Nike Shorts or anything Nike please!!!

We sent Sergey a package that was delivered personally by our hosting program. In it was:

Nike Shorts
Sweadish Fish
Warheads (sour candy)
Wallet
Two cards
More Pictures
Gum

Ashley got a chance to talk to Sergey and asked him about the package and he was already wearing the Nike shorts… He really is a walking Nike ad.

Lost in translation

So I was on the phone with Sergey over the weekend and Sergey had a special request. Unfortunately he didn't know how to say it in English and my Russian is a little weak so he sent it in a text message in Russian, it said:

"Please send toilet water mine is all gone"

As you could imagine, we were a little confused (and amused). Later we found out that the direct translation of toilet water in Russian is Cologne (in French it's Eau de Toilette). Anyway, we thought it was pretty funny how simple things really get lost in translation.

Special Delivery

Ashley found a Russian company that delivers things to people in Russia and sends a delivery confirmation picture in an email. We have taken advantage of the service two times thus far; once to test (we sent chocolate and a card) and once to send a cell phone so we could easily get in touch with Sergey and he with us.


The day Sergey received his phone we called him 3 times and since have spoken with him on average every other day and text regularly. He likes to send a message before he goes to bed. All of the communication makes us work even harder to complete the adoption as fast as possible.

The most expensive chocolate bars ever… But it was worth it!!!

Adoption Update

Today was monumental – Sergey returned to Russia 4 ½ weeks ago and today was the first time we were able to speak with him. We had a 30 minute conversation without a translator and it appears as if Sergey has retained much of the English he learned while living with us this summer. This was a big blessing and as Ashley says "The Best Day Ever"!!! We would like to thank our friends Stephanie and Randall for giving us their daughter Tanya's cell phone number which facilitated the call.

Now for and update on the adoption. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Eastern European adoptions here are the basics:

1. Home Study
2. Dossier #1
3. First Visit
4. Dossier #2
5. Second Visit and Court
6. Third Visit and Return Home as a Family

Today we completed our home study and submitted it to USCIS for immigration clearance. This takes approximately 45 days which means we have 45 days to complete our first dossier. Please keep us in your prayers that we will have a smooth process. Thank you for all of your support!!!

EJ and Ashley

The end of the beginning!

On Sunday, August 1st we had to send Sergey back to Russia. Our house and family is definitely missing a key piece. We only wish we didn't have to send him back. This was the single most rewarding program we have ever participated in. As we have told anyone who will listen, Sergey has taught us much more than we could ever teach him. He is an amazing, talented, and intelligent boy with all of the potential in the world to be very successfull at whatever he chooses to do. And, for those of you who are wondering, the answer is yes, we are proceeding with the adoption. Please remember us in your prayers as the process will be difficult but we know it will be worth it. Stay tuned...

My Family Love Me Ferrari and Lamborghini Big!!!

We took Sergey to the Ferrari dealership to take pictures. As we made our way into the showroom we told Sergey he couldn't touch any of the cars. After walking around with him for about 15 minutes a salesman came over to see if we had any questions (I guess we look like some strong potential customers...). Sergey said no. We then explained the situation and said, "we do have one question... Can he sit in one?" He agreed and asked Sergey to pick one... Well, he picked the orange Lamborghini with the butterfly doors... It was pretty cool!




For the second time on the trip he was petrified to get in luxery car (the first being the ride in the Maserati). He was literally shaking. He gathered himself and sat down. This might have been the highlight of the trip for him. When we walked out of the dealership he told us that his family loves his Ferrari and Lamborghini big. That made us smile!

What is steak?

We needed to make dinner one night and noticed that we had some steaks in the freezer. We pulled them out and come to find out that he had never tried steak... Or at least a good steak off the grill...

Needless to say, he loved it so much he went back for seconds!!!