pointed to a seagull overhead and said the word "seagull" they cracked up laughing at Katie Aunna.

Anyway....we continued to attempt communicating and one of the little girls knew a few words of English. It was pretty cool!!! Katie Aunna enjoyed visiting with them very much and had a blast with the "seagulls". Hope you enjoy the pictures!!! Love you kids tons!!!!

Four Days Until We Fly To Moscow

Smoke from the fireworks last night.
HRH Katie Aunna Gartner watching The Bee Movie!!!
Katie Aunna watching her movie.
Katie Aunna writes her name (with my help) in English.
The big oil tanker passing through the harbor of Murmansk.

We are anxiously counting the days down until we fly out to Moscow. It is planned that we will leave for Moscow on Wednesday. Guess we will see how the paperwork flows. I would imagine we are in the home stretch now. Let me say it has been a marathon!!! Today we talked with the facilitator and he has every thing planned out. Now we will pray God allows everything to fall into place.

This morning a huge oil tanker moved through the harbor and I took a few pictures from our hotel window. It was running on empty so we got a very good picture of it's full view. It was a very pretty sight to see it gracefully moving through the harbor. I hope you enjoy the picture I am posting. Also, the picture of the smoke is from the fireworks last night that were shot off to celebrate the Russian Holiday.

Funny thing is it never gets dark, but we were able to see the aerials were red flowering bursts in the blue night sky. Another picture above is of Katie Aunna studiously writing her name. I showed her how and she was able to make the letters by my example. She is quite a smart little girl;-). Duane says I sound just like a proud new mother...ha ha.

The weather here is much like ours in New Mexico...hot one day and cold the next. The big difference is the snow. It has spit snow today and been very windy in the morning. Then late this afternoon it warmed up and all signs of snow are gone!!! There have been days when it is not windy and those days are fairly tolerable. The wind is the factor which brings the "real feel" of the temperature down.

Last night Katie Aunna really wanted to watch "The Bee Movie". I have posted a few picture of HRH Katie Aunna. She has a bag of potato chips and a glass of apple juice watching her new movie. She was so quite that it was almost like she was sleeping...ha ha. Her English continues to improve and today she actually used a three word sentence..."Papa, you hush!" You might know her first sentence would be sassing us. At any rate, we are thankful to have her and anxiously looking forward to getting into Moscow next week. I imagine we will be fairly busy on Tuesday and Wednesday. We will keep you posted.

Hanging in There!!!!

Just want to open with a huge HELLO with LOTS of love to our kiddos. We miss you all beyond any words I can write. This has been such a long and stressful process. We absolutely can not wait to get home!!! There have been several huge traumas here in Murmansk that I do not feel safe discussing at this point in time...let's just say "We are hanging in there" and praying we will actually GET our adoption decree as promised on Monday. If we do, then we will fly out to Moscow (Thank God) on Wednesday.

Things are better today....Praise God!!! Sorry I have not posted, however, I have been too emotional. Kisty....call Martha and ask her to initiate prayers for our successful and safe return home. Patrick....please keep Katie Aunna's candle burning and prayers going up!!! That has been one of the things I have continued to remind myself of during these difficulties. It gives me much strength and comfort. Also, we hope that everyone will PLEASE pray for us on Monday (your Sunday evening) that we receive our court decree and can begin to out process from here.

Katie Aunna (quite a little trouper) is doing very well and today was actually a nice day for us all. This morning there was a parade and marathon runners down the main street of Murmansk. Unfortunately, we forgot our camera as we were so anxious to do something pleasant. Katie Aunna enjoyed today and we have resumed our bonding process. Her English lessons are awesome!!! She actually asked for "juice" today instead of using the Russian word for juice. She is extremely smart and loves her new Mama and Papa dearly. Katie Aunna is very possessive of her Mama. If Papa tries to hold my hand or kiss me she tells him "Nyet"....ha ha. I think she is getting a little better though.

It's funny as I thought she was going to be a big Papa's girl....but, it looks like she is very attached to her Mama. She calls me Mamushka...which I am told is a very sweet endearment for Mama. Well kids....get this!!! Today, after the parade we went hunting for DVDs for Katie Aunna. We actually found "The Bee Movie" in Russian for Katie Aunna. She has not watched it yet, but, we are planning on letting her watch it in Russian over and over so she can then follow the movie in English.

She now knows several words of English from her picture book!!!! They are:
1. Banana
2. Apple
3. Hairbrush
4. Toothbrush
5. Toothpaste
6. Comb
7. Cup
8. Glass
9. Fruit
10. Flower
11. Lion
12. Dog
13. Cheese
14. Bread
15. Pajamas
16. Shirt
17. Dress
18. Hat
19. Seagull (go figure here in Murmansk)
20. Grapes
21. Shoes
22. Jeans
23. Socks
24. Gloves
25. Coat
26. Bed
27. Chair
28. Cookies
29.Hamburger
30. Bread
31. Car
32. Airplane
33.Yogurt
34. Milk
35. Apple
36. Bathtub
37. Bath
38. Towel
39. Shampoo
40.Plate
41. Fork
42. Butterfly
43. Flower
44. Bee
45. Ladder
46. Bear
47. Horse
48.Cheese
49. Toilet Paper
50. Grapes
51. Fish (another .....go figure)
52. Candy (a big...go figure)
53. Airplane
54. America
55. Tractor
56. Train
57.Chicken
58. Pig
59. Glasses
60. Robot
61. Dolly
62. Toilet
63. Her new word to learn is "Tree"

SORRY...I'm bragging just a LITTLE!!!! Oh yes....and she can say "I love you". Katie can count to ten and knows our room number. Today she shocked me when I showed her how to write her name...Katie....she is able to do it!!!! Also, since I'm on a bragging binge....she knows the colors in English and can find items in the room that are.....Blue, Purple, Yellow, Pink, Green, Red, Orange, Brown, and Black. What an awesome child!!!!! She can also point to and name her hair, eyes, ears, chin, nose, mouth, teeth, tongue, hands, knees, and feet. Well, guess I will stop bragging now;-)....ha ha.

BTW....this Holiday celebration is a very big one here in Russia. There was also a huge parade of tanks in Moscow today, as we saw on TV. It is now 10:30pm and still daylight, nevertheless, the city of Murmansk shot of a huge stream of aerial fireworks. I think at midnight tonight there is a big Russian Orthodox Celebration Mass on TV. I'll let you know what we see. Dad and I have finally started staying up late and sleeping in....training for Katie also for when we get home. Although poor Daddy will have to switch back to work mode. Hope you kids are doing your schoolwork....Katie is every day with Mamushka!!!! I'll upload and post pictures tomorrow. Love you kids dearly...XOXOXO!!!!

Sleeping Beauty

Katie Aunna playing outside the Zori Hotel
Little Miss...What a little stinker!!!
Got her to hold still for this picture!!!!
Katie Aunna is not on the move here;-)....Sleeping Beauty!!!

I took this picture this morning as I thought..."Gee, I don't know if I have seen her quite so still until now!" She is so extremely happy to have a Mama and Papa that she can hardly contain herself. We went on another trip to the grocery store this morning. Here in Russia they do not buy weeks worth of groceries like we do in America. Also, our refrigerator is tiny and so we can not store very much at one time.

The bread is so delicious. We will bring some home for you kids when we are about to leave Moscow. We are stuck in the region until the 14th of May!!! Dad is about to go crazy as he is so active. He said this laying around all day is difficult to do. So twice each day we go out for walks. Only the Russian beer keeps him satisfied...ha ha.

We attempted to get to the dock yesterday, but, there was a huge wall maybe ten or twelve feet high. It was not even possible to take many photographs and the ship was totally obscured from view... boo-hoo. But, here are a few pictures we were able to take in the opposite direction. Hope everyone is doing well....talk to you soon.

Russia Day 11

Our friend Nate's Food

Duane's yummy food!!!


My delicious meal!!!

My dessert. It was a lime outer coating with cream inside and a solid chunck of chocolate in the middle!!!!
This was Brandy's dessert!!!
Here we are in front of the big dinner plate.
Here Katie Aunna and I are playing in the awesome bathroom. There were sound effects of birds, bees, and FLIES buzzing. Also, sounds like a water fall!!!! This is Duane's salad!!! Pretty fancy and not a cheap meal either!!!!

Well, we have now been in Russia for a total of eleven days and it is dragging by. We are so anxious to get home with our girl and resume our life. However, we still have a long wait to see America the Beautiful!!! Katie Aunna is adjusting to us and the outside world very well. All her tummy issues have resolved and she is now on regular foods.

Yesterday we went to the grocery store!!! I managed to ask the butcher for ham slices (got a chunk instead...ha ha). We also bought some yummy cheese, bread, yogurt, and chocolate butter. That's right....chocolate butter!!! Aunna picked out delicious cookies and candy. I have given her these sparingly as I am concerned about her upsetting her tummy again. Duane had a horrible headache the day before yesterday and actually spent the day in bed with a cool towel on his face. There is some type of weird flu bug going around with headache and weakness. But, yesterday and today Papa and Katie are doing well.

Last night we went to a restaurant downtown. It was so cool!!! I forgot our camera, but, our friends brought theirs and took pictures of our beautiful plate of food. It was delicious. We must definitely return for another round there. I will post some pictures as soon as our friends give us the pictures they took. It was fine dinning in Russia.

Katie Aunna is doing very well. She loves her toys we brought with us and thank goodness Kisty insisted on packing them as Katie would be very bored without them. The slinky was a real surprise to her. She calls it "Sa-Lenky"!!! It was so cute as she lost "him" one day and went through the hotel room looking under everything and calling "Sa-Lenky...O....Sa-Lenky" and asking in Russian..."Where is Sa-Lenky?". Isn't that cute?!?! Ha Ha!!!!

Also, she found my Nintendo DS and is doing her best to acquire skill. She pushes the jump button and says "Boing-Boing-Boing" and for fireballs she makes a spit noise. My screen is covered!!! Kids...hide your Nintendo DS games!!!! Hey Casey....she points to your picture and calls you a name that I think she is saying Sashenka;-). Which is a loving male name for Sasha.

Today we are planning to walk down to the Russian Navy dock and so we will take some pictures and post them for you later this evening. The port looks very interesting and very early this morning a huge ship came into the dock. It is flying a Russian Navy flag so don't know if we will get arrested for taking pictures or not...ha ha. Just call us dumb Americans...ha ha!!!! Hopefully, it will be okay to take pictures here. Please contact our lawyer otherwise....JOKING!!! At worst I would imagine our camera will be taken or we will be required to erase the pictures.....I am certainly hoping that is the consequence;-). Maybe, Katie Aunna can translate for us!!!! Until the next post...many blessings and much love to you.