Thursday, June 12, 2008

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.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

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!

Sunday, June 8, 2008

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.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

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?

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

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.