tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4527051856195923042024-02-06T22:29:01.770-08:00Isabelle Hope Yulia CasebierOur journey to get our daughter from Samara, Russia and all of the surgeries to get her as healthy as possible.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-38800855221347439002008-07-04T07:15:00.000-07:002008-12-08T22:32:44.437-08:00Pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMVHzEGAuuyuJ7QQCW4X2zLIxnzu7wvN7BO7ZEBtkgvaMC3pNTWCurE6VPkdca2CodNb_8IoCz234KdXazY5VXHR1MV7wOM54QsH8oMw08GZ4WgI2aRGpgIbDNV_Hx_2WGeHDkUh4Q3pR/s1600-h/blowing+kisses.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219165567979221698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMVHzEGAuuyuJ7QQCW4X2zLIxnzu7wvN7BO7ZEBtkgvaMC3pNTWCurE6VPkdca2CodNb_8IoCz234KdXazY5VXHR1MV7wOM54QsH8oMw08GZ4WgI2aRGpgIbDNV_Hx_2WGeHDkUh4Q3pR/s320/blowing+kisses.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb9YGbGa3ahxPi7Y6cyQTQYKB_Qzo7NO7UF4NbzkRBjRsI_kohoAVrMGUrvNwhGM0_Amqzm8KJDBGeDaDPPBjniB9nbPxVrgllmyyc7GSMLEnG6wKMxhhotXL4c9XE3YQerBD5B39qzJN/s1600-h/clapping+2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219165574805417794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkb9YGbGa3ahxPi7Y6cyQTQYKB_Qzo7NO7UF4NbzkRBjRsI_kohoAVrMGUrvNwhGM0_Amqzm8KJDBGeDaDPPBjniB9nbPxVrgllmyyc7GSMLEnG6wKMxhhotXL4c9XE3YQerBD5B39qzJN/s320/clapping+2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lZ1m54sZYLoohxRMqGAepYJuCg25AyK_BnP6tzSng-d5fHRaWfdJ2wyiLgBQKH54gJBFlN1MzbBHTPH37EOrb0q_yzPYWVWxGhK_n5Y1dbcwg3aTc6uQ9kw7meEuHt6qnp_NDB3P7uR8/s1600-h/flower+kissing.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219165582714873778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lZ1m54sZYLoohxRMqGAepYJuCg25AyK_BnP6tzSng-d5fHRaWfdJ2wyiLgBQKH54gJBFlN1MzbBHTPH37EOrb0q_yzPYWVWxGhK_n5Y1dbcwg3aTc6uQ9kw7meEuHt6qnp_NDB3P7uR8/s320/flower+kissing.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-1CxL1TRQzukNkw55zUBT1QRkNzWSjDwX6gWRBcjAbp1Hmob2r-7JqrWo5WUskWlbLM0ve1KsEUR7FgG830lxscs9TKZ_3ncZsTc44R1YlMBre4HJSBbyO1m7qcA1l-KHRgb764MDu-e/s1600-h/funny+butterfly.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219165587993279506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-1CxL1TRQzukNkw55zUBT1QRkNzWSjDwX6gWRBcjAbp1Hmob2r-7JqrWo5WUskWlbLM0ve1KsEUR7FgG830lxscs9TKZ_3ncZsTc44R1YlMBre4HJSBbyO1m7qcA1l-KHRgb764MDu-e/s320/funny+butterfly.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv4JzXW5OcYzNibtpdgB2ufF39av-RjVymBo1hyphenhyphen3qE9txfwU0DQjF9YgJZtGh8KqZpD_Bf0KSzxypsnje59cowjC21AxFRTz5uMPNbERx66AnZaI76ibiPLawrOhLLpRYCuhYCf7Q5V3C/s1600-h/rock+smile.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219165593417412466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv4JzXW5OcYzNibtpdgB2ufF39av-RjVymBo1hyphenhyphen3qE9txfwU0DQjF9YgJZtGh8KqZpD_Bf0KSzxypsnje59cowjC21AxFRTz5uMPNbERx66AnZaI76ibiPLawrOhLLpRYCuhYCf7Q5V3C/s320/rock+smile.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well, Many have commented that I haven't posted enough pictures lately.................I don't know how to make this a "private" blog, so that's why I created the other for her pictures................but I figured I should just go ahead and post them here anyway. These are the latest, though they are from about 2 months ago..................I'm not quite the photographer that my Uncle Rich and his daughter Stacey are! :):):)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Health wise, Isabelle is still considered "failure to thrive" because of her weight, but she is totally proportional and is tall and skinny..............:):):) something probably never said of me...............lol she's almost caught up to others her age in everything but the size. At least she's on the American charts now for height and head circumference................we're not worried about it in the least. We were actually told by our nutritionist to ADD OIL to her liquid foods............yep, just like Jack Sprat, we can eat no fat and she can eat no lean! :):):) Her personality is so fun! Those of you who haven't met her or haven't seen her in a while, we need to meet up as soon as the gas prices start to stabilize! :):):)</div><br /><div><br />Terri</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-27985377475116930132008-03-20T22:48:00.000-07:002008-03-20T22:55:26.607-07:00Growth and RecoveryAs my wife post many of these blogs, I wanted to post this update. Isabelle's surgery on her lip is healing quite nice. It is amazing how enduring of a smile that she has through the struggles of dealing with cleft lip and palate. I am reminded that no matter the circumstances in life that an enduring smile can be contagious and can encourage others even from one such as this little one.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-70514909433746947862008-03-05T13:15:00.000-08:002008-03-05T13:33:07.842-08:00Lip Revision SurgeryWell, we've decided to make the blog more of a "big moments" type thing........and put the new pictures in a new blog area, belleshopepics.blogspot.com<br /><br />Today was Isabelle's lip revision surgery. We had to be there at 6:30, yes, I actually had to be out the door by 6 A.M.!!!!<br /><br />We got there and Isabelle was SO FRIENDLY with everyone in the waiting room............then she went on in and played peek a boo in the individual exam room! She was blowing kisses at the nurses and keeping everyone in stitches..............and that was BEFORE the versed!!!!! (versed is the medicine that they give you to help you not feel or remember anything while being put under anethesia)<br /><br />We were told it would be a 1.5 hour surgery. About an hour into it (a little after 8:30), we got a call saying that everything was going well and they were continuing to work on it....................... no worries.............................then about an hour later (yes, I said an hour later) I started worrying.............it was going longer than we were told and no one was updating us anymore. At almost 2.5 hours, the dr. came out and said she was a "new person." He said that her lip was more attached than he had realized, so they went in a totally redid her lip and worked some on her nose as well. Needless to say, I was nervous about seeing her then and Gary was out running errands without his cell phone on!!!!<br /><br />About 30 min. later, they let me see her. I had just reached Gary, so he was coming back to the hospital. I went in and she was SO different. Her little nose and mouth are really swollen right now, but her nose isn't symmetrical in shape anymore (though both nostrils are about the same size now).............so she DEFINITELY looks different. She slept for quite a while in the post-op room before we finally left.......................we let her have a little milk right before taking off and that was a HUGE mistake. She threw up shortly after Gary started driving...................yes, all over the car seat, nighty, and other stuff.......................I took off the nighty (didn't have another one with us either) and decided to carefully hold her on the ride home (please don't report us :):):), this is NOT typical and God really blessed us on the rest of the trip).<br /><br />She's currently sleeping on my lap ~~ don't know exactly how WE are going to sleep, but she's got it all under control from her side! :):):)<br /><br />It'll be another 3 weeks in arm restraints, but it's so worth it in the end.......................................<br /><br />I'm waiting until the swelling goes down to take more pictures................but I'll post a couple here when I have them.<br /><br />Thanks for continuing to follow us! :):):)<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-80479770736827006962007-12-14T10:51:00.000-08:002007-12-14T11:02:59.620-08:00Update after surgery!!Hi everyone,<br /><br />Isabelle had her palate surgery on the 4th and it was quite an ordeal afterwards. She is finally getting some sleep (as am I wheew!!!!). She had a 105 degree fever right after being let out of the hospital, so we went back, but they just told us to give her tylenol/motrin and to go back home................that/along with actual recovery took a couple days for her to get over, but she seems to be right back into things now.<br /><br />She had her 1st follow up visits yesterday and all is WELL on those fronts.<br /><br />Her ears (tubes put in) will only be checked every 6 months now, with the tubes taken out in about 18 months.<br /><br />Her palate looks WONDERFUL!!!! The dr. said he left a small fistula (hole) behind the cleft in the gumline for future surgery help and I can't even see it!!!!<br /><br />She doesn't need to see the dentist/orthodontist for another year and a half, so that's good as well.<br /><br />The only other thing she has coming up in the near future is her lip revision. I can only imagine that this will cause her just as many problems sleeping/eating as the palate surgery has.<br /><br />She is still wearing the no-no's (arm restraints) so that she won't put anything in her mouth, but we're allowed to take them off if we are watching her closely. Well, she doesn't put things in her mouth really, but does touch her lip/nose often........................so when we have to put the no-no's back on after the lip surgery, I think we're going to have a much harder time!!!!!<br /><br />I think I'm having a harder time recouperating this time than Isabelle has!!!! She's doing so well................but we have to wait til Christmas (3 weeks from surgery day) to leave off the no-no's and start giving her some of our foods again (she'd just started eating solids during T-day weekend).<br /><br />Her lip surgery will either be during Spring break, or right at the beginning of summer so that I can be with her for the 3 weeks afterward.......................<br /><br />I'll update more as things happen.<br /><br />For now though, I've decided to open a picture only blog so that those just wanting to see new pics can go there without thumbing through all this stuff.............<br /><br />belleshopepics.blogspot.com<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-87058895876403505002007-11-10T19:25:00.000-08:002007-11-10T19:36:07.333-08:00Isabelle's dr. reports and updateHi everyone...........<br /><br />I just wanted to let you know what is going on with Isabelle's health.<br /><br />1st ~~ We have seen an ENT and her hearing is good, though there is fluid behind her ears (VERY common in cleft palate). So, we will be having tubes put in her ears during her palate surgery next month.<br /><br />2nd ~~ Her cleft palate surgery is scheduled for noon on Dec. 4th. Before then, we have to get her off the bottle and off the pacifier. These are the only 2 items she really has from the orphanage still, so she'll be losing her "comforts"........please pray that the transition gets going and is fairly easy.<br /><br />3rd ~~ Speech therapy has started because Isabelle has quite a few "feeding" issues. She doesn't like to put anything EDIBLE in her mouth (other than through a bottle), only those things that aren't edible. We need this to get her off the bottle/pacifier.<br /><br />4th ~~ She has had her OT evaluation and, though we have seen a TON of improvement in the last month, she will be starting occupational therapy soon. There are some sensory integration issues and some developmental delays that we will be working on through this.<br /><br />Isabelle is SO smart and LOVES to explore!!!! She's not too afraid to put her hands in things, as long as it doesn't stick to her hands...........:):):)<br /><br />She is really doing well. She still doesn't walk or cruise around things (other than her playpen), but she has SO much going for her. I THINK she's gained about 2 pounds just since she's been home AND her little legs are getting a lot stronger (through walking with us letting her hold our fingers).<br /><br />We also have been able to get pictures done for our adoption announcements........so I'll post them soon.<br /><br />Well, it's hard keeping up now because she continues to have problems with schedules................just now she woke up again..............<br /><br />I will post more later.<br /><br />Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!!!!<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-91315934438761527972007-10-23T13:41:00.000-07:002007-10-23T14:48:23.715-07:00Update from homeHi everyone..............we got home last Sunday and things have been a blur since then.<br /><br />In Russia Isabelle showed me what she learned from the orphanage.........they have them sit on the potty after changing them, so each time I changed her diaper, she would go pee again right afterward.................one day she peed 4 times on me........that's right, on me..........and all her clothes. Boy I must LOVE this child............lol<br /><br />She stayed in a playpen while we had her in Russia and she was fine with it. The moment we got back, she refused to use a playpen. Gary was up most of the 1st night with her (she'd slept a COUPLE hours on the plane AND had a 10 hour time change). He finally got her to sleep (after waking me up 2-3 times when he tried to put her in the playpen and she'd wake up) about 5 a.m......................<br /><br />Going from no children to 1 that's on a major time change AND a toddler is hard...........she doesn't sleep as much as the orphanage noted and DEFINITELY less than a newborn.............and needs EVERYTHING!!!!!<br /><br />Tuesday I took her for her 1st well baby check. After getting 3 shots and having to get blood drawn twice, as well as give a potty sample............she's got to do it all again in another month..............they have to update her shots, do another potty sample (she's got a bug right now), and give some blood again.........I'm not looking forward to the fussiness again.<br /><br />Monday (yesterday) we went to our 1st cleft dr. appointment. He said that she immediately needs to get off of the bottle (she'll only eat by bottle) and the pacifier before she can have her surgery..............the bottle and pacifier are her only Russian comforts left. I wanted to get her on solid foods, but then I thought about how she's going to have to be on liquids for 3 weeks after surgery............SO, we have to change her diet only to change it back!!!! Add stress so that later we can change that back.........and then back again!!!!!! YUCK!<br /><br />The cleft dr. said that we should be able to have her surgery in Dec. or Jan.......he also said that we shouldn't do ANY daycare in the meantime..............we need to have it in Decemeber (not just because it's earlier and better for her, but because I have to go back to work soon, esp. if I can't stick her in daycare before surgery).............<br /><br />Well, his scheduler called today and told me all the details of the surgery........then asked me if I wanted surgery in Dec. or Jan. when I told her Dec., she promptly told me that she didn't have any 3 hour surgeries in December...........she told me to call back later though.<br /><br />I just called back and got a surgery scheduled for December 4th.........at noon............so we'll have to keep her up on the 3rd til midnight or so.........so that when she wakes up (hopefully around 10 am) she won't be up as long without eating...............but usually she's STARVING when she wakes up.<br /><br />So, let me recap prayer requests:<br /><br />1. Transitioning her off the bottle and pacifier <br />2. Her food eating sensory issues (appointment on this Thurs. afternoon)<br />3. Ear dr. appointment not scheduled yet(most cleft babies need tubes put in and we<br /> need to see if Isabelle needs this)<br />4. Surgery on the 4th of December!!!!! and the recovery time (3 weeks, yes, that's <br /> Christmas day!!!)<br /><br />Thanks for following on our journey with Isabelle.................<br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-60703058222460903402007-10-09T02:03:00.000-07:002007-10-09T02:04:54.024-07:00Russia UpdateHi everyone!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />Isabelle greeted Stacey (my cousin) and I warmly on Sunday afternoon. Our flights (except a couple hiccups) and our road trip to the orphanage went well. Everything (at that point) that I warned Stacey about went just the opposite of my warning (like the Moscow customs line that's usually VERY hard to get through and long, had no line at all basically, though they were still slow and I was the 2nd to last to get through...........:):):) ).<br /><br /><br /><br />The road trip back from the orphanage was a bear though. It took us at least an extra hour to get back to the city and hotel. That night we tried to feed her, but she wouldn't eat. We couldn't figure out the formula/baby food combinations, but tried. I figured she was just tired and put her to bed. A few hours later she was up again and still wouldn't eat. I got concerned and tried to call our translator, but her phone number wasn't available. The next morning she still would not eat, though she was VERY hungry and fussy by then. So, I tried to use a a spoon with the baby food (like we do in the States) and she was so hungry that she let me do that for a little bit. We finally figured out that it was possibly the nipple on the bottles that was bothering her. She wouldn't even let me put the bottle in her mouth, though she would look at it longingly.<br /><br /><br /><br />We headed to the store and got some more bottles and a couple other small items and went back to try it out. She was still apprehensive, but "aunt" Stacey held her arms and made her try it. She wasn't fussy very long at that point. I think she'd just got to the point where she didn't trust the nipples and that's why she wouldn't try out the new ones. The American bottles are not what she's used to, and the Russian ones don't touch her cleft palate the same way. Up to this point we hadn't seen any bm, but thanks to Whitney (Stacey's sister in Colorado) we knew we were ok with just the formula for now (she won't eat the babyfood unless we mix it somehow with the formula).<br /><br /><br /><br />Last night she woke up again late (but I was up anyway) and she went back to sleep laying on top of me, then beside me..........................from which point I eventually was able to move her into the playpen. She seems to be bonding very well to me AND to Stacey. I think the real test will be when we see her around others (esp. women) and if she'll cling to me rather than just going off with anyone.<br /><br /><br />Today (Tuesday) she is an absolute pistol. I was concerned yesterday because she was being so quiet in her crib. I was concerned that she'd learned not to cry because it did her no good. Well, she's quite over that!!!! She's not only crying, but babbling up a storm. It's hard to get her to nap on the orphanages schedule.................but she's finally down for a little right now.<br /><br /><br /><br />We head back to Moscow in a couple hours. All of our paperwork here is done (as of today). Tomorrow I get to hear her full lung capacity at the dr. office..........yuck! Then Thursday we are at the US Consulate and Friday at the Russian Embassy..............wow, I sure am going to be well versed at these government things now. We're in Moscow til Sunday morning and will be back home in the evening Sunday.<br /><br /><br /><br />I miss everyone and hope to hear things are going well. <br /><br /><br />Terri for the Casebier's<br />Forever Family Day 10/09/2007Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-84326017090891922262007-10-05T04:45:00.000-07:002007-10-05T04:59:55.310-07:00Traveling TODAY!!!!I am so excited about traveling with Stacey today..........I can't wait to meet up with her in Chicago.<br /><br />I fly to Chicago alone..........then meet up with Stacey (traveling from Denver). We then head to Paris, then Moscow, and finally travel to Samara on Sunday.<br /><br />Sunday afternoon I get to keep Isabelle forever!!! I will finally start to feel like a mom and be just as overwhelmed with all the responsibility as I can possibly be.........I can't hand her back to someone else a few hours later like I could with daycare............she's actually going to be MY responsibility FOREVER!!!! (or at least until she's an adult........lol).<br /><br />Tuesday we'll head back to the courthouse (or maybe just our translator will) to finalize the 10 day wait thing and then fly out in the evening for Moscow again...........<br /><br />On Wednesday we'll head to the dr. office to update her shots and get all of her medicals................Thursday we're off to the US Embassy to work on passports and immigration things.............Friday we're off to the Russian consulate to register our little one before traveling back home on Sunday........<br /><br />Yes, I said Sunday, not Saturday. I thought we'd have to stay overnight Saturday when I 1st made plane tickets............so Stacey & I will have more sightseeing to do in the mean time. I know I want to see some of their famous churches............and possibly do a Kremlin tour...............plus there are other famous things there that I may not even think about that Stacey knows of.<br /><br />Gary & I went to a famous art museum when we were there last time, and I like art.......so I hoped I'd like this one with 62 rooms.............it was ok, but most of it was portraits................I liked the tile mosaics and some armour in the last few rooms................we walked so much this last time, that when I saw the chiropractor last night (started seeing him after being in such pain from the 1st trip) he was in awe at how much more loose my leg joints were this time................I wonder how it'll be after this trip and carrying Isabelle while walking..........:):):) (Pray for my back though)<br /><br />So much to do and so little time to do it in. Packing went well into the night.......and yet I'm at my weight limits pretty much..............so I don't know how that will work out in the end................<br /><br />Gotta run..........too excited to stay on the computer...............but I'm gonna post some pics from the last trip 1st..........this trip was a lot cooler than the last, but it was still really warm............some pictures show me REALLY sweaty, but I don't remember sweating nearly like that. Also, as soon as we stepped off the plane in Samara, they took us to the orphanage to see her............so this is also travel sweat I guess...........:):):) Please understand and don't be disgusted.........<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-79220169107599305552007-10-05T04:37:00.001-07:002007-10-05T04:45:33.986-07:00Joy and SorrowHi everyone..........this has been a truly crazy week for me after returning from Moscow at about 3:30 p.m. on Sunday and then to leave again for Russia today.<br /><br />Soon after I arrived home, I got news that a co-worker (teacher & friend) died on Sunday from Breast cancer. Monday was my first trauma response team intervention. I think that staff probably took it harder than most of the children. Many of them weren't too upset, but would ask questions about it throughout the week to try and deal with what was going on.<br /><br />Tuesday evening I came home to a prayer chain email that let me know our music minister lost his wife suddenly. They still don't know why, but that she's definitely in a better place. She left behind a 12-13 yr old son, a 24-26 yr old daughter/son-in-law, a 1 yr old grandson, and a very sad (yet hopeful) husband. <br /><br />Grief is heavy for all around here.........funerals are today.<br /><br />However, I won't be able to attend because I am leaving today to pick up Isabelle on Sunday. My heart is torn between grief and excitement...........I must press on and bring our little one to her new families here...........she can help overcome some of the sadness I hope for these other families..........<br /><br />TerriUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-67753438206145668622007-09-30T16:06:00.000-07:002007-09-30T16:16:32.571-07:00Home from 2nd trip!!!!! 3rd trip on Friday!!!!!Court went well on Thursday and now we have to wait the 10 days before we can pick up our little Isabelle. The 10 days turned out to be not business days, but literal days.....................though the 10th day can not fall on a weekend because of paperwork. The 11th day is when we can finally finish the paperwork. Well, our 10th day falls on the 7th.............................NEXT Sunday!!!!!<br /> <br />So, I will be returning to Russia THIS FRIDAY!!!!! and will have full custody of Isabelle on Sunday afternoon, though I won't be able to leave Samara or finish paperwork until Tuesday the 9th. Then I will travel back to Moscow until the 14th to finish paperwork there and finally bring her home.<br /> <br />We could not have done all this without your prayers and help!!! We SO appreciate the love and care of our church family!!!! Thank you for rejoicing with us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /> <br />1. Please pray for me as I come back to get Isabelle without Gary........................my cousin is going with me so that Gary can hopefully get a job (focusing better without me there honestly). So, I get to become a mom.......................kinda by myself.............for a week. That's pretty scarey for me since Gary helps me so much. Fortunately, I will have a stroller....................so I won't have to carry her every where.<br /> <br />2. Please pray for Gary as he is home by himself for the week and also for his job hunting.<br /><br />3. Please continue to pray for our finances in this. We have less than a week to get the remaining "cash in hand", and though Gary is not going with us, we are paying for my cousins tickets, etc. because we asked her to come in place of Gary so that Gary could try to make money. So, she is losing some money to come and didn't ask to come in the first place.<br /> <br />Even more so than the current adoption monies, I will be off for about 10 weeks this school year (maternity leave) without pay so that Isabelle can adjust and bond correctly. We NEED Gary to have a full-time teaching position to pay the bills. We've also discussed, even more than ever, about selling our home as it eats up a majority of our funds each month (high mortgage, not because it's falling apart). <br /> <br />4. Please pray for this next trip and my cousin Stacey. She's a great woman of God and has always wanted to do orphan missions work (Africa preferrably though). She needs prayers that God will use this not just as a missions trip for her (giving others to minister to), but also that God will use this time to guide her in what He has in store for her next. <br /> <br />Also, she's in her early 30's and still single, has ALWAYS wanted to be a mother and wanted to help children in every possible way. I know that seeing these orphans will break her heart, but it will also stir more things up inside her. Please pray that God keeps her heart from breaking too much and that whatever happens will be a positive growth for Stacey, as well as our relationship.<br /> <br />5. Also please pray that Isabelle will adjust to being away from the orphanage quickly and that being out on the busy streets of Moscow will not be too much of an overload for her. Also that our trip back will be pleasant and easy to handle with her having a "lap" ticket. If we'd gotten her a regular ticket, we'd have had to pay about $2400 and that's just 1 way and more than the adult round trip tickets we have!!!! I can't hold her the whole time (because of my back and hip issues-- see ya Tuesday Dr. Tonte!!!!), so pray that there's an empty seat beside us as well!!!<br /> <br />Now, for a little of an update about getting to Samara on Tuesday--<br /> <br />We arrived about 6 p.m. on Tuesday in Samara and our translator apologized for realizing that she would be too busy on Wednesday to take us to the orphanage, so we went to the orphanage straight from the airport!!!! We were tired (but not that bad) and hadn't eaten. Once we got close, I realized that I hadn't had any time to put the workers "gifts" in the bags yet..................so before we went in, I scrambled to do that.<br /> <br />When we headed inside, I was delighted to see that they were renovating the inside of the orphanage. The kitchen was being totally redone (from what I can tell) and they were painting the walls.................it was a work in progress, but I was excited to see it.<br /> <br />We waited patiently for several minutes while they figured out where to put our gifts (by the way, I have to take the rest of the baby powder this next trip because there was so much and weighed alot!!!! THANKS!!!)..................Isabelle (Yulia) had been sleeping because it was about 7:30 at that point. When they brought her into the room and I said hi (from across the room) her eyes lit up and she got a BIG smile on her face. My goodness, I knew at that point that I was TOTALLY HOOKED on this little one....................she's only 1, so there's no way she remembered me from 1.5 months ago, but she was acting like she did!!! She was so much more active this time. She still doesn't walk, but her feet are flat on the ground now and she gets around REALLY well in the walker. In the walker, she trekked across the room to check out a stuffed animal...............knowing I only had an hour this time to be with her, I called her name..........and she came back!!!!!! I was so amazed at that!!! Gary and I played with her for such a great time, the hour FLEW by!!!!! It was really hard leaving her there. I kept telling her, and myself, that I'd be back to get her in 2 weeks (actually, it'll be 12 days from then), but it was a killer knowing that I wasn't going to get to hold her, play with her, or talk to her for the next 2 weeks.<br /> <br />We then went to the hotel. The next day we went to our 8 Dr. appointment. It went quickly and well. They asked us a lot of questions that seemed silly and funny to us, but they wanted to make sure we were healthy enough to be around for a while.<br /> <br />We went to court on Thursday and there was a delay because 1 of Isabelle's papers didn't make it there. We waited for about an hour, then they finally started. The interpreter was even nervous because the prosecutor understands English as well............so she couldn't just tell the judge what she wanted to hear.<br /> <br />The questions (I think because of the delay) were surprisingly short....................and we were officially declared the parents to Isabelle Hope Yulia Casebier!!!!!! We are now parents, though we have to wait the 10 days, just in case WE might change our minds...............................yeah right!!!!<br /> <br />Well, we came back to Moscow that night and have been dealing with getting some cultural items for her since then. <br /><br />Today we road the long flights home...........it took about 17 hours to get home and we are both sore and tired!!!! However, my adrenaline is still really pumping as now I have to hurry and get ready to go pick her up NEXT Sunday!!!!!! I have to leave on Friday to get there by Sunday at noon-time..........I don't understand why I have to go at noon, but that's when I have to be there and it's playing rough on getting everything done here.............so please pray for that and rest as well as the trip coming up VERY shortly!!!!<br /><br />I missed everyone and have some great pictures of the 3 of us together that I want to share, but I probably won't get to it this week..........go figure!!!<br /><br />Those that have sent us shower gifts -- I hope to get our thankyou's out before I go.........but may not be able to. Please know that we are TOTALLY grateful for everything and are really psyched about getting to do this...........I'm just kinda going crazy trying to get everything done right now and still work (yes, I am going back to work tomorrow for 4 days!!!).<br /><br />Gotta run and work on packing again..........<br /><br />Thanks a lot for the prayers and keeping all of us in your thoughts..........I really miss all my family and internet friends right now, you keep my stress down!!!<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier's!!!! WAY TOO EXCITED (not sure how someone can be TOO EXCITED) about going to get Isabelle next Sunday!!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-43104048425971519822007-09-20T20:02:00.000-07:002007-09-20T20:10:42.578-07:00Traveling Tomorrow!!!!Well everyone..........we are headed out in the afternoon..............we are VERY excited, but at the same time we have some more prayer requests.<br /><br />Please pray for our traveling mercies (including no pain this time from dealing with luggage and getting enough water/sleep)..........<br /><br />Pray for our physicals on Wednesday........if I'm feeling then like I am now, I don't know what the 8 doctors will say.<br /><br />Pray for our court time on Thursday that it will go smoothly. We're not planning on them waiving the 10 day wait.........which turns out to be a good thing because we were informed last week that we needed to get yet another apostille from Austin.........guess we all know where Gary will be heading the 1st week of October!!!!<br /><br />Please also pray for our health. Allergies (ragweed) have hit hard already and I'm not feeling well at all!!! I am on my regular allergy medications, but also on antibiotics for another couple days and cough suppressant. Gary also has allergies but hasn't had as severe a reaction as I have......pray that I don't end up giving him something on top of his allergies.<br /><br />I am SO ready for Isabelle to be home and to be able to treat her like she's our baby.........and though I'm really excited about getting to go look for cultural items for Isabelle's keepsakes and having a "new" journey in Russia, the allergies leave me less than excited about getting on a plane or about walking around outside. Hopefully Russia will have a VERY low pollen count!!!<br /><br />Well, I gotta go help Gary finish packing (mostly done)............<br /><br />Thanks for following along and for praying for our family as we go from being a couple to becoming a couple with child to becoming a family (adding Hannah as well).<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-33007678368624666992007-09-13T17:00:00.000-07:002007-09-13T17:28:02.497-07:002nd Trip Dates!!!Well, we received our court date on Tuesday............it's September 27th and we have to be there no later than the evening of the 25th.<br /><br />I decided not to post until I had the travel plans set up. So here they are:<br /><br />We leave on the afternoon of the 21st (I'm taking 1/2 day off) and getting to Moscow the 22nd. Originally we'd planned on touring Moscow after we had Isabelle, but we have since come to our senses............and figured that a 1 yr old girl, new to us and ALL of her surroundings, might be a little cranky. Plus she would also require naps/feeding times............so won't be able to gather cultural information for Isabelle once we have her..................AND we probably won't be going back ANYTIME soon (probably not ever)............so we need to get this type of information for her now, so that when she asks about where she's from, we'll be able to answer her.<br /><br />ANYWAY!!!! Back to the itinerary.......<br /><br />21 SEP 07 - FRIDAY<br /> AIR LUFTHANSA FLT:439 330P<br /> LV DALLAS FT WORTH 09HR50MIN <br /> <br /> 22 SEP 07 - SATURDAY<br /> AR FRANKFURT FLT:3184 820A <br /> <br /> LUFTHANSA <br /> LV FRANKFURT 1050A <br /> 03HR 00MIN<br /> AR MOSCOW SHEREMETYEVO 2 350P <br /> <br /> <br /> 25 SEP 07 - TUESDAY<br /> AIR AEROFLOT FLT:831 150P<br /> LV MOSCOW 1HR 55MIN <br /> <br /> AR SAMARA 445P <br /> <br /> <br /> 27 SEP 07 - THURSDAY<br /> AIR AEROFLOT FLT:832 620P <br /> LV SAMARA 01HR 50MIN <br /> <br /> AR MOSCOW SVO 710P <br /> <br /> <br /> 30 SEP 07 - SUNDAY<br /> AIR LUFTHANSA FLT:3189 705A <br /> LV MOSCOW SVO 03HR 15MIN <br /> <br /> AR FRANKFURT 820A <br /> <br /> AIR LUFTHANSA FLT:438 1005A <br /> LV FRANKFURT 10HR 45MIN <br /> <br /> AR DALLAS FT WORTH 150P <br /><br />All this, plus I am returning to work on the 1st.......so that I can work as many days as I can before we bring her home!!! :):):)<br /><br />Prayer requests:<br /><br />1. Please continue to pray for her health and her transition with all that will be new.<br />2. Please continue to pray for our finances. That Gary will get a job. I will not be paid for about 9.5 weeks this year (being out for maternity -- bonding time and then again for her surgery time).......God is going to have to do something supernatural for us. We need to be able to pay bills and pay for our bare essentials as well.<br />3. Please pray that our travel will be more smooth this time. Last trip I came back in a lot of pain, and we moved to a different hotel each night. That's another reason for staying in Moscow and catching our breath before taking the next flights.<br /><br />Thank you again so much for all of your prayers!!!!<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-26141477899979581852007-09-05T20:41:00.000-07:002007-09-05T20:47:54.578-07:00Update on the wait for a court dateHi everyone..............just wanted to let you know that we finally received notice today that the documents from Moscow have finally been received by the interpreter..........now we are just waiting for the judge to return from his/her vacation on Monday to get the final word on when our court date is. We are planning that it will be at least 2 weeks from the call.........so hopefully around the 25th. Then we would return to get her around the 9th.<br /><br />Thanks for continuing to pray. We had a WONDERFUL family reunion this last weekend, and we received some great gifts, including some financial help towards our trips.........we are still about $1000 short of the "cash in hand" for the 2 trips and need the flights and hotel costs as well, but I am still sure that it will all come together as we NEED it..............God's still faithful and HE's still in control of this adoption...........not the Russian government, or us..........<br /><br />:):):)<br /><br />I'll post pictures from the reunion and our 1st baby shower EVER this weekend........after I recover from another week at school...........lol<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier's.................Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-78638944935359659452007-08-29T18:49:00.000-07:002007-08-29T19:08:50.517-07:00Update on the wait for a court dateHi all,<br /><br />I was somewhat depressed yesterday evening...............I had found out that the translator still has not received the 1 document she needs from the Moscow adoption affairs office. It has to travel snail mail from request to answer. It is the letter saying that Isabelle has been released for adoption.<br /><br />This is sad because we'd just heard a week before from the translator and she made it sound like she had already received the letter. We were planning on travel dates around the week of September 17th. Now, I am thinking that the court date (2nd trip) will be around the 1st week of October at the earliest. Hopefully getting her (3rd trip) around the middle of October. Our little girl is just sitting there and wondering why those 2 people came to see her and showed her the rest of the orphanage........and all that stuff outside. She's wondering if we'll ever return and take her on a walk again, blowing bubbles, laughing, and trying to understand her babble talk...........and helping her try to walk.<br /><br />But, I choose to look at the positive. I have more time to raise funds for our 3rd trip cash and the airline/hotel costs. I also had been struggling with returning to school after we get her. I also wanted to keep the momentum I currently have with my job, because I know that this momentum will be a LOT less after we bring her home.<br /><br />I'm doing a little better with the thought of returning to school, but I really didn't want to come back before Christmas break.........but I wanted to spend at least 8 weeks with our little girl, then another 4 weeks with her after her surgery. Well, I should be able to go back after Christmas break now with only being out about 8-9 weeks off.................so that problem would be resolved (and I'd actually be getting 12 weeks off then because of holiday breaks as well).<br /><br />So, that's it for now...........hopefully this time will also mean that Gary is able to find a job prior to traveling for the 2nd trip..........please pray that this happens and any potential employer will understand his need for traveling and not let that interfer with hiring him. Optimally though, they will have him as a substitute until we come home.......then hire him fully, because that way he won't use/lose any of his leave time (or if it's in my district, use any of our COMBINED 12 weeks off for FMLA).<br /><br />Thank you for your continued prayer.<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-22371728696535343272007-08-22T19:00:00.000-07:002007-08-22T19:19:14.490-07:00Update on paperwork to Russia #4 and moreHi everyone. <br /><br />I'm finally physically recovering from our 1st trip. The jet lag didn't really hurt me at all..................it was the really back strain that I'd created on my upper back!!!! My shoulders and neck are starting to feel better after heading to the chiropractor for a few "treatments"............that will teach me for trying to lug 2 suitcases, a laptop, and a backpack around Russia..........and that's not even including the larger backpack and 2 duffle bags that Gary was carrying around!!!!<br /><br />I've already determined that on the 2nd trip we'll have 1 backpack, 1 duffle bag (gifts), and 1 suitcase (with a handle and wheels)........that should make it a lot better. On the last trip we'll have 2 suitcases (wheels and handles) and 1 large backpack. One of the suitcases will be for all of Isabelles things (clothes, food, toys, etc). We'll leave all that stuff in our Moscow hotel before going to get her because that trip will be one giant turn around to stay in Moscow the same (or next) night.<br /><br />Update on finances~~~~ well, God (as always) is wonderfully good. 1. We still do not have money for hotels/airlines, but we do have credit that we can use if necessary. I'm just afraid that if we use it (and end up maxing it out) that we may be stretched to far, bills wise. 2. We have most of the cash in hand for the 2nd trip though (about 3000 out of 3500 needed). The 3rd trip is only 10 days after the 2nd, so I'm not sure about the cash in hand for that one though............it's ok, so far He hasn't let us go anywhere without everything we need!!!! (and He never will...... :):):)).<br /><br />Update on her paperwork!!!! ~~~~~ Her paperwork is all in Russia and the translator is trying to schedule a court date. We hope to know in the next couple days when the court date will be (and thus when our 2nd trip will start). We've been told to expect the "10 day wait" to be 10 business days..........and if the 10th day is a Friday, it may require us to wait until the Monday afterward. We're still planning on coming home in between trips so that I can continue to work and not lose any leave days without our daughter.<br /><br />Well, that's the word for now...........I'll be posting AS SOON AS!!! I have the court date........YEA!!!!! Then I'll have to quickly order the visas and purchase plane tickets.............we still hope/expect to be traveling the week of Sept. 10th or 17th.......All looks very positive.<br /><br />Thanks for all your continued prayers and love!!!!<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-35377515730178205782007-08-14T15:08:00.001-07:002007-08-14T15:13:23.899-07:00Update on paperwork to Russia #3Hey!!!<br /><br />I found out today that the 1st (larger) batch of our dossier paperwork was received in Russia and is being checked over and translated!!!! Translation (of ALL documents) takes 2-3 days............<br /><br />The 2nd and final (smaller) batch was also sent out today (Fed Ex tracking number is 8606 0518 3509)..............and if I go with how fast the other batch went, they could have it by next Tuesday or Wednesday...............and fully translated by (at least) NEXT FRIDAY!!!! (8/24).......................now if we could only figure out where the paperwork from Moscow was in the process!!!! If it's there by translation time, we could have a court date set as early as 8/27!!!!!...........maybe even a day or two earlier!!!<br /><br />So, keep watching for our next update within the next week and a half to two weeks!!! I'm SO excited!!!! We may even have a travel date before going to the Family Reunion at Labor Day!!!!.............lol we're in Labor!!!!! :):):)<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-70539473338484011332007-08-10T16:06:00.000-07:002007-08-10T16:14:02.236-07:00Remainder of Dossier to Agency!Well, we went to the Secretary of State today and got the rest of our Apostilles done. Afterward, we overnighted our documents to IFS..........they should get them on Monday, copy them, and then send them right back out to Russia on Monday as well. I've requested the tracking information for both sets (she sent out the 1st part of our dossier earlier this week so Svetlana could start translating it) and will update you as soon as I have that information.<br /><br />Levahna told me that Svetlana is also waiting for a document from Moscow (snail mail) to allow Isabelle to be "released" for adoption. Once she has that document (along with ours) she can set the court date. I figure she should have all of our documents by August 27th and all of them translated no later than August 30th (she said it only takes her about 3 days........and most of the documents will be there by about the 20th). I really hope the Moscow document is there by the time the rest of our documents get to her. I also hope that we are one of the 1st families in court once the judge returns from her vacation on September 10th. Only time will tell though. <br /><br />Please pray for speedy travel on the documents, a close court date, and money for the trip.<br /><br />Thanks!!!<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-68315805163169910682007-08-09T14:47:00.001-07:002007-08-09T14:50:23.263-07:00Remainder of Dossier to Secretary of State!!!I just finished the last of our dossier paperwork today and am driving to Austin tonight and the sec of state tomorrow for apostilles.......................then overnight to agency and they copy and overnight to Russia..............we've already sent about 98% of the dossier to Russia and that should be almost completely translated by the time that these last few items arrive. The translator told us that when we get to go to court totally depends on how fast we send in the rest of the documents..............little did she know that we REALLY DID have them done!!! She kept saying that she hears that all the time. I told her we only lack our 171 (in the mail when we came home), our physicals (couldn't do until we returned from the 1st trip), and the document she had to email us once we returned. Tomorrow all that will be heading back to the agency and then on Monday out to Russia!!!<br /><br />We received the email from the translator yesterday, the 171 in the mail when we returned on Monday, and the doctor forms were filled out today (Thursday).........remember we just got home late Sunday night. The translator should be floored when she gets these in less than 2 weeks from today. She should have our completed dossier within 2.5 weeks of our returning from our 1st trip to Russia!!!<br /><br />Now if God would just reveal where the money is going to come from...........lol He is so good at teaching us patience isn't He?! lol<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-77701971523464548552007-08-06T16:05:00.000-07:002007-08-06T17:34:03.255-07:00We met her!!!! and adoption updateHi everyone.............we couldn't post in the city of Szyran (sp?), but we got to meet her. Other than the cleft and orphanage related delays, she's perfect!!! She is dinky though!! I mean, I couldn't believe how small she was as they brought her in.<br /><br />She crawls and tries to stand, but it's so cute and funny how she tries to stand. She holds onto things with her legs way too far in front of her. She gets up on her legs with her head on the floor. I almost think that she'll be standing on her head before she stands on her feet!!! :):):)<br /><br />We knew after seeing her and talking for a little while to the dr. that is on the property that she was meant to be ours. Our translator said that we were very lucky to get her because Russia usually doesn't let such a healthy child leave the country. <br /><br />We were able to take her for short walks around the orphanage and were worned about mosquitoes, but we only saw a mosquito once............in our hotel room that 1st night after the orphanage visit.<br /><br />On the 1st visit day we got to spend 6 hours with her: laughing, eating, napping, etc. She was so over stimulated with all the things around her, that she didn't pay much attention to us for quite a while. She was too busy crawling around the room checking everything out. She stared for quite a while in the mirrors, I doubt she'd ever seen much of anything outside of her bed and playroom. It was great to see her explore. For naptime that 1st day, we took her outside in the stroller for her nap because we didn't want to bother the other children. There was a little covered area with about 4 beds and a large wooden playpen under it. We sat there until she finally fell asleep. She slept for about an hour and a half...........then we had to go in and meet with the orphanage director, social worker, and the doctor again. The doctor gave us all of the information on "Yulia" and the social worker talked to us about the family. <br /><br />Yulia's mom was a young single woman that only signed the release papers because of Yulia's cleft issues. Her mother (Yulia's grandmother) works in the medical field and both women agreed that it was best for Yulia to be taken care of in this way. <br /><br />Yulia had her 1st cleft surgery (lip) in April..........thus she didn't look much like the referral photo we'd received. I'm very glad that she's had the surgery, but she can't really breathe out of the right side of her nose...........it's really sad to hear her try to breathe.<br /><br />Our 2nd meeting day was cloudy by my thoughts of her being left there. Though the caretakers work really hard and give the children all they can, they also can't give the children all the individual attention they need. She just spent 2 days getting tons of attention and being able to explore.......now she has to just sit there again. I watched her after we put her back in the wooden play pen in the play room on the 1st day (there are 2 really large pens there) and I saw her just sit and stare at the bottom of the pen. It was like I'd just put her in jail and there was no hope and nothing new to learn there. There were a small pair of plastic keys in the pen and she picked them up and kept hitting them on the floor.........not much excitement or fun could be seen. When we talked to her the 2nd day (after putting her in the pen) she was still laughing and interacting with us, like she was sure we'd be back.<br /><br />I can only think about her wondering where we went and why we didn't come for her again. Then, when we do return in a couple months, she may be excited, but we'll only be able to see her for an hour that trip..............and have to leave again. She will never be able to understand that we'd be back in about 2 weeks to take her home. I can't stand the thought of how lonely this must make her feel and how much distrust it could build in her.<br /><br />We know that Yulia will probably be walking by the time we get to return..............and I'm happy for her, but sad that I won't see it. <br /><br />There are so many good things we've seen in this trip and so much more we're having to deal with in our thoughts.<br /><br />I know that your prayers have really helped me to keep my fears at bay after talking to the doctors here in the states. I know that they also are what blessed us in being able to make an immediate decision on our little girl. We are so BLESSED by her and by our friendships.<br /><br />We've been told by our interpretor (sp?) that we can return as early as Sept. 11th..........because the Judge is on vacation until then. She said when we return is totally up to us and when we get in our paperwork. I told her that all we're missing was the 171 (got it today in the mail!!!) and the dr. physical's that we weren't allowed to do until now. The 171 is now ready to head to the state department for apostille and we checked out the dr. information. We go tomorrow for blood work and then have to return in a week or so for the physical (once the bloodwork has returned). Hopefully we'll get it totally completed and to Austin (for apostille's) before I have to return to work for 2 days on the 14th (a week from tomorrow)/15th..........or at least before I return full-time on the 20th. <br /><br />I'm going to post video/pictures within the next few days. We've been given the ok to post them. You can see just how cute,smart, and tiny she is. I'll also post the original referral picture for her too so you can see the change. <br /><br />Prayer Requests:<br /><br />1. Isabelle Hope Yulia Casebier -- that she won't be sad/lonely and will quickly trust us again when we return and are finally able to get her. For her also to stay healthy and safe until we are able to pick her up.<br /><br />2. Gary still needs prayers for a permanent teaching position........so he still has a little more flexible schedule still. <br /><br />3. This also means that we have financial issues for the adoption as well. This was an unexpected blessing..........but that also means that our time to raise funds was limited. I'm figuring with about $4000 per trip in airline tickets and $3500 per trip in cash, that we need at least another $15000.........PLUS hotels. We have a little in the adoption savings account thanks to a couple of Gary's family members and a church garage sale. I'm just praying that God really opens those flood gates of blessing so we can bring her home without any MORE credit card debt.<br /><br />4. Our medical reports to go quickly so that everything will be in Russia very soon and they can schedule our court date.<br /><br />Thank you,<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-8438640008257567582007-08-02T10:00:00.000-07:002007-08-02T10:15:46.208-07:00We're in Samara!!!!!Hi everyone!!!!<br /><br />2 words............HOT and FAST!!!!!<br /><br />This trip is SO FAST!!!!! Every night we've been in a different hotel. They have looked really nice, but their food is REALLY expensive!!!!! A water (16 oz.) is about $3!<br /><br />It is as hot and muggy as Texas here, but the big difference is that we have no recognizable (significant) air conditioning in doors...............there's no way to escape the heat, be prepared to sweat all the time!!! :):):)<br /><br />We arrived in Samara today and met with our translator and driver. They are WONDERFUL. We've already gone to get our notary documents done (something normally AFTER you've seen your child, but because our 2nd day falls on Saturday, it's not open) and have met with the assistant to the minstry of education here. They have all been delightful!!!!<br /><br />A few months ago someone showed me how to access the Russian site for children and I looked at all of them. I only saw 1 little girl with a cleft in 2006 and didn't think it looked like her. Well, apparently they have already done lip surgery and that IS our little girl. She looks so different it's scary to me............I want to make sure it's the same child that we've been falling in love with this whole time............ :):):)<br /><br />I can't wait to meet her tomorrow!!!! I'm SO excited to make that trip!!!!! We get to be with her from 12-6 tomorrow (we're 10 hours ahead of TX from here) and then rest...........just to meet with her for about 4-5 hours the next day as well. I just realized that I may need to change my outgoing flights!!! I need to ask 1st thing tomorrow so I don't mess up there................hopefully it will only change the Samara flight and not the home flight. We were already having to stay the night in Moscow..............so that's not a big deal if we can get this all figured out pretty quick.<br /><br />Well, tomorrow we will not have internet access and the access here costs us by the 15 minute intervals.............so I'm off for now.<br /><br />Please pray for us and know that we are thinking of all of our friends in China right now..................I hope you're staying a little cooler than we are. Also, remember that you get to go home with your little ones, we don't this trip. We have to leave her for about another 2 months until court........... :( so pray for me not to cry too much tomorrow. The closer it gets, the more attached to this little one I get, regardless of what the dr.'s say and what I see tomorrow..............Gary is pretty much committed already and I've kept my heart at bay until we see her................but I don't know how much longer I can hold it back.....................and it breaks pretty easily!!!! Please pray for our return trip as well.<br /><br />Also, we went to the store this evening and things are MUCH cheaper there, we had to get a taxi though and it cost the same as the total of our groceries (mostly water of course).<br /><br />BTW, the diet is SO OUT with this. I have no idea of what I've eaten this week so far.....................but I did get in 2 shakes today (yea me!!!). I WILL gain weight, but I'll also lose it too.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-64585617336306945082007-07-28T20:16:00.000-07:002007-07-28T20:23:42.766-07:00Isabelle Hope?Well, I've said it before that I'm nervous because of what the 3 doctors have said regarding the health report we currently have (and their liability issues). It makes me a lot more nervous than Gary.<br /><br />But, on one of my yahoo groups (LCC) another person asked about "small head circumference" (a major issue this last doctor had) and the response from other adoptive parents has been overwhelming!!! NONE of it has been negative. ALL of the children have been fine up to this time in the conversation. I think the thread was meant more for me (the only one adopting from Russia) than anyone else. God knew I needed this encouragement and He's been using them to give me the peace I need about Isabelle. He's the one that brought her to us, we didn't go seeking her out.............I can't wait to meet her............though I'm terrified and excited at the same time. I'm trying to not get my hopes up to high after 5+ years of waiting for a little girl to call my own. You would think that after infertility AND adoption that I'd have a child by now...........but no, God had a different plan. From what it looks like at this point, it really includes this little one. I can only continue to pray that He gives me peace and ask that everyone else continue to pray that our 1st meeting will be one that melds our hearts together as a family. That I will be at peace and know immediately that she is or is not to be our baby.<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-89876482710029760332007-07-28T20:12:00.002-07:002007-07-28T20:16:38.153-07:00Garage Sale endingsWell, we closed the sale today a little early..........but after 3 days I believe we did pretty good (though not in the 1000's......lol). All 3 of us workers were ready to have it done though..........and most of what was left was clothing, older pictures, and little things that had been there the whole time.<br /><br />Now on to the rest we have to do before leaving!!!! :):):)<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier'sUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-35500949913579055362007-07-28T20:11:00.000-07:002007-07-28T20:12:07.080-07:00Garage Sale 2nd day happenings!Hey everyone..........just 4 days til we leave and 7 til we meet her. I can <br />hardly breathe at times............<br /><br />I am still a little concerned about her, but God is using others in my <br />groups to comfort me. We've been having a garage sale the past 2 days and <br />I've asked to not know about the money end. I don't want it to effect me. <br />I'm the one keeping up with the adoption expenses and we're only able to <br />take this 1st trip because of credit cards....... :(<br /><br />I was very frustrated this morning and left for a little while to get some <br />other things done (my friend is having the sale for <br />us)..........................and I left dh there to help out. When I <br />returned, he and I planned a piece of our evening (haircut) when the sale <br />was over for the day and I decided to stay for the rest of the day (about 2 <br />1/2 hours more) because it wasn't that long and I just didn't want to stress <br />out again with waiting.<br /><br />So, I stayed. There were a lot of down times and only a few really up sale <br />times during that 2.5 hours.................but there were 2 that really <br />impacted me.<br /><br />1. I was watching as mothers were letting their el. school children out of <br />the car while they waited inside the air conditioning of their cars. This <br />kinda frustrated me as I watched the kids run back and forth to ask their <br />parents if they could get something. One was a little blonde girl, probably <br />in the 3rd grade. She had already ran back and forth a couple times when <br />she looked at our board talking about the little one. She asked who our <br />little one was, and when I told her that we were raising money here to help <br />go get her, she said, "I can give $5!".....................my first reaction <br />was, I don't want you to get in trouble with your mom, so you better ask <br />her. She said it was her money and her mom wouldn't care. So, I said it <br />was ok.......................THEN, I promptly started looking around for <br />something else to give her..............lol I felt so bad that she'd given <br />up so much of her money and I wanted her to feel like she got something. <br />There was a fabrige (sp?) egg sitting there and I let her see <br />it............she took it too...................she really blessed me with <br />her big heart.<br /><br />2. As closing time (4 pm) neared, we were starting to pack up and a few <br />more people came so we stopped for a little bit. I saw this mom with 2 <br />children (1 older that didn't talk much) and a 5 year old girl. I watched <br />their interactions for quite a while. We had some puzzles there and the <br />little girl was going to get one, when she came to a veggie tale one I asked <br />her if she knew them and she didn't say anything. Several other comments <br />made me wonder if her family was Christian or not (something I really hadn't <br />been thinking about, but I was thinking about it with this family because of <br />the girl). Well, when she got to the poster we told her what we were doing <br />and she commended us (something not uncommon)....................then when <br />she got ready to pay her $3.75 she got out a check book..............which I <br />was thinking was odd. She went on to say that she was going to make it for <br />a little extra to help us bring her home. Then she went on to say that she <br />was a pastor's wife for a church down the road. They had a women's group <br />and they would be praying for us in our adoption. She wanted us to contact <br />her sometime closer to the 2nd or 3rd trip.................for prayer I <br />imagine. Because she kept on talking about the prayer group, I pulled her <br />over to the board again and had her look close at our little one's face and <br />told her the whole story about the 3 dr.'s..............I asked her to pray <br />about her health and our peace in knowing our decision. She already knew <br />what to pray for. She lead dh and I in prayer right there............it was <br />SO awesome!!!! Right before I pulled her to the board I looked at the <br />check. At first glance, I thought it said $10...........then I read it and <br />realized it was $100. That was a little less than 1/2 of what we made <br />yesterday all day!!!<br /><br />When we got home, dh looked up the church site and found that it had a <br />Tuesday evening "Cowboy Church" service.............well, our church doesn't <br />meet on Tuesday's and our previous church was a "cowboy" <br />church......................I bet we check it out soon after we're back!!!<br /><br />Well, I'm still at 4 days til take off and 7 days til meeting, but I'm much <br />calmer knowing that God is still so much a part of <br />this.......................He is organizing this FAR BEYOND what I thought <br />when I said before that He was going to really have to do things. I figured <br />that was just in the finances part (and though it is, He hasn't been so <br />"obvious" in this for this adoption up to this point) instead it's been a <br />lesson of trusting Him for a much greater thing.............her health and <br />me being able to help her/take care of her if her health isn't what I <br />hope.......................keeping my eyes on Him and not the circumstances <br />around me.............wow.........I'm terrified!!!! :):):)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-19570942957437040872007-07-19T20:13:00.001-07:002007-07-19T20:52:14.741-07:001st Travel plans & moreWell, it's taken a week.........but here's our itinerary for the 1st trip.<br /><br />7/31/07 Leave for Moscow<br /> Stop over in Frankfurt, Germany before getting there<br />8/1/07 Arrive in Moscow and stay the night in a hotel close to the airport (so I don't have to pay for more transportation -- $300/night<br />8/2 Fly to Samara in the morning<br /> Meet with Coordinator and officials in the afternoon<br /> Spend the evening in Samara and night at the Renassance (sp?) hotel -- $300/night<br />8/3 Go to orphanage in another town to meet little one<br /> Spend the afternoon looking around the town (taking lots of memory pictures)<br /> Spend the night in hotel there (arranged by coordinator) about $100/night<br />8/4 Go back to the orphage and spend a little more time with her<br /> Meet with officials again to sign paperwork stating that she is the child <br /> we wish to pursue (like an LOI in China) and they agree to it (like an LOA <br /> in China)<br /> Leave for Moscow in the evening<br /> Spend night at same hotel from the 1st -- $300 again<br />8/5 Leave for Frankfurt and then on to Washington, Dulles and then to Dallas<br /><br />So, in case you weren't very clear here it's going to be about $1000 for hotels alone...............and then the airline tickets cost about $1650 each. If we end up needing to make changes it'll be an extra $250 plus whatever extra hotel costs.<br /><br />Keep us in prayers. I'm going nuts right now trying to make sure I've got all the "little" things packed and done as well as contemplating everything that's happening right now.<br /><br />We didn't want to go into debt for any adoption, cash only.........but at this point it was inevitable with how quickly this has gone. If Gary is able to get a good job in the Fall, the adoption costs should be fairly easily covered, but that hasn't happened yet and I'll be losing some pay this year because of being out on maternity leave and family medical leave act (for her surgeries).<br /><br />Then there's the other concern. We finally got word from the 3rd dr. today, the one that's worked with Russian adoptions before. She did NOT give us a lot of hope for this little one. All because of how small she was at birth and how big her head is right now........<br /><br />This confuses and frustrates me because she was premature and her growth in ALL areas of her body is in line with each other, though very low and not on the charts. She doesn't look like she has other problems, but the dr. said with these things, there are chances of cerebral palsy (at best of the worst problems). She also asked us if we could request another referral.........she was VERY discouraging. Yes, we can refuse her once we get there (we're sending pictures and video to the dr. on the 1st night we see her), but it's not fair to her or to us to even meet her if there isn't a chance that we'll go for it. I can't handle an MR child with other children on the way, let alone handle one needing the cleft surgeries and not being able to stay at home for at least the next 2 years with her. It's not fair to either of us.<br /><br />So, pray for our decision. I am hooked on this little one and have seen some really incredible stories lately about dr. diagnosis not being accurate and the child being ok. But when you have 3 dr.'s all giving you negative feedback (2 working with adoptive families alot) it's really hard to stay encouraged. When I look at her I see nothing but a healthy little cleft affected child. Please pray that this is all the dr.'s will see when we get there. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is prevalent in Russia and I read a little up on it today.........it SEEMS like she has some of the possible symptoms of it, but none of the dr.'s have brought that up.<br /><br />None the less, she is a little one that needs a home...........and we need a little one..........she's imperfect, but so are we. I struggle with thoughts of how I could even think about not accepting her!!! Another yucky thought is that now we're so involved with Russia that we can't do a domestic adoption (at least until one or both of these is over) and if we don't accept her, we MAY get another referral while we are there.........or we MAY be put into the LONG waiting line for Russia (I think it's about a year right now) and I'm not sure that our agency will be in Russia at that point, because Russia is just going through reaccreditation again with it's agencies and IFS is not one of the current agencies.............it's rumored to be shutting down independent adoptions soon.<br /><br />Ok, now everyone is up to date and can see all that I'm feeling......a little TMI I think...........lol<br /><br />But please pray for my packing AND my sanity as we go and meet this little one. Please pray that God will make it obvious to us while we are there if she is or is not to be our little Isabelle (though wouldn't the name Isabelle Hope[God's promise of hope] be perfect for her anyway!!!). <br /><br />Please also pray for our finances. I've been handling just the adoption expenses and I've just become aware of some more things that I don't like what I see (which I probably contributed to a great deal with buying everything for the girls including decorating and quilt swaps). Please pray that God will help us to not only get out of debt, but to not get into any more debt with the adoptions.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />TerriUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452705185619592304.post-9421220740128250092007-07-12T13:47:00.000-07:002007-07-12T13:54:29.958-07:001st Travel Dates!!!!!WWWHHHHHHHHIIIIIIPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!<br /><br />We got our 1st travel dates today........we leave July 31st and return August 5th.......<br /><br />We'll get to meet with the government people in charge on the 2nd (the 17th anniversary of my parents death, so now I have something GOOD to remember the date for!!!!:).................then meet Isabelle on the 3rd and 4th........then they make us immediately leave on the 4th..........<br /><br />I have to go make the travel plans........and schedule with dr. for checking out the medicals............etc.<br /><br />Terri for the Casebier's!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3