Has it really been three weeks?

It seems like Kaydee has been here forever. She is such a joy!

Here are some fun pictures that show the true nature of our dear little Princess Kaydee. At one moment she is a girl, loving her bows and frilly socks. The next she is a rough and tumbling tomboy following her Daddy around and playing in the dirt.

She loves the trampoline and spends quite a bit of time there with Daddy and brothers. Note the pretty dress..."Who cares Mommy? I'm having F-U-N!"

Kaydee caught on film in mid air...absolutely no fear!

The Kaydee we first met who had no smile, now does so constantly. She is opening up to other people, realizing they are all okay. She is charming and engaging, making friends easily.

She had her first hair trimming by the fantastic hair guru Martha. Daddy gladly reported she sat there like a little lady and was as good as gold. Isn't she darling?
Here she is with another favorite past times...riding the horses. Can you say "Giddy up?" She can! LOL! Except it comes out more like "Gee ah!"

She runs through the house giggling and loving to be tickled. As a matter of fact, that has become my ritual with her as soon as I walk in the door from work. She runs up and tags me and I have to chase her down...as she giggles away. Sometimes she will hit me with the Spiderman pillow from brothers room and away we go...running all through the house. It was funny when one time Carrington put his hands on his hips and stated "Now SOMEONE is going to get HURT running through the house like that! Take it outside!"

Hmmm, wonder where he got THAT from? LOL! Yeah, I about peed my pants I laughed so hard after that comment :) Hmmmm...I wonder who has been in her brothers room?

I got to talk to V today, giving her a quick report on Kaydee’s progress in our family. It is so hard to put into words how wonderful this child is…But I do try. In the beginning, while V was apologizing for Kaydee being older than what we had originally asked for, and as the roller coaster ride continued its course in Moscow, we were being given the daughter we were suppose to have. She was everything I asked God for: Healthy, engaging, girlie - girlie, loved to be held and rocked...just in a bigger package :)

Kaydee’s 3rd birthday is coming up, and we already made the pilgrimage to the party store for her invites. The theme is princess of course, and her invite was a tiara. Too cute! She has her own Princess hat and wand. Sooooo sweet!

That's all I have time for now!

Till later...

Queen Bee

Ahhhhh, the life of a Princess.

Kaydee in her dress up princess skirt and crown from my office friends...

My day begins with a my Mommy picking me up and giving me lots of hugs and kisses. Then it a quick trip to my pink 'Princess Potty' and it is off to breakfast. Over all I prefer yogurt, but occasionally wander into cereals or fresh fruit. After a glass of milk I am whisked away to my bath and then an awesome bedroom where Mommy dresses me in for my day - not forgetting the appropriate bow for my outfit and then I am ready to face the gruelling task of being cute!

BUT, I REALLY like my baths!

One more minute Mommy, PLEEEEEASE???

They are fun 'cause I get to play with the two nice light up duckies and Princess wand my Mommy's office gave me. I have my own butterfly wash cloth and towel to dry off with...also from my Mommy's friends. I think I like those folks a whole lot. Oh yeah, and if I get really dirty playing with Daddy and brothers, then I get another bath at night... Then I get dressed in my nifty - What else? - Princess jammies! Mirror, mirror....

I have become a shadow for my bigger brothers. They all love me soooo much! I am their Princess too! Each treats me very well, and although I have bitten and pinched Aidan, he still loves me too! He chases me through the house and tickles me. I follow them around and like to get into their stuff. That darn door to their room remains closed, but as soon as I see it open I make a break for it and get the LEGOS! Yahoo! Luv them Legos!Big brother Chris comes by our house just in time to rescue me from the owners of the toys I like to get into...and he plays with me - with no pesky little brothers allowed :)

Whatever my brothers do, I have to do also. It is, of course, a little Princesses prerogative. They jump on the trampoline, I jump too. I especially like it when Chris turns me upside down. That Mommy keeps saying be careful, but I don't care...Faster, faster! Higher higher! Giggle giggle!!!

Jumping on the trampoline with brothers Chris and Aidan


They eat on dinner trays to watch the newest showing of Avatar - Yep! I'm game! Let's EAT!

After a morning of playing and reading with Mommy. I watch her get ready for work. I even have a pearl necklace that matches hers I put on. We sary on perfume, and the occasional sented lotion, mmmmmmm.

Then we load into the car to drive and meet Daddy in front of Mommy's office.

Kaydee's first meal with the family...

Daddy takes me home, feeds me and my brothers lunch, and then it off my my mid-day Princess beauty sleep. Sometimes my big brother Chris comes to visit when he is not on duty fighting fires. He is usually tired so we take a nap first - then play. He makes a great pillow!

After that is when the REAL fun begins! I help feed the chickens, mow the lawn (Have you ever ridden on a John Deer? They are the BEST and I like it when daddy turns the corners real fast!) For kicks I chase the roosters and torment the cats. Someone has t0 keep them in line!

I like to help daddy straighten up. Here I am helping put away my clothes'...Kinda...Why can't they hang on the refrigerator any-o-how? Theres a bar isn't there? :)

To keep cool we play in the sprinklers. Now that's what I call fun!

There goes my hair!

I play in my room alot. I like to play dress up and when I am not stealing brothers Legos, I occupy myself with a crayons and paper (Under Mommy's watchful eye of course) and dolls. Oh yeah, and the occasional book reading. I don't really like TV, and I will stand at the door and cry until someone takes me outside.

My room is lovely. I have a garden all around me, and a picket fence bed - neato! My dresser and walls are pink, and I have flowers everywhere! Butterflies adorn my walls and bed, and Mommy tells me they mean 'New Life'. Hmmmm, what ever that means :) I just want to take them down and play with them. Oh yeah, and I have the neatest little chair. It is all mine and I like to sit in it and read books. My bed has a beautiful quilt on it, lots of pretty pillows, and soft blankets I refuse to use...

On the wall above it there are some letters. Mommy told me is says "Such a big miracle in such a small little girl"...Sounds pretty cool to me! I also have a wall of hair bows...You can never have enough bows...or SHOES!

So, that is my day...exhausting huh?

Kaydee's dedication

The best pictures we could get of Kaydee in her traditional Russian dress.....

We presented our Princess Kaydee to our church last Sunday in her beautiful Russian dress. It is a time of celebration and commitment on the part of us and our Church family in the raising of our sweet girl. Her honorary uncles and aunts were there, along with her brothers (accept Chris, he was on a fire out of town - Yeah! for overtime sweetie!!!)

It felt so right to dedicate this little angel to the Lord, seeing as after all He delivered her to us!

Finally home!

Okay, okay, I hear you all! I know it has been too long!!!!!


I am so sorry it has taken so long to write about Kaydee’s home coming, but we kinda took a detour. (I'll explain down below). I have actually tried to post what I did log off line for 7 days now and for some reason have had nothing but problems with my internet connection. And since the pictures are on our lap top, I have no choice but to access from there, so it has taken longer than necessary.

I have tried to post the most relevant pictures of Kaydee and the family, but as I have said before Kaydee does NOT like the camera, so a good happy shot of her is hard to catch. Also, you will note many pictures are with her daddy. That is because #1, I hate my picture taken :) #2, I am usually the one holding the camera, and #3 , over all she prefers him most of the time :)

BUT-I am so very in love and in awe with this little Princess who has touched our hearts and lives. Each day is like Christmas morning, and I cannot wait to see her rosy cheeks and hug her tight!


Kaydee in front of the airport at drop off...at the lovely hour of 3:30 in the morning - YAWN!

Okay, so the return home. Many other new adoptive parents have stated this leg of the adoption journey will remain forever blocked out of their minds. I cannot say ours was THAT bad, but I deffinately do not wish to repeat it :) Our flight was L-O-N-G. We decided to approach this part of our post-delivery ‘drug’ free and left out the often mother recommended 'travel sleeping remedy' of Benadryl. Now it is not that I agree or disagree on its usage (Some children don't need the extra emotional trauma that comes with the long trip home - I think it is an individual choice how you decide what is best for your child) we just felt that she would do okay without it. For the most part she did. The only thing that was really a problem was the evil ‘fasten seat belt’ sign. Kaydee absolutely HATED (Note BOLD lettering!) the seat belt and would cry at the top of her lungs the whole time she was strapped in. The staying power of this little girl was probably her saving grace in the orphanage as she is like the Energizer Bunny…she keeps going, and going, and going - Till someone either gives in, gives up or does what she wants. (Post note - THAT has changed since getting home and having a better environment for NEW training) The plane was not the perfect place to challenge her.

Kaydee liked looking out the window and was fascinated with the other planes on the tarmac.

Running through the play area and burning up some energy!

During our lay over in London she liked the play area in terminal 5 and did a good job of stretching her legs out. We boarded our plane for the 10 hour leg home with no issues…until take off. Seat belts again. At one point it got so bad that a lady in the back of the plane yelled “Won’t someone do something to help that baby”? Yeah, Kaydee cries like a baby...no high pitch screaming, more like a wailing, wailing, wailing, Thank goodness for that part. She has a throaty cry. It seemed like that evil sign word NEVER go off, but after a while the fasten seat belt sign did go away and we sighed in relief - prematurely. Nope. Now she was REALLY mad and totally inconsolable. The lady next to us thought she was being kind and offered me a Dramamine. O yeah, that will work. Let’s TOTALLY drug her with over the counter drugs for ADULTS into ‘no mans land’ and see what happens. (She must not have children, 'cause no one in their right mind would give a 2 yr old that stuff.) Needless to say the ‘well meaning’ lady in the back started yelling out again to do something about ‘that baby’. Then came the Steward asking if there was anything he could do to help. I told him unless he spoke Russian or had a special way with little girls that kept 'em quite that I was not aware of, then no. He was a very kind guy though. After the folks around us found out the situation at hand they were all very nice and tried to help out anyway they could. Quit giving us dirty looks and moved on with head phones tight to their heads. Kaydee was showered with potato chips, crayons and paper, and a few walks around the plane. By the time we landed 10 hours later I was physically and mentally exhausted. Kaydee had only slept maybe 1 total hour the whole trip. I 'm pretty sure I don’t want to EVER go through that AGAIN.

At LAX we went through customs and immigration with no real issues and were on our way home in no time. Alas there was no fan fare to welcome Kaydee as most of our friends were away at Dinky Creek camping, and gas is too expensive to drive two hours away to meet us.

So, we stopped by Nanny and Papa’s house which was on the way home and had a nice visit. Kaydee was true to form and went right to her Papa – this girl LOVES men! Unfortunately I could not get my camera out fast enough for a good shot with him, but here she is with her daddy afterwards and that tongue out...which means she is being fiesty!

Nanny gave her a sweet cabbage patch doll baby with it's own home made blanket and showed her the 'Nanny playroom'. We took a few pictures and then were once again on our way home.

Princess Kaydee is home! Note the true 'Russian expression' with no smile...

Upon pulling up to our drive we sighed in relief, took showers and a bath (Kaydee) and then were all in bed.

We were excited that the timing allowed us to repack our stuff and head up camping with Bryce, Carrington, Aidan, and our friends - so we left the next morning. It was super to have the boy’s meet their sister, and for Kaydee to meet her extended family. We played in the water, went to the lake, rode on jet skis, roasted marsh mellows, and generally had a terrific time bonding. It was a great move on our part as there were no outside influences to disturb us, and Kaydee got to bond with everyone a little of the time, and us a whole lot of the time. I highly recommend it.

Kaydee with Uncle Mike ...

And Nan... ... And Uncle Kevin with Clayton

All has not been fairy tales for our Princess. A few days into the trip we did get to witness the aggressive and disagreeable Kaydee. She really took the job of pushing the line to see what she could get away with pretty seriously. Nothing major, but little things like not wanting to sit or stand or walk...you get the picture :) Happily it was very short lived .

She did a number of fun things like when she got really talkative and pointed to herself and saying “I Tanya-Kaydee’ (Pronounced with out the ‘D’. She hasn’t quite got the hand of that yet) and then to the trailer, ‘Dome”, and the car, “Machina-car!”, and finally to me and in the sweetest voice ever said ‘Mamma”. She is very smart!

Having fun swinging the ball. Note the camo to please Daddy. Her hair bow, frilly white socks and camo ballerina shoes were to please Momma :)

Watching a video in the trailer with big brother Carrington

Kaydee is very much a ‘girlie girl’. She likes her hair done, loves bows, and getting dressed in anything. She likes her shoes and lines them up nice and neat. She likes to be rocked and held – constantly holding her arms up to be picked up. Her favorite foods are cucumbers and sliced tomatoes. She has a great appreciation for fruit snacks and they have become quite handy in stopping what would be a fit dead in its tracks. She will go to just about any man, or at least smile cute and hold out her hand. Dd is still #1. She is quite attached to him. Myself? I’m just the Mommy…and when Daddy is in the room no one else exists but him. My turn will come soon enough. In the mornings when he is gone she is Mommy's little girl.

Her room is coming along. I still have a few things to do, along with the hand painting on the walls. She seems to like it well enough. She naps easily, yet hates going to bed at night. Go figure. The bed we have is working well, we just need to work the bugs out of the getting her in it :)

All in all, we have been blessed with a very beautiful little ‘Princess’. It feels like she has been here longer than 2 weeks.

Yes, we have been blessed in deed…Like in real birth I am already forgetting the 'pain' of the labor: The mounds of paperwork, endless document searches, and the frustration. As with the words from Little Wonders from 'Meet the Robinsons". (If you have not already viewed this awesome video, I would encourage you to do so). "Let it go, the hardest part is over. Let your clarity define you. We will only just remember how it feels. In these small hours, these little wonders, twists and turns of faith, I cannot forget the way I feel right now.

Hmmmm, and right now I would say the Queen Bee is very happy!

Chao...more later.....:)

Yahoo! We are going home TOMORROW!

Some how, some way, three seats opened up on British Airways and we are not staying till Tuesday!

See ya all REAL soon!!!!

A day on Arbat Street

Okay classs, today we will have a lesson on construction site safety - Russian style:)

Above is an example of an area of work – in progress. Here there is little use for barricades and safety warnings…You just drive you skip loader through the crowds and dump your stuff where ever. Anyone around to get hurt deserves it. How dare they walk down the sidewalk and get in your way any–o-how? I am not an expert in construction, but I'm pretty sure OSHA would have a problem with this in the states...:)

And on the rest rooms (Referred here locally as 'Toilets')Ha! Personal bathrooms are so very under rated. For the equivalent of 25 cents you can have your own private stall on the street. One of the few reasons I will go into a McDonalds. That and iced hazelnut coffee!

So, all in all we had an interesting morning on Arbat Street…with or without skip loaders, bathrooms or the on again off again threat of rain!

We got a late start today, but I have to say it is nice to take your time and not be rushed. We woke to a hungry daughter and a lot of emails. It is super to hear from family and friends. What ever did we do before email? LOL.

As planned we took Kaydee to get her picture done by an artist in black oils.

Although Kaydee was very good, it took all of her ability to sit still long enough to have the artist catch her likeness. The drawing is good, although she appears a bit older…but sweet just the same.

Daddy took off a bit and returned with two red long stemmed roses for his ladies…

I ohhh’d and aaaw’d over mine, Kaydee decided to see if the flower could detach from the stem…beating it half to death. Hmmm, we are gonna have to teach that gal a little something about flower appreciation. Either way, it seemed appropriate for my little ‘Rose’ to be holding a red rose, dont's ya think?

We also went to lunch at My My’s (pronounced moo moo’s) with Joanna and Zoey.

A good place to eat if you want either a quick little something or a big something. Today we had pork, salad and a tortilla, chicken soup for Kaydee and a little roll filled with apple. It was just enough for all three of us to share and the least expensive meal we have had here. 300 rubles! We enjoyed our time with Joanna and wished them a fond bon voyage as their lane leave tomorrow afternoon (lucky them!) As seems tradition we took Kaydee’s picture on the cow out front, she loved it!

For those who have been to Arbat St. recently, you are aware they are resurfacing the foot traffic areas with red brick. (Hence the tractors and skip loaders, half dressed work man and uneven path ways) This work is very labor intensive. We have watched them make a considerable amount of progress, even since the last trip. As I sat there waiting for Kaydee’s picture to be completed, it was starting to drizzle. I was looking at the beautiful buildings and realizing I am half way across the world from my family and friends. I am very much at home in our little apartment in Arbat St. and surprise, surprise I am enjoying my stay. (Although the Body Odor issue still exists – yuck!) Such a huge contrast to my first visit, where I was absolutely miserable. Being locked in your hotel room waiting for a call is not fun! In my comfy little apartment we have international calling, internet, a washer, TV, and would you believe a whirl pool tub and ‘car wash’ shower? There is only room for one person to stand in the bathroom, but oh well!

Kaydee is an absolute angel, with or without understanding English. She is calling out ‘Momma’ and ‘Dadda’…and it is amazing that John and I have once again been given such a terrific child to raise. I said "Kaydee, come here" and she walekd right over to me. She is VERY smart! She is having fun riding on daddy’s shoulders and chasing birds – two of her favorite pastimes. She hates the camera, and it takes a lot of effort to get a good picture of her if she knows you’re pointing one in her general direction.

My Dream has come true...And My Rose is a Kaydee!

Dear family and friends…We are happy to introduce to you our daughter
Kaydence MacKenzie Patterson

Otherwise to be known as

‘Princess Kaydee.’

At 2:55 today her visa was issued and as soon as her feet hit US soil she will officially be an American citizen!

For those of you who are wondering, I ended up leaving two days earlier than planned to meet my little princess and be here to sign off on her visa. After making a mad dash to LAX, and boarding to only have my plane sit on the ground for two more hours as we they reloaded all of the cargo underneath (apparently it was loaded on the wrong plane) I had a matter of minutes to rush from my second flight in London. When we hit Moscow the plane had to circle for an hour due to a thunder storm. WOW! What an awesome sight from the air. Thankfully we were above it, but I got to see it from the ground too. The lightning was right over head and the sound was deafening to hear. I figured with all the tall buildings around we were pretty safe down below. When the lightning cracked over head the first time I jumped and made a loud noise just like a girlie ‘girl’ and Max my driver laughed really hard. I watched it for quite a while - Too cool! But I didn’t care about the delays, as long as I got to my final destination – and I did!


Daddy and Kaydee going home....

I arrived to our apartment as John was putting Kaydee down to sleep. He had picked her up from the orphanage at 5:30 and had only been home a short while. He had already given her a bath and she was all fresh in her new nightgown. (I tell ya friends, it is a JOY to finally see her in the clothes we bought for her to wear!) After she hugged me a while she was right back to daddy and off to bed…looking like an Angel!

First thing EARLY (Yawn!) this morning the Dr. came to our apartment and gave Kaydee her physical.

When he first came in he said something to her and she pointed at herself and said ”I Tanya” (her given name) She was very good and did all she was told. The Dr. told us she is in excellent health and must have been very popular at the orphanage as she is very well adjusted, right on task with her size and motor skills, and already has the ability to turn on the crocodile tears to get what she wants. I thought it was funny when he said we may need to invest in a gun to keep away all the boys, and John stated “I already have one, and a back up…so no boys!” LOL...Granchildren honey, someday Grandchildren...:)

The orphanage she was at really does seem to take very good care of the children, and although I am pleased for Kaydee, it saddens me to think of all the others out there in Russia and Ukraine that need so much more due to low funds and supplies. I have seen them, in the REAL Russia, (Outside of Moscow) and there truly is much poverty and neglect that these small angels are forced to survive in. Truly saddening…I will forever remember these children.

The Dr. then left $200 richer for 10 minutes work…(Hmmm, where do I sign up? :) all I see are $$$ signs…MANY $$$ signs *Sigh* But Kaydee is TOTALLY worth it!

We then rushed through an early lunch where I am pleased to announce Kaydee will eat food when put in front of her, and seems to have a BIG appreciation for any type of fruit snacks :)


Not her best picture, but totally funny munchin away...

After which we walked the 25 minutes to the American Embassy and waited for our appointment.

The American Embassy…it’s pretty cool!

Totally a slice of America away from home. At the front we met up with our team rep and she told us where to go and what to do. After we were searched and metal ‘wanded’ at the door, we had to punch the ‘button’ for our number in line and go to the waiting area for adoptees. Of course we had to shell out the $400 (Did you hear that additional $$$ again?) for her visa at window 4a. (Word to the wise, make sure you have new bills and correct cash!) After a while the room was filling up with all these lovely children, many of which were girls. The lack of girls available in Russia is a huge subject and it caught my attention how many were here today. All very darling! We waited about 30 minutes for them to take the ticket at the window, another 30 or so to be called to the window, then the same for them to hand us her visa. All in all very exciting. Oh yeah, and for the others of you who will be processing your little ones, dress in layers ‘cause it was very stuffy and hot in the building.


Waiting outside the Embassy

While we were there we met many other families all trying to wrap up their adoptions. The room was filled with lovely children and their new forever families. I could hardly contain my joy for them all! It is a memory I will never forget! Some were there for the second time, some their first. I met a few from FRUA, and as always it is super great to meet a fellow FRUA’n! Jules, Tamara, and Diane are all wonderful parents I have had the pleasure of praying for and sharing this great experience with. The support is wonderful, and it makes you realize what a small world it really is! For those of you I met today following my blog, it was a sincere pleasure, and may God bless you each and every one!

Once they called our name and gave us Kaydee’s visa, they handed us our documents, said “congratulations” and we were official!

We waited for Jolene and her little one Zoey (another sweet baby from the same orphanage as Kaydee) to finish up and had our driver take us to the Kremlin where we took the official picture with Kaydee and ourselves in front of St. Basils Cathedral. It is so mind numbing to remember we were just there in the 12th of May, the day before we met our little princess, and now she is ours – in record time! She was on her daddy’s shoulders – her favorite place – and smiling.





I never thought this day would come...
I will forever feel warmth in my heart when I see a
picture of St. Basils

We had dinner (yes one of only two out so far…we were CELEBRATING!) at the underground mall by the Kremlin. So, where does a ‘food gun shy’ all American gal eat when in a mall? Sabarro’s of COURSE! A safe little slice of the good US of A just waiting for my taste buds to come a callin! I had cheese pizza and the LARGEST Pepsi WITH ICE I could get me hands on…and it tasted soooo great! Kaydee didn’t care for the pizza though, and I told her that will have to change soon ‘cause the Patterson’s are a pizza lovin family. Since she cannot understand me she just looked at me…and shoved another Ritz cracker in her mouth - LOL - such a moment...

We walked the 20 minutes back home and after a bath, and a warm cup of Pediasure, Kaydee was fast asleep...it was a big day!

And here I sit now…finally having a chance to type away. Tomorrow is the fourth of July. We are going to Arbat St. to have Kaydee's picture done in charcoal by an artist who does terrific work. She has a terrific red, white and blue outfit to wear...An American Princess indeed...

We will search for the right region color of dress for A. Clobes and then take Kaydee to the small playground at our apartment.

If we don’t hear from our travel agent by later tonight it would appear we won’t be coming home any earlier than Tuesday, but one can hope. We are anxious to return…

As I wrap up this blog update, inserting pictures and adding notes, I find myself overcome with tears. Totally tears of joy, but tears just the same. They started off slow, but I soon found myself sobbing as it sank in...we are there! REALLY there! We have a beautiful DAUGHTER. I am confidant that as I write this so many others have experienced the same and will agree it is life altering to bring these little blessings into your heart.

As I gave thought to this whole journey we have traveled, I have seen God's hand in every step. I am not always (okay, NEVER) patient, but God has been patient with me...delivering to me me a beautiful daughter and faithfully answering my prayers. I remember a paraphrase from a favorite poem of mine: A child was grew under another woman's heart, but it in turn grew in mine. I think of her birthmother. Does she ever think of Kaydee? Records say she never came to visit her. Does she know what a gift her child is to us?

My favorite music plays in the background...The Rose - Whose lyrics paint the picture of my heart and the decisions we make in our lives that in turn alter them forever, and a tribute to my daughter. "Remember Me'...A ballot that makes my heart hurt for all the lost children of God, both young and old, and that fact that through His same heart they are truly not forgotten.

I have waited so very long for this day, and am so relived it is finally done. In the last 6 weeks I have met my daughter that looks so much like a blend of John and I that I have no wonder what a biological child may have looked like. I have met and played with adorable children left behind in a place where a system tries their best to give them a family, but bureaucracy and $$$ keeps many who would give them a home away. These children walked up to me and took my hand, wanting nothing but a smile and some attention that tells them they are cherished. I picked up those children and told John that if nothing else they would remember a nice lady who smiled at them and played with them. I have met wonderful and caring people who opened their hearts and homes to give a child a chance at living...not just surviving. I have defended my choice in adopting from Russia to many who do not understand; "We have so many children in the US who need homes" they say. True, but the US gives those children something these will never recieve: hope and opportunity. I have prayed, and my heart is right with our decision. So all I can say is:

Thank you God! You are so great!


A VERY GREATFUL Queen Bee!