Flying and tickets

With the tickets now purchased and on a week and a few days left we will be on our way to Bulgaria.
Our GOTCHA DAY IS  MARCH 22ND.  I would break this down in hours or minutes but it is hard enough just counting these couple of days. We decide to make an travel chart for Chrissie and Christian for how many days are left till we travel but also how many days till we return home with Jake and Genie-beane.
Nineteen months will have passed by the time we have our final pick up. There has not been one day since the beginning of our adoption I have not worried about them both or missed them. I love these little tappers.

Honestly this is where I get all my grey hairs this little group.

Their orphanage is one of the nicer orphanages and the caregivers are all wonderful and caring. But still I worry about their health and them daily.  They now know that a family is coming for them and I imagine they are asking questions.  In a prior visit and through my friends Jamie and Lori B. I have sent a photo books and gifts to them. But still it is not the same as being able to see them regularly as we had during our visits.  I miss being able to talk and hold them. So much I wish I could have done with them.  Just being able to take them to get them passport photos it was nicer.  Daily they stay in the orphanage and only go out during trips to the hospital for medical care.  Sad knowing they only get to see outside the walls of their orphanage is when a doctor is running tests on them. So I pray when we pick them up they do not think it will be a medical visit.  Our pickup day is March Friday the 22nd and on the following Monday they will visit the Medical Clinic for their Exit Exam in Sofia.  With prior medical exam with Chrissie this took less than 30 minutes and that same day we also went to the Passport Office to obtain their Passport's home.

Camren and Devin "The Isley' Brothers"

Our sweetie-pie Christian-Keith

Our grandson Camren  & this grandchild will be the death of me.

We are arriving a few days early so we can prepare everything so when we pick them up Friday and purchase what foods they may need and supplies.  We will purchase them both a new car seat and two strollers if they do not allow us to bring the stroller we have from home. I refuse to pay $100 to bring a stroller when I can purchase a stroller there for them for much less. Our hotel will arrange to have to small baby cots for them to both sleep in. I had went ahead and booked a hotel room prior to us departing.  This way I know the room size and the cost. I also will have it paid for upfront and all I have to do when departing is to pay for meals in hotel.  Booking through a website we can receive 15% off all our meals and stay 10 days for the price of 5 if booked when arriving.  We were also able to upgrade to a much larger room for the same price as a small double room. The perks of prior traveling to the same hotel. Our attorney booked our hotel in Razgard Bulgaria and we also receive 15% off our meals while staying over night.  We will travel out early Friday morning arrive at the orphanage and then check in our rooms.  I kept the same hotel room at the Budapest so we did not have to bring all our luggage.  I have 2 carry on bags packed just for this night and also if our luggage should be lost we are also covered.  With Chrissie's adoption they lost all our bags and we had to run out and buy things for us and her. And the following day travel to pick her up. Things in the Mall there are very high verses the open markets on the streets or small shops.  Be careful and learn the currency and how to convert funds in your head.  All transactions of exchanging funds do this at a bank. Never-never on the streets.  Also have the hotel staff book any and all taxis services for you while there.  Whether it is OK Taxis of not please be careful if you decide to just jump into a cab.   We left in a cab from Budapest but we were thinking ti would be okay to take one that looked the same an OK Cab back.WRONG.. It is better to ask hotel because this one cab driver wanted to charge us 25 levas instead of the 5 we paid just getting there.  Trying to make a few $$ on us thinking we would not know.  I gave him $10 and told him bye... So drove off.

One reason why Gary and I do not go out on Friday Night or anynights. Baby sitting:O)

Thinsg I wish I have known and love to share with others.
  Okay food at Budapest and in Bulgaria I am going cover in a post and also day by day.
I will also in detail go over packing.
Booking a ticket and what to do in an airport when coming back with your child.
And also a little of everything I wish I had known before traveling to BG.
Every little thing helps when traveling and I love to learn from others also.
Ziplock bags and reusable shopping bags a must there.
Carry a coin purse for smaller coins because you will need one.
When convert dollars to levas get several smaller ones for tips and small purchases.
I use to carry a calculator but my math is good in converting dollars to levas in my head.
When I leave I check the current exchange rate and then I can figure out what an item is prior to purchase.
When I shop I add everything on a calculator so I can compare it to the reigister to have the funds out before
I check out.
Large purchases in stores I use a Debt Card so I have record also of what I purchased for our adoption.

Our sweet girls

I keep every receipt in a ziplock bag and record each purchase in a small book I bring.
Suggestion that you keep a journey of everywhere you go and also carry with a small map where ever you go. Keep with you a business card of the hotel where you are staying.
Always-ALWAYS KEEP YOUR PASSPORT ON YOU. NEVER-NEVER LEAVE IT WITH THE HOTEL OR IN YOUR ROOM.. AGAIN NEVER LEAVE YOUR PASSPORT WITH ANYONE!

My son and granddaughter Kaitlyn 6 months apart in age.

I have travel during my entire life and I can not say just how many countries I have been to and how long.

Katilyn my first and only granddaughter,Devin & Camren

While growing up with a family from England, Ireland and the US we have been to most of all Western Europe and Eastern Europe.  A few times in the middle East but of all places I love the US the most.  Growing in England as a child I love the day to day life of the country side. Open markets and crisp air much like Bulgaria country.  I found that each place I have been there is so much beauty and also everywhere there has not been anyone one person I have not liked. Patrick my son seems to find a friend everywhere he goes. And during each of my trips I love his company. He is amazing and a very loving son. Yes I have been very blessed with sweet children.  Now I am a mother of just 11 children :O))) Yes 11 beautiful loving children and also I have 12 grandchildren and ONE ON THE WAY ANYTIME :O)) our littlest Kayden Wayne.

And yes there is our Little Chrissie :O)))

Kayden is due on the 9 of April and he will delivered on the first of April. So yes we are cutting our travels very close to his birth.  So praying that little Kayden waits till his grandma is home.   So much to be thankful for..

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13 Days & Who's counting???

With just thirteen days left we have been busy-busy.

This weekend we are going try and locally fundraise to  raise a few extra dollars
so we can purchase some items for the little ones while there.
We just created a Donate Button just for our Duffle Bags.
By clicking on the Donate Button you can donate to sponsor one bag or part of a bag.
Each Duffle Bag cost $100 a piece to fly through United Airlines.
** Please I ask if you donate towards the Duffle Bags use our Donate Button on the corner of our Blog.
Every dollar is appreciate and will be used towards transporting these Duffle's. 


All other donations you can donate direct to our Children's Adoption Fund on Reeces Rainbow. http://reecesrainbow.org/27579/sponsordavis-2
http://reecesrainbow.org/27579/sponsordavis-2
We still have medical exams and final travel expenses during our stay.
 
Much of this week involved medical appointments and children at home being ill.
Our little grandson Christian has been really ill.  So please I ask everyone to please keep Christian in your prayers and also his mother Samantha and her little unborn son Kayden.
Makayla is still under doctor's care and we will have a complete work up once we return from BG as well as the new little ones Genie-Beane & Jake. With all of these sweeties we are blessed in LOVE.

 

Duffle Bags & Travel

PLEASE READ: 
ALL DONATIONS FOR OUR DUFFLE BAGS FOR THE CHILDREN'S ORPHANAGES PLEASE DONATE ON OUR CHIP-IN BUTTON
AND  
ANY DONATION FOR OUR TRAVEL PLEASE DONATE ON EITHER THE CHIP IN OR OUR RR ACCOUNT.
We have to keep these funds separated from our RR Account.
THIS WAY ONCE WE HAVE ENOUGH FUNDS ON RR WE CAN INFORM EVERYONE AS BEING "FULLY FUNDED"
 
 Glad to say all our bags are packed and we are ready to leave.
And as of today we have 2 Weeks or 14 Days :O)) till we leave.
There is still a lot to do around our home before I leave and I am wanting to get as much done as I can.
It seems I am always cleaning something or having to do something.
This way when I return I can catch up on the time away from the children at home.
Also this will give me some extra time of not having to clean as much and I can devote all of my attention towards our new little ones
I have packed a few more Duffle Bags we can bring with us and they are $100.00 a piece for us to bring. Trying to bring as many Duffles as we can. So please when you donate PM me if you need a receipt of the duffle.

I have to make this post short because I am heading out the door with my oldest daughter for another Sonogram of Baby Kayden.  Praying Kayden waits till we return home so I am there during his birth.

Posting a little more later today....

FILL A DUFFLE AND HELP IN DOINATING

We are now down to our last final weeks to travel and through out this last 18 months I have been collecting donations for the little ones that will remain.  I have packed tightly 3 large Duffle bags full of donations for the children and also some things for the caregivers.  Each bag will cost $100.00 checked in through United Airlines and I can send you a receipt for the Duffle Bag that you sponsor and this can be used as a donation. As many people know these children receive very little and much of these donations are medical supplies and diapers. 

Our trip has been schedule for us to depart on March 19th and arrive March 20th.  Our Gotcha Day will be on March 22nd. During the time between we will be visiting with friends we met in Bulgaria. Depending on the internet I can not promise immediate posting of our days.  But I know I will be able to share photos of the children each day.

After having to readjust our budget once again funds will be tight during our trip so please all donated funds please donate on our Paypal Button.  While we are there all donations to our Button we will use for our stay and also purchasing a few extra things for the children's orphanage.

Again I want to thank each and everyone of you that has helped our family during this last 18 months.
May the next two weeks go quickly so I can hold our babies in my arms..
God bless and sending my love to all...

Denise Peddington Davis

TICKETS-TICKETS-TICKETS

Well between all the sniffling, sore throat & headache still trying to make sense of our airline travels. Good news we have tickets to make it to Bulgaria now the part of just coming home with a ticket for the kids. ;'o( why does everything have to seem so darn difficult.  After careful planning on checking flights all most every other day in fares, flights etc.  It seems that the return flights to Shreveport are all booked.  Next stop will be we will fly into Houston and then drive several hours back home. Hard enough with a long flight but now also we many long forward to a very long drive. At least it will be in the evening and the kids will probably sleep on the way home.  Just having to go through Customs and Immigrations this will delay us also another hour of waiting. I just want to bring them both home that is all I want at this moment.  And then Airline fees have went up.. I can not win it seems.  First we will purchase our tickets and then we will worry about the  hotels.
Not a lot we can do but secure what tickets we can.  So we will be departing on March 19th and then returning home during Easter..  So please I ask you pray for our travels and our journey.  May our little ones be healthy and happy to see us. 

At this moment Gary and I are the sick ones. Not from getting sick off the kids it is this weather we are having here. HOT COLD HOT COLD when will we just have a little normal or regular weather. This way our bodies can adjust and maybe actually be able to breathed.  Sniffles and runny noses. Nothing like seeing a Grandma and Grandpa sniffling and coughing their lungs out. And then a dozen or so Grandkids running all around wild.

Hard to believe yes in two weeks we will be boarding our flight :O))
This long journey in bringing our babies home is real.
Pinch me now I say each day in JOY..
I have been so thankful for each and every person along the way who has helped us.
If I only knew how to individual thank each person I would.
But I want you to know from my heart we are thankful.
Not just thankful with your kind support but your support and love.
Our Lord as kind as he is he has shown me true friends and true love from others.
I am also wanting to say from my heart thank you from our babies in Bulgaria.
Both of these children will be reminded each day of their young lives they were loved by many.
Again I thank you from my heart...
God Bless and please continue to pray as we end the adoption journey and the start of our babies new lives.
Much Love

Denise Peddington Davis

Budget and Rebudget when will it end?

It seems as careful as we plan it is always something.  Finding tickets to bring these two children home have been so stressful.  Getting there is okay but coming back another problems and now the rate for our children's airline tickets have more than tripled. Friday we were quoted per ticket $1900 for each child when originally it would be about $600 from GR. We have been checking other travel agencies and on Monday pray we are able to find one in our budget.  So now it seems we will be using the funds set aside for hotels for airline.  Currently we have to book our Airline tickets or we can not be scheduled to travel.  So when the time comes for travel we pray we have the remaining funds for hotels.  I know it will all work out and our Lord has been so kind during our adoption to helping us over this mountain of worries.  It is just so upsetting we have been working with travel agents and agencies through out our adoption and now it seems the rates keep going up.  If there was away I would just swim there to be with them and honestly I just want our babies home.  I am so tired of all the worries, tears and time of waiting. There has not been a day I have not thought of either of them or miss them both.  Please pray for us during these last weeks of waiting. Also share our blog to help raise now hotel and travel funds. With each day my prayers are getting stronger and stronger and I pray these days pass quickly. Please if you donate I ask you use our Donate Buttons so we can use these funds during our travels.  These funds will be used towards hotel and travel funds.. God Bless and thank you for praying and thinking of our children as the days get closer to picking them both up.

Counting down the days

Help save one of this Little Orphan Rock Babies from ending up on the streets. Donate Today and help save 2 Orphans.

Gotcha Day is just weeks away and so much to do during these final weeks. 

We will begin our travels on March 19th and all that now is remaining are the Airline Tickets to be purchased.  Our current need is $4600 for our Tickets to travel. Donations can be made direct by clicking the Donate Button.  We have only 2 weeks to raise the remaining funds to travel. Hotels are covered and all agency fees have been paid. Again your donation will be used towards Airline Tickets.  

Today if you donate $10.00 or more we will send you a Free Orphan Rock Baby..