We are here!

We just got settled into our apartment here in St. Pete. Good grief, what a trip! We had a carry on bag with our suits for court and our jackets. On the jet way in DC, they informed us the overhead compartments were full (there was a senior citizen group traveling that boarded before us and they all had small carry on suitcases that took up all the space) and they needed to check our carry on. And they meant check it, as in send it all the way to St. Pete, not check it as in gate check it so that we would get it in Amsterdam.

So yeah, they lost that bag. The only bag that we really need! So our only chance to get the bag before court will be on our same flight that comes in tomorrow around 5 p.m. local time. If not, then we may need to shop. Our court translator is calling the judge, however, to explain our situation and see if she will permit us to appear in court in non-court clothes. We'll see. Northwest is already going to be hearing from me on other matters, but the lost luggage and potential additional expense is another thing to add to our list.

Our apartment is cute and cozy ... bigger than the last one we had. It is right next door to the last one though, so we are familiar with the area. We are about to venture out (in the rain, nonetheless) with no coats to find food. People are going to look at us like we are crazy without coats, since they dress like Eskimos here!

I'm sure you are wondering when we get to see Addison. Well, tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. they are picking us up to take us to the Baby Home. Yay! I wish we could go there now ... it is really hard being in the same city as her and not being able to see her.

Airfare: Check! Lodging: Getting there!

We just booked our airfare and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me why it is so expensive?! Seriously! We found tickets for a little less than we paid last time, but Addison's one-way ticket from Moscow is costing us $1,097 ... seems a bit ridiculous to me. That is more than it is costing us to fly round trip from DC to St. Pete and from Moscow to DC. Also, we don't have to get a hotel in Amsterdam this time around, so that is good.

We have decided to stay in an apartment again while we are in St. Pete. It is much more cost efficient, we don't have to pay a lot for internet and we will be right on Nevsky again. As far as lodging in Moscow ... we haven't got there yet. We are looking at staying at the Marriott, but we don't have enough Marriott points to cover our stay, so we are trying to figure out what to do because I believe the hotels are like $600 a night, or something ridiculous like that. Anyone have any points they want to donate to us? {*grins sheepishly*}

Addison ... we've got a date!

We received information today that we have a date with a judge in a Russian courtroom on November 12, 2008! Can I get a wahoo?! I really did not expect our date to be that soon, but I'll take it! We have to be in Russia on November 10, meaning we leave here November 9.

My mind is going a mile a minute right now ... what to do first ... set up bedrooms, pack, find plane tickets, find lodging, watch for money to fall out of the sky ... the list is endless!

Lodging: Check!

Phew! I got our lodging taken care of today. We have been all over the board with where to stay (i.e. hotel or apartment), how much to pay, etc. We finally decided to rent one of Oksana's studio apartments for 65 euros a night, which is $93 a night. We also will have a fridge and microwave in our apartment, so hopefully that will save us from having to eat out for every single meal. Maybe. Oh, and we will have a washer and dryer ... and internet service so I can keep our blog updated. But only if you promise to leave us comments so we know you love us. I have spoke with many people who have stayed in Oksana's apartments and my agency is confident that our apartment is in a good location. Actually, Oksana told me the apartment is in an elite location off Nevsky ... ooh, I feel special and important! And for anyone who cares about our safety, the apartment is in a secure building right on a main thorofare (is that a word?) on the third floor.

And as far as our stranded night that we have to spend in Amsterdam on our way home, we will be staying at a hotel that is right at the airport. Phew! Do you think Kyle and I should go check out the red light district? Ummm ... NO.

Change of plans ...

Yes, we are still going! LOL However, our travel partners are not. Kyle's parents were going to join us on our first trip to Russia. After reading through some of our documents and learning just how expensive this is for us, they decided their money would be better spent by staying home and just paying for our plane tickets. We totally understand and appreciate their decision to do this ... and we are SO very thankful that they have offered to pay for our plane tickets! We still have a huge chunk of money to pay out, but saving $2,000 is definitely a bonus!

So Bob and Dee ... thank you so much for sacrificing your trip to Russia in order to help us. We are sad you won't be joining us, but so very grateful for your financial help!

We got our travel dates!

We will be leaving for Russia on September 22 ... for those of you without a calendar in front of you, that is ONE WEEK from today! We will arrive in Russia on September 23, meet with Russian officials on September 24 and then I guess we have the rest of the week to visit with our precious angel. We are free to come home on September 27, which is that Saturday.

Breathe. Breathe. Breathe.

We are getting close!

I just received word that our dossier has been shipped off to Russia and is expected to be filed on September 8. Yay! Assuming it will be accepted, we are expecting to travel to meet Addison 2-3 weeks after that, so basically the end of September. Whoa ... breathe, breathe, breathe.

I knew this moment was going to sneak up on me, but I didn't realize it would be so fast! I am throwing myself into super mega fundraising mode, because we still have a long way to go. We feel so blessed for the support and donations we have received thus far ... thank you!

Our travel partners

A couple days ago, Kyle called me at work and said that his parents wanted to know if they could go to Russia with us. They wanted to support us in our adoption and see Russia all at the same time. Even better, my father-in-law is retired from Northwest Airlines and we are hoping to be able to catch a break on airfare for at least our first trip over. Them reaching out to us for something like this means so much to us. I think they are very excited, as are we. At least if we get lost in Russia, we won't be lost alone!

Edited to add: No, we will not be taking Mason and Payton with us. They will stay home. :)