Beautiful sites of Serbia~

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These are some of the beautiful sites of Serbia. We spent alot of time walking and seeing the sites. It was wonderful to see all that we did. We had good tour guides for our trip. Thank you so much for taking the time to show us around.
We hope all is well in Serbia and we do miss you all.

Kisses for Mom & Dad

Momma & Bella's hands
Bella kissing Momma.
Bella kissing DaDa.
We had a very nice Thanksgiving . Bella did great for her first holiday at home with all of us. We have a lot to be thankful for!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

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We have so much to be thankful for, we are all healthy, we have all our family and friends and our newest little Campbell home from Serbia.Bella is still adjusting to her new life,and she is doing very well, she loves all the attention she gets from everyone, and with a family as big as ours there is never a shortage of someone to entertain her.We would like to wish all of our new friends in Serbia a Happy Thanksgiving also, and we will keep all the children in Bella's former home in our thoughts and prayers,and those famalies that are waiting to travel to get their children we will be praying for you too.Have a graet day

~Mini California~Gratska~

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GRATSKA IS BELLA'S HOMETOWN, THIS IS WHERE WE WENT FOR THE ADOPTION CEREMONY. THE LOCALS REFER TO THIS TOWN AS MINI CALIFORNIA, IT WAS VERY BEAUTIFUL THERE AND THEY EVEN HAD LOTS OF FLOWERS BLOOMING AND IT WAS NOVEMBER. WE GOT THE FEELING THAT LIFE HERE WAS MORE SLOWER PACED THAN IT IS IN BELGRADE, WE COME FROM MONTANA AND THIS IS THE TYPE OF LIFESTYLE WE ARE ACCOSTOMED TO.WE WALKED TO THE CENTER OF TOWN AND IT HAD A TOWN SQUARE THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL, FROM THERE WE WALKED DOWN BY THE RIVER, IT WAS AMAZING HOW BIG THIS RIVER IS AND THE NUMBER OF BOATS THAT ARE ACTUALLY RESTAURANTS.WE PASSED MANY FRUIT ORCHARDS ALONG THE WAY, BUT THE TREES WERE BARE OF LEAVES AND I'M SURE IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER THEY ARE VERY COLORFUL.WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF GRATSKA.

~ Getting some sleep~`

Yes, I have been trying to get on our time now. It is hard to change times, i have been awake from 3:00A.M. are time. So i need to get back on MT, time.

Bella is doing awesome!!! The kiddos love having Bella home, she is getting spoiled by everyone. Bella can say MA MA MA, and she can say DA DA DA. Also BA BA BA, when she wants her ba ba. We are feeding her bottles right now, we also try to feed her with a spoon. She doesn't like the spoon feedings . Bella has been in her jumper, walker and the kiddos lovr to push her in her stroller. Bella also can crawl all over the house. She is smiling more and laughing. We love to see her smile and laugh. She is so beautiful, we are very THANKFUL that we got to travel to go get her. We pray the other families waiting to travel for there kiddos get to go very soon.

I got to hold alot of the children at the childrens home, i would bring lots of them home if i could. We would love to see all the children find families very soon. Jasmina and Jasna work very hard for all the children, they try very hard to get everything done and find families for all the children. I have seen how much they care about and love the children. We do miss Jasmina and Jasna, we spent almost everyday with Jasmina for two weeks. She is an awesome person. She knows we would love to bring more children home to love and spoil rotten. We have a few in mind.

Yes, We also miss are new friends Vlado & Svetlana , we had lots of fun with them. They showed us how to live in there country, we are so grateful for that. Vlado do you still want to send Svetlana to the USA, we could use a cook or house keeper. Buy her a ticket and send her our way. She would love the USA, she could shop all the time.

We also miss the bakeries, they have awesome food.

Please say a pray that the children will find families soon. We are so happy to have our Bella home with us. Thank you all so much for your help to bring her home.

WE ARE HOME SAFE & SOUND

WE FINALLY ARRIVED HOME AT AROUND 1:30am ON SATURDAY, IT WAS A LONG DAY FOR ALL OF US.BELLA DID VERY WELL THE WHOLE WAY,CONSIDERING THAT HER ENTIRE LIFE HAS COMPLETELY CHANGED THESE PAST TWO WEEKS.THE KIDS AT HOME WERE AWAKE AND PATIENTLY WAITING FOR US TO COME THRU THE DOOR AND THEY ALL IMMEDIATELY FELL IN LOVE WITH HER,AND OF COURSE BELLA LOVES ALL THE ATTENTION FROM EVERYONE.WE ARE GOING TO SPEND THE WEEKEND AT HOME LETTING EVERYONE GET AQUAINTED AND ENJOYING EACH OTHER.WE ARE VERY THANKFUL FOR OUR LITTLE PRINCESS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS WITH HER. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET OUR LIFE AT HOME BACK IN ORDER AND BACK ON TRACK SO JODY WILL BE POSTING LOTS OF PICTURES WHEN SHE GETS A FEW MINUTES OF QUIET.

Passport~Medical~ & Visa~& ready to go home~~

Although we have enjoyed our trip, we have all of our family at home waiting for us and we sure can't wait to see all of them. This is all the kids at the house waiting for us to get home with Bella . Everything went smooth here for the adoption process. It is just hard being away from all the family in MT. We miss them all so much and will be home soon. We can't wait to introduce Bella to everyone. She will fit in perfect at home with all of us. THANK YOU AMBER AND DAVID AND GRANDMA FOR TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF THE CHILDREN WHILE WE HAVE BEEN GONE.

We will be home tomorrow night. We love all of you see you soon.

I will post lots of pictures of our trip when we get home, it has been a wonderful experience. Thank you ANDREA,JASMINA, & JASNA for bringing us to our little princess..

CHOW CHOW!!!

A TAKE IT EASY DAY

We spent most of our day at the apartment today, Jody was actually packing for our trip home. We were nervous all day long waiting to see if we were gonna get Bella's passport on time. They changed the passport procedure here and that involved a 48hr wait, and we were the first adopting family to go thru the new procedure so it was all new to everyone involved, but it was ready the next day and we all breathed a sigh of relief. Thank you so much Jasmina and Jasna for everything up to this point,it has taken a lot of pushing and pulling on a few things but it has all worked out. Tomorrow we pick up the passport, get Bella's medical exam and then to the Embassy for the Visa and then we should have everything we need to fly home on Friday. We can't wait to introduce Bella to her new family in Montana

Kids at home everything is going great here and we will be leaving here at 4:30am on Friday, that is 8:30pm Thursday your time. We can't wait to see all of you and give you big huggs. See everybody really soon , We Love You All XOXOXOXOXO MOM, DAD & BELLA BOO

~A birthday party at the childrens home~

We got to attend a beautiful birthday party at the childrens home the other day. Two boys were having there party together. They both were very happy about that. The children had a great time , they got there faces painted and they were signing and dancing to music. Yes , they sang Happy Birthday to the boys and the boys got to blow out the candles on there own cake. The hall for the party was all decorated the tables and chair were all set out , it was very nice to be at this party.

Yes , Cindi your little guy had a lot of fun at the party along with all the other children. It was a very beautiful party for some of the children. They all loved the cake and the music. Here are some pictures from the party and yes i did get permission from Jasmina to be able to post this. Thank you Jasmina for all you do.

~The gift at the end of the journey~

~ GOTCHA BELA FAITH~

~MOMMY & BELLA~

~DADDY & BELLA~

GOTCHA DAY!!! We took Bella from the childrens home today , to be with us forever. She has a forever family now. We are so happy about this, and we can't wait to have her meet her brothers and sisters, and all of her family waiting at home for her. Hopefully onlt two more days and we can get on the plane home. They have had changes in the passport paperwork, it is taking 48 hours to get passports now. You have to go to the police station for picture and finger prints of the child and do paperwork, then wait 48 hours. They used to get the passports in one hour.So we are praying the passport will be done early, maybe tomorrow afternoon. Latest thursday morning before her medical appt: at 9:15A.M. Then it will be off to the US Embassy for a 2:00P.M. appt: then we will wait there for her visa. Then we should be done and be able to head to the airport at 4:00A.M. Friday morning to head back to the USA....

We have had a very nice time here, it is very beautiful. Jasmina may not drive , but she sure can walk your legs off of you. Thank you Jasmina for all you have done for us and Bella also. We hope you feel better soon.

SHE IS OFFICIALLY A CAMPBELL

Jasmina is in the middle and Jasna is the1st one on the far right. Then the workers at the center. Very nice ladies.This picture is from our adoption day today. Everything so far has went very smoothly, we hope it stays that way until we are finished with all the paperwork.

Daddy and Bella today , with her new coat on.

WE HAD A GREAT DAY IN BELLA'S HOMETOWN, THE ADOPTION CEREMONY WAS SHORT AND SWEET, AND IT WAS STILL AMAZING TO REALIZE THAT AFTER ALL THE MONTHS AND PILES OF PAPERWORK AND YES WAITING SHE IS FINALLY OUR PRECIOUS DAUGHTER. EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS NEEDS TO BE COMMENDED FOR AN EXCELLENT JOB, AND TO EVERYONE WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF THIS BEAUTIFUL GIRL. AFTER THE CEREMONY WE WENT TO A NEARBY BAKERY FOR A CAKE TO BRING TO THE CENTER TO CELEBRATE, AND AS USUAL IT WAS DELICIOUS. TOMORROW WE TAKE BELLA FOR FINGER PRINTS AND A PASSPORT PHOTO AT THE POLICE STATION AND FROM THERE SHE IS WITH US AT OUR APARTMENT UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR HOME ON FRIDAY, BACK TO MONTANA WHERE THEY ARE COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS.

DAY 7 WITH BELLA

MOM SPOON FEEDING BELLA FOR THE FIRST TIME

BELLA LOOKING AT HERSELF IN THE MIRROR

THE GYPSY BAND AT THE RESTAURANT WHERE WE HAD DINNER

VLADO AND HIS DREAM CAR

GARY AND SVETLANA DOWN BY THE RIVER

JODY WAS FEELING MUCH BETTER AFTER GOING TO THE PHARMACY AND GETTING SOME COLD MEDICINE . WE WENT FOR A TWO HOUR VISIT WITH OUR PRINCESS TODAY, SHE IS STILL NOT FEELING WELL BUT SHE DID VERY GOOD WITH US AS USUAL. MOM WAS TRYING TO GET HER TO EAT FROM A SPOON AND SHE WASN'T SURE WHAT TO THINK OF IT, JODY WOULD PUT SOME ON BELLA'S TONGUE AND SHE WOULD TURN HER HEAD AND HOLLER FOR A FEW SECONDS , BUT THEN SHE WAS RIGHT BACK LOOKING FOR MORE SO I DON'T THINK IT WILL TAKE LONG BEFORE SHE FIGURES IT ALL OUT. WE SPENT THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON SITE SEEING WITH VLADO AND HIS WIFE SVETLANA (OUR LAND LORDS), WE HAD A GREAT TIME WITH THEM AND THEY TOOK US TO A HUGE OPEN MARKET AND WE WERE ABLE TO FIND A COAT AND SHOES FOR BELLA TO WEAR HOME ,WE ALSO FOUND A POUCH TO CARRY HER ON THE FRONT OF ONE OF US WHEN WE TRAVEL OVER THE POND ON OUR WAY HOME ON FRIDAY. WE HAD DINNER AT A VERY NICE RESTAURANT AND THE FOOD WAS FANTASTIC, YES WE WERE BEING ADVENTUROUS AND TRIED LOTS OF DIFFERENT FOODS AND FOUND IT ALL VERY GOOD. THE GYPSYS SERENADED US DURING DINNER AND HAD TO HAVE THEIR PICTURES TAKEN WITH JODY. TOMORROW WE HEAD TO BELLA'S HOMETOWN FOR THE ADOPTION SO WISH US LUCK.

THIS IS HOME

HERE IS ALL THE KIDDOS WAITING FOR US AT HOME

BELLA ACTUALLY LIKES THE HIGHCHAIR

MOM COULDN'T WAIT TO PUT PIGTAILS IN BELLA'S HAIR

I LOVE YOU MOMMY

WE HAD A FOUR HOUR VISIT WITH OUR PRINCESS TODAY.BELLA IS COMING DOWN WITH A COLD SO FOR THE FIRST HALF HOUR SHE WAS PRETTY AGITATED WITH EVERYTHING. WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AFTER OUR VISIT WITH BELLA BECAUSE MOM IS FEELING A LITTLE UNDER THE WEATHER TOO, WE TRIED TO FIND COLD MEDICINE FOR BOTH MOM & DAD BUT THEY DO NOT SELL IT IN THE GROCERY STORES, WE SURE DO MISS WALMART AND KMART, HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE BETTER LUCK TOMORROW. WE PUT BELLA IN A HIGHCHAIR TODAY AND SHE SEEMED TO LIKE IT, BUT THAT WAS TODAY AND SHE MIGHT NOT LIKE IT AT ALL THE NEXT TIME.WE ARE COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS TILL WE CAN LEAVE THE CHILDRENS HOME WITH HER FOR THE LAST TIME, ALTHOUGH WE WILL MISS ALL THE OTHER LITTLE ONES THAT WE SEE EACH DAY. I WILL HAVE TO CHECK JODY'S BACKPACK EVERY TIME WE VISIT NOW TO MAKE SURE SHE ISN'T TRYING TO TAKE MORE KIDDOS WITH US,TO BE HONEST THERE IS A FEW THAT DAD WOULD TAKE ALSO.

HELLO TO EVERYONE BACK HOME WE LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH SEE YOU SOON

DAY 5 WITH BELLA

I WISH I WAS THIS FLEXIBLE

A KISS FOR DADDY

ITS BEEN A LONG DAY

SNUGGLING DADDY

WE HAD ANOTHER GOOD DAY WITH BELLA, SHE WASN'T AS PLAYFUL AS YESTERDAY BUT I THINK SHE IS COMING DOWN WITH A COLD. THE WEATHER WAS QUITE COOL TODAY SO WE STAYED INSIDE, MOM DID FIND A STROLLER FOR BELLA SO WE WANDERED THE HALLS OF THE BABY HOUSE AND SHE LOVED IT. SHE WILL BE RIGHT AT HOME RUNNING AROUND TARGET AND SHOPKO WITH MOM. WE ALSO GOT HER TO SIT IN A WALKER FOR A BIT WITHOUT HAVING A FIT, SHE HAS A NEW ONE WAITING FOR HER SO SHE CAN BUILD UP HER LEG MUSCLES. IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO BELLAS HOMETOWN ON MONDAY FOR THE ADOPTION CEREMONY AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE HER OUT OF THE CHILDRENS HOME WITH US ON TUESDAY TO BE WITH US FOREVER YAY! WE WENT SHOPPING AT THE OUTSIDE MARKET AGAIN TODAY AND JODY BOUGHT OUT ANOTHER ONE OF THE VENDORS. IT WAS VERY FUNNY BECAUSE THE LADY FROM YESTERDAY REMEMBERED US WHEN I TOLD JODY TO GO THE OTHER DIRECTION. ALTHOUGH WE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME, WE ARE REALLY STARTING TO MISS EVERYONE AT HOME, MOM AND DAD HAVE NEVER LEFT THE KIDDOS FOR EVEN ONE NIGHT, WE LOVE YOU ALL VERY VERY MUCH AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN 1 WEEK.

DAY 4 WITH BELLA

YES BELLA DOES SUCK HER THUMB

SHE LOVES TO STAND ON HER HEAD

MOM MAKING BELLA LAUGH

SHE LOOKS UP LIKE THIS SO SHE CAN GET A KISS ON THE FOREHEAD

WALKING AROUND THE PLAYGROUND


Another good visit with our princess today, the weather wasn't to bad so we were able to go outside for a bit, we walked around the playground for awhile until the wind picked up. There is lots of play toys for the children and play houses and swings,it is a very nice play area with lots of trees,grass and flowers to enjoy.We picked up the needed paperwork for Bella's visa at the U.S. Embassy yesterday, being U.S. citizens we were sent to the front of the line so their was no waiting here. We are praying the ministry officials find the minister today or tomorrow so he can sign the paperwork to have our adoption of Bella in her hometown and then she will be ours.We were very courageous today and walked around town near our apartment, we found the neatest outdoor market and Jody practically bought them out, luckily it was closing time and they were starting to pack everything up.We don't have a whole lot of free time on our hands after we visit Bella, but that is fine because she is the reason we are here and we love to spend as much time as possible with her. Pray for good news from the ministry tomorrow.

DAY THREE WITH BELLA

Mom rocking Bella to sleep

This church is beautiful

One of the fountians we saw

Dad getting a kiss from Bella

We had a great visit with Bella today , we had her smiling and giggling and she was actually babbling to us. We really noticed a difference in her after just three visits, we took turns holding and rocking her , she just loves the attention from us and likes to pull our arms around her as if to say "don't let go of me".Mom put her in the walker and Bella was not happy at all, she threw a fit.J. walked with us from the childrens home all the way back to our apartment , about a four hour walk. She was showing us all the sites along the way. This is a beautiful city with all of the old buildings,churches and people.It was a very nice walk and we really got a good feel of the city and how big and busy it really is. J is a wonderful woman and we can't thank her enough for bringing us to Bella, but for also taking time out of her busy schedule to show us around and help us find whatever we need.We learned one thing right away,if you ride in the taxi do not watch in front of you if you have a weak heart, it is better to watch out a side window. We are tired from our walk so its time to turn in.

P..S EVERYONE AT HOME WE LOVE YOU

A beautiful baby and some sites of E.E.

This is the tram, it goes all around town.They also have lots of little tiny cars. They all seem to drive really small cars, and drive really fast.

This is the church right across the street from our apt.

I am not sure what is in this building, but it sure looks pretty with the lights.

Baby Bella~The little princess~

J , gave us a beautiful baby picture of Bella. She is so sweet I sure wish we could have brought her home at this age. She looks so sweet , and i could have spent hours in the rocking chair with her. I love to rock all the little ones. When we get Bella home i will spend lots of time in the rocking chair with her, we will make up for lost time. She is very beautiful,she is doing well with us. She will play for a while with us and the toys we brought. Then she will just snuggle into one of us. It is really cute when she does this. Ok: for her size~ maybe 18-24 months. She is pretty long, just not alot of meat on her little bones.But we will fix that when she is home.

J, took us to a store today to look for an alarm clock , and see if we could find a back pack. We also are looking for a store that sells childrens clothing. We also need EUR~ size 18 baby soft shoes. We could only find 19 1/2 infant and they are way to big. We hope to find some things here for Bella, to bring home with her.

We hope to have lots more pictures today. Chow~bye

~Second visit with our little Bella~

Daddy feeding Bella

Bella's little foot

Mommy and Bella playing toys.

Shawnie look Bella is outside for the first time to play in the swing..Daddy and Bella had fun with Bella in the swing. It was a little windy so we didn't stay out to long. But it was nice to take her outside.

J, has been helping us alot to find our way around town, we needed to get a new alarm clock. The one we brought smoked when we plugged it in.

Taxi is about 500 Dinar, each ride. We are very glad we don't have to drive here. There is lots and lots of people here. They are every where. We are very used to our small quiet town. Not to many people.So this is very different for us. I will post some pictures of the town soon.

The clothes and shoes we brought are way to big for Bella. She is just a little peanut. We love her so much , and are enjoying our time with her. Gary and i each got to feed her a bottle today. We will try to spoon feed her when she is home. She will need lots of pedi-sure, i hope she will like it.

We tried a food , it is like a pastie. But really thin flakey crust. Very tasty, i wish i had the recipe.

Valdo the fellow we rent from went and got a new cell phone for us to use here. So you folks waiting to travel maybe ask about that. They seem very accomodating, with anything we ask for.

We got to see Cindi's little boy , what a cutie he is. He loves to come up and kiss Gary and hug him. There is also a dark haired little girl that also seems to have taken a liking to Gary also. They are all so beautiful, i would bring lots of children home from here if they would let me.