Officially Started the Process of Adopting Today!

We went to see the little 4 year old boy again this morning. In order to go see him we need to check in at an office on the 1st floor of the orphanage (it's a large building) and give one of the doctors our passport numbers. Then we go upstairs to where his group lives and ring a buzzer. He was the first in line of his group of about 12 boys and girls who are 4-5years old standing on the other side of the door. (From what I understand, during the year they turn 5, they are moved to another orphanage.) He was very bundled up with hat, gloves, scarf, and jacket zippered and tied up to his neck. It was in the high 20's. We took him outside and handed him a very cool jet plane that lit up, made loud "take-off" sounds and spun around in circles. He couldn't get enough of it! He was laughing and talking much more this morning. His shyness is already starting to fade away. After our fun time together, Paul and I really felt like the Lord had led us to this precious boy and we told our facilitators that we wanted to move forward with trying to adopt him. We then went out for pizza and to the notary to sign a bunch of documents. After that we went to see him again. Again, he was all bundled up to go outside so we went outside and batted around balloons and played hide and seek. We also showed him photos of the family and named our kids over and over in each photo. By the end of the photo book, he pointed and said "mama and papa" in his cute little voice:) When we went to drop him back off in his area of the orphanage, he had tears in his eyes. He didn't want to leave us. It broke our hearts, but Paul showed the caregiver that came to the door his cell phone with Google Translate on it that said (in Russian), "please tell him that we will be back tomorrow morning". We think that made him feel better. Next Wed. we will go to the town where he was born (about an hour away) to get authorization to adopt him. Then if we understand everything correctly, those papers will be sent to Kiev and then be returned to us before we can go to court. If all goes smoothly and we are pronounced the parents after court, we will send you photos to introduce you to our new son! Until then, please be praying that all the documents will be filled out and collected properly...so many things have to come together now. Also, please pray for Paul's parents who are taking care of our kids at home. They have had a lot to keep up with!