More Pictures

Playing Hard Outside (He doesn't like the grass yet)

The batteries may have to come out. I can't tell you how many times I have heard Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Thanks Aunt Faye

Update

Sorry it has taken so long to provide an update. It seems I don’t have any free time anymore unless Evan is asleep. We are all slowly adjusting and trying to get a schedule. We have been sticking close to home and not venturing out much. I did take him to the grocery store on Wednesday. What an experience. We made it halfway through with him in the cart and then I had to carry him the remainder of the time. Not very easy to carry a 22lb squirming little boy, push the grocery cart and finish grocery shopping. Luckily I survived. I don’t know that I will be venturing out with him to the grocery store by myself again. Today he had to go with me to the Doctor. Kevin and I are still trying to recover from our colds. We then met Kevin for lunch. Evan had his first fast-food meal at Chick-fil-a. He had chicken nuggets (which I cut up) and one French fry (didn’t impress him too much). I think he was more interested in drinking the milk.

We are slowly catching up on our sleep and last night he slept from 8:15pm t0 7am in the morning in his own bed without us having to get up. What a great feeling to be able to sleep all night. I am sure it was just a brief reprieve.

Thanks everyone for your e-mails and your cards. I will try to respond as I can. There just seems to be so much to do around the house when he is asleep. Overall I think the adjustment is going good. Thanks so much for your prayers.

Pictures

Finally Home

First of all, we are so thankful to be home and are grateful for the love and support of our family and friends. Thank you to those who met us at the airport. It was so nice to see some familiar faces. Also, a big thank you to Dennie Faye for updating the blog.

Evan did much better than we expected on the flight home. He made it through with only a few meltdowns. Pretty good for an 11 hour flight from Moscow to Atlanta and then another hour home to Greensboro. He didn’t sleep much but just enough to throw off his schedule last night. Kevin came home with a cold so I pulled Evan duty in its entirety last night. I finally gave up about 4:00 this morning and at 5am he is finishing breakfast and I am having a cup of coffee. He has been checking out his surroundings. I will try to post more pictures of Evan soon.

Welcome Home!

Saturday, June 21, 2008 at the Airport in Greensboro

Friend's and Family Gather to Welcome the Renn Family Home

Welcome Home Evan! We Love You!

Tonight was a most precious and special night because Kevin, Christy, and their SON, Evan, finally made it home! Friends and family gathered at the airport to meet the little guy and get lots of hugs from the proud parents. We smiled so much our cheeks hurt and some of us couldn't stop crying tears of joy! One of their friend's, Pascal (I hope I spelled this correctly), prayed and gave thanks to the Father. It was so appropriate and tender. God has certainly blessed all of them while they were on the other side of the world and in the air for the 3rd trip to and from Russia. Evan seemed intrigued by his new surroundings, despite the fact that he was tired. He smiled a lot and loved on his MOMMY and DADDY. As of midnight tonight, Evan will become a US Citizen. At this moment, he is likely touring his new home and nursery. I have a feeling Evan Kirill Renn is going to be a very loved little fellow!

More Pictures of Evan Kirill Renn

Update from Christy, Kevin & Kirill :)

So sorry it has taken so long to have access to e-mail. We are doing good and have been indoctrined into the world of parenthood. The plane trip went well and we arrived on time Sunday. We registered our Visas on Monday. We got up at 4:30am on Tuesday to head out to Kaluga at 6am. It was a long, miserable day of driving and spending time in the car while German went into all the various places to turn in our paperwork. It was 6pm before we even finished and were able to pick Evan up from the baby home. He was given to us with no diapers or clothes. It was so late that the Director was gone and I didn't get to ask about keeping an outfit or other questions.

What has been really sweet is that he has a picture of Kevin and I that he has been carrying everywhere. He rarely lets it go. He did really well on the drive home in the car seat. However, he never went to sleep. It was after 10 before we got back to Moscow. We gave him a little food and I finally got him to sleep at midnight. He slept until 5am when he awoke us with a dirty diaper. I was changing him going, "oh my goodness" and Kevin is laying in bed laughing. He did go right back to sleep and slept a little longer. Neither one of us slept much listening out for him. Wednesday we went to have his medical and he did really well in the car and with the Dr. However, nap time and going to bed last night was a whole different story. He woke up at 1:30am and I was up to almost 4am trying to get him back to sleep. He did go to sleep in my arms in a chair and so did I for a little while. He is like most kids and it seems that he wants you to walk when trying to get him to sleep. He was up again at 5am and then back to sleep for about 1 1/2 hours. That time he was asleep between me and Kevin. He has not woken up in the morning or from nap a very happy camper.

We are slowly learning and feeling a little out of sorts. He does eat well. German and Marina took us to a park this evening and we let him run. Hopefully he will sleep better tonight so that we will also. We are being run ragged. He is an active little boy who definitely loves to bang things. Kevin said our house would never be the same. We will try to e-mail again in a few days when able. It will definitely be the 21st before we are home. With the Russian holiday nothing can get finished until next week. His passport will be ready on Monday. Tuesday/Wednesday is the US Embassy and Thursday/Friday is registering Evan with the Russian Consulate. Saturday, 6/21 coming home. Thank goodness. There is no place like home and hope that he can get settled.

First Day of Parenthood!

Christy's mom called me today to tell me that Evan has been placed in Kevin and Christy's custody! They have spent all day together and are probably sleeping by now. I wonder how they'll do tonight? This is so exciting!

Safe Arrival/Trip #3

Christy's mom called today to let me (Dennie) know that Christy and Kevin arrived in Russia, safely. I will write more as I am updated. Check back often.

Dennie Practices Blogging

Well, I thought I should practice blogging before Christy and Kevin head over to Russia on Saturday, in case I need more help. We'll see if this works. Along with all of Christy and Kevin's friends and family, I have prayed diligently for God to give them a child.....not just any child, but rather the child meant to be in their arms, hearts, minds, souls, and ultimately their family. I always knew deep down that God would answer our prayers for "Baby Renn" ("Fred" as we sometimes called him to keep the burden light). I had faith that a certain child somewhere in this world needed Christy and Kevin as much as they needed him.

I found the following scripture from the New Living Translation which says:

Passage Isaiah 65:24:

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

I think it's appropriate to say a simple, yet sincere, Thank You to our Heavenly Father for making this adoption possible in every way. Christy and Kevin, you will leave on Saturday the last time as a couple and will return as new parents. This is it! Doesn't it strengthen our faith to see God's plan come to fruition?

Trip 3

We are slowly preparing to leave for Trip 3 on Saturday, June 7th. It is hard to believe this will be our third transatlantic flight in three months. We are becoming world-travelers at this point. However, I have a feeling I will not be getting Kevin to travel anywhere other than home for awhile. I have all the new snacks purchased and our goal is to start packing tomorrow night. The temperature in Russia right now ranges for highs from the mid 50’s to high 60’s and according to www.weather.com, there may be some 70 degree days. So it is somewhat difficult knowing what to pack not only for ourselves but for Evan and the fact we are going to be there for two weeks.

You are probably thinking two weeks, what takes so long. We thought the same thing. To begin with the judge’s decree for our petition to adopt should be available on June 10th. There is also a Russian Holiday on June 12th. We then have to apply for a new birth certificate and a Russian passport. The passport is what we need to complete the remainder of the paperwork. Evan will need a medical exam and we have to go to the US Embassy which takes two days and register him with the Russian Consulate.

We are not taking our laptop this time. We figured it was too heavy too carry around and we wouldn’t have time. We will try to e-mail from our host’s families computer when we are able. If I am able to send out e-mails, Dennie Faye will be updating our blog while we are gone. Be sure to stay posted for updates and pictures. As of right now we are scheduled to return home on Saturday, June 21st arriving in Greensboro that night at 8:44pm.

After a long journey, it is hard to believe that this part is almost over. (Thank goodness!). We are looking forward to the next phase of having Evan home with us and being parents. As we prepare for Trip 3, please continue to keep us in your prayers for safe travel, quick turnaround on our paperwork (maybe we could come home sooner), and for a smooth transition into becoming a family.