5 Months ... A Look Back and Forward

I know it has been right near 2-months since my last post.  And, since Alex has now been home for 5-months and his most recent report was sent off to our agency, I figured this was as good a time as any to update where we are at...

Overall, Alex has been doing great!  He speaks English pretty well ... for a 2-year old, and he understands English very well as well, although he sometimes like to let us think he doesn't. :-)  He loves to run and play and loves to be outdoors.  He is A LOT of 2-yr old boy, but he is fitting right in to our family.

Looking back at the many pictures we have from our time in Russia, it is SO easy to see how much Alex has already grown!

Before I post all of our recent photos, I thought I would take a moment to give an update on some of the happenings with our agency and Russia.  We received word today from a contact at our agency that, as they had dealt exclusively with Russian adoptions, they had to lay off nearly all their employees.  For those who haven't stayed connected with some of the International happenings, Russia banned the adoption of their children by US citizens as of Jan 1, 2013.  Despite having completed court, _many_ parents are still waiting to bring their children home, and any progress towards a resolution seems to be painfully slow (at best).  So, we are sad for all of the people we have been privileged to get to know at our agency (even if only via phone and email) that have had their worlds and livelihoods turned upside-down, as well as the wonderful people we met in Russia, and most of all the children over there in the orphanages who are just ... ... well, stuck!

So, all that being said, here are the most recent photos that we sent to Russia to show some of the events and life with Alex over the past several months, as well as a few extras!  Enjoy!!

Ready for My Birthday party

Enjoying My Own Personal Birthday Cake

Hanging with My Sisters and Frosty

Getting a Wagon Ride from Lydia

Playing in the Sandbox

Fun with Sisters

Dying Easter Eggs

Our 2013 Family Easter Photo

 

Getting to Feed a Nearly-newborn Lamb at Mr. Bob's

Playing with a Baby Goat at Thorson Farms

All Smiles for the Camera

After Child Dedication at Church on 5/12/2013 (Mother's Day)
with Our Friends Colin and Anshu Duncan ...
and no, the color coordination was NOT planned!  :-)

Summer Sprinkler Fun ... Ya-hoo! ... But hose water only comes in "cold"!!  :-)

Eating "Hi-Heam" (Ice Cream) ... well, mostly eating!