tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33614804206320747222024-02-06T23:55:48.393-06:00*****Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03409923014684066814noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-2827068797404970232014-10-22T22:53:00.000-05:002014-10-22T22:53:57.365-05:00Warning! Very LONG and overdue post!Wow, where has the time gone? It's been almost 5 yrs since I last blogged. I guess I stopped after Grace came home and we moved to Florida! Aside from moving to Florida and me having a few big surgeries, there hasn't been much out of the ordinary going on. We're in our third home since moving and praying our next move is back to the Midwest, likely back to Rochester, MN. We all so badly miss the seasons and I personally miss the midwestern lifestyle. Not to mention how much I miss being closer to family and a lot of friends! So all 5 kids have been in school full-time for about 3 yrs and I'm still a stay at home mom. I attempted to go back to work last year and lasted 8 months until I needed to have a cervical fusion. The atmosphere and ethics there did not match my own so I did not return. However, a few months in, we felt God asking us to adopt once again. When I started my job, there was not thoughts about this but after I was able to start saving some money, the voice just got louder. When we had adopted Grace, the "plan" was to eventually adopt another girl with Down syndrome so they'd have each other when the older 4 kids leave home. However, Grace has been a much much bigger challenge parenting than we could have ever dreamed so we really thought she was to be our last. When we adopted Grace, we knew she had a cleft lip/palate and Down syndrome but were not prepared for her to have autism as well. This has thrown us for a loop. However after 5 yrs, we've had plenty of time to adjust to her behaviors and her personality and although we struggle still a lot, we wouldn't have it any other way!
So....let's talk a bit about Gathering another Angel! God started working on our hearts around March or April 2013. We really weren't on board immediately as how does a less than average income family of 7 afford a $30K+ adoption? We decided we just could not go into debt to do this and so we told God yes but that we'd rely fully on Him for the financing of one of His precious angels! This was NOT about us needing or necessarily even wanting another child. Adoption is not about US especially when adopting special needs and sometimes very difficult children. It's totally about the child without a family needing someone willing to accept them as their own and giving that family...that chance to feel the love of a family of their own. We already have a lot on our plate with the 5 we have with medical appts and therapies and all the issues that come along with parenting any children on top of the extra needs several of our kids have. Trust me, I had a lot of selfishness going on in my head thinking things are just "normal" now so why would we want more on our plate? But in the end, neither Jon nor I could come up with a valid reason to say no. From day 1, we put this entire adoption process into God's hands. This is the first of 6 that we truly and whole heartedly have trusted in His timing. So as you can imagine if you're Christian, that this has set us up for MANY obstacles from satan. Satan has tried to derail us almost literally from day 1. Here's our story so far....
So to begin any adoption process, a family needs a home study. This is basically an approval from a social worker to say we are fit to care for another child and that we have room in our home and that it's safe. She's also responsible to obtain all background checks, medical reports and much more. It's A LOT of paperwork. We already had a child in mind at our first home study visit. We were quickly approved to adopt a girl with Ds from China between the ages of 3-9. We found this girl on a website called Reecesrainbow.org who's an adoption ministry to advocate and raise money to help family's adopt children with Ds and other special needs. This child was listed with an agency we knew nothing about and who refused to transfer her file to the agency we wanted to use. First red flag!! We requested an update on this girl before we were ready to fully commit. The strangest thing happened, this child became unavailable. Our agency had never experienced this over the past 30 years. She had a significant amount in her grant fund as well which now was to be given to another child. Since we were the ones trying to get her, we were gifted the grant to go towards another child we'd later choose. We now know why the other child became unavailable and that's because she was not the one. Cao XiXi is. We came across another child, a few years older, that we instantly felt a connection too. I had remembered seeing her picture 5-6 yrs ago when we were adopting Grace actually. She too had a bit of a grant and combined we already had enough $ to cover 1/2 of the entire adoption expenses. Wow!!!!! After getting more information on this girl and learned how high functioning she is, we knew she would fit in perfectly. She's exactly in the middle of Ivy and Iris in age and is very much a girly girl which Ivy was instantly excited about. So we committed to her and sent the necessary Letter of Intent to adopt this specific child and just a short time later got pre approval to move forward. Now the real paper chase begins to compile and lot of papers that will all collectively be called our dossier. After a 2 month loss of time due to a very basic error our agency made, we finally sent this dossier to China in Feb, 2014. Remember how I mentioned God has provided everything for this adoption so far? Well we had depleted our savings account for the several thousand $$ we needed up front for our home study and initial agency fees and such. Despite being very upset and disappointed about the paperwork delay issue, it gave us extra time to do some fundraising as we had our 2nd big agency fee due when our paperwork went to China as well as the first part of the China program fee due. Through some generous donors, t-shirt sales, jewelry sales and an online auction I had, we were able to raise almost exactly the amount we needed for this step. Awesome huh? I think so! So our dossier is safely logged in at the China center for adoption on 2/12/14. This date signals the beginning of an average 60 day wait for China's final letter of approval to be issued. About 2 weeks later, another sabotage hits us and I find out on facebook of all places, that our agency went bankrupt and closed. We were told we could choose any agency to help us finish our adoption and we did. We were also told they had notified China of their closing and who our new agency was. This was a LIE! They did not tie up ends on the China side which left us in limbo for about 2 months, the length of time we should have gotten our approval letter. After our new agency did some digging, the China center decided all the families affected by the agency closing needed to use the same agency so we were forced yet again to change agencies losing several more months! As upsetting as this was, it allowed my family to spend 2 months in North Dakota this summer and allowed our kids to experience many things they've not been able to do here living in such a large city. Believe me when I say they got a lot of fresh air. So we get back to Florida in August and back in the school routine. I'm missing ND terribly and slip into a slight depression coupled with the stress of the wait for our approval letter(LOA). Mid September rolls around and we still have not heard a word from China. I start nagging our agency to dig deep into our case. I just have this unrelenting feeling that something is terribly wrong and I just couldn't let it go. I believe that feeling was from God Himself as sure enough, things had changed at the China center and our paperwork needed to move to a different office. FINALLY on Sept 29th on day 227(of the average 60 day wait) we received that coveted LOA. Just 2 days before China was taking an entire work week off for a holiday. Thank you Jesus!!! In the mean time, we needed a home study update as they're only good for 1 yr and ours expired the end of August, more $$, more time waiting for background checks etc. The next step was to file another form with immigration which will allow our daughter to become an American citizen the moment her feet touch American soil. The paper copy of the LOA is needed from China to get this approval although we were able to file with just the emailed version. It takes about a week to get this official paper copy. But, since this is "our" very frustrating adoption process, ours took 3 weeks to come!!! Ha, not funny satan! But it eventually came and we got our final immigration approval 2 days ago. Yay! Throughout the past 17 months, we've also experienced so many other attacks on the family but every time, God was right there to rescue us in most cases, literally seconds! Our God we serve is so faithful and loves us so much! So what steps are left for us before we can get our now almost 9 yr old girl home? Our immigration letter has been sent to the National Visa Center(NVC) that will issue as a number that we need to file another form. Then we wait a couple more weeks for an important letter to be picked up in China. Then we wait for our invitation to travel. We do not know our travel dates yet which makes planning for childcare for our other kids a bit tricky. We are in the race against the calendar to get her home asap and hopefully before mid December. After 12/9, flight prices skyrocket over the holidays and we just can't delay getting her due to that but since we aren't quite fully funded yet, we may have to wait until January. However, that's not even our biggest issue with waiting even 1 day longer than we need to. We've been renting our current home for about 2 1/2 yrs now and our landlord gave us a blow and told us he's needing to sell. He told us on a friday and it went on the market Saturday. The timing couldn't be worse when planning a trip to China to bring home a confused child and then into an unstable home environment of top of that. So here are a few immediate prayer requests:
1. That our house does not sell anytime soon(like February or March)
2. That these last few steps of our process are supernaturally expedited so we can leave for China before 12/9.
3. That the rest of the funds needed will come through by way of donations or a grant (approx. $5K to be fully funded)
4. Childcare to work out for the kids we're leaving home (Grace is covered already)
5. That God provides a level of peace and calm for me as we prepare to add another child, move(possibly twice), and navigate these next few months.
So after this novel, if you're still with me, stay tuned as my next blog post will be all about our new daughter!!
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Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-16150810307454948872010-02-07T00:24:00.006-06:002010-02-07T00:45:51.280-06:00UpdateWell, things have been going pretty good. Grace's cleft palate, ear tube, clogged tear duct surgery is postponed until 2/17 due to her having an ear infection. It's all cleared up now, thank goodness. She's doing well although she started grinding her teeth again :( She is making so much progress in therapy and her therapists are just thrilled, as are we. She is getting stronger every day and has even gained almost 3 pounds. I'm trying to bulk her up a bit as I have a feeling she'll lose some weight after her surgery. The surgeon told us to plan on being in the hospital for at least a week. I will be with her most of the time and our other kids will go to back up daycare. We've done this type routine before and it's hard but we make it work. We are just praying for a successful surgery the first time. Ian's cleft palate repairs have fallen apart and he still has a hole in the front. Grace's is much less severe though so we're hopeful. Feedings are still quite difficult but once her palate is healed, we'll really hit the therapy hard. Grace also recently got glasses. She is quite far sighted and has nystagmus(cross-eyes). We were able to find frames that are made specifically for kids with Down syndrome but she won't leave them on yet. They need to be adjusted properly. Once she has her surgery, the surgeon will actually put casts on her arms to prevent her from putting anything in her mouth. Since she won't be able to bend her arms, she won't be able to take her glasses off. We will really try to get her used to wearing them at that time. The kids really love Grace and are very protective of her. Sam and Ivy are big helpers. Ivy keeps an eye on her while eating as Grace loves to get bored with her bottle and play with it. She tips it upside down and since it has a huge hole in the nipple(she can't suck or swallow so the hole is huge to allow the food to flow out when she bites the nipple and gravity pulls it down her throat as she lies flat to eat), she can make quite a mess. I'm usually cleaning up mealtime stuff by then as it takes Grace quite some time to finish a bottle. Ivy loves the responsibility. Sam holds her arms for me when I change a messy diaper as her hands go right in it otherwise. Iris is so sweet when playing with her and Ian...well, he could really care less, lol. Jon and I have adjusted to life with 5 kids. It really isn't that much harder once you already are out numbered with 3. I'm posting some family pictures we had taken just a few days after we got home with Grace. I'm not really on the ball lately and haven't even mailed out Christmas cards yet. They are coming soon though :) So here they are:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97Pif6MI0axmy74tjc8FZRP5R9sMFP8-DRS0z4UZU5XGxSfHlPq_4WbowbquDjcMqLbsbNeliITASTbY2x4Ot54OCjM7FzTuXFBaXxK9ms1UMxEDw5A_bIJg6LXpSq5SDGlLhm46j9ZY/s1600-h/family.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97Pif6MI0axmy74tjc8FZRP5R9sMFP8-DRS0z4UZU5XGxSfHlPq_4WbowbquDjcMqLbsbNeliITASTbY2x4Ot54OCjM7FzTuXFBaXxK9ms1UMxEDw5A_bIJg6LXpSq5SDGlLhm46j9ZY/s320/family.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435387616895149410" /></a><br /> Happy Family of 7!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5zsALmDPXoGQcGH3opJwZgDUQObXa9yRdRjU_1QIyOUyTuAsk76LQMaa2dA0gXAsnjOhPua4ZzmOBj4PbXvdJvegKmBV7ft0Yyd7lqLomFXO3WYZdejUX91U8AJbObm3euPXBnR8400/s1600-h/girls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5zsALmDPXoGQcGH3opJwZgDUQObXa9yRdRjU_1QIyOUyTuAsk76LQMaa2dA0gXAsnjOhPua4ZzmOBj4PbXvdJvegKmBV7ft0Yyd7lqLomFXO3WYZdejUX91U8AJbObm3euPXBnR8400/s320/girls.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435387612290891762" /></a><br /> Our Gorgeous Girls!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7o5f-epEEYdkD2MOWf33AFbuhu74eLv3dhpcUIFtO8hZsI1vZjhignBvfKHLcCSL08iY8bKM-G49-E37VCXG6ATUFINTJGgwIy8Zsye1KhL9V49IWFBlfr-fil1E6ujlbYWDTvul5L4/s1600-h/boys.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7o5f-epEEYdkD2MOWf33AFbuhu74eLv3dhpcUIFtO8hZsI1vZjhignBvfKHLcCSL08iY8bKM-G49-E37VCXG6ATUFINTJGgwIy8Zsye1KhL9V49IWFBlfr-fil1E6ujlbYWDTvul5L4/s320/boys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435387610009483122" /></a><br /> Our Adorable Boys!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91Y1mqzwvPOorZ_qHjaNtsEh3hbMupBc6bFQrnkpMXxNy7YKsl2GsNo4jIfJwn1D5ay1xSMs7AIiaa-GVngBSJR-uxY6ZFrG7lkMgwNciAhFHKIxGhMALa4-NepxU9yFx2wb2Xv8JVaA/s1600-h/grace1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi91Y1mqzwvPOorZ_qHjaNtsEh3hbMupBc6bFQrnkpMXxNy7YKsl2GsNo4jIfJwn1D5ay1xSMs7AIiaa-GVngBSJR-uxY6ZFrG7lkMgwNciAhFHKIxGhMALa4-NepxU9yFx2wb2Xv8JVaA/s320/grace1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435387605621193154" /></a><br /> Beautiful Grace Nadja!Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-67186319189096751812010-01-06T23:12:00.005-06:002010-01-07T00:07:02.443-06:00Giggly Girl!Ok, so we've been horrible about posting since we've been home but seriously with 5 kids age 6 and under, who has time? After a rough couple weeks, things are going great now. Grace is really relaxing with us and we are in a routine. Her stimming noises have decreased although the teeth grinding has intensified a bit. Just yesterday, she started smiling quite a bit and today we got actual giggles from her. Turns out she's quite ticklish even though we had to "teach" her how to be. Kinda strange but she never responded to touch when we first adopted her. She's also recognizing her name as well. I will admit openly that our first week home was horrible and I cried A LOT wondering if we had done the right thing and if I would be able to accept the noises despite my super sensitive hearing issues. A lot of ongoing prayers and I can happily report that I'm so in love with this little girl and I really feel like her mom already. It took close to a year with each of our other kids to truely feel like their mom and not just another caretaker. Sure I loved them all right away but it took time for that mother/child bond to form. Grace is truely an angel on this earth and I can't imagine life without her now. I believe the drama we faced those first couple weeks was a blessing in disguise. What's equally sweet is how much our other kids adore her. As you'll see in the video, Iris is ALL about Grace and is "helping" me tickle her. Iris is VERY protective her baby sister and tells people not to touch her. Iris is also her biggest cheerleader and anytime Grace does something, no matter what it is, Iris says "good job Grace" with a thumbs up and much enthusiasm. Can't help but smile. My heart is so filled with love and joy tonight as I type this and I thank God for blessing our family and entrusting our 5 beautiful children to us. Enjoy this little glimpse of heaven and please ignore my annoying giggles. In Him, Sarah<br /><OBJECT id=BLOG_video-3f47c9ee09854a1c class=BLOG_video_class width=320 height=266 contentId="3f47c9ee09854a1c"></OBJECT>Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-1391261611816844062010-01-01T13:00:00.002-06:002010-01-01T13:58:46.159-06:00Planes, Trains, and Automobiles<div style="text-align: left;">Happy New Year to one and all from the Maples family! Sorry for the delay in posting. We've been back home since 11:30pm on Tuesday 12/15 but there just never seemed to be enough time to get it all done. I've worked on this post 3 or 4 times before but haven't finished it, so I'll finish up the adventures of our travel day and then update what's been going on since we got home later this weekend.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's start with our travel day experiences. We woke to several inches of snow in Belgrade on Tuesday morning, so the concern of would we be able to even leave was in question. A quick check of several websites showed that so far everything was still on time, and per Sarah we were leaving even if I had to get out and push the plane. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Our car arrived around 10:20 but the driver had to park a block away, so we got our first adventure of hauling bags and a stroller through the snow. The drive to the airport was pretty slow, lots of cars and pretty bad conditions didn't help make it a quick trip. Luckly we had planned in some extra time so we still made it to the airport in plenty of time. The parking lot at the airport was still completly covered in about a foot of snow so we had another fun time dragging and pushing all our stuff around. The driver and I had our hands full of bags and Sarah was having a hard time pushing the stroller even when sticking to the ruts from previous cars. Thankfully a kind stranger helped her get to the section of sidewalk that had been cleared. We had an easy time checking in at the airport, checked our large bags and even had some time for last minute souvenier shopping (also useful for using up the remaining dinar we had).</div><div><br /></div><div>From Belgrade to Munich was a pretty quick hour and a half flight, Grace managed pretty well. She enjoys the feeling of movement and wasn't even phased by the rough take off. We landed in Munich on time but had to ride a bus from the plane to the terminal, up a couple of floors and then over to our gate. The gate attendents helped us find the elevator and get down to our plane. Because of our last minute flight changes Grace had a bulk head seat while Sarah and I had seats in the last row of the plane. Thankfully a kind young woman in the bulkhead row agreed to switch with us. This allowed us to have a bassinet for Grace to sleep in during the flight which was a real blessing. Grace was pretty fussy for the first hour or so of the flight as she was tired, but not comfortable enough with her surroundings to let herself fall asleep. Eventually she did fall asleep and slept for most of the rest of the flight off and on.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally we made it to the states when we landed in Chicago. As this was our port of entry into the US we had to claim all of our luggage and go through passport control, customs and immigration for Grace's paperwork. Being that it was evening by this time the immigration desk had only one staff member working on paperwork and with several groups ahead of us we doubted if we would be able to make our connecting flight. We talked to one of the custom agents nearby and told him about our connecting flight and I think he rearranged the order to get our papers processed next, so big thanks to him. </div><div><br /></div><div>After we got through with the immigration paper work we quickly ran to the recheck area and learned that we had about 30 minutes before our flight. The clerk told us if we hurried we "might" make our flight, but that our luggage would not make it to the plane on time. At this point we just wanted to get home and there was nothing in our bags that we had to have, so we went for it. To get to the gate, we had to take a train to a different terminal, we were in terminal 3 and we had to go to terminal 1, which took about 10 minutes. Then in the terminal we had to go through security again and have all our stuff checked, which took 15 minutes, so we were running close on time. We raced from security to our gate without even putting our belts back on. As we ran to the gate, the gate attendant called out to us asking if we were the Maples and to hurry as the door was closing! Thankfully they held the door for us and I think if we had been any later, there was a gentlemen on "stand by" waiting to take our seats. But we made it, settled in for our last flight of the day.</div><div><br /></div><div>We landed on time and and we were back in the land of Minnesota. Our friend Sue meet us at the baggage claim, and our other friend Kristin drove our van from Rochester to pick us up. I quickly verified with the baggage claim attendant that our bags were not on our flight, they were on the next flight, so we made arrangements for them to deliver our bags the next day which was nice. The drive back to Rochester wasn't to bad, Grace seemed pretty at home in her car seat and didn't give us any problems. We stopped to get some snacks and coffee to stay awake and eventually arrived in our driveway at about 11:30pm. Home Sweet Home!</div><div><br /></div><div>Sam came upstairs soon after we arrived to greet us, it was sure great to see him and he had the biggest smile on his face. We quietly went around and kissed Ian and Iris who were very much asleep. Ivy did wake up but you could tell she was basically sleeping with her eyes open, she didn't even remember talking to us the next morning. We talked to Holly for a little while to get the updates on how everything went, and her sister came to drive her back to her house, were I'm sure she enjoyed sleeping in her own bed. A great big thanks to Holly for watching the 4 amigos, I know they all loved her and had a great time, we couldn't have done this without her.</div><div>Then it was time for Sarah and I to go to settle in to our nice cozy bed, safely at home at the end of another wild adventure.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_pvl3lonnJoLM7CkjTziu6Q8wGNjo6ai11l31MKweDPWeWJv6AKRoGRZVKPr_-u16GR-T6_vHTmOvjyHxJGhPwgm8stwklNicvTSVTLMjgiQzsFEampwXJvTedCktG4qo0bxA4Ya_9pd/s1600-h/Grace121509_039.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_pvl3lonnJoLM7CkjTziu6Q8wGNjo6ai11l31MKweDPWeWJv6AKRoGRZVKPr_-u16GR-T6_vHTmOvjyHxJGhPwgm8stwklNicvTSVTLMjgiQzsFEampwXJvTedCktG4qo0bxA4Ya_9pd/s320/Grace121509_039.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421856850867798082" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">All packed up and ready to leave</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJ5LVJ8Z6KPcFovAupX5DOsSMGWXIXH1qPHV3jKW0NBQbI0OCqJFGXRvMh_hfOmvYk4kd3w8Juc1gEuZjF70P1JavGCpIuVQk7CaCnE44xeRFngmD4gSNJhaMO6hDXb5C38J1Gq7ILwew/s1600-h/Grace121509_041.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJ5LVJ8Z6KPcFovAupX5DOsSMGWXIXH1qPHV3jKW0NBQbI0OCqJFGXRvMh_hfOmvYk4kd3w8Juc1gEuZjF70P1JavGCpIuVQk7CaCnE44xeRFngmD4gSNJhaMO6hDXb5C38J1Gq7ILwew/s320/Grace121509_041.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421856848808907842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The snow covered street outside our apartment</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvFB5Omg5jGShmF_pRxX4P9kuywijCd69o2YRTVDFCtK20Uc34y4nsbRHUL1Sc7id0PLBMX-mw36FpVA5uk9usZdQpm2xxhEtG3BWe3shDC0wE2Txxt2O1dMnfnGVnPffLwTndK980Pxf/s1600-h/Grace121509_045.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvFB5Omg5jGShmF_pRxX4P9kuywijCd69o2YRTVDFCtK20Uc34y4nsbRHUL1Sc7id0PLBMX-mw36FpVA5uk9usZdQpm2xxhEtG3BWe3shDC0wE2Txxt2O1dMnfnGVnPffLwTndK980Pxf/s320/Grace121509_045.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421856843177463842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Our plane arriving to pick us up at the Belgrade airport</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPa0TOq75K4BeqZj-4qTXh4dSFxmNoTpq0mh3lZc6fsMJQY30qsYAH-2kUI2I4YKlX9oVEqkMYAnqpjn9ibOqLuxxzSHtzS7HB3i_ACu0R19TNMsZaD7LH4-dFtgXbwGetr9xrCbzDev7/s1600-h/Grace121509_048.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcPa0TOq75K4BeqZj-4qTXh4dSFxmNoTpq0mh3lZc6fsMJQY30qsYAH-2kUI2I4YKlX9oVEqkMYAnqpjn9ibOqLuxxzSHtzS7HB3i_ACu0R19TNMsZaD7LH4-dFtgXbwGetr9xrCbzDev7/s320/Grace121509_048.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421856066546073170" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">They had the snow plows out cleaning the terminal area</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAmWCwkV5Ao8amqppmp6qAK0TBU3Xhe3KnXOlKsyPb2YlH9-etxXSM-3B4M7ttlwQexCwEihst0pFAHw7lpGmxc0y0-ar6UJDNgPtAXXh4n08XG72DT00ggU_KppYQ3_MPmFqH_J26G0E/s1600-h/Grace121509_051.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxAmWCwkV5Ao8amqppmp6qAK0TBU3Xhe3KnXOlKsyPb2YlH9-etxXSM-3B4M7ttlwQexCwEihst0pFAHw7lpGmxc0y0-ar6UJDNgPtAXXh4n08XG72DT00ggU_KppYQ3_MPmFqH_J26G0E/s320/Grace121509_051.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421856060963205026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah and Grace all settled in on the plane just waiting for takeoff</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJfIpOLnSHETmTmcaGehpkkmLHri-qQrfICDvxKDG6tcUGb9_3bZSbGeZku80zq5FsKhfRdtnTv40DarBa4GMAxF9Kdg-WPZfVbcRUNDbUIBKEfqU0pml4TyWBE_WFdq1xdtwwOnB7R25/s1600-h/Grace121509_054.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJfIpOLnSHETmTmcaGehpkkmLHri-qQrfICDvxKDG6tcUGb9_3bZSbGeZku80zq5FsKhfRdtnTv40DarBa4GMAxF9Kdg-WPZfVbcRUNDbUIBKEfqU0pml4TyWBE_WFdq1xdtwwOnB7R25/s320/Grace121509_054.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421856058099100322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here we go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiProsxt4Ey92Ip2g42DgaKcEGqWfaQqYYNAz6lop_uHcR0_VHA53EKpJjH5plIO6zFOyiAhX8U2TLHL1tHBM1jG95QO1NERl9a6Ul565UMy6ONOu4wjVJsR6Pkv-DjanevI3sok8RjNv7e/s1600-h/Grace121509_055.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiProsxt4Ey92Ip2g42DgaKcEGqWfaQqYYNAz6lop_uHcR0_VHA53EKpJjH5plIO6zFOyiAhX8U2TLHL1tHBM1jG95QO1NERl9a6Ul565UMy6ONOu4wjVJsR6Pkv-DjanevI3sok8RjNv7e/s320/Grace121509_055.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421856052192687538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">So long Serbia!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38os0mAkKu-lucYAncy4yqhR2PlYdbwDRUjUmI5NWkWSjJW2IJ0IpNTSahakz6Klv6vwplMHt-2yU0cQMd6PELVWtgSZ8MNqA6tq4n2AXjbakwX1qwVvbZIvHyR6c58mNafPMk2is35TO/s1600-h/Grace121509_057.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38os0mAkKu-lucYAncy4yqhR2PlYdbwDRUjUmI5NWkWSjJW2IJ0IpNTSahakz6Klv6vwplMHt-2yU0cQMd6PELVWtgSZ8MNqA6tq4n2AXjbakwX1qwVvbZIvHyR6c58mNafPMk2is35TO/s320/Grace121509_057.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421856049308948194" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sleeping in the bassinet on the flight from Munich to Chicago</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJswaOcq7vi54RClTr10sOLP6X0U9dcyQ5yK0jIycluA86lSJoog2CrC4YudVY99WjKWWm4KSM9sP1l5RRQEeZUYmiD0oWmc5z_b-wnMVJWLl3CkKWP1c7pP5I2ZG6pG4uT7Lpeo9McrIl/s1600-h/Grace121509_060.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJswaOcq7vi54RClTr10sOLP6X0U9dcyQ5yK0jIycluA86lSJoog2CrC4YudVY99WjKWWm4KSM9sP1l5RRQEeZUYmiD0oWmc5z_b-wnMVJWLl3CkKWP1c7pP5I2ZG6pG4uT7Lpeo9McrIl/s320/Grace121509_060.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421854896713391250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I'm tired of being in an airplane now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXJ0oEtWQWi6gpphHBDOqOLoItCIZ4zzHH8k9mtS0dm-ScHwrjQEgNrMPToNnoAcrblZkJDEFL5iLiIo9IGqZwsFjIU2GKrEl8FDCztgPqiDKAEYHlemCWska43uHJuluoOyyjZy1MUQ2/s320/Grace121609_049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421854874660993938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><div style="text-align: center; ">Holly and the Kids made us this great Welcome Home sign.</div><div><br /></div></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFlceM5uytzs2MABWJxsOwZ31OCTFejozBJsjiPJvrOByZh4kNdzfjsboqV4qs29Ra83bMm7rhfYQUfqtwYOFQt4TnDnD3TOHG-YlhscaDcdei5uXkQ6J1U5JFYKFxOdX8DlsFtUxsJqo/s1600-h/Grace121609_003.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFlceM5uytzs2MABWJxsOwZ31OCTFejozBJsjiPJvrOByZh4kNdzfjsboqV4qs29Ra83bMm7rhfYQUfqtwYOFQt4TnDnD3TOHG-YlhscaDcdei5uXkQ6J1U5JFYKFxOdX8DlsFtUxsJqo/s320/Grace121609_003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421854891570830642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Grace having her first bottle in our house, she hadn't eaten much during any of the flights.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAKe-VAfcYn60D9b7wRE_nFabg53_VUpXhN1wysgwKaV_FKXoBskbKZfRR3d7d-AfJvsdX9Z7-10r9J7KG5I8yiFbn4MLb6veZHot70SiSlAc1_U0JEZdC1GUFkUYlFIpNZCNUHR9DNs8/s1600-h/Grace121609_006.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuAKe-VAfcYn60D9b7wRE_nFabg53_VUpXhN1wysgwKaV_FKXoBskbKZfRR3d7d-AfJvsdX9Z7-10r9J7KG5I8yiFbn4MLb6veZHot70SiSlAc1_U0JEZdC1GUFkUYlFIpNZCNUHR9DNs8/s320/Grace121609_006.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421854890256949218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">That's a lot of snow to come home to! Thanks to Holly, Nate & Kristen, and our neighbors for cleaning off the drive way and sidewalks!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZRBgkC2q8iBsVeeHyBKE6MA3PdqEbBUrJghZ80wweyn-lxcifqmi_OUdNvOF2p3xvm_CC2qm-CigYZDKG9gaMEHbTjHkpYEep3PeJ1YaHlCcb6C4_iVym8UEslvJjnY1S1LAX4Xi0KxQ/s1600-h/Grace121609_013.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmZRBgkC2q8iBsVeeHyBKE6MA3PdqEbBUrJghZ80wweyn-lxcifqmi_OUdNvOF2p3xvm_CC2qm-CigYZDKG9gaMEHbTjHkpYEep3PeJ1YaHlCcb6C4_iVym8UEslvJjnY1S1LAX4Xi0KxQ/s320/Grace121609_013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421854881405781586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXJ0oEtWQWi6gpphHBDOqOLoItCIZ4zzHH8k9mtS0dm-ScHwrjQEgNrMPToNnoAcrblZkJDEFL5iLiIo9IGqZwsFjIU2GKrEl8FDCztgPqiDKAEYHlemCWska43uHJuluoOyyjZy1MUQ2/s1600-h/Grace121609_049.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXJ0oEtWQWi6gpphHBDOqOLoItCIZ4zzHH8k9mtS0dm-ScHwrjQEgNrMPToNnoAcrblZkJDEFL5iLiIo9IGqZwsFjIU2GKrEl8FDCztgPqiDKAEYHlemCWska43uHJuluoOyyjZy1MUQ2/s1600-h/Grace121609_049.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXJ0oEtWQWi6gpphHBDOqOLoItCIZ4zzHH8k9mtS0dm-ScHwrjQEgNrMPToNnoAcrblZkJDEFL5iLiIo9IGqZwsFjIU2GKrEl8FDCztgPqiDKAEYHlemCWska43uHJuluoOyyjZy1MUQ2/s1600-h/Grace121609_049.jpg"></a></div><div><br /></div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03409923014684066814noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-18302498993822848202009-12-15T02:23:00.006-06:002009-12-18T23:39:01.930-06:00Monday<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKZtg4Xteq59h0GQjEw3I30Uh-Fs9yjWnQlFPQM89o7ZOd88X_25-VA_Gt___fgt2ufpAe8fTEjHf9NYRY4GxRzabRhdgZE_aTl-Ziah9vc6n52aFS_wTskZEGSAE2R19r334LAvQ7fuQ/s1600-h/Grace121409_086.jpg"></a>Monday was a jam packed day. We had to take Grace for a medical exam, get the visa papers prepared, pickup the passport, pickup the medical exam, and have an interview at the US Embassy to get the visa. All that and we had to hope and pray that we could get the visa back early enough on Tuesday that we could make our flight home. If we couldn't fly on Tuesday we wouldn't be able to fly until the weekend.<div><br /></div><div>The medical exam was pretty painless, then Grace and I and went back to the apartment to pack while Sarah went with Jasmina to do the paperwork and pickup the passport. There was some confusion as to who could pick up the passport, but it all got worked out. A special thanks to the social worker from Blace who took the 3+ hour bus ride to Belgrade early Monday morning to help get it all cleared.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the afternoon we had our interview appointment for Grace's visa from the US Embassy. We were a little delayed from getting the passport, but there were only a handful of people at the Embassy when we got there. During the interview they asked when we were leaving Belgrade so we told them our situation and the workers graciously said they thought they could get it done by the end of the day. So we hung out for a little while in the waiting room and only a couple of hours after getting there we had Grace's visa and we could official depart for home!!</div><div><br /></div><div>In the evening we meet with Vlado and he and I walked to the Police station, even though it started snowing, to terminate our temporary Belgrade address. On the way we walked across the alley from the President's offices their "White House", no fences no special bars, we could have walked over and touched the building. Next to that was the Mayor of Belgrades offices, which the workers were happily removing the snow from the sidewalks, as the Mayor's office is in charge of all the departments in Belgrade. The President still has plenty of snow in front of his offices. After leaving the police station we spotted the President's car driving down the major bullivard on his way home with only one escort car. In the five minutes it took us to walk from there to the President's offices we could already see all the workers making quick exits themselves.</div><div><br /></div><div>That was our last day in Belgrade and now we are all packed up dressed and ready to head to the airport. It's still snowing but so far all the websites show that there are no delays. The next update will be after we make it back home and can introduce Grace to the rest of the bunch.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKZtg4Xteq59h0GQjEw3I30Uh-Fs9yjWnQlFPQM89o7ZOd88X_25-VA_Gt___fgt2ufpAe8fTEjHf9NYRY4GxRzabRhdgZE_aTl-Ziah9vc6n52aFS_wTskZEGSAE2R19r334LAvQ7fuQ/s1600-h/Grace121409_086.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKZtg4Xteq59h0GQjEw3I30Uh-Fs9yjWnQlFPQM89o7ZOd88X_25-VA_Gt___fgt2ufpAe8fTEjHf9NYRY4GxRzabRhdgZE_aTl-Ziah9vc6n52aFS_wTskZEGSAE2R19r334LAvQ7fuQ/s320/Grace121409_086.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415387155146249458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Bye Vlado</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3vnOn1k7TtLvDWex8qP1_l6CKKbvXr0gaQUABI4eTQFY9ifwkqLa5UBkMoVbnwXQQPk9MPzaqa0M_nOCz4Y7XjxpgfoL0whavMmxKrRlICKu4bxSdmXgjr6rhjbpDB11aw4aGi9BQbX6/s1600-h/Grace121509_001.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3vnOn1k7TtLvDWex8qP1_l6CKKbvXr0gaQUABI4eTQFY9ifwkqLa5UBkMoVbnwXQQPk9MPzaqa0M_nOCz4Y7XjxpgfoL0whavMmxKrRlICKu4bxSdmXgjr6rhjbpDB11aw4aGi9BQbX6/s320/Grace121509_001.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415387149677226946" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyzhPOFalaMZIV7YwJWRBWr4CQ564K19jnN4_N5HyrBj_q_7Jcdd1F7TV2lhjTJlHv0zpqDRA3tAThgXdvMWkG178yuZe6DU2-XN7co3B8i2jdU3kFc4B1q7DmkcQnfsdUMEzsASksWgq/s1600-h/Grace121509_018.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyzhPOFalaMZIV7YwJWRBWr4CQ564K19jnN4_N5HyrBj_q_7Jcdd1F7TV2lhjTJlHv0zpqDRA3tAThgXdvMWkG178yuZe6DU2-XN7co3B8i2jdU3kFc4B1q7DmkcQnfsdUMEzsASksWgq/s320/Grace121509_018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415387139941376658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0Td30bihRAKWi3KqyeCRZ6Jdclcllli98EPmxy2D9HCjYfMVmmfleQWqlSlGc1U7uHk2SHBIiIYzqpk9oXdBH6KjC3efHrFdpgrl-alWazxuzuZ66Urbz901-_UtX-D59qbaKJI1l9fA/s1600-h/Grace121509_020.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0Td30bihRAKWi3KqyeCRZ6Jdclcllli98EPmxy2D9HCjYfMVmmfleQWqlSlGc1U7uHk2SHBIiIYzqpk9oXdBH6KjC3efHrFdpgrl-alWazxuzuZ66Urbz901-_UtX-D59qbaKJI1l9fA/s320/Grace121509_020.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415387131509187474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxkPmG6VSM9tdwvLQmP8gFYMUpPJ2dnLgxLWv5N3nsD70co_x59ORraMrAAmArSIV3P7D6rF_A2QSDBiyKdvpIeF_1jyXWadO5u1yOHvOqSX100gPZEKlkSHv9Q08pQYVwS9lgUKLTYVj/s1600-h/Grace121509_028.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxkPmG6VSM9tdwvLQmP8gFYMUpPJ2dnLgxLWv5N3nsD70co_x59ORraMrAAmArSIV3P7D6rF_A2QSDBiyKdvpIeF_1jyXWadO5u1yOHvOqSX100gPZEKlkSHv9Q08pQYVwS9lgUKLTYVj/s320/Grace121509_028.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415387129145624658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">"Ciao, ciao" Serbia</div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03409923014684066814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-50289663409791118042009-12-12T10:05:00.001-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.185-06:00We're breaking out of here<div>Friday we got to bring Grace with us back to stay at our apartment. Before we left we got a tour of the orphanage to see many of the children there. Let me tell you there are some awesome kids in this orphanage that would be great in a family. One boy of about 6 was my best friend for awhile. He just talked and talked and talked. He kept telling the workers that he was going home tomorrow. After the tour I had to go get my passport so I could sign Grace out of the orphanage for her official file and then we took a taxi back towards our apartment.</div><div><br /></div><div>First we had to stop at a Lilly's store to buy bottles and some food, then we walked to our appartment and settled in. We all took a nap for a couple of hours and then we made Grace a bottle with some fruit flavored baby food, cereal, and water. Grace then got acquainted with our apartment, She quickly learned that she could move well on the carpet, but only slide backwards on the hardwood floors. We played in the apartment for a while and then made supper, pasta and tomato meat sauce for Sarah and I, and Chicken dinner baby food in the bottle for Grace. She didn't really care for her food, later we got an email from Jasmina that said she prefers sweet foods.</div><div><br /></div><div>After supper we decided we needed some more water and some bread and pasteries from the bakery. We got Grace all wrapped up and went for a stroll, of course the minimart is 3 buildings away and the bakery is across the street so our stroll didn't take but 10 minutes. I think it took longer to get Grace in her coat and hat. We played in the apartment for a little while longer and then it was bed time. It didn't take her to long to settle in and fall asleep, when I went to check on her later her legs were all twisted up. It looked like she was sitting crosslegged and just fell over asleep.</div><div><br /></div><div>We're looking forward to spending lots of quality time with Grace over the weekend and learning her schedule. Then on Monday we've got the medical appointment, paperwork, pickup her passport, and apply for the Visa at the Embassy. Then fingers crossed, we'll be able to pick up the visa Tuesday morning and make it to the airport for our flight home.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkDKbpob_7MUiyiU79r3aD_RtQy_8Ib8GPci2d4UbGjE4i-Wh9hsPRy8OJ5Y0t5QEefEh3UM3zf91rTd14GJ1TDxpckSgx2beRc8sgf3K_hd3C1dNePwLZkflr5xJy-u-fScZo3gZ0EFx/s1600-h/Grace121109_008.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkDKbpob_7MUiyiU79r3aD_RtQy_8Ib8GPci2d4UbGjE4i-Wh9hsPRy8OJ5Y0t5QEefEh3UM3zf91rTd14GJ1TDxpckSgx2beRc8sgf3K_hd3C1dNePwLZkflr5xJy-u-fScZo3gZ0EFx/s320/Grace121109_008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414127433421851138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Good morning Princess are you ready to break out?</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNMvrvtYABFkAVrMJ2yBnhavgS7pseV9eZ90_MQhLZnTPN6WJEOXSHYL5f0kYJS4efKzjnv0Z-J8JvfxNeWyMroHWdcnO4-r2RUCS8v2qtWV7M5hT4Tq77aHLSpvrzvyQiS_XEX-e23lC/s1600-h/Grace121109_010.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNMvrvtYABFkAVrMJ2yBnhavgS7pseV9eZ90_MQhLZnTPN6WJEOXSHYL5f0kYJS4efKzjnv0Z-J8JvfxNeWyMroHWdcnO4-r2RUCS8v2qtWV7M5hT4Tq77aHLSpvrzvyQiS_XEX-e23lC/s320/Grace121109_010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414126996259038866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Yeah!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts_uVc3LLUjM6Ds7loxBkpUlasWrTmpupxdUsYvXL1mvUeQAyFmExl2Jdi4hSdiGR0DHSuZwiIl5NvFbqE3W4t1exmRPrb4g-RRRVuLRG16hk-krU98juzWDRftsSHb_6dCItTMCWAEL9/s1600-h/Grace121109_053.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhts_uVc3LLUjM6Ds7loxBkpUlasWrTmpupxdUsYvXL1mvUeQAyFmExl2Jdi4hSdiGR0DHSuZwiIl5NvFbqE3W4t1exmRPrb4g-RRRVuLRG16hk-krU98juzWDRftsSHb_6dCItTMCWAEL9/s320/Grace121109_053.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414126986133118066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">One last rest in her crib while we went on the tour.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUFm-EKTOWHJeYMW3BWC4AECWTaRrb34oWJ_wdxkujxZLRqFITDQ1NjgL2QJZtQvUNWchMSzzID8O9JrYUNqkvgF0s8xtMK4mVpoipDtqAakhW-pJx2BG8lJddMFLiQZ2XvNTPy5PM4Bx/s1600-h/Grace121109_060.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUFm-EKTOWHJeYMW3BWC4AECWTaRrb34oWJ_wdxkujxZLRqFITDQ1NjgL2QJZtQvUNWchMSzzID8O9JrYUNqkvgF0s8xtMK4mVpoipDtqAakhW-pJx2BG8lJddMFLiQZ2XvNTPy5PM4Bx/s320/Grace121109_060.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414126984259876482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Signing the official papers so Grace can leave with us.</div><div><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X6U-FhyphenhyphenTQKjQlg6fuwaSNMWNaVnZ3t88tpZpWUwsQMEMnRMpIdSUF8EPrhWkMV6X9qKuvayu8xzYbp2KN0wx2JWWgxaeXGhIWhWGYVJFy-oDH7OvYkU9PUVTRkTtwM6YnWZjYF0_bB7g/s1600-h/Grace121109_076.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X6U-FhyphenhyphenTQKjQlg6fuwaSNMWNaVnZ3t88tpZpWUwsQMEMnRMpIdSUF8EPrhWkMV6X9qKuvayu8xzYbp2KN0wx2JWWgxaeXGhIWhWGYVJFy-oDH7OvYkU9PUVTRkTtwM6YnWZjYF0_bB7g/s320/Grace121109_076.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414126983976922594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Party dress to celebrate leaving.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80ctWbQXGid4JzeG2E6mGyTSjyeROPQ0akfCMLaeo6WhFJO8AwGas35zX4y1eDQzCeOKJkMf6gD8H-MChTf7_Ws7Kw_HVpVajo4Y6ARamSu7oZQYEW2QYhTo4dKi7snD3PifjNA1aT5iz/s1600-h/Grace121109_078.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80ctWbQXGid4JzeG2E6mGyTSjyeROPQ0akfCMLaeo6WhFJO8AwGas35zX4y1eDQzCeOKJkMf6gD8H-MChTf7_Ws7Kw_HVpVajo4Y6ARamSu7oZQYEW2QYhTo4dKi7snD3PifjNA1aT5iz/s320/Grace121109_078.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414126979108896418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Bye, bye Jasmina</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0pIPlwtuV873jbLwl6nPhnCARd63mrTxoUcX_S-ZiG1CX3mePq41IdmcJsDfbXHBfLuCLofwNQJ8QGbuB-OFYIA9Fk13dACbMTVe85wq4l5cKNSK-aH1LCVQ9qHWC8IxZ5KY2R6lgHPq/s1600-h/Grace121109_094.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0pIPlwtuV873jbLwl6nPhnCARd63mrTxoUcX_S-ZiG1CX3mePq41IdmcJsDfbXHBfLuCLofwNQJ8QGbuB-OFYIA9Fk13dACbMTVe85wq4l5cKNSK-aH1LCVQ9qHWC8IxZ5KY2R6lgHPq/s320/Grace121109_094.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414124746589835202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Grace has left the building</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtbN2ohvjykxg64SoyGLJ9a410QIfhbaWcdvOXvAimkOr6fPqvQ7EHXtcBd9qe4FOpaacUwcFzsc29lZ3R32cbm6rhm5UkGsaC1WSCyuKG7RFVTOsmIW9ilPRfWg8zWtQpEwykmvq3yNa/s1600-h/Grace121109_104.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtbN2ohvjykxg64SoyGLJ9a410QIfhbaWcdvOXvAimkOr6fPqvQ7EHXtcBd9qe4FOpaacUwcFzsc29lZ3R32cbm6rhm5UkGsaC1WSCyuKG7RFVTOsmIW9ilPRfWg8zWtQpEwykmvq3yNa/s320/Grace121109_104.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414124742523650802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Standing at the gate waiting for our taxi.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyC_lKyn6eUERV5kJieuRqrtZeq8-cTDJjxuY9v9wP5vsumagDGcUvTPCpEc7LE6aY4nw1p4S7xpautW4us2Lcufmm4xlrtSZvP-uMzOvhUIHXSC5-f3u2eQ2ijGPykL2r79_rmQ3RDwO/s1600-h/Grace121109_109.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyC_lKyn6eUERV5kJieuRqrtZeq8-cTDJjxuY9v9wP5vsumagDGcUvTPCpEc7LE6aY4nw1p4S7xpautW4us2Lcufmm4xlrtSZvP-uMzOvhUIHXSC5-f3u2eQ2ijGPykL2r79_rmQ3RDwO/s320/Grace121109_109.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414124743027426738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Grace has already picked up pulling on my whiskers from Sarah.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZIgqceKQ-FW39O6Y8x27ZhRVRk48LRLkxphfuGqBM1seqknur7S9PF4WGAoaRCIw-JRJWRnSQIHFyZ8mrgP8mEkrJXHDVeZsTujWBmoDs-uwHPdq808PuM1YxvQG_aLPNUpGnexGyUrN/s1600-h/Grace121109_119.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZIgqceKQ-FW39O6Y8x27ZhRVRk48LRLkxphfuGqBM1seqknur7S9PF4WGAoaRCIw-JRJWRnSQIHFyZ8mrgP8mEkrJXHDVeZsTujWBmoDs-uwHPdq808PuM1YxvQG_aLPNUpGnexGyUrN/s320/Grace121109_119.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414124737599823250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Taxi ride to the apartment.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjshhre_silGd0T7RCDzI2Sp1FtFbBULuiFJ_EJ8SnyVorkTsWOIWeGWhZvu4uLwvaDcFrI3bPhFg20oOlnytaTHSQ61hl0yg4lr-YU7_KtMXO0KznmUmxsdtlWeho8m8bODCK0V1NFRpk/s1600-h/Grace121109_129.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjshhre_silGd0T7RCDzI2Sp1FtFbBULuiFJ_EJ8SnyVorkTsWOIWeGWhZvu4uLwvaDcFrI3bPhFg20oOlnytaTHSQ61hl0yg4lr-YU7_KtMXO0KznmUmxsdtlWeho8m8bODCK0V1NFRpk/s320/Grace121109_129.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414124728604549762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Our first bottle in the apartment.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqlw7PaHYpeszVk2DouUrAwiS63KM5tU_QgncRUPgkRhULwICsrMJyMJBlBK_lUvYCejBiFmPOT2Pg22rv91NHw5tv6bgXujl8Jky2npmM4T8_Spe8pUITPO3nEvJ-q_EFZibwLZLLEcc/s1600-h/Grace121109_138.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqlw7PaHYpeszVk2DouUrAwiS63KM5tU_QgncRUPgkRhULwICsrMJyMJBlBK_lUvYCejBiFmPOT2Pg22rv91NHw5tv6bgXujl8Jky2npmM4T8_Spe8pUITPO3nEvJ-q_EFZibwLZLLEcc/s320/Grace121109_138.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414119733910801298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Checking out the hardwood floors.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6iHssELWTCafnQJ346o8b7lvyp9p5Cy9DOlwCvGgydp3GzOg-SkqnN7DSsceoXtvuYzeDXK2puCXR-BLvoIH0u1UX4sqvInvkz_Le14iXdmWi8GT-XKVZxRrZDoQFgjdI7nIhcJgDUg9/s1600-h/Grace121109_141.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6iHssELWTCafnQJ346o8b7lvyp9p5Cy9DOlwCvGgydp3GzOg-SkqnN7DSsceoXtvuYzeDXK2puCXR-BLvoIH0u1UX4sqvInvkz_Le14iXdmWi8GT-XKVZxRrZDoQFgjdI7nIhcJgDUg9/s320/Grace121109_141.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414119731319467682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">I was trying to take this picture myself. Got a good one of Grace, but the look on my face is a little bizarre.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqpBsyUIDcftLgfiFDI20-H3E7LdMHiMj6PgHQjG9S7lbdl-xPcXdI_rGHXjy13rQcFfGHLQKTV9Rq3f89oQ0T_mC13VieAfIYxgkeB1PsyjLrnMFu2T3a2_XsNu1cYuSKW-RP_HH9ikS/s1600-h/Grace121109_144.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqpBsyUIDcftLgfiFDI20-H3E7LdMHiMj6PgHQjG9S7lbdl-xPcXdI_rGHXjy13rQcFfGHLQKTV9Rq3f89oQ0T_mC13VieAfIYxgkeB1PsyjLrnMFu2T3a2_XsNu1cYuSKW-RP_HH9ikS/s320/Grace121109_144.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414119730141583906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Grace was really interested in the picture of Ivy.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QWShARsI4bxMyA8BNDvwS79sTEyEQy4yV53K7BITpkaA6YLO_yCbIEG-Cy-LLe4zLer1MB5rwHAFv21lFA9-8xazwp5CIDoIixG9uA3kiCSUmFqSXkTs5vE9b7-2P1SFBzD5eRgUkPz7/s1600-h/Grace121109_149.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2QWShARsI4bxMyA8BNDvwS79sTEyEQy4yV53K7BITpkaA6YLO_yCbIEG-Cy-LLe4zLer1MB5rwHAFv21lFA9-8xazwp5CIDoIixG9uA3kiCSUmFqSXkTs5vE9b7-2P1SFBzD5eRgUkPz7/s320/Grace121109_149.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414119725252033330" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Sleep tight little angel.</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN5CTwNMW7ZabjvOa-aYMjYD09NYLkye5HyHpSTvuAIyWlhnZtUTuR6jJiyxc0VPeS5vuuqRAxe8ieAml-4hBPNilI5v9nHXtx_f4HXZDrCfLh5-X8v3cCAq3_triISAgTMOnJgPyDEa5/s1600-h/Grace121109_150.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEN5CTwNMW7ZabjvOa-aYMjYD09NYLkye5HyHpSTvuAIyWlhnZtUTuR6jJiyxc0VPeS5vuuqRAxe8ieAml-4hBPNilI5v9nHXtx_f4HXZDrCfLh5-X8v3cCAq3_triISAgTMOnJgPyDEa5/s320/Grace121109_150.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414119717059653874" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Did I say angel, I meant contortionist.</div></div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03409923014684066814noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-71485553991865219852009-12-12T02:49:00.002-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.185-06:00Please....Someone save them!I'm posting this in hopes that someone reading my blog may be feeling led to adopt a child with Down syndrome. Please consider saving one of these precious angels before they spend their life "behind bars" in a mental institution where they will surely die. 90% don't survive 1 year in these places and once transferred, they will not be able to be adopted. Maybe not you, but maybe you know someone who's considering adopting. Please share as these kids are SO worth it!! <br /><br /><center><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/URGENTPLEAIan.gif"/><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html"></a><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html">Please Grab This Button!</a><br/>URGENT PLEA!</a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/URGENTPLEAMartin.gif"/><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html"></a><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html">Please Grab This Button!</a><br/>URGENT PLEA!</a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/URGENTPLEAMindy.gif"/><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html"></a><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html">Please Grab This Button!</a><br/>URGENT PLEA!</a></center><br /><br /><center><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html"><img width="100%" src="http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s62/WilliamtheOutlaw/URGENTPLEAWallace.gif"/><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html"></a><a href="http://reecesrainbow.blogspot.com/2009/12/friday-focus-on-down-syndrome-urgent.html">Please Grab This Button!</a><br/>URGENT PLEA!</a></center>Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-68533260885642021452009-12-11T14:05:00.000-06:002009-12-11T14:06:38.559-06:00Fundraiser for another familyPlease visit this link and consider making a donation to this family's fundraising efforts.<br /><a href="http://joneseeadoption.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-can-happen-in-6-days.html">http://joneseeadoption.blogspot.com/2009/12/what-can-happen-in-6-days.html</a>Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-69086150720618086622009-12-10T14:59:00.008-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.186-06:00Just One Big Family Now<div>Well, it's official. Grace is ours!!! What a very long, amazing, emotional, happy, sad day all wrapped into one. We met at the orphanage at 7am to make the 3 1/2 hour drive to Blace which is where the adoption ceremony took place. We met around a table with Jasmina(our facilitator), Jasna(lawyer and translator), the director(who happens to be a relative of Grace's), the lawyer for the social center and the social worker. Documents were drawn up for the birth certificate and we had to verify the information was correct. We signed the papers, shook hands and that concluded the "ceremony". What happens next is really amazing. We drove to another town to get the birth certificate but this is also where the hospital is that Grace's 2 sisters have been at. Grace's mother wanted to meet us so we all met in a room at the hospital. Grace's mother and father and 2 sisters were there and we had a nice visit. It wasn't too emotional as Grace's mother had really prepared herself and did not cry. She is very thankful for us and is happy that Grace will be with us. We got to take some pictures and I gave her mother a bracelet "from Grace". Our goodbye's started to get teary but we had to leave in a hurry to go back to Blace to apply for the passport before the police station closed. I am so thankful we got to meet more of Grace's family and get photos. This experience is truely priceless as this NEVER happens with international adoptions. Very very few families ever meet anyone from the child's family much less stay in touch. We look forward to updating Grace's birthfamily over the years and they have access to our blog. We've made the decision to post a few pictures of her family. So...after the lengthy process of applying for the passport(old and slow computer equipment), Jon and I took everyone out for dinner at a nice restaurant for typical Serbian food. Grace's father joined us and surprised us by bringing the oldest sister who had been at school before. She is beautiful and a very good student and gifted in music. They brought a gift for Grace(a little gold cross pendant) and a gift for me(a little pair of gold hoop earrings with crystals). We had an enjoyable meal(these people LOVE meat!!!) and then went to the village where Grace's paternal grandparents live. They wanted to meet us too. How amazing is that? Grandma had lots of goodies for us to eat even though we only had about 15 min to visit. We also got to taste some of her homemade brandy. WOW did that warm me up inside. I think I actually breathed fire, lol!! Grandma and Grandpa are so adorable. The whole family has asked us to bring Grace back for a visit one day and Grandma wants us to stay with them. I love this family and feel like I've known them for years even though I can't understand a word that is spoken. Grandma sat down next to me and was asking us to take good care of her granddaughter. She broke down crying and could barely talk. Of course, I started bawling as well. I can't even imagine how hard this is for them. I won't even pretend to know how they feel. All I know is how much they love Grace and how much they will miss her. It was very nice to hear how much they like us and are happy that Grace is going home with a family that will love her unconditionally and help her reach her fullest potential. They all loved seeing pictures of us with our other kids and asking us questions about them. The last few minutes of our day were the hardest for me as we had to say our goodbyes. We all just kept hugging and kissing and then hugging some more. Grandma and I cried and so did Grandpa. I think a few others were as well but I couldn't see anymore as I started sobbing as I got in the car. By the way I was carrying on, you'd never have guessed I just got a new daughter and whole new extended family. I will cherish these moments forever and look at our photos often. Grace Nadja Maples is one blessed little girl to have "1" whole big family that loves her very much and we are so blessed to have had this time with her birth family to be able to share this with her one day.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeV10EXOeq8r2ebHfT1s5v6zECwMQ7K5LaSJAbhOyuiZcxHYh7oaXsKTJCpqkQuf_uMbxjGOoQV9ULnEOLs4HqncPT6xei45mpc2uySYhcUXqpj71SMs_9CfrfHo3J7bjmd-0JlnjC_Jn/s320/Grace121009_023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712078158102914" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span><div><div style="text-align: center; ">Social workers from Blace</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qQ3mb_wTSefIrQLAQcbKmn6YIX4HMZbQ31ZkyAgyHJ41q7AdmCh5BQHqJtiOjqUji2hwtxuAXB8zCVMMsTeykZ-hl51FoJkbG1xdBrqbrKbfeoWcZ4Z6z4Ldc8XvnJfZy2b6Kfer4Y2s/s320/Grace121009_003.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712049923721010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Grace's Birth-Mother and baby sister</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGFuklk1FL7X88SmN2C03xMBff0Ckg8mdlSlLXE26VMQgMEIaM40MRtYmOmAKTHUORMXkdRDJSYnhXeOzMjJ5vsroduXh7PMhgcl4YcLQ8KMUv2a2FnjHIV52wur0yZaGkknVONeX5NN8/s320/Grace121009_004.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712054105934114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Everyone but the oldest sister and Grace</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOttj6GlqDXWfOnLmZqdS6EIRUoFHdd_dkwfEVa6EKZRTvRWvAmvAwQqIl0xltUiQKjTm_R_HYlAa_il4mXUcMP1Auo15T05vG-vqvhqfSNTA8TxpRqStrBOfjag5MfzMnGJO-8nQ5X2I/s320/Grace121009_013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413714712385922290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); ">Etno Kuca Gedzo Resturant in Blace where we had a celebration lunch</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ee9j-q-6hMoGTotIXyJnbwYqzFKWGOoGQtodWlvrCanAyT9BSuVnDroI0fF_Vk1OLzyvV-r5WN61RRO8-F5XisqeDHlDWXFcBB9GU6lGu4bO5CieA1pxinxKApo48x30FSBxPhegjy4V/s320/Grace121009_017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413714708652856802" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Mixed Grill dinner; veal, sausage, pork and cheese filled meatballs</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiPw1rqGgE7qhOjk3xNAgdNU_jedcJ4bSWTpjoyg4VFvZKQxRSl8reeaTKQrKyudwGw1roxUJh312emRyzWwZiEt-UR2PdhvR6jAAoRp6zis_6QDsbhwSPxIF49Veuk0uvY09N2MbVlVz/s320/Grace121009_018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712067299301506" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; ">Lamb, potatoes, bread, and cabbage</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7jSK-0hKQLFdGIAKiIeuSgBQ3x2jP-lFA5ucFqunJ-0QdEm-4XlWwhiHTH3a9hgXVCimaHaJ5PBD-CfEsRAfYO_f_31rJZTD2A6EX-UrdEZO3LbYt2bOXE9wykNumBi6hycedVh6g2r8/s1600-h/Grace121009_026.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7jSK-0hKQLFdGIAKiIeuSgBQ3x2jP-lFA5ucFqunJ-0QdEm-4XlWwhiHTH3a9hgXVCimaHaJ5PBD-CfEsRAfYO_f_31rJZTD2A6EX-UrdEZO3LbYt2bOXE9wykNumBi6hycedVh6g2r8/s320/Grace121009_026.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712512385466450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a>Treats at Grace's birth-Grandparents house<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6b3ZtWLhaYspfd6jE9ntWFsbq6zuv75XMuYkxeshND9jyZ_cfG8Bbf5i0qzC4epVs4-nPvGF4tyML6qC_hgnS0QjA4keL-G5QbQ2NSNW38ax353cMJ4DLYFFTckd4-juOzuP0spFhpSp/s1600-h/Grace121009_025.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6b3ZtWLhaYspfd6jE9ntWFsbq6zuv75XMuYkxeshND9jyZ_cfG8Bbf5i0qzC4epVs4-nPvGF4tyML6qC_hgnS0QjA4keL-G5QbQ2NSNW38ax353cMJ4DLYFFTckd4-juOzuP0spFhpSp/s320/Grace121009_025.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712502020198690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; ">This is how they have water, with jellied Strawberries and Turkish candy</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBq2ZZrTeX7qdF4CGXbphgUxkMUpbgHV7zuoQLpgibY0mYU2vpKqKKd7R0zZwOmW71Iafl1nAVzWN4jNdhIdRxKEiNirMEQdRw0IjCy9UTNn-j_bq1n3okmAMZrntX45-kAWpioX4CDua2/s320/Grace121009_030.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712512978025010" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; ">And then the Hazelnut Brandy with Grandma!</div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y3QqP5318x8FX1MwKyRuFplvz2QIYiKzEy-JY4LrsBCc5UpDuS0CDwXgZp33T5J1uwEqdlLlW7BBAPnbCxVUqGQcNJuCWhcw7oIzrimCWdnbBwEeqKAQl2Ej61O8KzF8lys6t4KI06pr/s1600-h/Grace121009_031.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y3QqP5318x8FX1MwKyRuFplvz2QIYiKzEy-JY4LrsBCc5UpDuS0CDwXgZp33T5J1uwEqdlLlW7BBAPnbCxVUqGQcNJuCWhcw7oIzrimCWdnbBwEeqKAQl2Ej61O8KzF8lys6t4KI06pr/s320/Grace121009_031.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712514741808866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Jasmina and Jasna</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7jSK-0hKQLFdGIAKiIeuSgBQ3x2jP-lFA5ucFqunJ-0QdEm-4XlWwhiHTH3a9hgXVCimaHaJ5PBD-CfEsRAfYO_f_31rJZTD2A6EX-UrdEZO3LbYt2bOXE9wykNumBi6hycedVh6g2r8/s1600-h/Grace121009_026.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeV10EXOeq8r2ebHfT1s5v6zECwMQ7K5LaSJAbhOyuiZcxHYh7oaXsKTJCpqkQuf_uMbxjGOoQV9ULnEOLs4HqncPT6xei45mpc2uySYhcUXqpj71SMs_9CfrfHo3J7bjmd-0JlnjC_Jn/s1600-h/Grace121009_023.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLve-iRWL8ahkIuULTQXe6hMMTADGf-MnHh5-lSPyEFyQn7wijsKquCn2J5mYlXBsd5uMIvOnNnhmTNFML1gtu-IMXt20XGFS0pv27brBda53a7sU0qsY40UCB37oVs1p1pLn1dbWGfyIs/s1600-h/Grace121009_034.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLve-iRWL8ahkIuULTQXe6hMMTADGf-MnHh5-lSPyEFyQn7wijsKquCn2J5mYlXBsd5uMIvOnNnhmTNFML1gtu-IMXt20XGFS0pv27brBda53a7sU0qsY40UCB37oVs1p1pLn1dbWGfyIs/s320/Grace121009_034.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413712073527547922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; ">Saying goodbye for now.</div></div></div>Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-24371637992736836862009-12-09T14:45:00.002-06:002009-12-09T14:46:33.975-06:00MckMomma HP Touchsmart giveawayBlogging friend MckMomma is part of the contest to give away an HP Touchsmart computer. Go checkout her blog for many great things including the giveaway. <a href="http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-giveaway.html">http://mckgiveaways.blogspot.com/2009/12/hp-touchsmart-giveaway.html</a>Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-85947873183134725442009-12-09T14:24:00.001-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.186-06:00He Signed!!!We got the signature today that we've been waiting for. The adoption ceremony will be tomorrow and we get to spring Grace Nadja from the orphanage when we get back. We are so excited!! We are hoping to leave here on tuesday. Look for an update of the ceremony tomorrow night.Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-37873878322533593362009-12-08T15:37:00.002-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.186-06:00Bittersweet Day!Well, today was the most amazing and emotional and sad day all in one that we've ever had throughout our 5 adoption experiences. We got to meet Grace Nadja's birth father, his sister and a maternal uncle. They travelled several hours today to come say goodbye to sweet Grace. Let me just tell you how much they love this little girl and how hard this meeting was for ALL of us. As soon as they came in the room, we all started crying. Very few, if any, families ever get the opportunity to meet birth family so we are totally blessed to have experienced this today. We now know why we did not get our signature yesterday. If we had, we would have travelled for the adoption ceremony today and they may not have been able to come say goodbye. I will never question God's timing again! Sadly 2 of Grace's sisters are in the hospital with pneumonia so her mother was unable to come. However, we hope to meet her after the adoption ceremony. Grace won't be with us then though so she won't be able to see her again and that breaks my heart. We got many many photos today and a little video as well to show Grace when she's older. It is so obvious how much they love her. They have our blog address and will be able to watch her grow up and thrive in our home. We are so thankful they want to keep in touch and they have invited us to visit them if we are ever back in this country. They are such warm and loving people and we feel like they are now a part of our family too. I just don't even have the words to express the love we felt today. We got to spend a total of about 3 hours with them today and even though they don't speak English, we were able to communicate. The embrace I got from Grace's father was the biggest, tightest, longest, and most heart felt hug I've ever received from ANYONE!!! We both just sobbed. I cried equally as hard when he and Jon embraced. I would love to post a few pictures but I will not unless I get their permission. I want to protect their privacy and do not want them to feel any shame or embarrassment for placing her for adoption. If they could, they surely would have kept her. Resources for a child with Down syndrome just don't exist here and her surgeries for the cleft palate are just too expensive. They asked us MANY questions today about resources for her and were pleased with what we will be able to offer her. We shared photos of our other kids and saw pictures of Grace's siblings as well has her paternal grand parents. We may even be blessed to receive some baby photos of her. God's timing and plan are perfect all the time and we couldn't be happier with the way things are going right now. I'll stop now as I'm starting to cry again visualizing Grace's father saying goodbye and looking back as he walks to the elevator.Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-19824221739054412712009-12-07T15:36:00.006-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.187-06:00<div style="text-align: left;">Today we had a nice visit with Grace. She was being very cute today playing with us and crawling over my leg on her own {with a little backstop assistance}. Then Sarah put her in the baby carrier, and she fell fast asleep. She's been over tired on several occasions but has refused to let herself fall asleep. Needless to say we were pretty excited that she feels comfortable with us now that she'll fall asleep with us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then while we waited to get word if we would get the Ministers' signature today or not, we decided to go on a minibus tour to see the sites. It was a little hard to see somethings today as it was foggy, but we figured if we have Grace with us all the time soon we wouldn't get another chance. We did get to have an excellent lunch and wonderful conversation for several hours with our tour guide and the only other member of our tour a gentlemen from Malta. </div><div><br /></div><div>Late in the afternoon we did learn that we would not be getting the signature we needed today, so we'll have to pray that we get it tomorrow. That pretty much blew our chance that we could all fly home this weekend. :( So our homecoming arrangements are still up in the air. Now we have to decide if I will come home this weekend and then Sarah and Grace would fly home when everything is done, or if I can strech things with work and we all fly home early next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>This evening Vlado, who we rent our apartment from, and his wife Svetlana invited us and the other family here adopting out for diner at a traditional Serbian restaurant. We had another great meal and several hours of awesome converstation. </div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRpuPDRp21vDsR6EQeNZb66-Xp4ZmrrCHri6bJUarY-BO3s0h5VmSnVKrI8Ghg6uH5TvK6-JsYM-9-qYFRENwUUzJ67Gt3DsGL8SAEBr-B7nS-fAAqryTyfimwqtQgJvI6-fjeY7o1Fhy/s320/Grace120709_011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412634216467911106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grace crawling over my leg, with minimal assistance</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1qFeJlnDvPE82CLH5X8Sc06dbxTVHE4Y1cOLLU5gF7i4FUn9myU5ZwykqbEkBLuvI-VBmKs6UZE8ljq2CKPsRnrIRNlFMrHpmncjIWGSncmKPPKfrNMVROge6JRouicJVO9s4LjnNwT4/s1600-h/Grace120709_016.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1qFeJlnDvPE82CLH5X8Sc06dbxTVHE4Y1cOLLU5gF7i4FUn9myU5ZwykqbEkBLuvI-VBmKs6UZE8ljq2CKPsRnrIRNlFMrHpmncjIWGSncmKPPKfrNMVROge6JRouicJVO9s4LjnNwT4/s320/Grace120709_016.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412634221792270690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a>Grace fell asleep for the first time while Sarah was holding her in the baby carrier wrap.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBdSyhNMrzlb-nRI9y3He2anBhDEKJoqNX96brZeak1B-T7eGTo1ECzZ34U1nsfZGNG1jGtlg5w_yPILP8X_xdP82zTxiWKQqMJX-HLavQp2T4TU_boljHMQ9YACUQF35A_pKofQv9une/s1600-h/Grace120709_023.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBdSyhNMrzlb-nRI9y3He2anBhDEKJoqNX96brZeak1B-T7eGTo1ECzZ34U1nsfZGNG1jGtlg5w_yPILP8X_xdP82zTxiWKQqMJX-HLavQp2T4TU_boljHMQ9YACUQF35A_pKofQv9une/s320/Grace120709_023.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412634225237717106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Such a precious little angel</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM1qFeJlnDvPE82CLH5X8Sc06dbxTVHE4Y1cOLLU5gF7i4FUn9myU5ZwykqbEkBLuvI-VBmKs6UZE8ljq2CKPsRnrIRNlFMrHpmncjIWGSncmKPPKfrNMVROge6JRouicJVO9s4LjnNwT4/s1600-h/Grace120709_016.jpg"></a></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg74cEDGUmjLS7EXghUO-MxYM1YuO4FHY7KJM_leC6SBjJ0JsaaHLW34oDgHUO43XnQwaDXSL0Rym1ijITe_MXRP-n2Ll6AYYtSu7k5VZlE7AeEB7sHKjDiWM0rbfixpj71BgC0c_hXbvA2/s320/Grace120709_043.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412634232427605586" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah and I standing in front of a giant tree in the garden where most Serbian couples have they're wedding receptions in the springtime.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG9QeKa_Hk43m09SiBPsgLVMlPVwsndfWsyiXamag5QVC9_uc0_X-dBH8HcRtCzi8a-DcX7c_f_sDVuDA9xUHI6IVAj3a9dLLyP_0DBhmGBw6W8B6RyQsJNqsLrjGF9S6yx71mxk-GWkSP/s320/Grace120709_071.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412634234245804786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Standing in front of the Prince Mihailo monument in<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> Republic Square with our new friend Renault.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 15px; font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; font-size:16px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0joPhe2ljI7016bBf_7x5DaIu8kOosksiGpNMd1ggu9CBhYyIFO07ckSXQBY_iL4997LWuIp1dkQRVgspkyNAB6JxHfOKhjrjtv_xQebaNOcEx3mH26YEE7Yp4qjYk8axFquccXQI_sY/s320/Grace120709_073.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412640909271997474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Svetlana, Mary, Jim, Sarah, Jon & Vlado at the "Just Like Home" restaurant.</div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03409923014684066814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-60066200138721587492009-12-06T16:56:00.004-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.187-06:00Day 7 videosHere are a couple of cute videos from today. First we finally caught Grace laughing on camera! She likes it when I jump with her and lift her in the air. It takes her a little while to warm up and she gets bored after only a couple of turns, but eventually she gets going.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxH-pkyP3q4eUULE7-uaZNcJGZelbB8wcLartKYfAZ9R_moIG16nFuq747p2Fs_mQc3MT6UneWIxmcYGDFylw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Grace playing with Mommy. She's copied Sarah signing Mommy for several days. I thought it was so cute when she would grab Sarah's hand and hold it against her cheek. I really love our little angel.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwlDV3qprCIigtceW-HpV8HwUT9BTCxgNTkRv41lzMZ_h3lmEmPT3UVbRCP59chDNfnpzyx9rLQBdr9kKRLQw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03409923014684066814noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-71700894902481887802009-12-06T16:09:00.002-06:002009-12-18T23:45:13.110-06:00Home HappeningsHere is a note we got from Holly who is the young gal taking great care of our kids while we are gone. She is so great with them and sounds like they are having a great time. We are soooo thankful for Holly and at total peace that she is running the show while we are gone. Truely amazing. THANKS HOLLY, WE LOVE YOU!!!<br />p.s. I was in stitches reading this :)<br /><br />Hey there Sarah,We had a great day today. We went to Chatau Theatere as planned and then to Playland McDonalds for lunch with some of my family. (I added some pictures.) Sam has been really good. For both him and Ian I've had a pretty much no tollerance rule as far as whining and willful disobedience goes. And, even though they didn't appreciate it too much at first, knowing what to expect from me is helping them allot with first time obedience. We really had a very great day with both of them. I praised them up so much tonight for how good they did, especailly Sam, and he about popped with pride. It was pretty cute. And of course after that he put out a double effort with helping me with things and helping the other kids. I have three funny/cute stories for you. (I hope this doesn't get too long, lol, it might!)The first is that Sam informed me that you can say bad words with your hands/fingers. He then informed me that mommy said he should NEVER EVER EVER do it EVER. Then all four of them proceeded to show me how it was done. Pretty funny.Second, was that tonight I left the kids pot pies on the table while we came down and read your blog posts. Well, we were sitting there and all the sudden heard a fork hit the floor. Ivy looks at me, eyes wide and said, "I think Barney ate our pot pies. Do you know how I know? He just doropped his fork!" The imagery was so funny that I really couldn't hardly be upset at Barney, even though he did indeed eat three out of the four. What a crazy dog! We'll know better now!Third was just a cute thing that happened tonight while putting the kids to bed. I always say, "Do you want me to pray for you?" And then proceed to thank God for all the good things we did that day and ask him to bless tomorrow. I was just about to leave for the night and Iris says, "Holly! Holly! Holly!" very urgently and then said, "Pray for Barney, too." So, we prayed for the stuffy, too. Pretty cute.Oh, one more thing, while I was watching Grace's movie clips I randomly said, "She's so cute, I could just take her home!" I of course was just using the expression but all four of the kids, Ivy, Iris, Ian, Sam were like, "NO!" Sam grabbed my face and looked me straight in the eyes and all the while Ivy is saying, "She belongs to us, WE adopted her!" Oh boy, some kind of love you got going on in this family! :) :) :) Anyways, I'm sure loving your kiddos! Praying for things there, Goodnight, or goodmorning. :) HollySarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-11240148807616324072009-12-05T16:09:00.002-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.187-06:00Saturday's VisitsWe had 2 visits with Grace today and when we went to her room to get her, she actually put her arms out to me. Talk about melt my heart!! She is just such a sweet child but she does know what she wants and does not want. She also cried when she bumped her head which is GREAT!! Most kids in an institution won't even bother crying as their cries will not be heard. Grace shows appropriate emotions and reactions which is wonderful. She's starting to show more interest in toys as well and played ball with us today by rolling it back to me. Very smart little girl we have here. <br /><br />We really had a great day all around today. Jim and Mary(the family here adopting sweet Milos) and us spent a lot of time together today. They showed us how to use the tram which was so easy and will save us $15/day in cab fare to and from the orphanage. We then had lunch together at a Mexican restaurant. It was a cute little place and the food wasn't bad either. We then hit the open market but didn't find anything that we couldn't live without. We were in search of a nice dress for Grace to wear the day we spring her from the orphanage. The one we brought is WAY too small. She's much bigger than we expected :) With no luck there, we continued walking to the pedestrian zone which is like a big mall area similar to our outlet malls in the states. We did find her a sweet dress and leggings but failed to look at the price and it was around $70...yikes!! Oh well, we haven't spent money on souveniers yet so I felt I could splurge on Grace. We then took the tram back to the orphanage for our 2nd visit. The weekend staff is a little more laid back, should we say, and the children were hungry and fussy. We decided to walk the halls a bit with Grace and one of the nurses yelled at us. Oops!! We are confined to a very small visitation room. Not a lot to do in there with a 2 year old who doesn't have much interest in toys. ANYWAY....we then hooked up with Jim and Mary and decided to try a hamburger at a "fast food" joint. Umm....disgusting!! It certainly was not beef and I actually had to spit my bite out. Oh well. Next Jasmina(our facilitator) met us and took us to a professional basketball game. We were invited yesterday but didn't have much interest but decided to go tonight for something to do. I'm sure glad we did. We had a blast and the game was very exciting. We did lose by 2 points but it was very nerve wracking. We weren't sure what was going to happen after the game as there were many helmet wearing police officers at either entrance to the gym. The crowd was rowdy and would throw rolls of toilet paper and other objects on the court floor if they didn't agree with the ref's calls. Did I mention how LOUD it was in there? However, at the end of the game, the team players shook hands and there were no riots going on. We made it back to our apartment and are now catching up with emails and having something to eat. We're hoping to get some sight seeing in and had actually planned a tour today but the weather wasn't nice and the fog rolled in which would have made it difficult to see the sights. Maybe monday.<br /><br />Now for prayers. 1. the adoption minister to sign our case on monday. If this happens, we can have the adoption ceremony on tuesday and get the passport and medical on thursday. Then all that's left is the visa. However, the US embassy doesn't do visa appts on fridays so we'd have to wait until monday. 2. please pray they will make an acception(they've done it before) to do our appt friday so we can all leave as a family on saturday. More details on that later in the week once we know in the minister signs.<br /><br />We are very excited to know that Grace's birthfather will be coming here on monday to meet us. Her mother most likely will not be with as she is suffering emotionally from all of this as are Grace's 2 older sisters. So sad. Please pray for Grace's birth family that they have peace with their decision knowing Grace will be so loved and given the best opportunities to reach her fullest potential.<br /><br />Well, that's today's adventures. Tune in tomorrow for more....<br />Good night!Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-87378844274083625162009-12-04T14:43:00.007-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.188-06:00Day 5 videosJust a swingin'<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzdbQqst_DB0me_tqP3O9OJLsj6rwP3W8nuWEs8FDzZEij9wrDIcSwA5QV7gR7-qczsbM-nsINz_Fyd-PpE6A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Determination<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzgVS4Hmq-2n9_orWKISXMKjYdivMV2QHb-FaupJIclmEL1jbQ51NBfPVNT9ula9IwEdghjpwkBuhAL4uT95w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br />Grace was determind to get to her bottle. This was the first time we have seen her crawl on her hands AND knees. So far to get around, she's done the Indian crawl and dragged her legs. Now that we know she CAN do it, we will be finding lots of things to motivate her to crawl MORE. Oh how I love this girl!!Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03409923014684066814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-77138856277386311022009-12-03T15:18:00.002-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.188-06:00Day 4No words today just a video of our baby girl. We do suggest you turn down the sound before you watch, so you don't have to hear the corny laughter. :)<br /><div><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxpGQ_EOOEZW-4UQ58CCTjJ6FwCOaChhecIZnxyQMhD2M7p44d3ZBCHJTp85pib0S4-VpcVEu8FeugHcbea3w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03409923014684066814noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-91215241394598401792009-12-02T16:42:00.009-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.189-06:00Day 3<div align="center">Today was an odd day. We got to spend a couple hours with Grace this morning and then did not have an afternoon visit. However, things are going very well and Grace is bonding with us and we have fallen head over heels in love with her too! She LOVES to give kisses which usually involve her tongue :) Our adoption facilitator wrote up the adoption report today and is submitting it tomorrow in favor of this adoption. This is a few days ahead of schedule so we are praying the adoption minister can be located and will not delay signing. Once it's signed, we can set a date for the adoption ceremony in Grace's birth city which is about 3 1/2 hour taxi ride away. Then the rest can fall into place and maybe...just maybe...we can come home a bit early. We miss our kids terribly. We've been able to have video calls with them through Skype though which has helped. Sam seems to be having the most difficulty and told Holly today that he is too old to cry when he misses us. Of course I bawled and then bawled some more today. It was very emotional today as I'm very homesick and knowing that Sam is having a hard time makes it even worse. I almost called Jon's parents to ask them to go get him but decided not too. So please pray for Sam and the kids as well as Holly. This trip is not easy on anyone but this is all a small price to pay for being entrusted to another of God's beautiful children. Grace is an absolute angel and will teach us all so much. I can't wait for the kids to meet her and Holly has told me how much they adore her already when they talk about her. God is so good....ALL the time.....He is good! We also got to meet another American family that is here to adopt a 10 yr old boy with Ds from the same orphanage as Grace. We enjoyed a nice dinner with them and really enjoyed the conversation...in English!<br />Ok, now for a few more pictures:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh429gkqpgmCiJEjUfq68q3bIgkaK1aMl73kiF9Uhm1_NknVSKCGaJBQjOYWKPeWFhI6y1K8LizssSdb1wGLkAbEkeYbesEzV_BDNVYRXOuUAvxyEZuw7uAqjJjw3iT4qOKmOuiRhkX9JE/s1600-h/Grace120209_011.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbK3wogx2iJD4leik7_jcntIEeP21YmrAU9n03-aEaBFkp4ZARkevu8XvdWweD3tFOw5uoJwn6EqrZeyspVQKN5hN2kolBDQk4QBgq9i-gSAhSvy6pYLxEZV9gkRNszacxfk4-RDDAjw/s1600-h/Grace120209_009.jpg"></a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKeog8XsVJ0yxFjkvATiDXbborizDjVlOC1c-lmLLm4FOa-r6RhvbnAnb9z7dGNSe72V_Yo4ipbJrNw1LSPsF_4UAG4XJlIlmhFr0PjEOZLhYuZ66jVlZ1vnkbSiBUzoDqO3WQqPNTJk/s1600-h/Grace120209_007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410791042290666018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKeog8XsVJ0yxFjkvATiDXbborizDjVlOC1c-lmLLm4FOa-r6RhvbnAnb9z7dGNSe72V_Yo4ipbJrNw1LSPsF_4UAG4XJlIlmhFr0PjEOZLhYuZ66jVlZ1vnkbSiBUzoDqO3WQqPNTJk/s320/Grace120209_007.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Having a little taste before I bite daddy's nose!</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm15mbNwdW4BpWqqjoXl4jC870rV0CG6hyphenhyphenzxF7aFZx3wFuCILjOtqZnVmqaol9L9vmJ3oSntEDAnjyy-HCudB-G9w3RybpBrmRTEqkExDk1SW2CKjtq16XpFC-KxervrOqi_2G8yXkDI/s1600-h/Grace120209_004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410791038059584450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm15mbNwdW4BpWqqjoXl4jC870rV0CG6hyphenhyphenzxF7aFZx3wFuCILjOtqZnVmqaol9L9vmJ3oSntEDAnjyy-HCudB-G9w3RybpBrmRTEqkExDk1SW2CKjtq16XpFC-KxervrOqi_2G8yXkDI/s320/Grace120209_004.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdoAjuKGLMRzb16QQOxajFDW6Xn54Upb0W8FOS5k6HhkzYQdUsnUh0gaZljBKsAy7RCwvUa_DPE-YJVVTFfk3gy5Dq1fJ0qXvGPW0H3RxrTVvBGIpiEnAoV514S03kcNeKFsKORGB7Ms/s1600-h/Grace120209_002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410791036663617442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdoAjuKGLMRzb16QQOxajFDW6Xn54Upb0W8FOS5k6HhkzYQdUsnUh0gaZljBKsAy7RCwvUa_DPE-YJVVTFfk3gy5Dq1fJ0qXvGPW0H3RxrTVvBGIpiEnAoV514S03kcNeKFsKORGB7Ms/s320/Grace120209_002.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>I love kisses from my mommy!<br /></p>Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-41748584135438623802009-12-01T15:43:00.007-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.189-06:00Happy 2nd Birthday Grace!OK, this is going to be just a quick recap of the day since Jon's writing it instead of Sarah. Today 12/1/09 is Grace Nadja's 2nd Birthday. Happy Birthday Grace. We got to visit Grace twice today in the morning and the afternoon. In the afternoon we brought her a tutu and angel wings to dress up in, some presents to open and a few decorations. Grace really warmed up to us today, even in the morning she was smiling and by the afternoon we had gotten her to giggle a little bit. Well that's about all I'm going to say, I'm sure Sarah will elaborate further later when she's feeling up to it. Here are some pictures from our day, enjoy. <div>Jon.<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Guuavc3tEnyex7Wf14OQof_5uTzLuQch-JpVyN0OspjIp6zPeZk0aXcETp7TcnrjhqekmH8pJx37Rnj77lWQUGDc_T2aylH3j3H6mVrFmNX0Dq03q6HIgdpqtwFGokph17Quj3oQNx8/s1600/Grace120109_018.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Guuavc3tEnyex7Wf14OQof_5uTzLuQch-JpVyN0OspjIp6zPeZk0aXcETp7TcnrjhqekmH8pJx37Rnj77lWQUGDc_T2aylH3j3H6mVrFmNX0Dq03q6HIgdpqtwFGokph17Quj3oQNx8/s320/Grace120109_018.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410382853531275442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Birthday Grace Nadja</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXZevYNLS78SU56MKbHNfIOukJMACcL0cqgrPb3w2MGMHrgvWsaX8ab8N__JjwC_-RRz_9WE1ESA8P5uXCJsztswNZzgi1miJwNWI5q4lUhBRpsjY746nZ1g3P7JujAyAVdK_azMpNnk/s1600/Grace120109_039.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXZevYNLS78SU56MKbHNfIOukJMACcL0cqgrPb3w2MGMHrgvWsaX8ab8N__JjwC_-RRz_9WE1ESA8P5uXCJsztswNZzgi1miJwNWI5q4lUhBRpsjY746nZ1g3P7JujAyAVdK_azMpNnk/s320/Grace120109_039.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410382862425612786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Trying out the snuggie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfAD7fqmJHCTMm2T8k3i-K1plalGvGShB1mjw2zcZpFsi23_XfvYcx7DVzlPABBIiFPw74QMIpsKINrVgmgs4MEPDPGMx8ByxbVSSkKYPxyl53dgPks94l76p2V1PX6bHEn_iI0AhyVQ/s1600/Grace120109_033.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfAD7fqmJHCTMm2T8k3i-K1plalGvGShB1mjw2zcZpFsi23_XfvYcx7DVzlPABBIiFPw74QMIpsKINrVgmgs4MEPDPGMx8ByxbVSSkKYPxyl53dgPks94l76p2V1PX6bHEn_iI0AhyVQ/s320/Grace120109_033.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410382858219090770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Playing with Daddy</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGeUaNNDGqef7YJlEnlvk9izFjNANJLJITEEYp1B074bJoo4rQD6HuNj0hsUfsQnOjs2INnkoYXms-2QSZwRKkyQQ1Xzsd_UnfYwOGAd15QTsRfOuD_K7jbdJ5e5HCEW7rTQ3y_ZEjYY/s1600/Grace120109_017.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGeUaNNDGqef7YJlEnlvk9izFjNANJLJITEEYp1B074bJoo4rQD6HuNj0hsUfsQnOjs2INnkoYXms-2QSZwRKkyQQ1Xzsd_UnfYwOGAd15QTsRfOuD_K7jbdJ5e5HCEW7rTQ3y_ZEjYY/s320/Grace120109_017.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410382846623428690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Giving kisses</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cGDC3yCPf-AJrfIIOAZoHEw_kUeh-M4GfMzmO304BGyc1pnc6xf_ah8sOHu-M2Zt79pYyZz6Di_XLIJVtbmisq7i_GmknR13qG0_HiLeZ8PgEiKe2WorupeEqsv2Roc-eE7SfdUr9XQ/s1600/Grace120109_012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1cGDC3yCPf-AJrfIIOAZoHEw_kUeh-M4GfMzmO304BGyc1pnc6xf_ah8sOHu-M2Zt79pYyZz6Di_XLIJVtbmisq7i_GmknR13qG0_HiLeZ8PgEiKe2WorupeEqsv2Roc-eE7SfdUr9XQ/s320/Grace120109_012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410381629805879826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">smiling</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgJecir7Qzu2HKpXnV2CN1uRGOWih4PRsQlBVtyMEcx-uhfvd3AwCVUkrldbw64QuZaxsWJn4vMiSAPs3b6R6obmNn4HsWb0lIJBHAOi7OxsK3er0REw611kxQBF4t8x-CkLTVUjWVwY/s1600/Grace120109_008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgJecir7Qzu2HKpXnV2CN1uRGOWih4PRsQlBVtyMEcx-uhfvd3AwCVUkrldbw64QuZaxsWJn4vMiSAPs3b6R6obmNn4HsWb0lIJBHAOi7OxsK3er0REw611kxQBF4t8x-CkLTVUjWVwY/s320/Grace120109_008.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410381105298735618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Playing with Mommy's earrings</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9MOMNb8ddpK2FNzViaJLaBOL-dJ2F_VtaeDLS6bNkiZd_ga5qqY-GNFf2GZSrrLdaAqjSvWOpiq5urbXN-bxLSrlTjDfnDgmk07XJuXIvgE3ApUwHQXszpX3jASqAJKgZh1t1UW6Ar4/s1600/Grace120109_090.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9MOMNb8ddpK2FNzViaJLaBOL-dJ2F_VtaeDLS6bNkiZd_ga5qqY-GNFf2GZSrrLdaAqjSvWOpiq5urbXN-bxLSrlTjDfnDgmk07XJuXIvgE3ApUwHQXszpX3jASqAJKgZh1t1UW6Ar4/s320/Grace120109_090.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410384352732226834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Big Birthday Girl</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Zg86A1hqpaHqvniX2tzbvQ5CrI-5GAgQFX5YxJAubB2qD6r8QcO0XjzEyG7KYg9L7o7A5qYwk1ZJDnibYKNeJx4K_RyikyrJWl0cZWzZWPrNqbS1RaJAYn3LVbNfMgiR5xcJk3nlu1Y/s1600/Grace120109_087.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Zg86A1hqpaHqvniX2tzbvQ5CrI-5GAgQFX5YxJAubB2qD6r8QcO0XjzEyG7KYg9L7o7A5qYwk1ZJDnibYKNeJx4K_RyikyrJWl0cZWzZWPrNqbS1RaJAYn3LVbNfMgiR5xcJk3nlu1Y/s320/Grace120109_087.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410384351089848018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhxEjf7DBnZwN8DNbCF8oJw9om8nZHQeje0BOjEOa1sGg5MyNv1FL_h9Uo42OWvJ17LOUkUG_-12D_kqLADxJIggQ8sLca4qYeSaqakoTIFQd19FRniUvN7bINvpFByOhH0CIu0rX_go/s1600/Grace120109_079.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhxEjf7DBnZwN8DNbCF8oJw9om8nZHQeje0BOjEOa1sGg5MyNv1FL_h9Uo42OWvJ17LOUkUG_-12D_kqLADxJIggQ8sLca4qYeSaqakoTIFQd19FRniUvN7bINvpFByOhH0CIu0rX_go/s320/Grace120109_079.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410384349390686786" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Reading one of the birthday books with Daddy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdco9DdC30NgbBeVPv22ypBxznSJ4N-ySeb52xJqetCsD0ojanOE0uU5D2zU8FvftAmMyI35ciTayVWgzTTpU_g47e3d9OPco_KqHLaiX4VpMpit_aRIDjaNdO5u62UtGdpSAcnwey6Q/s1600/Grace120109_072.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJdco9DdC30NgbBeVPv22ypBxznSJ4N-ySeb52xJqetCsD0ojanOE0uU5D2zU8FvftAmMyI35ciTayVWgzTTpU_g47e3d9OPco_KqHLaiX4VpMpit_aRIDjaNdO5u62UtGdpSAcnwey6Q/s320/Grace120109_072.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410384340186073682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">giggling</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwz2Rkj_cXpmZOTx1EjvsF1taQKH5YIRw0-BG6MTlGVu5Q5VA97XI8maD5V3-ntsENIQAgNk5nMYnBUwVmE86MY9vjOzwO5jR5ahzP_djiCiHTT1pfiJMt_r4dZO7oZS8a_pTm4EXsJgA/s1600/Grace120109_068.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwz2Rkj_cXpmZOTx1EjvsF1taQKH5YIRw0-BG6MTlGVu5Q5VA97XI8maD5V3-ntsENIQAgNk5nMYnBUwVmE86MY9vjOzwO5jR5ahzP_djiCiHTT1pfiJMt_r4dZO7oZS8a_pTm4EXsJgA/s320/Grace120109_068.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410384335092736082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Birthday girl in her tutu resting on her new blankie</div><br /></div></div>Jonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03409923014684066814noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-33266370476326124672009-11-30T16:54:00.004-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.190-06:00We Met Her!!Wow, what a day! We started the day out by meeting with the adoption ministry for about and hour. There were 10 other people in the room besides Jon and I. I was nervous but everyone was so so nice and it all went smoothly. We were prepared that they would ask us questions as to why we would adopt a child with Down syndrome but we didn't end up getting asked anything. We found out a lot about Nadja's birth family and I started to tear up. A very sad situation for her family. They love her so very much and this has been a heart breaking decision for them. Grace has 2 older sisters ages 12 and 13 who are also having a hard time with this. Grace also has a 1 year old baby sister. You will notice that sometimes I use Nadja and sometimes I use Grace. We are torn as to whether or not we will change her name at this time. Nadja's parents named her and we really like it but realize no one will pronounce it correctly back home. As for right now, we are calling her Nadja as that's what she knows. Ok, so back to our day. After our appointment, we went to the orphanage. We donned some lovely gowns and they brought Nadja to us. SHE IS SO PRECIOUS!!! Truely an angel! She is much bigger AND heavier than we thought and hope our 18 months clothes we brought will fit. According to her psychologist, developmentally she's around 12 months which is better than we expected. She is so ready to crawl and would bear a little weight on her legs. She's babbling and very observant. I tried to show her how to sign "daddy" and she came so close, THE FIRST TIME!!! So she put her hand by her mouth instead of forehead but I was impressed as she is already imitating! We got that on camera :) We spent a few minutes with her and then took off to go have her passport photos taken. She is such a good little girl and never fussed. Her hair is so long and she has the biggest brown eyes I've ever seen. Once we got back, Jon and I spent a couple more hours with her and observed her eating a bottle. That was interesting. The hole in the nipple is HUGE and she wore a lot of it but overall, I was impressed how she manipulated the nipple in her mouth. Kids with Down syndrome naturally may have feeding issues because of the tongue thrust and on top of that, she has a cleft palate. Amazing how kids can adapt. She does have a cold right now and quite a bit of nasal drainage and quite a bit of her bottle came out her nose too. We'll have to get a surgery date soon for her once we're home. That may help with her frequent upper respiratory infections as well......we hope. I would love to share all about her birth family but for their privacy I will not on here. Plus it's Grace's story and she may share one day if she chooses. I will tell you though that Grace's social worker told us that both Jon and I look a lot like her birth parents. Crazy huh? So tomorrow is Grace's 2nd birthday and we have a few treats lined up. They didn't want us buying a cake for the kids so we brought natural fruit snacks and balloons. There are 40 kids in Grace's unit alone so it should be fun. Well, it's 12:10am and we go back at 9:30 so we're headed to bed. Check out our montage from today!!!<br /><br /><div><embed src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/share_view_player?p=9f15ef53f9e0c40888b720" quality="high" scale="noscale" width="408" height="382" wmode="transparent" name="FLVPlayer" salign="LT" flashvars="&p=9f15ef53f9e0c40888b720&skin_id=701&host=http://www.onetruemedia.com" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed><div style="margin:0px;font:12px/13px verdana,arial,sans-serif;line-height:20px;padding-bottom:15px;width:408px;text-align:center;"><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/landing?&utm_source=emplay&utm_medium=txt1" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;">Make an on-line slide show at <span style="text-decoration:underline;">www.OneTrueMedia.com</span></a></div></div>Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-56436395322221685382009-11-29T14:03:00.013-06:002009-12-18T23:41:18.190-06:00We Made It!Ok so here is quite a long update of our whole trip so far. <br /><br />We had a slight delay leaving Minneapolis on friday. Turned out to be pretty cool though as we met a great woman and her son. The son over heard me talking to my mom on the phone and turns out to be from Garmish, Germany. We had a nice chat about Germany and of course he had lots of questions about our adoption. So did his mom. We talked for quite awhile and when he asked why "special needs" kids, all I could tell him was that it was God!! He nodded his head and gave us the thumbs up and was all smiles. He then asked for our names so he could add us to his prayer list. How amazing is that???? Just another sign for us that God is orchastrating this whole adoption. He did however, fail to mention how expensive Germany is :) Anyway, we boarded our plane and his mom asked if she could see my jewelry catalog. Of course I said sure! When we got off the plan(they sat quite a ways away from us) they were waiting til we got off. I got my catalog back along with compliments of the jewelry and then they said: "we have a gift for your new child". Behind his back, was a little pooh stuffed animal that he had gotten for him mom. This was so thoughtful and such a kind offering that I almost started crying. I also got their names and email and plan to send them a picture of Grace and her pooh bear!! Thank you so much again if you're reading this!!!<br /><br />Ok, back to Germany. Once I accepted that we would just have to spend a bit more than planned, we had a much better time. We went to the Christmas market and saw some neat things. I tried real saurkraut, a bratwurst and gluhwein which is hot wine. I wasn't that impressed with the saurkraut or brat but the gluhwein was tastier than I expected as I'm not much of a wine drinker. I did get us a couple neat souveniers though but spent a little more than we budgeted for. We'll have to buy less where we are now. <br /><br />We made it to Grace's city around 4:30 pm and our adoption facilitator met us at the airport. She's great and I already love her!! Her and her nephew drove us to our apartment where we met Vlado. He's in charge of our apartment arrangements. He's great too and took us on a little tour of the area. It was dark though so I'm not sure how much we'll remember in daylight. Vlado took us to the police station to register the address we are staying at. This is part of the paperwork process and we are following ALL rules and no shortcuts here. We then did a drive by of the orphanage and measured the distance as about 1 mile from our apartment. Not far to walk but there's a lot of traffic so we may take a taxi the first few times until we get brave. I know other families have walked and I want the exercise so we shall see. The weather is great so far, unseasonably warm for this time of year. YEAH!!! Vlado took us to a 7-11 type store to pick up a few groceries and then dropped us back off. There is a McDonald's less than 2 blocks from here so that's where we had dinner. Funny that since my gastric bypass in March, I can't stand McDonald's. Before my surgery, I could have eaten it every day. EWWWWWW!!!! Once we get a few more groceries, we'll be able to cook in our apartment but being Sunday evening, not much was open. Our apartment is really nice and even has a washing machine. I'm even using wireless internet right now. <br /><br />So...the plan is to meet Jasmina outside our apartment at 10:45am tomorrow morning. We are 7 hours ahead of CST in MN in case anyone was wondering the time difference. We will then head to the adoption ministry for our appointment and official referral of Gracie. After that, it is my understanding that we'll finally get to meet our princess. I don't know what time that will be but I'm assuming it will be after their lunch and naps. I just pray she isn't afraid of us. This adoption is so different from our other 4 in that we will just get to visit her 2x/day until the adoption is final in about 2 weeks. The other kids were handed right over and we have them in our hotel for bonding the whole time. Needless to say, we'll have a lot of down time so I brought lots of books to read and we'll get to do some sight seeing. This city is gorgeous and I hope to get some great photos!! <br /><br />So here are a few from our side trip to Germany. More to follow......<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuKdwFlVCuiz1bYDqUpgjLV7KaruwYc0gILxb7sTHqlQGUr4LF5-qjdMIwXB6_flinHZ2ov_K8Dn2UXVxWTXU4s3P9b7q4op0U30w6KkGovmaNQy1LAxO124rSyvuiaWn7yHG2RvRw9w/s1600/Germany2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuKdwFlVCuiz1bYDqUpgjLV7KaruwYc0gILxb7sTHqlQGUr4LF5-qjdMIwXB6_flinHZ2ov_K8Dn2UXVxWTXU4s3P9b7q4op0U30w6KkGovmaNQy1LAxO124rSyvuiaWn7yHG2RvRw9w/s320/Germany2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409633916865301394" /></a><br />Shop after shop of just meats like this. Was making me ill actually!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxC_MUoCtwSLGxw3bcNHGuzoL57nDx7t6wfrMuBdMTYkWBnPDkQBTi5HvV505PJASUlNzZ8fJrlQ97Xwv76O8-NkmaaNwYTwspb95jKIwQ65gSI3lzdDwbRwRnXmCoZb2UrhAxHdT2Ps/s1600/Germany4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxC_MUoCtwSLGxw3bcNHGuzoL57nDx7t6wfrMuBdMTYkWBnPDkQBTi5HvV505PJASUlNzZ8fJrlQ97Xwv76O8-NkmaaNwYTwspb95jKIwQ65gSI3lzdDwbRwRnXmCoZb2UrhAxHdT2Ps/s320/Germany4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409633905345566130" /></a><br />I LOVE these. Jon's uncle Keith brought some tabletop size things like this. You use real candles and the heat turns the fan blades. So cool and what I wanted to buy for my souvenier from Germany. I got one and for a good price!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCew1XFWz5KEOkEWp48oyxF4TBFfx7MSugrUQkv4xh0Q5VTSwe8rxI5ZmecNQUgLoHkIf5aX58Mw6pOrDSdK9WsyRIPqG5fBR-ymELjjx3HxuLZTT2r13HswA__JYOZFuN13PRA7wIUbI/s1600/Germany6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCew1XFWz5KEOkEWp48oyxF4TBFfx7MSugrUQkv4xh0Q5VTSwe8rxI5ZmecNQUgLoHkIf5aX58Mw6pOrDSdK9WsyRIPqG5fBR-ymELjjx3HxuLZTT2r13HswA__JYOZFuN13PRA7wIUbI/s320/Germany6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409633904702227218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMj1ahSoxOKopeAjknMCE38l-8emdiqJBRlPcY-s9F6YxXc-6MlmeOEssScsBb3eAHG_fZd_gM_V6QKu5Xo8_ETiP3PpAFIjV41RSUXLn05N9nyr5kr30Vs6OTGKgJqkGXoi952N1buc/s1600/Germany8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMj1ahSoxOKopeAjknMCE38l-8emdiqJBRlPcY-s9F6YxXc-6MlmeOEssScsBb3eAHG_fZd_gM_V6QKu5Xo8_ETiP3PpAFIjV41RSUXLn05N9nyr5kr30Vs6OTGKgJqkGXoi952N1buc/s320/Germany8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409633899340209554" /></a><br />Our hotel that cost like a zillion dollars!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1vpYJ-wjkPKxAIxNUgeTTHLcd0UQKslOlbrU-sw3Rh5DWGGbtnoEo-J1VueoruaoH277C-H1HTHHyqK4sXU5v19_SZfT9-sYG3XPfGtamg1Ypuf17WJNx6PzCCG_3UWNj_qv4fbRNJs/s1600/Germany7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1vpYJ-wjkPKxAIxNUgeTTHLcd0UQKslOlbrU-sw3Rh5DWGGbtnoEo-J1VueoruaoH277C-H1HTHHyqK4sXU5v19_SZfT9-sYG3XPfGtamg1Ypuf17WJNx6PzCCG_3UWNj_qv4fbRNJs/s320/Germany7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409633892615120898" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjzdxsmxDT7Qhyphenhyphen9AFOXQxyJDseUxVA0NuT8DYcNuKtYdO5NDejvocFQr_16qZczMVm4BNdVY7xx_DQOSJGL6nobga0Xuhuk2UiGanXWE4obtFYHAGm3i2GN7b2r8sSAqKWXUSKui_nwU/s1600/Germany9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjzdxsmxDT7Qhyphenhyphen9AFOXQxyJDseUxVA0NuT8DYcNuKtYdO5NDejvocFQr_16qZczMVm4BNdVY7xx_DQOSJGL6nobga0Xuhuk2UiGanXWE4obtFYHAGm3i2GN7b2r8sSAqKWXUSKui_nwU/s320/Germany9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409636247851656898" /></a><br />The ice skating rink at the airport Christmas market. I wanted to try it just to have my picture taken on the ice but I feared I would fall and then my pants would be wet and I'd be cranky so here I am "by" the ice :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn9i5emN_3JvIH2c7L9R0fGtjfCFZnDXcPTbs5Ixo2QKAPoOdx6skCxTraqXs9fK49jp1y0lk57OseXaGrc7uAkdqV4gJZgZunIbAb2JsqcmHlDEoWVTFXRkmaz1ZwNzSjhuaozECdpg/s1600/Germany5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn9i5emN_3JvIH2c7L9R0fGtjfCFZnDXcPTbs5Ixo2QKAPoOdx6skCxTraqXs9fK49jp1y0lk57OseXaGrc7uAkdqV4gJZgZunIbAb2JsqcmHlDEoWVTFXRkmaz1ZwNzSjhuaozECdpg/s320/Germany5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409636243394916738" /></a><br />Oooooo Awwwww Gluhwein!!! Pretty tasty and warm!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvqVedth4zOjl_YEpkHVQqzhfythq9un4OzxWHoJcMWI1sb6eScako_-MaKPsAr7pn4kvHDXk_MLA85v2r5ALLrsqF2AX7MWIEN2Bqpih2sydx2qPoteqGdhrLUteS5AXd4WRQI-wRLU/s1600/Germany3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvqVedth4zOjl_YEpkHVQqzhfythq9un4OzxWHoJcMWI1sb6eScako_-MaKPsAr7pn4kvHDXk_MLA85v2r5ALLrsqF2AX7MWIEN2Bqpih2sydx2qPoteqGdhrLUteS5AXd4WRQI-wRLU/s320/Germany3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409636235831613602" /></a><br />My first bite of real German saurkraut. Yeah, wasn't that impressed. My mom's is much better(love you mom!)<br /><br />P.S. everyone, Jon really is here with me and he got to taste the treats too. I promise to take some pictures of him too, lol!Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-1623459470560854222009-11-28T06:02:00.003-06:002009-12-18T23:51:33.129-06:00Frustrated!Well, the title says it all. I had this brilliant idea a week ago to spend a day in Munich, Germany on our way to pick up Gracie. Since I'm 100% German, I thought it may be my only chance to visit the country. I"m beginning to think it was a bad decision on my part. First of all, I can say like 5 words in German and a couple are not nice. It too us 2 hours to figure out how to get to our hotel which is a Best Western. It is 70 Euros/night(multiply that times 1.5 for US dollars) and our room is to tiny you can barely turn around in it. There is no free shuttle to the airport. That will be another 16 Euros on top of the 26 Euros spent already to get to our hotel by train and then taxi. I certainly don't think of myself as a spoiled American and don't mind that it took us forever to get to our hotel. I don't mind that our room is teenie tiny and the power outlet already blew up our surge proctector. I don't mind that we may only be able to see the Christmas market. I don't mind that it's chillier than I thought it would be here. I don't mind anything that has seemed like an inconvenience right now BUT I do mind that the US dollar stinks!!! The bank is closed cuz it's saturday and the only place to exchange money is back at the airport!! It will cost us $1.69 for 1 stinkin' Euro. We did not plan for this as the excange rate on the internet is 1.49. Sure that doesn't seem like much but when we're looking at $8000 US dollars, that .20 makes a HUGE difference. Jon said there is an ATM outside that we may try in hopes of getting a better rate and possibly avoiding going back to the airport before heading to the Christmas Market. Bring on the Gluvein!!!(very strong wine from what I've been told). None of this will matter on monday when we meet Gracie anyway right? RIGHT???? I just keep telling myself that and now I need to make the most of my 24 hours in Germany and go have a beer and a brat :)Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-81716207156694019742009-11-26T09:56:00.005-06:002009-12-18T23:41:43.667-06:00Getting ReadyHappy Thanksgiving everyone! We are getting ready to leave for the airport in about 24 hours. We have not even gotten the suitcases out to start packing yet. Good thing I'm not cooking my usual feast today and we are just making a cheesy corn casserole to take to our neighbor's for dinner! We just got new pics of Gracie today and my has she grown since the last set. Her hair has also gotten so long and I can't wait to put pretties in it. I'll get to hold her in my arms in just like 4 days. Grace is our 5th child that we're adopting and the wait does NOT get any easier with each one. Anyway, here are a couple pictures for you viewing pleasure. We are so very blessed and have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Day!!!<br />Love,<br />Sarah<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8AchBlmcOeXy_6ZClCIFgIoSnDP1VIn5_kwEhUKV5HzgPXkvj6gmfX6jPgGCzX4B-tuVc-EhuYA0BPU5VTPa2biC6tDz5OTr2UGfQvcxujPcASZX6ivqJESvpzqoVBSt9dbHigPBcso/s1600/grace.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl8AchBlmcOeXy_6ZClCIFgIoSnDP1VIn5_kwEhUKV5HzgPXkvj6gmfX6jPgGCzX4B-tuVc-EhuYA0BPU5VTPa2biC6tDz5OTr2UGfQvcxujPcASZX6ivqJESvpzqoVBSt9dbHigPBcso/s320/grace.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408443489770577842" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hG65cGMyxmtGQFYFpjyGWO5WOzFJeDkwr6alxBcpzcprWFfHoAZo6v-QUAxybYjvH6oiIJmRrC9ToFSb9zcz9USkT3BjkDeV7bDz6Mxn8JmKtRhrRa1wXHdNvPEPKzfWxTfSjQx0U2I/s1600/gracebottle2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hG65cGMyxmtGQFYFpjyGWO5WOzFJeDkwr6alxBcpzcprWFfHoAZo6v-QUAxybYjvH6oiIJmRrC9ToFSb9zcz9USkT3BjkDeV7bDz6Mxn8JmKtRhrRa1wXHdNvPEPKzfWxTfSjQx0U2I/s320/gracebottle2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408443292182105058" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg0YH0F9DEHrf5ftbxecF-C4LN6IEmuX8v_CywSqQobiFbyrTiBE7sS33qcqMpm4gCzGi8EkaoaM3rEL83h3y_x4_Iyyxk0n1w7zPk5yryMKEzKKPyxgczZqDjCcysEZgheiOD9q5ApY/s1600/gracebottle.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXg0YH0F9DEHrf5ftbxecF-C4LN6IEmuX8v_CywSqQobiFbyrTiBE7sS33qcqMpm4gCzGi8EkaoaM3rEL83h3y_x4_Iyyxk0n1w7zPk5yryMKEzKKPyxgczZqDjCcysEZgheiOD9q5ApY/s320/gracebottle.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408443120757802642" /></a>Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3361480420632074722.post-40146746228882620002009-11-17T00:38:00.007-06:002009-12-18T23:42:02.760-06:00Good News and Another Giveaway!We got word today that we need to be in EE on Nov 30th. We are leaving on Nov 27th which is only 10 days away! We are so so excited but scared and nervous too. We'll be leaving our 4 small children with a nanny for about 2 weeks and then Jon can return home and I will follow a week later. We are also sadly about $1500 short at this point and are praying God shows off again and provides the needed funds for us. We are going to try another giveaway in hopes of raising a little more money. We are giving away a great set of educational books and a DVD. These are all brand new. The list includes:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj419_9oPBY90d2YdOlepah42YScM1wjRYexhL9nBYt7DvAQxZ0II3qf0G2ZBu0IL0K_ZRztwLFzctc_xOYj-GdvuPVlFJZnkOt5gmQe5qMIHEUYzOCj4KePJd_KfJRXa8mP_KQf6yWMNA/s1600/books.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj419_9oPBY90d2YdOlepah42YScM1wjRYexhL9nBYt7DvAQxZ0II3qf0G2ZBu0IL0K_ZRztwLFzctc_xOYj-GdvuPVlFJZnkOt5gmQe5qMIHEUYzOCj4KePJd_KfJRXa8mP_KQf6yWMNA/s320/books.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405272850756139826" /></a><br /><br />Discovery: Pathways to Better Speech for Children with Down Syndrome<br />Starring: Ph.D., CCC-SLP; Professor Sue Buckley; Sally Shott; Siegrfied Pueschel Libby Kumin Director: Will Schermerhorn Format: DVD<br /><br /><br />Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives (Paperback)<br />~ Kathryn Lynard Soper (Edited by), Martha Sears (Foreword)<br /><br /><br />Adventures In The Mainstream: Coming Of Age With Down Syndrome (Paperback)<br />~ Greg Palmer (Author)<br /><br /><br />Mental Wellness in Adults with Down Syndrome: A Guide to Emotional and Behavioral Strengths and Challenges (Paperback)<br />~ Dennis McGuire (Author), Brian Chicoine (Author)<br /><br /><br />Gross Motor Skills in Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Topics in Down Syndrome) (Paperback)<br />~ Patricia C. Winders (Author)<br /><br /><br />Fine Motor Skills for Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents And Professionals (Topics in Down Syndrome) (Paperback)<br />~ Maryanne Bruni (Author)<br /><br /><br />Early Communication Skills for Children With Down Syndrome: A Guide for Parents and Professionals (Paperback)<br />~ Libby Kumin (Author)<br /><br />Each $10 donation will get your name entered 1 time. If you donate $25, you'll get 3 entries. Please use the chip-in button if interested. If you could also please say a prayer that we get what we need, we would greatly appreciate it.<br />Blessings,<br />Sarah<br /><br /><object width="250" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/de0c64230bf8b669"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/de0c64230bf8b669" flashVars="" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowScriptAccess="always" wmode="transparent" width="250" height="250"></embed></object>Sarah Mapleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16963583320319468584noreply@blogger.com2