Bringing Lexi Home

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I think a montage is worth a thousand words!!! Although, I do want to mention that it was Polar Days when we adopted Katie Aunna (never got dark) and it was Polar Nights with Alexis' adoption (never had any daylight). Guess you could say night and day. Personality wise...they are night and day...LOL!!! Lexi is calm and quiet where Katie is bouncy and noisy;-). So, here is the picture journal of our trip to Russia to bring our daughter home. It will likely be posted on our family blog as well since this blog has been closed to the public. Additionally, now that Alexis is part of the family....I will not be making any more posts to this blog. However, you may still follow our progress and watch the drastic changes that will occur over time with Lexi. The family blog is titled "Journey To Yellow Brick Road" and may be found at this link:

http://journey2rfamily.blogspot.com

Once again....I am greatly appreciative of all your prayers and best wishes for our family. Many blessings!!!

We're Home!!!

We are finally home!!! Lexi is doing very well and seems happy. Of course, she is still a bit confused and we are still jet lagged. We had Christmas on the 26Th and she had a ball!!! I am planning to make a montage for the blog;-). Today I need to work on getting her registration paperwork done and our SW will be out this afternoon to do her first report. But, I promise to do a montage very soon. Many blessings...Trisha, Duane, and kiddos!!!

Good News

Just wanted to make a quick post. We got Alexis' passport and visa this morning. We will be arriving home as planned. Please kids....don't get out in the cold night air to come to meet us. We will be home tomorrow night very very late and will wake you when we get home. Alexis is anxious to go home and asks often when will we go. Unfortunately, I have not been able to teach her any English as she refuses. But, my Russian has gotten very good now that she coaches me...LOL!!!! Also, don't worry as we will have Christmas as planned on Saturday. So, don't open anything until we get home!!! Lots of love and miss you all a bunch. Love....Mom, Dad, and Lexi

Welcome Alexis Victoria Gartner

We successfully completed our exit visa appointment. There is a new Gartner child on the block now;-). She is anxious to go home and see her brothers and sisters. Patrick...we're coming soon!!! Thanks for those candles you've been burning and to all our friends and family for their prayers and help. I know Kisty is probably ready to jump over-board by now....LOL....however, just hang on for a little longer and we will be home. I do have just one piece of news about the issuance of the paper visa....the Embassy computers are down and so we may be delayed by one day according to the official spokesperson. So, hang on one extra day and pray they do indeed issue them as promised the following day. Many blessings....and many thanks to all!!!! Trisha, Duane, and Alexis Gartner
P.S...Thanks to Charlotte for keeping the kids informed!!!!

Hello From Murmansk

Hi everyone. We took Alexis from the orphanage yesterday. She was completely trusting and has been really enjoying herself with Mama and Papa. Her Gameboy...ummmm I mean...Gamegirl is a hit. It is such an entertainment for her.

Last night I gave her a great bath. She smells as sweet as can be and like the rest of my kids do. You should have seen the dirt going down the drain. Then she had a nice nail trim and I painted her nails red!!!! HaHa....she loved that. She kept saying that she is a princess now.

She also told me that when she grows up in America she will make me so proud because she will be a doctor and make a lot of American money....LOL!!! I would not be a bit surprised at her. She is very bright. Lexi is learning to say a few English words.

The words that I know she knows in English I won't speak Russian to her about those things. Hey kids...I miss you like you can't imagine and hope to be home on time if the weather clears off. We are not able to fly out yet. But tonight we will return to Moscow and start our way home soon. Hang in there and be good for Kisty. Our love to all...Many Blessings...Love Mama, Papa, and Lexi

We're in Moscow

We just arrived about an hour ago. It was pretty funny as I kept negotiating with the taxi companies until a biding, of sorts, started among them about who could give us the lowest fare. It started off that the one taxi wanted 6000 rubble!!! I said NYET and another fellow jumped in at 5000. I finally got the lowest price possible as when I said less he said forget it. We got a 30 minute ride for 2200. Now that's what I call negotiating power...LOL!!!! Never-the-less...we have safely arrived and tomorrow begins another journey in our quest to bring home our little girl. I know she is "impatiently" waiting like only a Russian can;-). Many blessings and lots of love to all....Trisha and Duane

Paka-Paka

See you soon...we are off to bring our daughter home!!! We will leave early tomorrow morning and so you will not hear from us until we reach Moscow on Saturday. Again, because of the new weight restrictions with the airlines, I will not carry my laptop. Instead, I will post from the business centers in both Moscow and Murmansk. Please, pray for our success in bringing Alexis home for Christmas. All the i's must be dotted and all the t's must be crossed to bring her through the Embassy. Your prayers are so greatly appreciated. I feel strongly this verse applies for our trip to bring new life into our family:

"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you."
John14:18

Happy Holiday's and God's Many blessings!!!