Sunday, December 5, 2010

We’ve arrived!

I really wish I were sleeping now as I feel a bit delirious from our travels. It is only 4:30 p.m. in Vlad though and Justin and I think we should at least try to wait until it is dark to go to sleep. I highly doubt I make it. If this entry skips all over consider it an indication of the effect jet lag is having on us.

To document our travels:

-We left for St. Louis on Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. and arrived at the hotel around 1:00 a.m.

-Flew out of St. Louis at 10:40 a.m. on a two hour flight to New York

-We had less than a two hour layover and then flew on a 10 hour flight from New York to Moscow. It was Saturday at 11:00 a.m. when we arrived.

-We had an 8 hour layover so we walked to a nearby hotel. You can rent a room for 6 hours. It was nice to get a shower, sleep for a bit, and there was free internet in the lobby so we were able to do a brief update on Facebook

-At 8:20 p.m. we flew on an 8 hour flight from Moscow to Vlad.

-We arrived in Vlad a little after noon on Sunday, December 5th.

It felt surprisingly comfortable to be checking to the Vlad Inn. Many of the same faces from two years ago are still here. We got to see one of our two favorite Russian faces today. It was so good to see Irina and catch up with each other a bit. We can’t wait to see Lana tomorrow.

We are very excited for tomorrow. At times the excitement is dampened with nerves and anxiety. We head out at 9 a.m. to see Tatiana at the Ministry of Education in downtown Vladivostok. She will give us permission to visit the little guy and we will be off to meet him. The roads are icy and there is more snow expected tomorrow so travel will be slow. We are not looking forward to that part at all.

We are grateful to be back in Russia and we feel God is still guiding the way for us. We miss Brady, Maddie, and Blake already, but we know they are in good hands.

Paka Paka

12 comments:

Joel and Clarion said...

Glad you made it safely! We'll be praying for your safety as you tread the roads and backroads to the detsky dom. We're very happy for you both and pray God's blessings upon you as you meet your little one tomorrow. Of course, if you can find out anything from the ladies about our little one over there, we'd appreciate it. Paka!

sonflowerjax said...

So happy you arrived safely! We just arrived moments ago in Moscow! We can keep each other in prayer!! :)

Masha said...

I've been praying for y'all and happy to hear you are there and tomorrow is the big day! I assumed you were flying out of Chicago but if you ever need anything in the STL area, just let me know. Beware of the ice and we hope tomorrow goes well!

Masha said...

I've been praying for y'all and happy to hear you are there and tomorrow is the big day! I assumed you were flying out of Chicago but if you ever need anything in the STL area, just let me know. Beware of the ice and we hope tomorrow goes well!

Sabrina and Giorgio said...

So glad you made the long journey safely. Try to stay awake longer or you'll be up at 2 am Vlad time! I remember it all so well one month ago. I can't wait to hear about tomorrow when you meet your sweet little boy!!

Doug and Shelly said...

I'm praying that tomorrow will be such a blessing! Can't wait to hear all about it!

Amy said...

So over the moon excited for you two... just way behind. Been "following" your updates on facebook and thought I should take the time to check in and see what's going on.

Prayers and wonderful thoughts for you all day today as you meet the lil guy! Can't wait to hear all about it!!

cheryl said...

glad everything is going well. hope the meeting with the little guy goes well. we dont have snow yet but it keeps trying. the kids miss you too. our prayers are with you.

amy said...

Ah, nothing like Vlad in December! Hope your travel is uneventful... those icy roads made us so nervous. Looking forward to reading about your 1st meeting with the little guy!!!

Carol Anderson said...

We will be thinking of you!! Good luck tomorrow!!
carol and Doug

Kate S. said...

So glad you had safe travels!!! I am already excited to read your updates on this trip!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds exhausting. And yet with all the excitement yet to come, I can totally understand why you're too keyed up to sleep. We'll be praying for you as you prepare to meet the little guy.