Papers Signed - Another step closer to bringing Jack Home!!

Today we went to a Russian notary's office to sign the official papers requesting permission to adopt Jack Kolya McGill.  We had to choose his name, and you just read it.  The office was of course smoky and very small.  We signed these papers after our morning visit with Jack.  Vonda was able to get a bottle (I thought she might take off the translator's head if she wouldn't stop somewhere, but I don't think the girl felt she was in fear for her life.  She was however). Jack loved his bottle.  He had already eaten lunch when we got there so we played for an hour and a half before he wore himself out.  He laid in Vonda's arms and took his juice bottle so well.   Of course, since he can drink out of a water bottle, he was able to hold the bottle himself.  We're going to have to work with him on our meeting his needs rather than him having to meet them himself.  He has changed so much in 3 short days.  It's almost miraculous.  This child who we were so worried about on Monday is laughing, can now almost sit by himself, and got up on his knees to crawl today.  He could do none of these things ealier.  It's going to be amazing to watch him catch up as soon as we get home.  About getting him home....  We have heard anywhere from 2 - 8 weeks before we'll be back for  a court date.  4 weeks seems to be a recurring theme, but we're asking you to pray that God intervenes and we're invited back in 2 weeks.  Please pray for that and that God will keep Jack safe and developing while we're away from him.  He really is such a sweet boy.  I also have to take back an ealier blog where I noted that he was not "perfect".  Actually upon further reflection he is.  We will see him tomorrow for the last time before we have to leave.  Please pray for us.  This is going to be unbelievably hard to do, and I can't even put into words how I know we're going to feel.  I don't want to feel that pain yet so I'm deferring those thoughts. More about our Moscow adventures follows: Today we decided to make some notes during the day for our blogging.  Swaffords, if you're reading along (and not at a ballgame), I think this is called journaling.  Maybe we should reconsider that book Scott Owings wanted us to do... First of all, there is one of every car built in the world in the city of Moscow.  We've seen Navigators, Nissan Armadas, Camaros, Firebirds, and everything Europe and Japan have to offer.  We've seen them really close up since lanes in Moscow are merely a suggestion.  The air is very polluted and of course, our Volga has no A/C so at the end of the day we're filthy.  On our way to the baby home, Vonda persuaded the team to stop at a pharmacy.  Looks like we pulled over to the side of the interstate to stop to me, but whatever.  She said this one was more like our beloved Wal-green's with ability to pick your own items.  We're amazed at how much our days revolve around the three hours we have with Jack.  We read the blog comments in the morning, go to see Jack, and come back and blog about him.  We don't eat lunch and think about supper whenever we get to it.    Some things we've noticed:  Jack has some fairly strong eyebrows.  We think uncle Marty might have to help him later with the maintenance of these since Daddy has no experience.  Some things the baby house needs:  Clothes for birth to 4 years, Money to buy diapers, and musical toys, and long sleeved onesies.  If you feel inclined to donate something, we'd love to bring some things back on our second trip.  We did make it to the Children's world store today (with our beloved interpreter, I do mean that), and found that toys and clothes are more expensive here than at home.  Diapers should be bought in Russia, but other things should come from US if we can pack them. Today, we gave the children in Jack's groupa (this is not a typo, it's a groupa in Russian) the bears the ladies at OtterCreek had made.  They seemed to enjoy them, and we took some pictures.  One of Jack's caregivers is actually adopting a little boy from this baby house.  She asked if she could have one of the bears for him and then asked Vonda to write his name on it in English.  She wanted him to have something from the lady from America.  These women are good ladies.  They do the best they can in a situation that is not what babies need.  I've watched them hold, comfort and soothe these children, but there are at most 2 women for 14 babies who need basic needs met.  The basic needs get met before the emotional needs.  We don't know what our future holds, but we know that God has placed on our hearts a desire to do something to help this situation.  We can't change all the orphanages in Russia, but maybe we can do something to change this one small place who has cared for Jack.  We know that this is our last Russian adoption.  We can't do this process again, but we are not done with Russian orphanages, Lord willing. Sorry this post has been so long, just have a lot to say.  There's not any pics along with this post yet.  Check back later today.  I'm going to work on getting a link to a video of Jack up here.  Pray for my sanity as I attempt that. We love you all - Especially you Allie.  We will call you in a few minutes since you should be up by now unless Sue's locked herself out of the house again.  Just a few more days and we'll be home.  We're going to work on moving our flight from New York earler since you'll be at home.  We'll let you know when we find out. - Mommy and Daddy Steve PS. Vonda can't wait to tell Mary Hearn about the big woman who "stirs the pot" at the baby house but she won't be doing in blog form because she takes too long and that makes me want to blow my head off...