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!

Sweet Samuel

Yeah for Starbucks! There is one right here in Moscow! I’m confident there are many here now, but just 3 years ago there was not one to be found, at least on Arbat Street. I guess Russia has caught the “coffee fever” and for this we are thankful (even though, we are less than avid drinkers, not hip enough probably). It feels a tiny bit like home just to see that green and brown sign. And the best part is, they offer “nearly free” WiFi so we can keep in contact with you all, as well as make necessary arrangements for our flights and hotel stay for heading home.

It is truly a relief to be here in Moscow. Our flight went very well and so thank you to all who were praying nervously for us. The most frightening part for him was the bus ride from the terminal to the plane. And then there was the loud noise and gusty winds from the HUGE helicopter preparing to take off just beside us as we were boarding the plane. He cried pretty hard for the first 10 minutes…I think those around us were beginning to regret their seat assignment…and then settled down and was an angel the rest of the flight. PTL! We breathed a big sigh of relief when we touched down safe and sound, especially after hearing on the news of the Aeroflot plane crash one week ago. All 88 passengers killed. (Hope you hadn’t heard that one, mom) At the airport we were met by our familiar Moscow facilitator, Sergei. He is wonderful, kind and funny too. He speaks Russian, English, and French which makes for a great accent. A short while after arriving to Hotel Arbat we B-lined for the To-Go line at Hard Rock Café and enjoyed a small feast in our room. Chicken Quesadillas never tasted so good! Today we spent walking on historical Arbat street, a long pedestrian only path with plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops. Tomorrow is our appointment at the U.S Embassy, and if weather permits, we plan to go to the zoo.

As we get to know our new son we are falling in love more and more! He has been sleeping good and still eating up a storm. He plays quietly and contently most of the time, a skill he picked up in the Baby Home no doubt. Allow me to share just a few of the cute things he does. Like all almost 3yr olds, he knows the word “no” and is not afraid to use it. He is keenly aware of its power and uses his charming eyes to seal the deal. Somehow for now it is sweeter because it comes out “nye” without the “t” which would be the Russian word for “no”. He says it any and every time he is dissatisfied with what is offered. He takes great pleasure in throwing away even the smallest piece of trash, and sees it as his civil duty to do so! When he bumps his head, which sadly is quite often due to his instability, he says “bulnee” which is his version of the word for “it hurts”. It’s so cute that he and I usually repeat back to one another several times until he giggles, and then the pain is forgotten. He also says “OP HA” when he drops something, which I suppose is the Russian translation for our “oops”. His walk has got to be the cutest though. Because his right foot is turned in more than his left and he keeps his knees slightly buckled, it makes for a very unique jig. And the way he runs is down right adorable. What a miracle this boy is and how grateful we are to have him in our family. Just can’t wait for the rest of the fam to know him as well as we do. He has an endearing personality, they will surely love him! We trust God has already done the work of preparing many hearts to welcome him in.

Even though we have experienced adoption before, this time is no less special. It is unreal to hold in our hands Samuel’s original Birth Certificate with his old name. And stare at his birth father and mother’s signatures on the Release form. This made him available for adoption, even stating they were ok with foreign adoption. We don’t know if their decision to sign was agonizing or not. We assume it was since it was signed and dated 8 days after his birth. We are praying for his birth mom and dad and grandparents too, tonight as we are certain they will be burdened or least reminded tomorrow of the memory of the decision they each made almost 3 years ago (Samuel’s birthday is September 24th). And then to see his new Birth Certificate which now has his new name, and our names listed as his parents. I can’t see this without reflecting on my own adoption into God’s family. I received a new name, the security and hope of a new home to come, an inheritance too glorious to fathom, and the love of a Heavenly Father—whose love I cannot earn, nor can I lose.

Visual reminders serve to strengthen my faith in God’s plans. When I see Samuel’s red passport next to our blue ones I wonder what great plans He has for this little boy whom was so obviously plucked out of an orphanage in Russia to soon be placed in the Govard family (Howard in Russian) in sunny California. One of our favorite songs right now is “This Is Home” by Switchfoot from the Prince Caspian soundtrack. It worked well for Samuel’s video, but the words ring true for all who call Heaven their Home.

Created for a place I’ve never known
This is home, now I’m finally where I belong.

I’ve got my heart set on what happens next
And I’ve got my eyes wide, it’s not over yet
We’re miracles and we’re not alone.

Sending all our love,
Allyson, (Ryan & Samuel too)

Unto the Least of These

Thank you to the families who gave a financial donation to the toddlers in Samuel's group. They enjoyed a little spoiling on account of you! We took balloons, noisemakers, candies, marshmallows, bananas, cookies, lots of toys - including a baby doll, doll stroller, magnetic building set, tent, balls and a stuffed animal for each child.

Each child also received a new pair of shoes and the remainder of the money was used to purchase many needed items like medicine and diapers, at the request of the orphanage directors.


New kicks for Group 8

During the party, one of the caregivers lead the children in singing a few songs and doing some traditional Russian dances. They also sang Happy Birthday to Samuel as he blew out the candle on the top of his marshmallow! It was a sweet time for us to spend with the kids, before we came back later in the day to leave with Samuel. It was hard to say goodbye to them, but we know they are in Hands much greater than ours'.

We will miss them dearly. Blessings to all who gave so generously.

Out of the Dom!

We have reemerged from self imposed blog darkness. Actually, we've just been very busy and unable to post. Thank you for the e-mails and prayers, wondering if we were okay.



We are! Great, actually. Yesterday at 4:30, we made our last trip to Baby Home #4, and left with our beloved son, Samuel Matvey. Without much external "hoopla", we drove away from the only place he has known as home for his young little life. While the mood was typical in Group #8's room, our hearts were leaping as the caregiver dressed him in the clothes we had brought, and he left with only a small toy pig we had given him in July. He left with out ANY material possessions. But I don't think he cared.

We knew after walking down the stairs we've used close to 50 times in the last 2 weeks, that Samuel's fear of "machinas" would soon show itself as he realized he was getting back in a car. Among our many prayer requests before driving over to the home, was that he would not be too frightened to drive back to the hotel. We think we understand, in a small way, the unimaginable changes he's going through right now. We were hoping riding in cars would be among the easier ones. We very quickly saw our Heavenly Father's gracious answer, as Samuel calmed down after only 3 or 4 minutes of our 15 minute drive. He calmly watched the big world around us, as Paul drove us down the street. Samuel didn't celebrate, but he didn't fight either. We continue to pray that he will trust us, and allow us to love and care for him.

After a quiet evening, and a short walk to pick up some dinner, Samuel fell asleep as Ally sat next to his crib, silently praying for him. Every few minutes, he would reach his hand through the bars, and grab Mommy's hand to make sure she was still there. He has grown in his affection for each of us during our entire stay, but he is really beginning to love his new "Mama". (I can say that, because she's up in the room with him, not seeing what I'm posting) I don't think he understands, entirely, the difference between a caregiver and a mom yet, but he already looks at her differently than I saw him look at any caregiver in Baby Home #4. He knows she's different, and I think he knows she loves him. If he only understood how much! Samuel's mama and papa (we're working on daddy still), love him wholeheartedly, and we won't stop. We hope we can point him to a much greater love very soon:

"See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are..." 1 John 3:1

Today, Samuel experienced another important rite of passage to be a Howard! A haircut! Taylor, Lauren, Makenna and Noah, you know what I mean. Mommy loves giving or getting her kids' haircuts. We first tried Hotel Rostov's hair saloon (not salon), but they didn't cut children's hair. So after finding a nice place at the local CA shopping mall, I bravely sat down in the salon's chair first, as Samuel cried about the idea that we were even inside a building he wasn't familiar with. After learning that an American #4 is a little different than a Russian #4, I got out of the way and Ally sat down with our brave son in her lap. After crying for the first minute or so, he calmed down and allowed the stylist to trim him up.

Before

During

After

After rejecting McDonald's today for lunch, we stopped at the hotel restaurant and ordered a mini feast to be sent up to our room. When the soup, bread, chicken with gravy and beef stroganoff arrived in our room, to our relief, Samuel went to town. It was a relief, because so far he had pretty much only enjoyed bananas, fruit in a jar and the chocolate the stylists gave him. We will do our best to find him food that makes him comfortable and train him to enjoy hamburgers and orange chicken a little at a time. He might not even be ready for Chipotle next week?!

There is much else to tell, but we look forward to sharing with most of you in person, very soon. Our next post, will be from Moscow if possible. 3 years ago, our internet access was more difficult there, so we may have difficulty doing more than checking e-mail once or twice. We shall see.

For now, we will spend the rest of the weekend in Rostov, before flying to Moscow Monday afternoon at 12:45. If everything goes according to plan, we will hopefully arrive in Fresno on Saturday next weekend!

Love from Ryan (and Ally & Samuel too)