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We have just returned from our visit with Ivan. There really are not words for what today held for us. I was nervous this morning before we left and even for the hour and half car ride to his orphanage. We sat down in the orphanage Director's office first and heard a medical update since we were last here. The anticipation was building and my patience was wearing very thin.

We were then taken in to the family meeting room where Ivan was waiting for Phil and I. That initial moment of seeing him was more than I expected. All of my anxiety and fear were washed away and joy took over. He looks mostly the same, with a tiny bit more hair but not much change in his size. After a few minutes with just Phil and I, we sent for Clara and Barrett to come in. Again, there are not words for these meetings. Barrett was great with him and he took to big brother very well. Thankfully I took another set of the same stacking cups he fell in love with on our first trip. Ivan and Barrett were precious playing build the tower and knock it over. Barrett also loved feeding him Cheerios which he really likes.

Ivan took to Clara also-it was such a special moment to hear her speaking Russian to him and introducing herself as his Babushka. He loved her glasses and jewelry and was all around very playful and interactive. Everyone in the orphanage LOVED her and is so excited that he will have a true Russian Babushka!

He is walking a bit now so that was fun to see. Still not entirely confident on his feet, he preferred to hold onto one of our hands to get around--contact we of course were thrilled with. Truly, the entire visit was rich and wonderful--we felt confident and at ease.

My mama's heart was filled to overflowing as Ivan fell asleep on me by the end of our visit. I have said many times that I think there is healing power in holding a sleeping baby...today that was even more true than ever before. Tears rolled down my cheek as my baby boy slept on my chest. I breathed him in and thanked the Lord for yet another tender act to my soul.

We are heading out now for a meeting to prepare for court tomorrow. Our court case is at 2pm which we have learned since being here is actually 4am in CA as Russia has switched to winter time already. We feel excited and hopeful. We will be sure to update right away after court.

I also want to share a wonderful thing we were able to witness and take part in today. I was asked by my new friend Tracy who adopted a little girl from Ivan's orphanage only a few months ago, to take a photo album of their little girl back to the orphanage to show them how well she was doing. The Director was thrilled and of course remembered the sweet little girl. She kept saying Thank you, Thank you very much, and was delighted to be able to keep the album and show the other caregivers. Thank you Tracy for allowing us a window into this miracle. I have photos of the Director looking at the book for you!