WE MET MURAT!!!!

WE MET OUR BOY TODAY AND I know you all are dying to know how our first meeting went - it went GREAT - we are both totally in love with the little dude. When they first brought him into the office he was screaming and pulling away. He he - he wanted nothing to do with us! This is actually a good reaction for him to have...we expected it...they probably told him we were mama and papa and he knew what that meant - leaving everything he knows! So instead of meeting in the office we moved to his room with his group or groupa as they say it. We followed Murat and his caretaker up the stairs and to his room. He was still shy and afraid of us but he began to let up a bit with every passing minute.

We hung out in the room for a bit...all of his friends wanted much more to do with us then he did but again that is good and just shows that he is attached to his caregivers. Then we went to the playground. That is where Murat let us in. We played chase on the playground (the one WPA and Jim built - thanks so much) chasing him up to the slide and following him down. He would look back until we came down behind him and bumped into him. If we didn't he would look for us - whichever one of us was missing. He was all smiles and giggles. He let us tickle him...he seemed to like it. He let us hold him and he LOVES being picked up or thrown in the air and let me tell you this kid is NOT light! He is HUGE. He completely fills out the size 9 shoe...and his 3T/4T clothes. He is thick/stocky - big boy. He is precious though....he said mama and papa and Olga while on the swing...after being told too. He is smart and apparently VERY THIRSTY...ha ha....the way to Murat's heart is through a juicebox. He swallowed the entire thing down...said SCREW THE STRAW MAMA...well through actions not words and sucked it down. It was too cute. While he suckled I kissed his chipmunk cheeks and held him. His cheeks are huge. He is gorgeous...we are way too lucky that we are getting to be his parents.

We are doing great. We love it here. We visit Murat from 10 to 11 and then again from 4 to 5 daily. It is 6:15pm pm here AND 9:15am by you guys! We have a ton of pics and video and will upload when we can. Right now we are at a client's apt using her internet.

We love and miss all of you....especially our precious Ellison!!!!!!!

Love,
Temple and Rusty (and Murat)

Temple & Rusty Arrived in Uralsk

This is Nicole writing this blog. Temple just called me.!!! (10 PM Tuesday & it is
8:30 AM Wednesday there). They just arrived in Uralsk and are about to go meet Matt in about an hour and a half ( their time 11 AM & our time 11:30). I was so excited to talk to Temple, I forgot the exact time difference she told me, but I think it's 10 hours or so. But basically by the time we all get up in the morning on Wednesday, June 10th, her & Rusty will have met him!!!! She asked me to send out this blog because she doesnt have internet access right now, but will soon. She promises to upload pictures ASAP!!!! I told her that she better or else!!!! I'm just so happy for them right now, I dont know how I'm gonna sleep...lol....but look for pictures to be up this week for sure. I cant wait to meet Matt myself. Good night everyone!!!

PS- If I hear from her again, I will update the blog for her & let everyone know what is up.


Nicole :)

Link to the Spoon Foundation:
http://www.spoonfoundation.org/

The Spoon Foundation was created by two of our WPA families who adopted their children, Bakhyt and Jadyn, from Kazakhstan. I personally played a role in both of these adoptions and it brings tears to my eyes to think about the lives that these two kids may have led if it weren't for their brave parents who accepted them as their own regardless of the risks involved with their unknown prognosis'. As it turns out, both of these children were suffering from something so simple as a nutrional deficiency so their parent's started the spoon foundation in the hopes of helping the children they left behind. Their mission is to improve the health of international orphans and adoptees by providing them with the nutrients they need to grow and thrive.

As some of you know, Murat himself is lacking proper nutrition and most likely has rickets - which is caused by a lack of vitamin D. With this program, children like Murat will be provided with nutrional supplements to aid in their development, until their (future) parents can come for them.

Please visit the above link and watch the video which contains some footage of the above mentioned children. You can see the children as they once were, and as they are now. It is very moving and if you feel led to help, please become a sponsor - the cost is only $16.00 a month. I signed up yesterday! In doing so, you will be helping the children that WE will be leaving behind when we go for Murat and I can honestly tell you that you WILL be making a huge difference in their lives! Thank you for your time and consideration!!! The children of Kaz thank you, as do I!

LOI Received!!!!!!!

I came into work this morning to find our LOI (Letter of Invitation) on the fax machine. Our partners in Kazakhstan had it signed today actually (they are 10 hours ahead of us) and they immediately faxed us a copy as is normal procedure. Now, I have removed many an LOI from our fax machine as I have been with WPA/IAG since August of 2002 and in that time frame I have had the honor of helping hundreds of families in their adoption process, but I must say, removing THAT LOI from our fax was one of my most exciting moments here! That one little piece of paper means so very much in our process. Without it, we cannot enter Kazakhstan which of course means, we would never be united with our son. We are so excited...still Kaz bound on June 5th. Keep all of your fingers and toes crossed - we are purchasing our airline tickets today!!!!! Murat, here we come!!!!

Travel Update: (Drumroll Please)

It looks like we will be flying out to pick up our son on June 5th - which just so happens to be Rusty's birthday! We will be in Kaz for the entire month of June! We cannot wait to get our hands on our little monkey! Keep your fingers crossed for us...

Murat on Playground 05-14-09
Built by WPA in June of 2004
Pictures taken by Olga (translator)

Matt, Come Home & Claim Your Clothes!!!
(Ellison is getting way too comfortable in them...)