Just look what my good friend Elle did to the blog!!!! Isn't she just the greatest!!!

Throughout this whole adoption journey, I have been so fortunate to meet (or virtually meet) some of the nicest and kindest friends (YOU ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE!) that I probably would have otherwise never crossed paths with. Elle is one of them. She has a talent of tweaking the ordinary boring blog to something beautiful and special. She has just captured the image that I had in my head while waiting in between Trip 1 and Trip 2 to bring our babies home - "I see the Moon and the Moon sees me. God bless the Moon and God bless Me".

Since hubby traveled alot during that time, I had most nights to sit and think, and CRY alot! But somehow, looking up at that beautiful Moon, I would think - " I am preparing to turn in for the night, and our babies are just about to wake to another day on the other side of the World, without their Mommy and Daddy" - wondering if they would remember us or if they had a 6th sense that we were yearning to fly to Russia to bring them home.

Family and Friends were supportive, but only did my Adoption Friends (AF) truly understand what agony one will go through in this journey. It felt more comforting when AFs would say, IT WILL HAPPEN. I guess because they had actually been there or were going through the waiting game the same as us. You have to be prepared for anything in this journey because each adoption is different and it can have you saying over and over "why me/us", especially when you throw foreign politics into the mixture. However, NEVER under estimate the power of a bunch of Mommies (and Daddys) gathered together on the internet rooting each other on, to press fowared during those darkest days. Plus, the knowledge that one gains from others who have gone before them is priceless. The Agency can give you a "template" to go by, but the insights and tips that I gained from reading all the boards was so much more in depth and accurate - from what gifts to take, to what clothes and items to pack, to which airline seats to try and book, etc. I only hope that I can pass a few tips to others that are starting this journey.

From the bottom of my heart, Thank You ALL!! And a special Thank You to Elle for this wonderul gift, and the gift of laughter that you put into your blogs to share with us.


Tip of the day -

Frugle Diaper Wipe Warmer - Place 1 pack of your favorite wipes directly ontop of your dryer (go ahead and clear a spot off). After the loads and loads of laundry that you are (or will be) doing with the addition of your little precious little one(s), presto instant diaper wipe warmer. Your dryer will run not stop, causing the wipes to stay a toasty warm for those little buns.