Next Tuesday

Did we say we'd have news by this Tuesday. We meant, next Tuesday! A misunderstanding between us and our coordinator has left two very disappointed Letterneaus in our apartment. Sigh...we have made it nearly four months, what is is one more week right? At the moment, a week seems like an eternity but it will be here faster than we know.

Ava is getting so fantastic at standing. And she just is so cute while doing it.

We had a blast outside today and Ava was full of bear hugs!

The Bags are in! For all of you that ordered bags from the local sewing club, they are here and they are beautiful. The women have already used the money to buy a second sewing machine and are working hard on quilts for the baby home. Also, they have been able to repair some of their own clothing items which has really helped them out.

This weekend we played cards with Peggy and Jan and James decided to do a magic trick for us all. He couldn't do it without his cape (my skirt)...too hilarious. We need these kind of things to keep us sane over here.

Daddy's Back

James has almost made a full recovery from his sinus infection. Once he got those antibiotics in his system they worked pretty fast. He has even gotten to see Ava which was so nice for both of them.
Last night we played games with Jan and Peggy and they brought over a watermelon. This was a wonderful surprise and made us feel like we were at home.
Ava is continuing to progress very well. She is standing for longer and longer periods of time and standing up a little straighter every day! Her balance has really come along way. God has given that girl some determination!
There are so many families in Pavlodar right now. For the moment everyone is happy with their children and the process. A few weeks ago there were a lot of families going through rough times which is hard on all of us. But for now it's so nice to see smiling faces around the baby home and children happy with their forever families. It is amazing to watch God bring families together through adoption. Everyone's story is so different but has brought all of us to the same place. Right now there are families from all over the world; Canada, Belgium, France, Spain, and the US. Pretty cool huh?
Enjoy your weekend with your family and stay tuned for news coming on Tuesday (we hope.)

Our Beauty in Black and White:


Welcome Back Dada:


Piggy Tails:

Our Week

We have not been great about updating this week so here are a few pictures from Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Tuesday:
On Tuesday we got Ava's hair into her first pony tail. It looked very cute. I can't wait to grow her hair out!

Wednesday:

On Wednesday James started feeling very sick. He had a sinus infection and a fever. Today(Friday) he is doing much better but we missed him very much at our visits.

Thursday:

Peggy came with me to our afternoon visit since James was still home sick. Ava was very shy at first but Peggy found a fun game for her and Ava to play and they became fast friends :-)

I know we promised news on the 25th but it's going to have to wait a little while longer. Thanks for your prayers.

Markers :-)

Ava has used her Crayola Crayons so much that they are down to almost nothing. We have searched Pavlodar high and low but have not found any adequate canyons to replace them. Finally, we decided to give markers a try and boy were they a hit! They are actually easier for Ava to use and she did a lot more drawing... meaning that James and I did a lot less drawing...meaning we were happy.
It was another great day with Ava here and another day closer to getting the three of us home. Remember we'll have a better idea of the remaining timeline after Thursday so please keep us in your prayers.


Ava using her new Winnie the Pooh marker set

They are a bit messier than crayons

Best seat in the house

Standing in front of the beautiful garden at the Baby Home entrance

Look at Ava's new summer sandals

We are already finding it hard to say no to this face :-/

These are some of the new flowers in the garden at the Baby Home. The Gardner was watering them and Ava was watching him intently. He tried to get her to come touch the water from the hose but Ava was a little shy

James and I had a great time at the hotel Jan and Peggy on Saturday night. We got the master suite with candies on our pillow and free waters by the bed. Pretty nice deal if you ask us.

Happy Father's Day

This Sunday is Father's Day and I want to wish my Daddy and Ava's Daddy a very happy day!

Ava's Project for her Papa at home:


I love my Daddy more than anything in the world and miss him so much. I hope that you have a great Father's Day Dad!
__________________________________________________

Ava and Dada's Father's Day Photo Shoot:

The relationship between Father and Daughter is a very special one and I know that James and Ava already have a very special bond that will only grown though the years.

_____________________________________________________

Pictures from our last few visits:

I am already very certain that if Ava has any sisters in the future that they will be terribly jealous of that hair! Her Mama already is :-) It's thick but straight with natural light blonde and red highlight. People pay good money for that look!


Smiley Face


One of these days we'll get her to smile for a Family Photo

Ava is pointing to the clouds that are opening up and raining on us!

Can you tell how dark it is outside in this picture? This is at about 5:00 when a massive thunder and lightning storm hit. Ava just loved it and watch the action .

One on one date :-)

The last two days James and I have decided to each take a visitation by ourselves with Ava. We thought this would be a good idea since, once we are at home, the three of us wont always be together at all times. Ava did great with the one on one visits and didn't skip a beat. While James was at his visit yesterday I had a girls day with Emma and Belinda and we got our hair done at Belinda's home (There is a funny story about that below). During my visit with Ava today, James enjoyed a "guy movie" and just relaxed.
Today was a little tough b/c it would have been the day we would take Ava to our apartment from the baby home. Unfortunately, because of our further delays, that day will have to wait. Once we are home with Ava, we'll be glad to share the full story but for now just know that everything will be fine and we holding out for about another week before we'll have any sort of new timeline.
Although this trip has pushed us to our absolute limits, we are experiencing God's peace and learning more about Him than we ever would have without this adventure. Your prayers are keeping us afloat over here so keep them coming :-)
We hope you all have a wonderful weekend. We just got an adorable Evite from Peggy and Jan inviting us over for a slumber party on Saturday night. Oh, what would we do without them!?
Much Love to all of you!


Ava is working on a special project for her Papa back in California for Father's Day on Sunday.


I just love this picture b/c I can't believe Ava is running across the room!!!! This is the girl who couldn't take 1 step on her own 2 months ago. Can you say miracle?


While I was getting my hair done at Belinda's apartment, her son runs in with his friends with a hedge hog that they caught at the park. They placed him in the tub so we could all observe. The hedge hog was removed when I had to wash my hair out in the tub. Don't think my head would like hedge hog and I'm pretty sure that hedge hog would not like hair dye. Don't worry Mom, my hair looks virtually the same color :-)



Finally! I have been waiting for a picture of the four of them for the longest time. This is Ilyia, Sveta, Bagdan (Danny), and Sasha. The best coordinators in Kazakhstan!

Drawing is still her favorite activity

Happy Girl!

Well, Ava is feeling much better and doing well. Here is your cute Ava story of the day: When we first met Ava she never cried when she'd fall down or get hurt. Since our time together, she's learned that Mama and Dada comfort her when she falls down and thus has started crying when she hurts herself. Now that she's such a wonderful walker she doesn't fall nearly as often but is realizing that she misses the attention we'd give her after she falls. Lately when Ava even slightly bumps into something or hurts herself she immediately starts rubbing her head so we'll come to her. She does all this with a huge smile on her face b/c she knows it's just too cute to resist!
We just got home from playing games with Peggy and Jan and had a rather interesting cab ride home. Once our driver found out that we were Americans, he proceeded to rattle off the name of every American celebrity he could think of. We tried to act impressed as he gave us the thumbs up after every actor/actress he successfully named.
We are taking things day by day here in Kaz. We are trying hard to stay strong for Ava and for each other although we are terribly homesick and drained in every way imaginable. Thanks for praying for us.


Ava always forgets to smile for family photos


But when we aren't taking family photos she's full of smiles.



Ava is sporting her new summer outfit. Her top is actually a dress for 3-6 month olds but we thought it would make a cute shirt for her. She likes when Mama points to the monkey on it and makes silly noises.

We missed you Ava

We were so happy to see Ava after she was sick for two days. She was very happy to see us as well and was so full of smiles and hugs. She is such a trooper. Today is dreaded Sunday but we will be back to see her for two visits tomorrow.

Ava was so happy to be with Daddy and Mommy again.

She also got a brand new drawing pad which was the highlight of the day.

She got lots of kisses yesterday whether she wanted them or not.

Last night we went to Peggy and Jan's to make Pizza. Jan made the crust and we all brought toppings for our slices.

June 13

Can you believe it! This is the same little girl! Wow, we have been here for a long time!

March 23