Birthday Boy

Well, we've gone from giggles to tears to giggles again (more than once). We started Wednesday morning with a trip to the Moscow Zoo. It was so fun to see Samuel's eyes wide to all the animals he has never seen. Sergei bought him balloon and he experienced his first bag of popcorn and LOVED it! He liked the foxes and wolves best. We took lots of pictures. It was a great morning and a sunny day too.

Apparently the kids celebrated at home too. Here are some of their pictures!

(The kids seem to be doing okay while we're gone)

The zoo is within walking distance of the American embassy. So, from there, we walked to our appointment and consular interview, nearly the last step of our process to bring Samuel home. At the conclusion, they gave us his visa, saying he can enter the USA as a permanent resident. What a way to remember this special 3rd birthday. We met 5 other adoptive families there and were glad to hear their stories. Way different from 3 years ago when that little room in the Embassy was packed full. Samuel will always retain his Russian citizenship, and when we arrive in San Francisco on Saturday, he'll gain his American citizenship too!

That same evening, after a nap for all, Samuel woke up sad. After about an hour of tears and a tantrum, we realized we made it through our first meltdown. I think with all the changes he has had to make over the last few days he was entitled! We are praying he sees by our response that our love is unconditional. Each day, he seems to be more comfortable with his new routine. Of course, we know that spending a week in hotels alone with Mom and Dad, will be considered anything but routine after we get home. But he is becoming more comfortable with some of the basics, like eating out or riding in a car and even the elevator is no big deal now.

Today, our last full day in Russia, we received our consular registration certificate, which officially concludes the paperwork requirements for us to leave! We have had the chance to just hang out and relax a little bit before the long trek home tomorrow. Samuel took a great nap for us, but he wasn't so much into the relaxing walk on Arbat Street. We are doing our best to stay flexible, yet lovingly firm with him, as he understands that we aren't only playmates and "care providers", but his Mommy and Daddy who love him very much.

We praise our Lord, that He has shown to be immeasurably faithful and loving on this portion of our journey. We know that the last 4 months in bringing Samuel home, has only been the beginning, and we anxiously await what God will do with this little boy from Rostov on Don, Russia! We echo Hannah's prayer, for her son Samuel, as she dedicated and left him, fully in the Lord's hands-

"There is no one holy like the Lord;

there is no one besides you;

there is no Rock like our God."

I Samuel 2:2

Love,

Ryan, Allyson, and Birthday Boy

SEE YOU AT HOME!