Muammar Gaddafi at Kremlin

Hey everybody,

I had to post a couple of pictures of our walk earlier today. Our hotel is only 2-3 blocks from the Kremlin. When we got there, you could tell something was up. Then I remembered Maummar Gaddafi from Libya was visiting buying Billions of weapons from Russia.

Liam got hungry so we found our way to McDonald's which is right next to the front of the Kremlin. When we sat down, it started to happen. Bands were playing with military marches as we watched from inside McD's as a ceremony took place for the Libyan president. It was pretty cool.

We then walked over the the unknown solders tomb where we watched the changing of the guard.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Mike

All paperwork done, all systems go to come home!!

Dear family and friends,

We have now arrived back into Moscow after an eventful flight from Kemorovo. The flight was 4 hours long and Liam terrorized the business man next too us. We are thankful that we had a bulkhead row or he would have terrorized the seats in front of us.

We are enjoying Liam very much. He does have a little temper and he has well developed lungs. We believe that he used them both to get his way in the orphanage. A little yelling and smiles seems to have kept him healthy and a favorite in the orphanage.



After arriving back at the hotel, we hung out and just enjoyed Liam.



Friday was filled with trips to the doctor and the US Embassy to receive his Visa and paperwork. Interesting that when immigration stamps his passport, he will officially be a US citizen.


It's now Saturday morning, weather is nice so we are going to take a walk to Red Square and the Kremlin. Probably stop at McDonald's along the way.

We leave tomorrow (Sunday) and are scheduled to arrive back into Melbourne at 8:30 Sunday evening. We cannot wait to introduce Liam to his new brother and sisters.

We feel unbelievably blessed and the Lord has been very gracious to us. We praise Him in the good times and the bad. Thank you Lord.

Mike and Cathy

Gotcha Day - October 29, 2008

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS !!



First time Cathy gets to hold Liam to take him home, ready to go, Liam takes a nap on Mom and takes a bottle first try.





Liam and Dad on the 3 hour ride home.

It's Official - I have a new son !!

Dear Family and Friends,

We had a big day today. I now officially have a new son. His name is Liam Michael Moeller!!

After arriving yesterday (Monday) morning at 6:30 am into Kemorovo, we met our interpreter Anna at the airport. We then traveled to our hotel where we were given a rest day. Our hotel room is very nice and includes breakfast. After a short walk to the grocery store for some Croissants, Coca Cola Light, cookies, chips, etc. We returned to the room for some much needed sleep after our second red-eye out of three nights. It is fairly cold here, highs in the upper 30s to low 40s.

We woke up early this morning (we are 11 hours ahead of EST) to get ready for our court hearing at 10:00 am. Cathy and I were up much of the night in prayer and praise as this much awaited time had finally arrived.

We arrived at the Court House in Kemorovo where we sat in the lobby for 10-15 minutes with our friends Kerry and Karen who are adopting a little girl named Darya. (See picture of Cathy and I waiting to go into court). It was then time for the hearing. We sat in a small room with the Judge, procecutor, scribe, social worker and our interpreter. We were asked several questions mainly on do we understand what we are doing and can we financially support Liam. We then left the room and when we returned a couple minutes later we heard the words - Congratulations, your son is now named Liam Michael Moeller. Cathy and I both cried. WOW. I had forgotten how amazing the feeling is when you gain a new child. What an amazing day!

Everything happened as we had hoped. We were successful getting Liam and also got the 10 day waiting period waived. This is very, very good news.

After several hours of additional paperwork to get his passport, adoption papers, birth certificate with my boys new name, we finally got a chance to get an early dinner before now writing this blog. Monster size pork chop and french fries. Papa is ready for bed now.

Now the good stuff begins. We travel early tomorrow (Wed) morning to go and get Liam. We should arrive around 11:00 tomorrow at the orphanage after a 3 hour drive. I feel for the little guy, everything is about to change for him but in a great way. He is about to become a Moeller and a Vol fan for life!!

Thank you all for your prayers and support on this journey. Tomorrow, everything changes again on our amazing journey that we call life.

Mike

One Engine is enough !

Hello Family and Friends,

We have started our journey back to get Liam with a little excitement. To start, we left Melbourne, FL friday morning at 8:30 to arrive almost six hours prior to our 3:30 flight to Moscow. There were several other options to leave later from Melbounre, but Cathy insisted we leave on the earlier flight to make sure. Well, she was right. Due to weather in Atlanta, our flight was delayed 3 hours and we arrived only 2 hours before our flight. Yes, Cathy is gloating.

Not too exciting, but we were just geting started. We boarded our 3:30 Delta 767 flight to Moscow. The plane was virtually empty this time so we had the full row (2-3-2) of seats to spread out. We all got some sleep as Cathy and I rotated on the middle 3 seat row for sleeping (I am a little big for laying down in two seats. I actually got stuck at one time and but finally wedged myself loose. Three seats were much better).

After flying all night, we were awaken around 8:00 Moscow time (two hours before landing) to breakfast. As we opened our breakfast and were about to be served something to drink, something happened. Suddenly, the plane's engines got quieter, we slowed, all the lights and in flight entertainment went out. No more air coming from the overhead consoles. We had lost power. I noticed along with a couple of other people that something was up, but the rest of the passengers continued as is. About 20 seconds later, the head flight attendant came running down the aisle and whispered to the other flight attendants. They very quickly took the carts to the back and sat down. The head flight attendant continued as he ran to the front of the plane and soon returned to look out the windows.

I then wondered: Have we lost an engine? (I read something about Delta and American loosing an engine 2 weeks ago on 767 flights) Is something up with Russia and we cannot land? Is there flighter airplanes outside the widow? Where are we going to land?

After about 20 mintues, the captain came on "We have lost and engine (we have two by the way) and will be landing soon. He reassured that all was well and we can fly fine with just one engine. He then handed it over the the flight attendants to prepare "just incase" for an emergency landing and evacuation. We soon began the process of reviewing fundaments of crash landing; Brace position, closest exit, don't take your stuff, how to slide down the slide (this sounded like something fun to do).

After a full review, we approached Moscow. Final instructions were given "If the pilot says "BRACE, BRACE!" please take the brace position. If the pilot says "EVACUATE, EVACUATE" please evacuate the plane. Cathy then looked at me and said "I am taking the adoption documents no matter what". Nothing was going to stop Cathy from getting Liam.

We soon landed with taxi runways filled with emergency vehicles. Simple landing with no issues. We taxi'd to a side runway where they did a quick check to make sure that the engine was not on fire. We then taxi'd to the terminal and departed the plane (20 minutes early arrival, yea! I guess when you loose and engine, you get priority landing).

Cathy and I never felt afraid. Yes, a little concerned but we knew the Lord is in control of all things. We prayed for others on the plane and for wisdom for the pilots and a safe landing. The Lord was very gracious to us.

We leave tomorrow for Kemorovo. Not too cold here. Highs in mid 40s.

Come back for more updates tomorrow.

Mike and Cathy

Back to Russia we go to get Liam !!

Hello Family and Friends,

Back to Russia we go to pick up our little boy. Hard to believe that it has been two months since we saw our little guy. We have missed him dearly. We leave Friday for Moscow and should be in Kemorovo court on the 28th. After the court approval, we will drive 3 hours to pick up Liam.

What will be going through his little head when we get in the car and leave his only home he has known? How tight will he hold onto Cathy? Will he like the car ride and/or get car sick?

So many questions, but that is what is so cool. He is a mystery just like the Lord. You never know what to expect next. We know Liam will change everything. Cannot wait !!

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Mike and Cathy

Last day with Liam

Family and friends,

We just finished our last visit with Liam. We arrived a little later than usual since there were three other couples arriving today to meet their new children for the first time. As you can imagine, a lot of excitement at the orphanage with 5 couples adopting five precious children.

Liam was his usual self today. Eating all of the cheerios and banana puffs along with checking everything out in the room. We can already tell, we will have our hands full when we get him back to Florida.

After spending our last time with Liam before returning to Florida, we got to spend time with the orphanage director who is a doctor (neurologist). She is very passionate about the children. You can see it when she talks about them and her staff. This is not a job, it is her hearts desire to get the children placed with parents. The orphanage is very well run with many care givers. The children are well cared for and loved. As the director said "we can give them everything except for loving parents". She said "tell everyone about the children here at the orphanage. Tell them to come". So we are passing along her wishes and telling our friends and family about the children at the orphanage.

As I traveled to and from the orphanage today. I thought about how often I complain about various things. Yet here, in the middle of Siberia, is a group of 200 children with nothing. I mean nothing except a group of workers who are loving and caring for them as much as they can. What is sad is at the end of the 4 years, they are taken to another orphange for children 4-18 years old. Their future is very bleak at best. Kids are rarely adopted after the age of 4. Of the 5 orphanages in this region for older children, no adoption agencies are working to place children with adoptive parents. This broke my heart.

As we prepare to travel back tomorrow for Moscow, we leave with mixed emotions. On one hand, leaving Liam for 4-6 weeks and on the other, returning to see our 4 beautiful kids. Liam will be well taken care of and it won't be long until we see him again. Next time returning home with us.

Thank you for all of your prayers.

We will keep the blog updated as we hear of our future court and travel dates back to get Liam.

Mike and Cathy