1st post-placement visit done!!!!

We had our first post placement visit this week. It went very well! Alexandra is doing exceptionally well in all areas. We are just learning to deal with girl drama!!! We just try to constantly remind ourselves how blessed we are that she is so healthy and seems to not have any post institutionalized behaviors. Boy is she mischievous and full of drama though!

Sorry! 4 kids = very busy!

Sorry for the lack of updates!

We are crazy busy with 4 children 7 and under that is for sure. Alexandra is doing so great! We have been very blessed with such a smooth transition. She sleeps great, is very affectionate, is a bit of a picky eater though(what 2 year old isn't I suppose). The boys have also been wonderful, they have taken right to her.

Love,

The Kneiding Family

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Hello,

Alexandra is home and she doing GREAT!

So far, the transition has been smooth. Alexandra is sleeping through the night, she's been eating most things we've put in front of her, and she is getting along tremendously with her new brothers!

She was initially scared of our dog, but has been slowly warming up to her as the days progress!

All in all, we couldn't have hoped for a better experience!

THANKS for all of your prayer, support, and kind words!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Love,
Keith, Jennifer, Caleb, Micah, Seth, and Alexandra

12/7/09 "Gotcha" Day!*picture added*

Hey Everybody,

12/7/09 - "Gotcha Day"!!!

Jennifer and Caleb picked up Alexandra from the orphanage yesterday at 9:00 AM (Eastern Time)!

The transition has gone quite well! She is full of smiles, full of "almost 2 year old" energy, and full of mischief! Needless to say, she's fitting right in with our family!

Jennifer, Caleb, and Alexandra get home Saturday, 12/12/09! Micah, Seth, and I can not wait!!!

THANKS for your continued kind words, support, and prayer!

Love,
Keith & Jennifer

Her room is ready!

We can't wait to get her in it!

The Court Date!!!

Hey Everybody,

We just finished with our court date here in Kaliningrad! I haven't been this nervous in a long time!

It's a little surreal to be standing in a Russian courtroom before the judge, the prosecutor, a court secretary, the social worker, and a doctor from the orphanage while having everything interpreted by a nice lady standing next to us while trying to maintain eye contact with whomever may be speaking to us in Russian!

The judge asked alot of questions, we were able to answer them to the best of our ability, and she granted Jennifer and I the right to adopt Alexandra!!!

Talk about FANTASTIC!

Now we must wait the mandated 10 days and come back to bring her home!!!

THANKS for your continued prayer and support!

Love,
Keith and Jennifer

2nd visit with Alexandra today!

Hey,

Second visit with Alexandra this trip went very well!

5 things we have noticed while playing with her:

• She is extremely shy (at least initially)
• She is very loving
• She is SMART!
• Her laugh is infectious
• She loves books, toys, her new doll, and "high sky"

While in Kaliningrad, we met another couple from the US also going thru the adoption journey! In fact, we had a wonderful dinner with them tonight!!! Kind of a Thanksgiving dinner for two American couples in Russia! No turkey & no stuffing. But, we did have chicken and mashed potatoes (THANKS Shelly and Scott)!

The trip continues to be tremendous!

Please pray for us tomorrow! We will be in a Russian court room discussing our adoption!

THANKS!

More to come...

Love,

Keith & Jennifer