Hurry up & wait...

Hello friends...

There's really not much new going on here. We did finally find our way to an electronics store and Dede did indeed purchase a video camera. It's been quite fun getting the little guy on film. However...you'll have to wait to view them...as I haven't a clue how to download them to my computer...all the instructions are in Russian. I did find a manual online in English...and have downloaded it...so maybe we can figure something out...but for now...it's words...and pics.

At the electronics store Dede also purchased a microwave oven. Yep...that's right...I said microwave. She's been "jonesing" for microwave popcorn for over a month...and now we have it every night. She'll donate it to the orphanage when we leave. Her third purchase that day was a fan. She bought one for my room when we first arrived...but the battery powered one she has is getting quite expensive as it uses up the batteries quickly...and for $18 bucks...why not buy a bigger & better one. Both of those will be donated as well. When she pulled out her Visa card at the store...panic ensued. It was as if she'd pulled a gun on the salesgirl...really. We couldn't figure out what the problem was...but it was definitely a problem. Once all the items were rounded up...it took 4 people behind the "kaca" (cash) counter to ring everything up. Every single item was rung up and the card run separately...including each separate dvd for the camera. I'm not certain how many slips she signed...but it was around 7 I guess. We still can't figure out that system...but know that Best Buy sure makes it much easier to make multi-purchases.

We are 3 days now from the court date. I think the nerves are setting in a bit. The French couple we visit with every day went last Thursday...and they said it took 45 minutes in court...and 10 minutes for the judge to make a decision. When Dede asked Nina (the facilitator) if she would apply for his passport that day...she told Dede "Let's just make it through court first." This of course concerned Dede (and me) quite a bit...but Dr. Conaty says that he has never seen anyone denied the adoption during the court proceedings. She could still use some prayers...as nothing is complete until that judge says "OK." I will update you immediately after the court decision is handed down.

That's about all for today. I've been taking new pics and will post them soon. We spend more time with the video camera than the still one these days...but he seems to like the still camera better. He was a bit shy when the video camera first came out...but he's warming up to it day by day. He's also beginning to test Dede quite a bit. Not knowing how to discipline him (not knowing Russian)...is the biggest challenge. We are most concerned about that very long airplane ride home. However...we have a package arriving tomorrow with plenty of "Backyardigans" and other kiddie movies (and movies for us) to keep him occupied. Any suggestions would be welcomed. Just remember...we don't speak Russian...and he doesn't speak English. We can only hope that one of the flight attendents speaks both. We're picking up important phrases...and Dede's got an email out to Dr. Conaty's daughters for interpretation...so hopefully by the time we get to that point...we'll be better prepared.

Gotta run...

Peace...