Gotcha Day!! May 19,2007

Hi Everyone!!

I made it here safe and sound, but exhausted! I felt guilty the first night because I chose not to get Quinn out of the Big "O" because I was too tired! I wanted to be well rested for his BIG DAY!!

I am sitting right now at Claudia and Stephan's kitchen table writing this because the internet cafe is closed on Saturday and Sunday. They were kind to let me blog this WONDERFUL DAY!!

I woke up pretty early and was completely ready to go get Quinn OUT!!

I arrived at the orphanage with my driver and translator Sveta @ 10:30 a.m. I was greeted by Stephan, Claudia, Tasha, Almagul and Bolat. We went upstairs to greet Quinn and his group! I really didn't know what to expect. I wasn't sure how Quinn would really react. As I walked in all the children were sitting in chairs watching a video.....a Barbie Mermaid video. I didn't see Quinn and then all of sudden he came running out of a back room. He ran to me with the biggest smile on his face! He knew today was the day! All the children were waving and smiling! Stephan was my videographer....thank you Stephan!!

I gave the children little bags with surprises inside...they were excited! We spent about 15 minutes there and then I went into a side room where I changed Quinn into his new clothes! He was a little embarrassed to take off his undies, but I showed him the new ones and he seemed okay with that! He liked the clothes, but boy is he small. He wears clothes that would fit a 3 year old.

We went back to his group and he hugged the children good-bye. Then one of his main caregivers started to cry....which of course made me cry.....and made Claudia cry too! Quinn was definitely ready to leave!

We walked downstairs and out the door. I wanted to walk out of the orphanage instead of drive out. The gates to the Big "O" are forbidden to go out of. I thought that it would be cool to walk out! I think the drivers and translators thought I was nuts, but this is Quinn's moment and I didn't care. Stephan and Claudia "My E-True Hollywood" film crew filmed the entire exit from the orphanage. I think that Quinn was also wondering why we were walking. Hopefully he will understand one day when he watches the video!

After our historic walk out of the Big "O" we got into the cars and off to lunch we went. We ate at Kaz "Starbucks". We ate omelets. When the omelet was brought to him he then smelled his shoe and pointed at the omelet. It was obvious he thought it smelled like his shoes! Needless to say he ate pancakes with jam. He also had a fresh sqeezed O.J. that he really liked!

Then we had to buy him some P.J.'s since I forgot his back at home. Bummer because I bought him glow-in-the-dark Dinosaur P.J.'s. He seemed facinated by the clothing store and was a really good boy!

We all went to a park and it was like a small amusement park. I was thinking it was going to be a park with swings and stuff. The moment Quinn saw a women holding a Python snake he ran the other way. I had to chase him...yikes! We stayed for a few hours and I think he really had a great time.

This is alot for a little 5 year old to absorb, but I think he is doing great! He is very loving and holds my hand everywhere! Sonn he and I will be at our apartment. I am going to give him a bath and let him watch the movie Cars...in Russian!!

Thank you all for praying for us! Today was a GREAT DAY!!

QUINN, MOMMY IS COMING....FINALLY!!

Hi,

Well my Visa arrived and I am leaving Wednesday May 16. I will be in the country on Friday May 18th....what a long trip! We haven't really written on our blog because we have been in this "holding pattern"! Our friends Stephan and Claudia were able to get their new daughter, Tasha, out of the orphanage for good on Mother's Day! How cool is that! Congratulations to them. When I am there I will post the new family photo of them for all to see.

Tasha lived in the same orphanage as Quinn. In fact they sent us photos of Tasha leaving the confines of the orphanage and of course she saw Quinn when she was leaving and gave him a GREAT SISTERLY HUG! I am sure Quinn was wondering "where the heck is she going"? Well Quinn you will know soon enough! Hee Hee

I want to send a BIG THANKS to Claudia, Stephan and Tasha for taking great photos of Quinn for us. Thank you Claudia for sneaking raisins into his pocket. (Quinn loves raisins!) Thank you for being his connection to us while we have been back here in the US! I think your presence has helped Quinn know that he is LOVED and SPECIAL and that we are coming back for him! So THANK YOU my friends!!

I want a BUNCH of Comments left for me in our comment box while I am in Kazakhstan! Don't be chicken!! I love reading the little notes you all leave us! Of course if you have alot to say....I guess you have to email me...ha ha!!

I will be gone approximately 17 days....of course I am hoping to come home sooner!! I will miss Tyler and Parker terribly I already know! But I will be home before you know it!

Thank you to ALL who have watched this journey unfold. We love knowing that you are all out there praying for us! Thanks!

Quinn has no idea what "LIFE" is waiting for him in AMERICA! He will find out very soon!