Anja's first "horse"

Getting ready.

Today Anja's new car seat and stroller arrived in the mail. How exciting! It is so fun to buy girlie pink stuff. We sold our jogging stroller several years ago and although we still have Soren's old pram, it weighs about 30 lbs. So, not so great for airline travel. Anja (and the rest of the Holsinger-Robinson's) got a new water heater today too. Nothing like a major appliance crapping out on you to make your day special. I told myself, while handing the Lowe's salesperson my credit card, "just be happy it didn't flood the basement while you were in Russia". Yeah. If they had one in pink, I think I would have got it...just to stay with the theme of the day!

Ready, Set......here we go!

On Thursday at 4:45 pm I had a voicemail on my phone. We have a court date!!!!! The next day Bill took off work and we contacted our agency and the travel agent to try and work out our itinerary. The plan has been to travel over for one week, come home for 2 weeks and then return for a final week to pick up Anja and finish all the work at the embassy. That has now changed. Bill and I will leave on April 2 for Moscow. After our court date on the 8th, Bill will return home and I will stay in Krasnoyarsk alone until I can officially pick up Anja. On the 22nd she and I will fly to Moscow to meet Bill and Soren and then home on the 3oth. A whole month in Russia for me. Wow. I can't even begin to list the things I will miss. However, a wise friend reminded me that this presents an amazing opportunity for me to learn the Russian culture.

Not getting any easier

I've been holding off on posting anything thinking that my next post would be about our court date. Unfortunately we have yet to hear when that will be. You would think by now I would be an expert at waiting and patience, but it doesn't get any easier. I keep my phone by my side 24/7, not buying into "the watch pot never boils" idea. And yet another day has gone by with no call. I will continue to keep my phone at my side. Just as the sun has come out when I was sure it was gone for good, my phone will ring someday soon.

So done with winter.

Our Vizsla, Loki enjoying a run at the dunes. He is amazingly fast and beautiful to watch. Poor Cleo has to stay home in the colder temps. Basenjis seem to prefer the warmer spots...like scrunched up next to a warm oven.

Jorn

This is Jorn. He is a 12 year old Friesian gelding. I think he is the best horse ever! I feel very privileged to be able to ride him. I just found out he was actually born in the Netherlands. He gets cooler every day! I have learned a lot from him and I hope we shine this show season! Wish us luck!

Anja

Now I've got the picture thing down, I had to put up a picture of my girl! Bill bought her a bunch of Hanna Andersson clothes last month. I'm glad we got them big. I'm sure she has grown since November!