Home for now, but leaving again SOON!

As promised, God has done it, and Lukas' adoption is nearly complete!  I say nearly because we are still missing one crucial element... Lukas!

We just returned from our second trip to Russia for Lukas' court hearing.  The judge was very staunch and official as he questioned us about finances and preparation for another child, but in a lovely God-moment, his mood changed about half way through his questioning.  Of course we had no clue what he was talking about at first, but we recognized the car noises he made in his story. :)  We found out later through our interpreter he was recalling times when his own two sons played together when  they were young and made so much noise "it nearly drove him crazy."  After his story he promptly turned to me and asked, "Are you ready for two boys?" :)  He also read from our homestudy where Mikhail had told our social worker he was concerned that Lukas would break his toys.  The judge asked, "Are you prepared to handle such matters?"  I think I am, but we will see if Big Brother is! :0

We were able to see sweet Lukas for about two hours the day before court.  He looked great- he had grown, his hair had grown in a bit, and he was copying our words and play noises like crazy.  We had so much fun with him!  Have I mentioned he's ACTIVE?! :)  They showed us the pictures they had already had made for his visa, passport and citizenship documents.  I thought that was pretty sweet that they had done them already since we hadn't even had court yet.  The mood was so much different this time with Lukas, knowing that we would for sure be back soon to BRING HIM HOME him rather than having no clue how long we would wait like on our last trip.  It's still difficult letting go of him and watching your child walk out the door with a nanny to return to his regular routine (for now!), but our hearts were full of hope and peace.

Us in front of the Vyatka River in Kirov

While we were in Kirov we stayed an extra day so that the travel would not be so strenuous on us all and to be able to show Mikhail around his birthplace a bit.  God blessed us when we stumbled on a neat little history museum, and we took a bit of a walking tour to St. Griffins Orthodox church, and then walked along the bank of the beautiful Vyatka River that snakes through the region and sustains it in many ways.  Mikhail really enjoyed exploring and we got some great pictures that will be forever treasures.  We didn't plan that the boys would be from the same region, but I am so, so glad they are.

We head out again in two weeks!  We will receive custody of Lukas on October 30, and then we will stay in Moscow for a week or so getting his visa and passport in order.  When his sweet little feet hit American soil, he will immediately become a U.S. citizen. :)

I'm off to pack...again...  :)