01-22-2008 1:00pm Kiev

This morning I woke up to a wonderful surprise! On the chair in the living room were two sweet little teddy bears with necklaces that said “Kristopher” and “Brianna”, a card from Mike, a card from the kids, a bag of M&M’s, and a keychain picture frame with Kristopher and Brianna on it. Not only that, one card had a memory chip in it. Mike made me a video with the song Passionate Obsession by Dennis Jernigan. The song is sung from the Father to His children. Dennis came to Park Avenue a week or so ago and when he was there he asked anyone that “needed to know that things were going to be ok” to stand up. Then he sang this love song from our Savior over them. Anyway, I love the song, and I loved it even more because the video had clips of my children. Not just pictures, but moving video of Kristopher and Brianna. It started with Kristopher as a baby and had video that I haven’t even looked at since it was taken probably.

Mike uploaded the video clips onto his computer and made the video for me while on the plane. No wonder he wouldn’t sleep! I LOVE it though and it is so nice to see my little ones smiling and playing. The BEST clip is at the very end where the kids are sitting together and Kristopher is using Brianna’s hands and singing “Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes”. They really do play so well together!

This afternoon at 3 is Charissa and John’s appointment at the SDA and we’re going to meet them up there and come back to our apartment then have some dinner out together. Or so goes the plan. It’s been kind of rainy out today and I hope that it doesn’t dump on us. It’s not that cold out though- probably in the high 30’s I’d guess. I’m really looking forward to getting to meet them and to be able to hear about their appointment for Ava! I wonder what the SDA workers will be thinking when they realize that’s one more child with Down syndrome that has a family… and then later on in the week there’s Joy, and Sheila, and Nancy’s not too far from now either! LOTS of kids with Down syndrome are being requested! Think they’ll notice?? I hope so!!

No word yet on whether Oleg or Natalia have our referral for Aleksa yet. Still praying that they get news of her soon so we can go meet her tomorrow!