2 More Days

Well, we got food poisoning. As if the morning sickness wasn't enough. Sheesh! Yesterday was NOT a good day and today we slept most of the day. By afternoon, I knew I just wasn't up to the trip out to the orphanage. So, once again, Mike went alone.

Mike said Zeb didn't want to come to him at first, but then he warmed up. Zeb played a little but was more needy today than he has been. They spent a lot of time just sitting on the sofa and snuggling. At one point, Zeb looked up at Mike, stuck out his bottom lip and started crying. We haven't seen him cry before. Mike said he had real tears! And being the compassionate mommy that I am, I asked if he got any pictures of that. hehe Of course he didn't! He was consoling the poor boy. Mike said it was very obvious that Zeb missed me today. His world just wan't right.

Only two days, sweet Zebadiah. Then no one will be able to get us apart!

One of Zeb's favorite places to be. Looking out the window.

Four More Days

I have very few words today. Our visit was great! It was a little difficult because we were outside and Zeb wanted to explore but the fastest way for him to do that is by crawling which, again, is a no-no. So, we entertained him as best we could then spent the last 10 minutes of our visit indoors. And just in time! It started raining right after we went in.

P.S. Please excuse my crazy frizzy hair. I haven't had a flat iron while in country!

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:

A Night Out

After a very lazy weekend, tonight we decided to head out to the fancy Italian restaurant we declined the other day. As Marina said, "Even if you can't read the menu, they understand 'Lasagna' or 'Spaghetti'". So, we figured at the very least we would order Lasagna and Salat; and hope they chose a good one.

We entered the restaurant as the only patrons. This is a very nice restaurant with all tables set with two sets of silverware, wine glasses, and linen napkins. We managed to get a waiter who understood a little English. Very little, but that's better than none. We looked at the menu and to our surprise each entree had subtitles that were "close" to English. Close enough for us to understand. So, we chose to go all out. We've been very good with our finances. And we only have five more days to be childless. Why not?

We started with our salads. I had the Caesar. Best Caesar salad I've ever eaten. It had large pieces of grated fresh parmesan, and four grilled scallops. Yummy!

Mike had the Greek salad that came with yellow bell pepper, very fresh tomatoes, cucumber, black olives and large chunks of fresh feta cheese. He loved it.

Then we shared an appetizer of Calamari, which was served with a creamy garlicy sauce we couldn't quite name. Very tasty.

I ordered the Lasagna with salmon, which they were out of, so instead had the Lasagna Bolognese. It came served on a hot cast iron skillet shaped like a pig. Cute.

Mike ordered the Ribeye, which they were also out of, but the waiter suggested a different steak with mushroom cream sauce. Mike asked multiple times if he could lick the plate. Thankfully the waiter came and took the plate before he had the chance.

We were too full to order the cheesecake. (Bummer!) But we did enjoy a cappuccino and latte. Our waiter (also the bartender) said that making the pictures on the coffee drinks is his hobby. He is quite good.

It was a very nice evening out. I can't remember the last time we spend almost two hours at dinner. We may have to do it again on Thursday night. A last hurrah so to speak.

He's Smitten

Today was a better day. I took my medicine. I've been very tired and I've had a headache. Betting my iron is low. But that's not what I came to tell you about.

But before I mention our visit with Zeb, I have to say I have become quite attached to our little cafe. They have a buffet and even though some of the selection is the same everyday, we could easily eat there everyday and not have the same thing twice. Today they had Borscht. I really wanted to try it, but the salmon was calling my name. Maybe tomorrow. Tonight I was feeling really tired, so after a quick trip to the large market, I came back to the apartment and Mike went back to our pizza place and got pizza and salad to go. It started raining just before he made it back and of course I had the backpack with the umbrella in it. Oh well, I figure all my family in Texas would be dancing in the rain. Praying you get some soon! One more thing, Mike said that the waitress' English got better between visits. Hmmmm. Maybe we tipped really well.

Today's visit with Zeb was great, as usual. He is so stinkin' cute! And yes, he seems smitten with his Daddy. Amazing what one day will do. I noticed something else today. I can't quite put my finger on it or even put it into words. The best I can come up with is: Zeb is more like a toddler than an orphan. Does that make sense? Almost like we are watching him come alive!

He had a great time dumping out the legos, putting them back in the bucket, then dumping them out again.

He tried to take his sock off and this is the reaction I got when I said, "Nyet."

He loves playing with Daddy's hat.

He played peek-a-boo barn on the ipad.

He really enjoys leaning back, upside down then coming back up and giggling.

One favorite game is to crawl as fast as he can to the areas behind the desk and laugh like crazy when Daddy stops him, picks him up and tickles him.

Daddy would swing him and he would laugh. When the swing stopped he would hold his feet up off the ground so that Daddy would do it again.

Then it was time to go. He hugged me, kissed Daddy and waved Paka.

Have a great weekend little man. We'll see you Monday.

A Day for Daddy

Well, I wasn't very wise today. I was feeling good this morning when I woke up so I decided not to take my medicine. We had a very lazy morning, talking to family via Skype, checking email, reading blogs. Then we decided to get ready and go eat lunch before Marina picked us up to go visit with Zeb. We no sooner walked out the door of the apartment when I started feeling sick. We walked over to an Italian restaurant, but yet again they didn't have a menu in English; so we opted to stay safe and walk back to our little cafe. As we walked it became clear I wasn't going to make it. Mike walked me back to the apartment, then I had him go get our food to go and I stayed and took my medicine. Too little too late. I was unable to eat and I knew I wouldn't make it for our visit with Zeb. Good news is, Mike chose to go without me.

Mike got to the orphanage and went to the playroom to wait for Zeb. About five minutes after they brought him in, Marina announced they were going to a studio to have Zeb's passport photos taken. The photographer took 10-12 pictures trying to get a good one. While there, Mike managed to get this picture of the two of them. Sorry, but that's the only photo he took today.

Once back at the orphanage, they played outside for a while. Zeb was able to walk around while holding on to one of Mike's hands. He would take Mike's Bring'm Bracelet and put it on his arm, pushed all the way up to his shoulder. He loves all the flowers and leaves on the trees. He wants to touch all of them. At one point, Zeb tried to put a leaf in his mouth and Mike would say, "Nyet. Nyet." Which Zeb thought was SO funny! I can just envision his smile while he looked at his Daddy out of the corner of his eye. Even though, I'm upset that I couldn't make the visit today, I am so GLAD Mike decided to go without me. Sounds like Zeb really took to his Daddy today.

Marina says we will visit with Zeb tomorrow afternoon, then not over the weekend. Next week, we will visit only Monday and Wednesday before Gotcha Day on Friday. Only one more week til he's all mine! (I mean ours.)

The Decision

ALL PRAISE AND GLORY AND HONOR TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO WAS AND IS AND IS TO COME!

Our Father in Heaven asked us to follow Him and we obeyed. He said that He would go before us, and we willingly followed. He promised to pave the way for this adoption and He kept His promise. Our God is a Father to the fatherless. And just as He lovingly adopted us into His family, He has allowed us to demonstrate that same love here on earth. And through the power of the risen King, we were made witnesses of His love for the unwanted.

As we prepared for court this morning, Isaiah 41:10 would not leave my mind.

"Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

I held on tight to John 16:33, "Take heart, for I have overcome the world."

And I repeated again and again Phillipians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guide your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

I must mention that due to my nerves, breakfast did not stay down this morning. Court was scheduled to begin at 11:00, but didn't actually begin until 1:00. I was hungry by the time we arrived at the court, but I prayed and asked the Lord to quiet my stomach until the hearing was over. He answered my prayer. I asked that He fill me with a peace that I did not feel. And He again answered my prayer. I asked that He remind me that this is His battle, not my own, that He has fought and already won. And He once more answered my prayer.

One hour and thirty minutes after our hearing began the judge entered the room and declared that we be named the parents of Zebadiah Lee Wooddell.

And the emotions were the same as if I had just been given my newborn baby.

So now, I would like to leave you with one more scripture:

Psalm 98:1-6

"O sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done wonderful things, His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him. The Lord has made known His salvation; He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered His lovingkindness and His faithfulness to the house of Israel; All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. With trumpets and the sound of the horn, Shout joyfully before the King, the Lord."

Thank you Lord Jesus for allowing us this opportunity to share your love here on earth. We thank you for the blessing of adding Zebadiah to our family. We truly feel that his name is perfect for him as he is a "gift from God".

Sweet Dreams

Today Zeb was very happy and inquisitive. When we first arrived, he was with his favorite caregiver so he didn't want to come to me. But I was able to get him and the caregiver left the room. Zeb, again, wanted nothing to do with Mike. We played a few games, blew some bubbles, he took a few steps. He was showing his stubborn side a little bit this morning.

Halfway through our visit, another couple and their facilitators came in the room. Zeb was thrilled to see other people and immediately crawled over to them to say hello. That proved just how far we have to go in our bonding process.

Later we saw Zeb's compassionate side. When the other couple's son was brought in to visit, he started crying. Zeb was so concerned about him that he wanted to go over and see that he was OK. We had to play interference for quite some time, trying to keep Zeb on the other side of the room. Eventually, Mike grabbed him and he gave in. He laid his head on Mike's shoulder and put his thumb in his mouth. Every now and again, he would raise up and check to make sure his friend was doing good. Then he would lay his head down again. Within a few minutes, he was asleep. What a precious sight to see him curled up in his Daddy's arms.

Now we are preparing for court in the morning. Please be in prayer for us as we go before a judge and plead our case. Pray that our precious Zeb will be an orphan no more! Court is at 11am, that's 10 pm Central.

Thank you again for all your support and prayers! I'll let you know how it went just as soon as we return to the apartment.