January 22, 2009 (Thursday)

(Pictures of our rooms in Hotel Alma-Aty)

We arrived home Saturday night after a 35 hour trip. We went through Istanbul, and had eggs and sausage along the way. Since Turkey is four hours behind Almaty, we were able to try the eggs a second time on the trip from Istanbul to Munich just in case we weren't sure about them on the first trip. The trip from Germany to the U.S. is the one that always gets to me. It's the last 1 1/2 hours that makes me so antsy. We flew from Munich into Philadelphia, and then home. Oh my gosh, were we tired. We cannot thank Beena enough for taking us to the airport on the way to KZ, and Beth for picking us up.

It was an exhausting trip, but it all melted away the moment we saw Karis. She was so excited to see us, and we were just as excited to see her. She has been such a trooper through all of this.

We are preparing to head back, and have sent Jeff our passports to have the visa updated. We need a couple more passport photos, and need to sign more forms since we've already run through those that we already had with our first two trips.

A tip for those of you yet to pick up your child: you will need ten passport pictures of your child for all of the documentation.

We will go back to KZ somewhere around Feb. 11th. We will take Aidar to the SOS clinic for his medical clearance on 2/13 and then will wrap up his visa, passport and other docs the following week. We have an interview with the U.S. Embassy on 2/17, and should be able to bring him home immediately following the interview.

Aidar has no idea how many wonderful people have waited so long to meet him. I think this journey is virtually all of your's as well as our's, and we thank you for going on it with us. It takes a village to raise a child, and we live in the best village of all.

We'll write more as the next excursion approaches.

Day 27--Court Date #2 and #3--January 15, 2009

Day 27-- January 15, 2009

And the verdict is…………………………………….court was delayed until 1:00. Agh!

(11:40 a.m.) We didn’t have enough time to visit Aidar, so we changed clothes and went out to walk off some of this nervous energy and practice for the 700th time what we will say in court if given the opportunity. Our 1st court day the judge asked us very little about Aidar himself, and Olga suggested we talk about the emotional side of the adoption—how much we love him and he loves us.

We were at the court at 12:00. Our translator did not want to get held up by traffic, so we were early. We waited in our translator’s car and chatted. We saw the judge arrive, and the prosecutor leave. Then we saw what we thought was the judge leaving. OK, John didn’t think it was the judge in the first place, but Azziz and I were convinced.

1:00 p.m. Still waiting…….

1:30 p.m. The judge leaves the courtroom and passes through some doors to the world of the unknown. Uh-oh. Are we going to be delayed again?

1:32 p.m. Everyone starts speaking in Russian and stands up. Is this good or bad? They said it was time. But where was the judge?

1:33 p.m. They ushered us through the doors to the world of the unknown, and up some stairs. My knee is still blown out from falling the other day….ouch…ouch…ouch…with each step. They take us to an office. And then an office off of the office.

1:36 p.m. The judge arrives, sits down with two huge sets of documents and begins looking through one as our translator begins speaking to us while the judge speaks. John has rehearsed in his head a thousand times what he is going to say about the love we have for Aidar and how it is reciprocated, but the judge doesn’t ask us if we have anything to say. The judge apologized for the delay, that he was running behind because of criminal cases, he thanked us for waiting, etc. etc. etc. Finally……

1:42 We are approved!!!! John was grinning from ear to ear (or as he says “Like a mule eating briars”). Hooray!!!! I was listening to our translator continue on—did I really hear what I thought I heard? The judge asked us to not let Airdar forget his homeland, to bring him back to visit. Yes, it must be true! The judge said that maybe he would come to visit the U.S., smiled, said congratulations, and then we were whisked out of his office as quickly as we had come into it. We all signed our names on a couple of sheets of paper, and that was it. Can you believe it? If anyone wants to hear John’s speech, I’m sure it will be in his head for the next couple of years.

We then went to lunch with Olga to celebrate, and learned that when Olga spoke with the judge on Tuesday evening that he had asked her to again contact the birth parents and have them come to court on Friday. Olga was able to convince him that with the two documents she had from them relinquishing their rights to Aidar, that they are certain that they will allow this adoption. As such, the judge agreed to approve us today without pursuing any further action with his birth parents.

It is mind blowing to me how we can go through so much, and it can all disappear with a phone call. Or two.

I later thought that this was a lot like having a baby in that you forget all of the pain once you actually have the child. But, unlike having a second child, I don’t think I could go through the anxiety that goes with an adoption again. Thank God for Aidar and Karis. They are all we could ever want in children.

We saw Aidar this afternoon and decided that we must usurp his energy in the morning sessions because he was full of energy this afternoon. John bought him two more cars, and we played with them for a while. We brought him some apple juice again (shhhhhh—don’t tell anyone), and he loved it. He was so affectionate this afternoon. We’d like to think that he knew something was up. We were told that they’ve explained to him that he will be coming to live with us. We hope that he is excited about that and that he won’t miss his friends too terribly when he leaves. We know that he will be happy that he will only have to wear one layer of clothing.

John is already planning Aidar’s hunting license. Can he become a redneck that quickly?

We meet with the baby house in the a.m. to get Aidar’s passport photos, and then we meet with Olga at 1:00 to go over the embassy documents. Aidar will become our’s officially on January 30, 2009. Olga had requested on Monday that the judge waive the 15-day appeal period, to no avail. We wish we could bring him home today, but we know that we will have government documents to be finished.

We leave at 4:30 a.m. on Saturday to return home via Istanbul…and Munich…and Philadelphia. If we don’t get a chance to blog tomorrow night, we’ll fill you in on the much-anticipated details when we see you.

Thank you, everyone for following along with our blog, and thank you for your comments. We don’t feel half a world away when we know our family and friends are so close to our hearts.

Day 26-- January 14, 2009

Day 26-- January 14, 2009

Today was actually restful. We tried not to dwell on our court day tomorrow and just spend some time together, with Aidar and rest if we could. We went to Aidar’s house at 10am to spend the morning with him. He did not play with any of the toys coloring books or the puzzle we brought this morning. He only wanted to listen to the ring tones of the cell phone and dance. It’s hard to imagine that we could spend an hour and 45minutes playing with a cell phone but we did. We taught him to say the word “up” the other day so we practiced that a few times when he wanted to be picked up. He likes us to hold him so we can dance with him in our arms. We are trying to teach him some rhythm and moves, but he definitely seems to like music. Another sign that he will fit into the family just fine! Although we could all use help with the rhythm and moves.

Cindie and I came back to the hotel after our morning time with Aidar to eat a sandwich from items we bought from the store. We ate lunch watching it snow and listening to music on the computer. It was very peaceful. Cindie caught up on some reading and I caught a nap.

For the afternoon time with Aidar, we stopped by the convenient store and picked up some apple juice for him. For the past few days he has been very lethargic and seemed to just zone out when we got there and took him to the playroom. Again, we picked him up today and sure enough he wanted me to just hold him. I did that for a little while then he wanted to get the flashlight out and play with it. That is when we broke out the apple juice. Ahh…., nothing like sugar to get a Kid going right. Needless to say, he loved it. He wanted to drink it all at once and he would have if we would have let him. Well that was the trick. After he drank some juice, I asked him to get the “machinea” Kazakh for car, and we played with the matchbox cars for a while. Then he wanted to color in the coloring book. He is actually doing a lot better at that by not scribbling all over the page and just in small area with little strokes. Then he pulled out the “Sesame street” puzzle, it’s only 24 pieces and forms about a 10”x12” picture. We took it over to the side off of the Persian rug so it would be on the hard surface of the floor. I told Cindie we would let him try it all by himself. Other than flipping a few pieces over on their correct side, that was it. He started by a small section of “Big Bird” Oddly enough, he started with them upside down. That was bugging Cindie. After he put about 5 pieces together, with the picture facing upside down, Cindie could not stand it anymore and turned it around so the picture would face him correctly. Much to my satisfaction, on his own, he turned it right back around so he could assemble another piece. Finally, after assembling one complete side and most of the top portion, he rotated the assembled piece’s so the picture would face him correctly. Cindie was then satisfied. He worked diligently at it for almost 20 minutes. Then he was finished with the masterpiece. He was proud and then turned to us for hugs. After that, we played with other toys until time for him to go back to his room. Of course he reminded us that he still had apple juice to finish.

We decided we better just head back to the hotel and finish leftovers to save some money. After all, we may be celebrating Thursday night. We will let you know the verdict after court tomorrow.

We did talk to Karis before she went to school Wednesday. She sounded so happy but told me that she was calling for mommy last night. Karis talked to Cindie for a little bit and wanted us to bring her a present, and then she started to get sad while talking to Cindie and started to cry. She wanted us to come home. Hopefullly she did not cry long. Usually not if there is a cartoon or something she wants to eat near by. We completely understand her pain. We think this is a crazy process also, to be required to be here so long. We feel like crying too Karis! Give Karis big hugs and kisses for us and we will see her real soon. Thanks again for taking Care of her while we are going through this. --JH

Here is another view from our hotel at. We have to enjoy while we have it so we wanted to share! The moon was out so it lit up the mountains in the background. Of course I had to slow the shutter speed down to capture it all.

Vew from Almaty Hotel Balcony

Day 25-- January 13, 2009

Well…..you can put the champagne on ice. We were told today that the judge is reviewing our documents, and everything looks fine so far. We are tentatively set for approval on Thursday. Yea!

The picture above from our hotel balcony helps us look past some of the challenges!

Aidar had a good day as well. When we arrived at the baby house this morning, guess who was out for the day? Aidar! They apparently had a field trip to an animal show. How sweet. So, John and I went to Silkway City, a shopping mall that is three levels high, but still small compared to those in the U.S. John bought a new tie for court, and I bought a cute pink Kazakh wool hat. (From JH-Cindie made me buy some new dress socks for Thursday, I told her that if my socks we a deal breaker then we were definitely in the wrong place :-)

We went back to the baby house this afternoon, and had a fun session with our little guy. The odd thing is that lately, he doesn’t want to play with any of his toys, but prefers to be held by John, and then just having John catch him whenever he tries to walk away. He absolutely adores John. He is really getting that “male bonding” thing going. I still get hugs and kisses, but John gets the “toss me around” part that kids love so well. Aidar also loves the flashlight. He plays with the light on the wall, under our hands, looking in our mouths, eyes, ears, whatever he can find. Aidar is trying out some English and sign language, but we pretty much know what he is asking for when he does speak. He desperately needs the cleft team’s help. We’re going to try to set up an appointment as soon as we can.

This evening, we ended up having to go back to our original hotel with our translator to get some billing straightened out. Apparently, when we checked out a day early, that was something that they overlooked. We got it taken care of, but I’m afraid that they may make the girl who did our final expenses pay for the extra day. I really hope not.

This is a Kazakhstan New Year from the end of the Soviet era, so someone is setting off fireworks every night.

Mom, I hope Boo is behaving himself. Maybe you can set up a play date with Jamima.

Hope you all are doing well and staying warm. We’re FREEZING here!

Day 24--January 12, 2009

Day 24-- January 12, 2009

OK, don’t break out the champagne yet. John and I went to court this a.m. only to be postponed until Thursday. We were bombarded with questions by the judge, who didn’t seem to like our response to “Why are you adopting from Kazakhstan?” We told him about the low childcare giver to child ratio (so there aren’t bonding issues), that the country is economically developed, that the children are essentially given up for social reasons (e.g. single motherhood), but he asked John the same question three times and he asked it of me once. We answered all of his and the prosecutor’s questions as best—and honestly—as we could. The regional director of the Almaty orphanages was there and explained that the parents had been contacted and still agreed to give Aidar up for adoption. The assistant director of the baby house was there and gave positive feedback regarding John and me and our visits to the baby house. Our coordinator went through the judge’s checklist with him (was a criminal background check done, was a homestudy done, are our documents in order, etc) and she recommended that we be allowed to adopt Aidar. Even after all of that, the judge said that he wanted to review our paperwork, and that he is continuing our hearing until Thursday. We don't think that we did a great job, but we also don't know how we could have done better. Our translator did a fantastic job; he got tripped up a little bit, but didn’t really get a break, so we give him great kudos.

Back at the homestead, we had to send our laundry to be done by the hotel. I called the front desk to ask how it is charged (e.g. by weight or by item), but they just told me to call X-1236--where no one speaks English. They did bring a price sheet for drycleaning and repairs, and even a charge for “urgency”, so who knows when we’ll get how clothes back (maybe Friday?) and how they will come back. I pray they don’t dryclean our socks and charge us for it.

On the downside of the hotel that I fell in love with: there are absolutely no English channels on TV—not even BBC. Also, the restaurant isn’t nearly as good as Hotel Kazzhol, but it is much more pricey. They have a small “cafeteria” that John would have loved to have eaten at, but you know me…….So, we’re having peanut butter and jelly (again) and crackers and cheese. My drink of choice here is Fanta orange soda. I’d pay anything for a Mountain Dew. Speaking of paying anything, John ordered a 1-liter bottle of Coke at a restaurant, and was charged $10! It’s water for him from now on!

We saw Aidar this afternoon, and he put his puzzle together almost all by himself. He is an amazing child. We can’t get over how tiny he is, though. We brought shoes that are size 8, and they’re actually a little big for him. I think Karis was in a size 9 by that age (4 years, 4 months).

Aidar really fell into his comfort zone this afternoon. He loves the cell phones, and recently discovered the various ring tones. He loves to have us hold him and dance and then stop when the ring tone ends. He plays another to have us dance—and then stop. Sooooooo, John played his MP3 music from his phone, and after a few songs, Aidar just rested his head and truly felt like he could relax and just be content. This lasted for probably twenty minutes. How could a judge say “no” to that?

We’ll write more tomorrow, but want to let you know that we think of you all day, every day, and miss you. We can’t wait for this to come to a close, and for all of you to meet our new little guy.

The Big day ahead, we hope!

Day 23-- 11, January 2009

We have a "tentative" court hearing tomorrow, Monday. We are supposed to meet with a Judge and a legal representative for the rights of Kazakhstan Children. Cindie and I will have GOD with us, and a translator. Please lift us up in your prayers and that the officials allow this process to move forward and without further delays.

We did not get much rest today as we went to the Orphanage to spend time with Aidar and had to reschedule our air travel. Easier said than done when you are in another country well at least here in KZ! I needed to buy another phone card before I could change half of the arrangements because I needed to call out of the country. Then the local office for the one airline, Luftansa, that gets us out of Kazakhstan is only open from 11:30 am to 8 pm local time. First I had to figure out how to get a touch tone phone to get through the menus of the phone card and air lines. Yes, they are still behind in technology in some cases, our phone in the room did not have a switch to change from Pulse dial to tone dial. You should have seen the face of the Hotel receptionist when I tried to ask for another phone. “Ohhhhhhhhh What you say? You have phone in room Yes…..!” Right, they were not getting it! She then asked for the number I was trying to dial and she then dialed it for me from the phone at the front desk. Great! At least they have a phone that works with tone dialing. However I did not want to stand at the front desk in the hotel lobby trying to change several sets of itinerary’s calling 3 different countries and try to hear over everything that happens at the front desk of a hotel, a large one at that. I then thought she understood that I was asking for another phone to be brought to my room, she motioned for me to go to my room. (Mostly to get rid of me from the front desk I think). Cindie also asked for a hair dryer, and I though someone would bring me a phone so I went back to the room. By this time Cindie needed to go to the orphanage to spend time with Aidar, after all, we only get four hours to spend with him there a day over two visits. SO………. I waited for the phone delivery, 15 minutes later, a knock on the door, GREAT, a phone,………….Nope! a Hair dryer. Good for Cindie not so good for me, most of my hair is gone now because of this trip! Then I remembered reading somewhere or hearing of a way to change to tone dialing by pressing * or # or some combination. Or was it click your heels while snapping your fingers and patting your head. Well Finally, I got it. Use the pulse dial to get an outside line, then press *, pause, then dial the number. So easy.... Wonderful, I am in business now. Except after changing two 3rds of the flights I needed, the phone card was running out. OK, I can go back to the store, or Another thought, call Dad and wake him up with a great assignment on Sunday morning. Well...... he saved us and made the changes from the US using my information. I think it even took him an hour from the US to get the changes.

!!!!THANK YOU DAD!!!!!

Well that was the entertainment for the day here, Cindie calls it stress, for us. I am going to get some sleep now. I made Cindie take a sleeping pill earlier so she could get some reset. If I hurry to bed I can get in 5 hours if I actually fall asleep. Sue, tell Karis we said hello and we love her! Until next time, Blessings to you all. __JH

Day 22--January 10, 2009

Day 22—January 10, 2009

What a busy day. John and I got up early, packed, had breakfast, and stored our luggage, headed out the door for a whirlwind of a day. Of course, we began with a visit to Aidar. We now call the baby house “Aidar’s House”. He’s a little under the weather, but we still had a lot of fun. He loves to play with the phones and see pictures on the camera. Someone left some balloons in the playroom. He’s really good at hitting the balloons into the air over and over again. Great hand/eye coordination. After our visit, John and I walked around the city looking for a hotel that he had seen on-line. No luck. He tried calling someone about an apartment, but we can’t use our cell phone to a landline phone, so that was out.

We ended up going to a hotel (Hotel Alma-Aty) that is directly across the street from the opera house. The opera house is gorgeous, and sits in the forefront of snowcapped mountains. The price was the same as where we had been staying, so we checked in to our room. Let me say rooms—plural! We have a sitting room with a china cabinet (filled with tea cups and whiskey glasses), a love seat, chair, and refrigerator enclosed in a wooden stand upon which the TV sits. The next room is an office area with a chair/desk and a sitting chair, and then the last room is the sleeping area. Each room has a Persian rug in it. The shower room is off of the bedroom, and leads into the bathroom, which leads into the sitting area—a walk-through. We even have signature bathrobes. I love this place! The reason it is the same price as the other hotel is because it has not been renovated. Let me say that it has all of the charm of the Grove Park Inn without even half the cost. Our view is incredible. The opera house is lit with Christmas lights in the evening, and the mountaintop has several light displays. Hotel Kazakhstan is just off to our left.

After checking into our room, we headed back out to the slushy sidewalks of Almaty. We had some lunch (we passed on the restaurant that was serving chicken bowels), went back to the other hotel, called a taxi, retrieved our luggage, went back to Hotel Alma-Aty, and then finally headed back to Aidar’s house. He was really queit today, and this was one of those times when you wonder what little thoughts are running through his head. Was he just feeling miserable? Was he sad? Did someone make fun of him? Did someone tell him that he would go to live with us, and he was going to miss his friends? This was one of those times when you really hated that language barrier. All we could do was hold him, and we held him for a very long time. You know something is wrong if a four year old sits in your lap forever when he has a bag full of toys at his feet. We read his counting book twice, and we sat in silence for a few minutes. We looked at pictures on the camera. And then he got up and put his Sesame Street puzzle together. It’s a quiet activity, and he is amazing at it. We’re so proud of him. He absolutely adores John on this trip, and wants John to carry him everywhere. One side benefit of carrying him: you get kisses on your cheek! We hate to leave him each day, but are happy to see him run off to join his friends in whatever activity they’re engaging in when he returns to his room. That tells us that he can adjust well to change.

Another family should be arriving today. I spoke with the mom about a couple of months ago. Her name is Anna, and I can’t wait to meet her. She is incredibly nice—and funny. Hopefully, we’ll meet within the next day or two.

Until tomorrow…………..