Our very LAST VISIT to Vanya!

On Thursday (12/20), we had our very last visit to Vanya ever! On Tuesday (12/25), Dave will go and pick him up (while Karin stays and does paperwork) and then he will be with us for always. We are very much looking forward to this day! So while we wait out these last few days, we will try and post a few pictures of our visits with him. Just 3 more sleeps :)

Children here are potty trained at a much younger age than we typically do so in the U.S. Vanya (and other children his age) are out of diapers, and it is a challenge to find the needed undergarments for them. I just found (Lynn, Danette, Laura, and anyone else also looking, take note!) XS and S underpants at Hanna Andersson (fabulous clothes anyways) and on sale (www.hannaandersson.com). A great discovery, especially to have some waiting for me when I get home. Internet shopping is a good thing.

There is a lot of news coverage on BBC (the English station we get at the hotel) about the financial crisis in the U.S. right now, especially regarding credit, mortgages, and the increased cost of gas. Families who have court after us (even the next day!) are being asked to prove more about their financial situations. Please pray for those families, that they will be able to provide the paperwork being requested (since it can be hard to get, especially with the time and distance barriers). Russia is a cash society, and it can be hard to understand and communicate the cultural difference in how we do things. Currently, we are exchanging 1 U.S. dollar for about 24 rubles ... 8900 rubles is about $360.