A surprise visit

We had a nice surprise visit by Zac today! (What? you may ask...)


To our very pleasant surprise, our agency sent us 4 more photos today. You'll all be relieved to hear that Zac is still the most beautiful child in all of Russia. Certainly no change. His hair is starting to evolve from "too dang long" to "prince-like flowing locks" (kinda like Prince Charming from Shrek)

Friends

I do believe that I have mentioned a few different times that one of the (many) surprises during this adventure that we call international adoption is the friendships that we've developed. The even more surprising thing is that many of these friends are cyber-friends. I'm sure this is a modern-day phenomenon that will only increase as technology allows, but it is still strange to have true friends that I've never actually talked to in person.

So here is a run down of how cool our "new" friends are:

1. D&A (who we traveled with in June and who were also sentenced to 6 months in "Databank prison") mailed us a Siberian Silver Fir Yankee Candle. How appropriate! It's really yummy.... smelling, not tasting.

2. R - just went to Russia to finish her adoption and took a disposal camera with her for Olga to take pictures. We just got confirmation that they took more pics of Zac and we should get them back in a week or so! Yea! More pictures.

3. It seems like every single one of our blogging friends are in Russia right now. It's so awesome to read their adventures. Of course, deep down inside, I'm quite bitter.... just kidding...sort of. No, I really am... kidding, that is.

I'm especially happy for Steve who was my original motivation to start a "dad blog". (We seem to be a minority) He's waited longer that we have, so it's only fair that his adoption journey is coming to a close. (I'm fully aware that a new adventure is just beginning, but at least the paperwork will be a lot less going forward .... until they start doing Estate Planning, or buy a new house)

Possesions

As we go through our daily lives, we don't make it very long without thinking of Zac. His evidence is everywhere throughout the house. Pictures, clothes, pictures, stuffed animals, more pictures.

Here are just a few examples:





Zac may not know it yet, but he has two drawers full of his own clothes.





Additionally, he dominates the top part of the closet in "boys' room"

It's difficult to ignore the 5th stocking hung above the fireplace this year.

And each night, his bed, bear and blankie eagerly wait for his arrival.

Shortly after our return from Russia (in June) we hung up Zac's brand new fluffy bath towel. We can't bring ourselves to take it down, so it quietly sits there. (The striped one on the right).

I never knew it was possible to love a child much from such a great distance. I really wish he would hurry up and get home. We all really wish he would...

Missing memories

Today was a good day. We got a jump on the Christmas season by skipping out of work early to decorate the house. (I know that we're supposed to wait until AFTER Thanksgiving, but the opportunity was there....)

Anyway, it hit me today that this may be a tough Christmas for us. Everybody keeps telling me that "the holidays will go by fast and then it'll almost be time to go get Zac".

Yea, I'm not so sure.

Back in June, I figured that there was NO WAY that Zac wouldn't be home for Christmas. We were really excited to think that this Christmas would be our first with our new child. There is definately something special about a baby's first Christmas.

I've tried to be positive and upbeat during this difficult time, but I do have my moments of sadness. I'm not mad. I'm not bitter. I'm just really really sad. I look at that countdown clock and I think, "98 days isn't that great... we've still got a long road to hoe."

But no matter how my thoughts process the events that have unfolded, I keep coming back to the same conclusion: What else can I possibly do besides remain positive? Nothing good can come from moping. (Not to be confused with mopping, which can be quite productive especially if you have hardwood floors)

So, here we are: Still enjoying all the wonderful blessings and moments that have been given to us.

Here's a clip of Hallie & I placing the angel on our Christmas tree. (Truly, the epitome of a precious Christmas memory.)

NOTE: In true Horner fashion, we added as much drama as we possibly could for the camera

100

100 DAYS LEFT!!!!

LET'S PARTY!!!

A picture says 1000 words

We received the actual prints of the pictures that were emailed to us last week. It was like getting NEW pictures! The ones that were emailed were fairly blurry because the scanner used must have been..... Russian.

Anyway, I've done nothing but stare at his pictures for the last 15 hours. (except to sleep) I can't study him enough. His eyes (those beautiful eyes) his fingers, his (really long) hair, his lips, his nose, his chubby legs (yea! He's chubby! Their feeding him!) his shoes, his knees, I love it all.

I have no problem closing my eyes and envisioning every detailed part of him. It's nice to be able to "take him with me" everywhere I go. He is permanately burned into my mind.

We were also elated to receive a 6th picture that wasn't included in last week's email. It's an adorable picture of Zac drawing on a chalkboard. After studying that picture thoroughly, here's what I've discovered:

1. Zac appears to be right handed
2. He was holding the piece of chalk very well. It appears that he's not a novice with writting utencils. Once again, it reaffirms our confidence in the Baby Home that he's in. They are really keeping those kids active and learning. I can't begin to explain how happy this makes us. I'm not sure we'd be able to mentally survive otherwise.
3. There was a really good drawing of a truck and a tree on the chalkboard. I'll have to assume that Zac did NOT draw those particular items, but at first glance it gives the appearance that he DID draw them. Pretty funny. Maybe he's the next Picasso. That would be difficult for Katie and I to foster seeing as how both of us have extreme difficulty drawing even a stick man.
4. At the top of the chalk board was the ENGLISH alphabet. Perhaps it was a gift from an adopting family? Nice to know, he has a little exposure to English. The reality is that VERY few people in Novokuznetsk spoke English. We need not get our hopes up that he'll understand much English.
5. He really needs a haircut. The word "mullet" seems to be a recurring comment from others.

NEW AND IMPROVED LOOK

IT'S TIME FOR A NEW TEMPLATE!

I hope you all like it.