Video about Anna's Adoption

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNX-wt5BPXA

HOME at last!!

We told the kids before we left Sofia that this would be the longest Saturday they have ever lived. Little did we know that would be true in more ways than one! Despite our travel challenges that made an already long day longer, they were fantastic. Everyone held it together and made our trip as pleasant as possible.

Anna and Gray getting some facetime on our trip!

The Rome airport has been a challenge for the Godwin family and yesterday was more of the same. We missed our connection in Rome because the Bulgaria Air flight was late, after we landed there were no stairs for exiting, then no bus to take us back to the terminal and the real killer our Delta fight left 20 minutes earlier than scheduled? Weird. Thanks to the good people of US Air we rerouted through Philadelphia and onto Atlanta and then drove to Montgomery from there. What a day!

The more we thought about it the more we liked the idea of Anna officially becoming a US Citizen in Philadelphia. Think about it - the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross, the Declaration of Independence and Rocky (Tony said add that) -  can you get any better than this city to become a citizen? Nope.

The travelers! Not even sure which airport this is!

All week the boys have struggled with Anna's preference for me or other women/girls. But women are really all she has known all her life. She has pushed the boys away and turned her head. We told the boys it will take time. Well today in our travels there was simply no way that Tony and I could carry and hold her everywhere we went. Today she decided that in these busy airports and on these trains and buses that these boys were just right for her. There was a lot of sweetness exchanged today between these three. It was great to see. Thank you God for small steps.

We were all talking about this while riding home last night: in the last week we have been in 5 countries, on 7 flights (4 different airlines), 5 buses 3 trains and one rental car. We asked the boys was all this craziness worth it? They responded with an absolute "YOU BET IT WAS!"

Not going to make it when we thought...

Our flight from Bulgaria into Rome was late so we missed our Rome connection. Get this - Delta left early too. We now are going to fly back from Rome to Atlanta via Philadelphia on US Airways. We will not be in Montgomery until around 10:30 pm. We are just going to rent a car and drive home. Airplanes are not working out for us on this trip.

If you were thinking about meeting us at the airport - THANKS! Unfortunately we will be driving to our house. You are welcome to meet us there around 10:30 - 11:00 pm and meet Anna. Sorry for the confusion.

One more day....

We are just a day away from bringing Anna home!

We will arrive back in Montgomery at 5:49 pm on Saturday!

Our last day in Sofia was spent cramming with Erin Pervis on key words and phrases to help us communicate with Anna. Erin is terrific. She knows from being a mom herself the most important words for us - those that remind Anna that we love her, we are here for her and how to keep her from danger.

Making our usual walk to dinner on the streets of Sofia. (Anna and her men)

Tonight was a special night. We got to take the Pervis' (minus David) out to dinner and dessert. We got a chance to say our goodbyes. This is a very sweet family. They made our stay in Sofia so entertaining and it made us less homesick.
We also met Katherine Long who just arrived a few weeks ago in Sofia with MTW. She is from Birmingham. She is going to be serving the Lord as a missionary to young girls in Bulgaria. Specifically those who have gotten involved in prostitution. Unfortunately a large number of the girls in that industry come from the orphanages. They "age out" of the orphanage system and have to find work to support themselves. Please pray for Katherine and the Lord's work in the hearts of these young women.

Josiah Pervis, Katherine Long, Clara Pervis, Erin Pervis and the Godwin 5!

Anna with Erin Pervis

Anna loves soup!

We cannot wait to be home, see family and friends and get some rest! We will post more later. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement for our family. This has been and will continue to be one of the most rewarding experiences of our lives.

Sledding, Embassy Day and Playtime

Look at that happy face! He sure enjoyed sledding today!

Josiah coming down the mountain

Cleve got a real treat this morning. He got to go sledding with Josiah Pervis. Unfortunately Gray was not feeling that good and had to stay in. It was the most snow Cleve has ever seen. He really enjoyed himself. It was a clear day and you could see Mt. Vitosha from town. The view from up on the mountain was incredible. Once again the Pervis' have helped us get around Sofia. Having their help has been great.

This afternoon we met with the US Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria to make sure that we had all the necessary paperwork for Anna. They will finalize our paperwork and return it to us sealed tomorrow. We will have to present these documents when we get to Atlanta for Anna to immigrate into the US. They also asked us a few quick questions in an exit interview. The whole process took less than 20 minutes. So thankful we live in the United States.

Anna shows off her new Barbie "laptop"

There are some tough stories out there about newly adopted children withdrawing or acting out with their adoptive families. Thankfully we have not seen any of this yet. We know that she is going to grieve losing her friends and caretakers from the orphanage. This is only natural. We may have some bumpy times when this hits her. But all-in-all we are so thankful that our experience has been so nice. 

Anna likes to play! She can play by herself or with any/all of us. Today she started singing while she rolls play-doh, colors with crayons and even while helping me hang up some clothes to dry. I need to record her sweet little voice - it will melt your heart. God has given her a happy spirit despite not having a family of her own.

Good ole Play-Doh

Psalm 100

 ¹Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
 ²Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
 ³Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
 ⁴Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
 ⁵For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.