All our paperwork is now complete for the Embassy visit, which is Tuesday at 4pm. After that visit, we are free to go. Just gotta get plane tickets from here to Moscow and Moscow to Atlanta. We are waitlisted on AirAstana's Tuesday night flight to Moscow, and are waiting to see if we can get on any seats on any flight from Moscow to Atlanta. The medical check up will happen Monday morning at 9am. That and the Embassy exit interview are our only remaining obligations. We're just waiting for the Monkeys' passports to go from here to Taraz for exit visas; then Taraz to Astana for exist visas; then Astana to Almaty for exit visas, then to us so we're outta here. Marina is very confident we'll be on track. So much so that she was the one who made the waitlistings for our flight out on Tuesday. Good stuff. In case you can't tell, we're ready to come home.
That's about it for today. Below are the pictures from today's trips to the playground.
Here's the outside of our apartment building. Good ole Soviet styling.
An overview of the playground at the apartment building. FAR better than Umit, but still a little scary in places.
This is one of the scary ones. Anyone know what this is? Looks like some sort of KGB torture device for failed Soviet Olympians.
First, Daddy has to set the example. See kids? It's easy...don't worry...Daddy's a pro!
OK, at this point, my arms are a little tired. It's been 7 weeks since I've worked out in any form or fashion.
Ninety-eight...umph...ninety-nine...
Dub looks about as happy to be in this position as Daddy does! Actually, he hung on for a good 5-6 seconds before abrubtly letting go. Good thing I was anticipating that!
Ditto for Lena, but she screamed and begged to be taken down.
OK, here's a bar a little more their speed. And they knew just what to do!
Run, Forest! Run! Ya know, I can run like the wind blows.
Push me Papa! WEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! They both did well for their very first time ever on a swingset.
Nice Soviet swing. This thing go any higher? Boring.
These pretzels are making me thirsty.
Kiddos are down for the count. Nightly routine is forming nicely. Thank you for all the prayers and support. We're closing in on the end of this adventure, and keeping our chins up, staying positive. The samsas here are excellent, and we have DIET COKE! Actually here, they call it Coke Light, but it works. Now, if we only had some crushed ice....
Blessings,
Tarzan, Jane, and the Monkeys
3 comments:
Yup, little kiddles need to run around and play and wear themselves out so that their parents get a good night's sleep! You mention getting close to the end of this adventure - hmmm, I think you are coming to the end of the easy part! Just Baba talking here........... I do hope the paperwork gets its pushing done efficiently, but you just never know.
I have really been impressed with the Soviet's orderliness. Umit seemed to be very clean and nicely decorated. The kids rooms were neat and pleasant. Your hotel there, and now in Almaty also seems pleasant. I am glad that the kids early years were spent in a nice place with people that cared for them. They seem to be pretty well adjusted considering all the change going on. I agree that it is important to give them lots of love and grace during this time. Even after you arrive home, wait a week or two to let them adjust before implementing any situations that will cause them emotional stress. Just a few more days and you will be on your way. Enjoy the rest of the time there, in small quarters with nothing to do but play with the children. You will look back on this time and realize what a blessing it was. Love you all, Lisie
Just gets better every day. Sounds like soon this will all be just a memory, but your wonderful new family, finally a reality.
CONGRATULATIONS....again...and again..and again.......Bless you all. Kathy
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