Thursday, August 28, 2008

Touchdown X4

"Toto, we're not in Kansas (actually, Illinois) any more."

No, we're in Kazakhstan!!!!

This is the first photo we have taken. With any luck, "Saskia" will be nestled in this crib before long. It has been a whirlwind of travel, so I haven't even thought to get the camera out. We arrived at our destination a few hours ago - 4 flights, one car ride and 33 hours after leaving our house.

I wouldn't trade the car ride here for anything. It was absolutely amazing . . . surreal, actually. I kept thinking of Dr. Zhivago and Dreams of My Russian Summers by Andrei Makine (which actually makes a lot more sense to me now).

We meet the Minister of Education tomorrow morning, then we meet "Saskia"! I can hardly stand waiting any longer.

Hopefully, we will also get to Skype with Luca before we go. We haven't talked to him for a few days. Being away from him has been the hardest thing to deal with so far. Scott was doing a pretty good imitation of him by asking for pancakes this morning. I miss my boy.

I'll post tomorrow and let you know how everything goes.

P.S. I have been playing a little game of hang man with the titles of the blog posts (since 8/20). If you look hard at the blog archive and are a little dyslexic, you might be able to figure out where we are.

23 comments:

Suzette & Tate said...

I have been checking your blog all morning just waiting to hear that you made it. Plus, I didn't know if you were going to be able to meet Saskia when you first got there or not. Can't wait to check back tomorrow :)

Glad you guys made it there safely and can now "relax" and wait for tomorrow. Wow, I can't even imagine what you are felling right now.

I love your little hang man trick. Creative. Although, now I feel like an idiot because I have no idea where you are :) I'll just have to stay tuned.

babsinatl said...

OMG! So exciting! I haven't been able to check your blog for days and POOF, there you are! (Not so POOF for you, right??) Are they broadcasting the DNC over there?? Your pancake piece was amazing. I mean really. Who does that? Not my mom. She bought me Super Sugar Smacks and a carton of milk. You are an AWESOME mother. Really, truly. I just can't wait to read your next blog. J-U-S-T C-A-N-'-T W-A-I-T !!!!

leevanschaik said...

Hurrah....this is the first thing I looked for this morning when I got to my office, then figured you were just too overloaded to post. Wow! I can't wait for the next installment! I am thinking a lot about all of you.

marsrob said...

YAY! You made it! So happy for you! I cannot wait to read more updates! Hope you have the time of your life! I know you miss your little one - oh, it is hard. I am sure he is going to be ok - especially once you get home with baby!!!

Trudi said...

This is just beyond exciting. I can feel your goosebumps! Our hearts and prayers are with you.

Sandi said...

I am so happy to read an update. I've been stalking your blog :)

can not wait until tomorrow.

Of course I am dying to know where you are, tried your little hangman.. are you in Kokshetau?? That is my guess.

sandi

Alysa said...

Yeah! You're there and will be meeting Saskia soon! I'm so excited for you!

The hangman thing was very creative! I think I figured it out, along with Sandi. ;)

Good luck tomorrow. Can't wait to hear more!!

Tracy said...

I still can't believe you are in KAZ... And I stink at hang man so even with clues I would have no idea.

I checked your blog first today... soon as I got home from work. Can't wait to hear more tomorrow. I hope that your first visit goes wonderful.

Tracy

Kim said...

Yeah! Glad to see you made it and I will be thinking of you all day! I can't wait to read tomorrow. Hoping you get to speak to Luca soon and that you get CNN to watch the DNC....not Fox News (which is what I was stuck with for two months!) :-)

You're in Kokshetau! And here I was thinking you were going to Ust based on something you had written before. Silly me!

~Kim

Susan said...

Welcome (to your temporary) home!

I recognize that crib and bedding...my little ones were in it not so long ago. What a bond we'll have, our children will have spent their first nights at home in the very same crib!

Don't worry about that meeting with the Director tomorrow. He's a serious, but pleasant fellow. Not going to cause you problems.

I'm so happy for you, and can't wait to hear about your meeting with Saskia.

Karen said...

So exciting—I can hardly wait...

Karen said...

Okay, I feel a little dumb here—which region are you in? Or did you tell us and I'm losing it???? Oh, I see Sandi has figured it out (or has she?).

Kokshetau? It sounds unfamilar. Has anyone been there before?

Baby Kaz Moore said...

Wishing you the best! Susan from Austin

Jennifer said...

Grin. I love it. I feel a bit like an idiot as I didn't notice the game and catch on, but I suppose my excuse is I don't scroll down there all that often. Still... you're pretty sneaky and brilliant.

So since it's 5:12pm here, does that mean it's already tomorrow there?

And does that mean that if I stay awake until 2am I'll be duly rewarded? :-)

I'm so glad you made it safely! Happy K-stan day to you!!

Gretchen said...

Glad you made it there safely. Good luck tomorrow!

Amy said...

You should be a couple of hours from going to meet with the MOE official and meeting Saskia!!! Good luck and enjoy the experience of a lifetime! Am thinking of you all here back in Kansas...er...Illinois!!!

Julian and Sara said...

Glad to hear you made it! Can't wait for more news from Kokshetau. Great game, by the way!

Tricia said...

I have never heard of that area before. Can't wait to hear more about it and about your Saskia! Glad to hear that you are there. What a long journey.

Matthew Ruley said...

CAN'T WAIT!

Susan said...

so glad you are here!!!!
I am not attempting the hang man..I'll just wait for your announcement.

VERY SURREAL being here, isn't it?
but today is 4 weeks for us...Joe is home, just landed in tampa 15 minutes ago...THAT seems surreal.

I know you miss Luca...but the time will go by so fast, and once you meet Saskia, you will be sooooooooooooooooooooooo happy you will be thrilled to share it with Luca.
Skype really rocks.

WELCOME TO KAZ!
can't wait to read more....

Karen, Glenn, Allie, Max, and Sam said...

It's late here, so early there. We are thinking of you!!! We cannot wait to continue to read about your journey. We are keeping you all in our thoughts as you go through the next couple of incredible days.

Patrick & Eileen said...

We were gone yesterday (another drive to Richmond to apostille more papers) and I missed this post!

I was happy to see this update - unbelievable what it takes to get there.

Rest when you can and enjoy your little one!
Eileen

Patrick & Eileen said...

By the way....we figured out where you were at too. That's up in what will be our neck of the woods! We will be flying there to get to our area.

Eileen & Pat