We got NEWS today!

Our SDA appointment!
We will be on our way to EE in several short weeks!
On January 17th, 2011 we will have the pleasure of receiving Artem's referral.
I am full of emotion today. On one hand I was hoping to be there sooner, but am also so thankful that we simply have a date. We are so excited. I was hoping to not be hear for Christmas and just skip it all together, but I guess I better get Christmas shopping!
Artem here we come!

As my Heart aches...

The waiting for the day when we can hold the child God so carefully choose for our family is horrendous. Brandon and I talk often of ways to cope and kill the time. So we started running everyday, we work on Artem's room (painting and shopping for furniture, etc.), and busy ourselves with the other parts of our life, trying only to think of him when I have to.
But, today I sat home alone thinking only of him, and calling out to our God to bring him home. I thought, "Is this the longing you had for me God? Is this the longing you have for your children." Because my heart breaks for the day Artem no longer has to be alone, and for a time he will know the love are family is waiting to share with him. Is this the heart break our Father in heaven has for us? Does he long for us and wait for a time when we will no longer walk alone, and a time when we can feel the love of our creator, and Father?
The words of Chris Rice so carefully explain my feelings today:
Cause I just want to be with you,
I just want this waiting to be over.
Cause I just want to be with you,
And it helps to know the Day is getting closer.
Every minute takes an hour,
Every inch feels like a mile.
Till I won't have to imagine,
And I finally get to see you smile!

Submitted!

We were submitted today! It is a great day!
Thank God! We are ready to go get Artem! Just waiting for our date!

Arrival!

Our Dossier was delivered to our facilitator Yulia on Monday by the UPS man! Thank you God. I was so nervous handing it over to the guy at the UPS store. I felt like I needed to threaten his life a little. But it made it. Now we are praying that it is found withough error, quickly translated and accepted by the SDA. We are hoping for submission next Thursday if everything on our paperwork looks ok. Until then... I have new pics from Andrea of our handsome guy! Doesn't he look amazing! I am so glad she is there to love on him for us. I can't wait to get my hands on him, he looks like so much fun!