Back in Moscow

Last day in Krasnoyarsk, and we were definitely ready to be done. We were hoping to use our last day for a little sightseeing, heading to the flea market, and heading to the park. Instead, we spent the day waiting. We had an appointment between 11 and 1 to go get Elijah’s birth certificate and passport. So we decided to spend the morning packing for our early morning flight out Wednesday. We got the passport (with the cutest little picture of him by the way), and went back to the hotel to find out that our liaisons would be coming back between 4 and 5 to collect fees. So Elijah went down for a nap, and we continued packing. Then we waited. Around 6, we were met by our liaisons, and the day was shot. We had dinner, and turned in early. So much for a bag full of Krasnoyarsk souvenirs.

Morning came at 3 am, and we were off to the airport for the early morning flight to Moscow. We can’t say that we were looking forward to the 5-hour flight, more intrigued as to how it would go. I am happy to say that it went incredibly well. We were worried that he wouldn’t sit still, but our problem was that all he wanted to do was sit still in mommy’s lap. But when mommy can’t feel her toes, it’s a bit of a problem. He slept for a good 1 ½ hours or so on the plane with minimal fussing. We thank God for that.

The hardest part was that we arrived in Moscow at 8 am, and had the rest of the day still ahead of us (it was a long one to be sure). We took the scenic route from the airport to the city (which was beautiful, but I felt like added and hour to the drive), and then straight to get Misha’s visa picture taken. That one is classic. He was not too happy at that moment to be posing for a picture, and he had a pretty good scowl on his face (our liaison here said that per Russian standards it is a perfect visa picture because Russians are very serious in their official pictures).

A three hour nap followed, and then we ventured out for dinner at the American Bar and Grill. $14 for a cheeseburger and fries, but it was worth every penny! Still getting the routine of high-chair and sitting still in a restaurant down, but it was an enjoyable meal all the same.

I must say that this afternoon I experienced my lowest moment. Just exhausted from the flight, knowing that we still have a week to go and missing my boys came to a head while Misha was taking a nap. I know that this is all part of the process, but I will admit that it is harder than I expected. From the moment we picked him up, all we have wanted to do is start being a family. But it is difficult to do that when you are still bouncing around in hotel rooms and ordering pizza to eat in the lobby because you feel like you are going to suffocate spending another minute in the hotel room. You have one hour left on the second season of “24” (yes, that is 23 hours already watched) and you are on your second book (Adam Ted Dekker if anyone is interested…great read). But mostly wanting to get Misha on a routine and get him used to what life is really going to be like at home with three wonderful brothers and two sebaka (those are dogs for you Amerikanski).

I guess that just validates what we are doing here. There is something about “home” that is different than anywhere else. It doesn’t matter what the zip code is. It doesn’t matter what the amenities are. Pick up our little Escondido “dacha” and put it here, and it still wouldn’t be home. Elijah’s orphanage had everything he needed for physical survival, but it wasn’t a home, nor was it ever going to be. Home is the whole package. Familiarity, family, routine, safety, support, love, relationship, understanding, comfort, Christ. Doesn’t everyone deserve that?….

JP