Russia Review

Today was a nice day. We got up and went to the Doctor today. It was not bad at all except that you have to see 8 different doctors. They are all specialists in different areas. They did tell me my blood pressure was high. I thought to myself, I don't like to fly and I flew 3 times in 4 days, your drivers scare me to death, I have not slept well in 5 days and I am adopting a son in a foreign country, I cannot imagine why it is high. We came back to the hotel and I am having a nice Newcastle and watching the US football game(soccer). We have to be down in the lobby at 9 in the morning to catch the plane at 2:00. We will arrive back in Birmingham at 6:45 so all you bama fans and coachless auburn fans pull us through.

Russian Review

This has been the best trip I have every been on in my life. What an adventure from start to finish. I am looking so forward to the next trip. There were some bumps in the road but seeing my son for the first time takes the cake. Being able to touch him, hold him and play with him was gratifying. I know now what it must have been like to for my father to watch me play for the first time trying to figure things out, it was an emotionial high. I cannot think of a more life changing, beautiful experience. Seeing Dee Dee playing with him and the look of love and excitement in her eyes comes in a close second.

Overall this has been a great journey. The Russian people as a whole are great. They are still stuggling to find their own identity in a former war torn country. I sat and reflected as I looked out my window at this booming city of 15 million in Moscow and I wonder how long it will take for them to catch up. With their biggest export being oil, I cannot imagine it will take to long. And the youth being able learn about the world like they never have before, I see a bright future for this cold war country. Their leadership seems to be working to keep things going forward instead of backwards.

I now can only think about the next time I will be here. We are hoping for the end of January or sooner. There is now a new herizon in my life now, and I cannot wait to see the sunrise with my son home with me and Dee Dee. I want to thank everyone for your prayers, thoughts, and e-mails. We could not have done it without you. And to our family, you guys have been great through this process and we cannot wait to bring your grandson and nephew home.

We love you all so much and cannot wait to see you tomorrow.

Love
Brad