Russia take 2

So this time, now Sunday morning off to the airport again.  Checked in (with a notice that one or more of my flights maybe overbooked am I willing to take a $200 credit....NOPE get me to Russia please LOL)  and made it to the terminal with an hour to wait.  And wait I did. Another full flight before an agent even got to the counter the sign on the board said "Flight full, No seat changes"  WOW I don't think I have seen that before.  Also 40 people on the stand-by list!  Hmmmm now that I think about it I wonder if any of those were from my flight the day before... Oh well I had a seat and I wasn't giving it up (by the way I had gotten word to Boris and Irina so all was good).  I would be getting in at the same time a day later (Monday).  

I had a window seat on this flight.  Not my favorite but since it was only 3 1/2 hours I was ok plus I couldn't change anyway lol.  I had two nice guys in my row one was a pilot for another airline.  The plane was an oldie but a goodie they actually had the tv monitors hanging form the middle.  Most planes have individual monitors now. LOL  Movie for the flight "What to expect when you are expecting" I apparently had watched half that movie on a previous trip but this time I got to see the whole thing.  The adoption story line brought tears to my eyes LOL

When we get to Houston (I'm only two rows from the exit door yippee!  they line up the Jetway and start to open the door which doesn't open since it isn't lined up right.  Everyone is up and by the half opened door. They end up having to re-align the plane with the door partially open people standing in the aisles and I'm sure phones on. LOL  The pilot in my row said "I can't believe how many rules they just broke! I can't believe it."  All was good though.

Off to find my terminal.  Found and now a 3 hour wait.  I wanted to make sure I had an aisle seat so I went to the agent and he changed my seat.  I liked me seat. The plane had a left center right configuration. I was in the center on the right aisle and there was someone on the left aisle and no one in the middle. (although they said it was a full flight there were open seats)  I was happy though.  I actually slept for a bit on this flight not sure how long but some.  This was a Singapore airline flight which the pilot from my previous flight said he heard was nice.  It was they were very nice.

I arrive in Russia an hour early which I thought was fine since I had to collect my bags go through passport control and customs.  Which all were a breeze.  I found Irina and off to meet Boris we went.

Got checked in to my hotel and then I went to the market.  Got some food ate and fell promptly asleep as I tried to type my post.  So I was asleep by 7:45 pm.  I was supposed to be up and ready by 5:45 at 9:15pm Boris called me to make sure I didn't need anything (very nice) but he scared me to death I though my alarm didn't go off and I was late LOL.  No worries fell right back to sleep.  Oh they also worked it so I didn't have to pay for the room I wasn't in due to the flight delay/cancellation. :)

Day 2 next post.....

Final trip Day 1

     Well I was supposed to leave on Saturday but for some unknown reason that wasn't meant to be. I checked my bag and car seat and then proceeded to security.  I decided to stop at the bathroom before and good thing I did.  I had brought with me a lightweight stroller I bought.  As it hung on the door I noticed one of the tires was coming of the wheel.  I thought I can just pop it back on, boy did I think wrong.  So I called my mom back to claim.  I didn't want to throw it away even if it was only $14.  My mom, sweet as she is turned around after driving 20+ miles away from the airport to pick up the stroller.  I then got to go through priority security...awesome.  I got to my terminal and settled in to wait.  A little ole lady came up on an airport tram with her son.  Turns out   she was 90 and going to live with her other son.  Her son asked if she wanted a bagel, I thought I didn't see any bagels.  So I said "I think I will follow you to the bagels."  He asked the tram driver for a lift and I got to go too.  Unfortunately thy closed the Starbucks in that terminal and the one place that sold bagels wouldn't have any for at least 15 min. Lupe the tram driver, said she would take us to terminal 7 and then bring us back.  We well I he was just escorting his mother to the gate.  We got there and there was long line.  I got in the La Brea Bakery line and was told there was bagel.  SCORE.  We finally get up to the register and the gentleman orders his mom a plain bagel. I ordered and paid and then was told they were sold out.  :( Oh well it was a fun ride.

      I boarded the plane and with the awesome ticket I had I was in first class I guess.  I was the first row window seat.  I sat next to a very nice lady on her way to San Antonio to visit her daughter and grand kids.  She reminded me of Laura Bush.  Anyway so as I sipped my OJ and waited to taxi we chatted. The captain took us by the Endeavor and the plane that flew it in.  That was very cool.  Of course I didn't have my camera out since I don't usually need it on the plane.  We were 3rd in line to take off.  LAX was down to 2 runways for both in coming and out going.  I started to doze when the captain came on and said there was a pressurization and issue and was returning to the terminal to have the mechanics take a look.  Oh boy...  It was warm but not hot on the plane of course I was sitting way up front.  So I headed to the back to use the restroom.  It was warmer back there. 

 Some young adults were in the back of the plane.  One guy asked me if I knew the show Dharma and Greg.  I said I did and he said Greg in on the plane in the front.  REALLY I thought.   So when I returned to my seat, I took a peak.  Oh my goodness there is the guy from Criminal Minds!!  It finally occurred to me Thomas Gibson is the same actor on both shows!  How cool he was two rows back and across from me.  <3  I wanted to snap a pic. But didn't want to bother him on his time.  He wasn't at a premiere or on set or anything so I didn't.  

They decided to have us all exit the plane.  Mr. Gibson was in the terminal kneeling down texting.  One of the guys from the back of the plane approached and  said "Aren't you the guy from that show?"  Mr Gibson looked up and I swear his face said "Sigh, no you have me confused with someone else" (my thoughts not his words) but instead he said "What show?"  the guy "um Greg and someone? Hey what was that show (to his buddy)"  buddy " Dharma and Greg" Mr. Gibson  said "Yes that's me" so now the buddy approaches him.  Keep in mind he is still kneeling texting.  Mr Gibson looks up holds up his index finger and says "Just a minute guys"  I was thinking seriously you ask him about a show from 20 years ago when we all have all just exited from our flight knowing people are waiting or connections aren't going to be made etc.  I mean really if you are going to approach a star at least do it at a more appropriate time.  Oh well back to the story of how I got to Russia.

So I realized I wasn't going to make my connection in San Antonio to Houston which meant I would most likely miss my connection to Moscow.  So I asked the agent and she said they wouldn't know anything for another 30 minutes and showed go to customer service and try to reschedule.  Off I went.  Luckily there was only one person in front of me in line.  So he was trying to get to a wedding that evening yikes!  He was telling me there was a flight to Houston at 11:40am.  The customer service agent sent him away and said they aren't canceling your flight go back. Turns out he was pretty annoyed with the customer for being a know it all and telling me to basically demand to get on the 11:40 to Houston (which by the way may not have made it in time for my connection anyway) So he was nice to me and said yes there is a flight but there aren't any seats.  He did at one point while trying to get me to Moscow say he was going to "Force a seat for me on that flight" but then realized I still wouldn't catch my connection.  So they (another agent tried too) tried every which way to get me out with no luck.  They called United and I talked to an agent there who tried as well.  She said I could get you in at 3am (nope not going to work, especially since I didn't have direct contact with Boris or Irina) or I could spend the night in Germany (nope didn't plan for a hotel in Germany...plus fun but a little scary) so it was decided to try again the next day.  This time straight to Houston and then Moscow.  

I called mom... "Guess what you did such a great job today you get to do it tomorrow!  Will you come get me?"  Mom "Now? " Me "Well yea, I am hanging out in the airport." LOL  I also texted my friend Jodi and semi jokingly said "Wanna come get me?"  She thought I was in Texas LOL She was so sweet and offered to come get me, let me hang with her and crash at her place and then take me back in the morning.  WOO HOO!  "Mom, you are off the hook!"  She was happy hee hee.  So I got to watch the UFC fight with friends (Jodi was a trooper she is not a UFC fight fan) lol

Russia take 2 next post....
  

Quilting Bee

Shauna is putting together a Quilting Bee Biltz!  That is 48 hours of fundraising!  Her words are more articulate than mine so click on the Quilting Bee Blitz link and if we all do a little GREAT things will happen

Crunch Time

799 more people needed to donate $5.00. Thank you to the person who started the fundraising! That's right I needed 800 people to donate $5.00 and someone started the ball rolling. Let's keep it going please. I need to go raise the funds to bring Sophia home next week! That's right she is finally coming home. Can you spare the cost of a Starbucks drink or value lunch? Please share with your friends. www.reecesrainbow.org/sponsormeier Donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE!

Bows, Bows, Bows

A fellow adopting mom has gernerously offered to do a bow fundraiser for Sophia's GOTCHA trip (yes I meant to yell that.  I seem to only find the the appropriate way to write GOTCHA when it is related to bringing my daughter home! LOL)  Priscilla made ALL the bows and has set up the auction on her Kenzi's Kraft Korner Facebook page.

Please click the link above and check out these darling bows and then share the link with your friends and families.  With all the holidays coming up who couldn't use a little something pretty for your 'do.  Some are even sassy enough for the over 5 crowd! 

Stay tuned for GOTCHA day news!

Rainbow

I was sitting this morning at my desk (at work) and I have the picture of the rainbow that came out after court last Thursday in Russia.  Somethings came to mind and struck me.  I would like to share them with you. 

1)  One I came to adopt because of  Reece's RAINBOW

2)  A few months back a friend and I got Chinese food.  I picked up and brought it to the office.  So I distributed the forutne cookies.  We ate separtely at our desks.  I read my fortune it didn't relate much to me.  My friend, Karen came to my desk and said "I got your fortune"  I thought "Hmmm ok"  she handed it to me and it read "The RAINBOW'S treasures will soon belong to you"  I kept it on my desk. 

3)  The RAINBOW in the picture I took appears to touch the ground in the direction of where Sophia's orphanage was. 

I had said that day the it was the Heaven's shinning down.  I love that God always let you know he is here.  You just have to be open and willing to hear and see.  His words and love come in many different forms.  Little "signs" everywhere.

Would you be willing to put a little gold in the bucket at the end of the rainbow?  If 1,281 people just put in $3.90 I will have the money I need to bring Sophia home. I go pick her up in less than a month!  God bless xoxo

Day 5 - Court part 2

What an amazing day.  Today I not only became a mom but a mom to Sophia! After a year a half labor it was all worth it!

Here is a little bit about yesterday's court.  It was held in a small room the judge sat in front in her black judge's robe.  The court secretary was to my right, the prosecutor (person protecting Sophia's rights and well being) was to my left, Tamara, the social worker was nearest me and to my right and behind me was the director of the orphanage (I think I'm still not quite sure who she is LOL but she is always pleasant and kind).  Olga my translator for both my trips was seated next to me on bench seats.  Yesterday was just about reviewing the documents.  There were very few questions asked of me.  Just some minor clarifications.  It was basically a preliminary hearing to see if all my documents were in order and they were!

Ok today... Court was set for 11am  we were on time.  However there were proceedings still in session.  The orphanage neurologist was waiting outside as well.  Irina introduced me and the neurologist (I don't remember her name.  I'm lucky to recoginize my name when said with a Russian accent LOL)  She said she knew me (saw me with Sophia)  She told us (I didn't see Sophia in the afternoon yesterday since it was somewhat late after court.  The orphanage director said politely no.  Also the reports were made with me seeing her so many times before court) that Sophia was sad/upset I didn't come and sat in the chair by the door waiting.  A grandmother came to take one of the children out for a walk and Sophia cried because I wasn't there to take her.  She said Sophia understands and has started to bond with me.  

So around 11:20 the doors opened and they left and we entered.  It was the judges chambers (office).  Again she was in front dressed professionally (no robe). Her desk is set like a T so she sits at the top and the prosecutor on the left side of the table and the secretary on the right.  Olga and I sat at the bottom   (like an I) Tamara, and the neurologist sat to the left side of us.  

I was asked to stand and the judge proceeded to ask questions.  "Why" is what she started with.  I kept my composure but did start to cry but didn't lose it and was able to answer all her questions.  Then the neurologist gave her report.  Like she stated above.  She also told the court that since her first visits with me she has started saying full Russian words not just parts.  (She did tell us before the Sophia had no reason to talk since she didn't really have anyone to talk to.)  (If you know me (I'm a talker) she does now LOL).  She stated Sophia knows how to undress herself but not dress.  She likes to put everything a way.  She knows which shoes are hers out of all the children's shoes.  She know's the other children by name. She understands.  She says her skills are at about a 2 year old level.    She recommended to allow me to adopt her.

Tamara was next and gave her report.  She stated when she met me she wasn't sure so she asked lots of questions and she now knew I was ready, willing, and able to provide a good home for Sophia.  She also recommended to allow me to adopt.

The prosecutor (as you will recall, I think I wrote about it yesterday that since Sophia had been offered to so many and refused she must have been waiting for me) stated everything she wanted to cover had been covered.  She did tell a short story of another proceeding where the decision to allow the parents to adopt was difficult and she felt that the decision for me to be allowed to adopt would be easy for the judge.  She was all smiles.  

We were asked to step out for the judge to deliberate.  We were out for maybe 5 minutes and that is being generous. LOL  We went back in the judge was in her robe.  I stood (feeling like I was waiting for my sentence LOL) and she read her decision.  That I was allowed to be Sophia's mother!

I was in tears and there were smiles all around.  I was hugged twice by the prosecutor, Tamara and the neurologist.  They all wished me well. Believe I know God answered mine and all those who prayed for me today.  My prayer for months has been that the court would hear my heart and the Heavenly Father would speak for me.  And all those things happened today!  They all said I was sincere and was honest with my answers.  They felt confident that I was ready to be Sophia's mom.  We walked out I can't say it seemed long but I hadn't looked at my watch.  It had been less than an hour!  Irina said it was record time (I'm sure especially since I am a single mother and I know there was some reservations by the court.)   I had a speech all written up I was ready to give and never had to do it.  I spoke slowly (well at least slowly for me) so the interrupter could interrupt accurately.  That is a feat in itself for me LOL

What an amazing day!  I'm in shock. I knew in my heart that God had a plan and he hadn't gotten me this far to tell me no but still those nerves creep in on you. :)   I'm almost not sure it's real.  :) 

OOOH that is where you keep the 

yummy blueberry puffs!

Such a cute face tongue and all

It poured this afternoon after I was done visiting Sophia and out came this beautiful rainbow (picture doesn't do the colors justice.  It was bright and not faint.  Boris let me know it was out my window and said it was for the success of the day.  I would say the heavens shown down on us!