As promised, these are some photos of the open market. Today was a good day, we were told in the morning that our interview with the Ministry of Education was today at 4pm. We were all approved!! It was very busy at the Ministry building, there were 10 families there for interviews! The other families were from France and Spain, and were adopting from different orphanages. We each waited our turn, and I was the first to go from our group of 5 families. There were 3 officials, Tamara, our facilitator, Natasha, our translator, and myself. They actually asked most of the questions about Zhanna, her development, her health, and enjoyed photos of her and Madina. According to Tamara, I did very well, and they liked me!! The last hurdle will be on Friday, when we go to court for the judges decision. We have been working at filling the bag for Madina's escort back to the United States, there are many items on the list that we needed to purchase, so we went to the store called "Mickey House" today. As of today, Madina will not be able to travel in the unofficial pink escort suit, as they said it will be "too warm". That may change, but I bought a new "lighter" snowsuit, a two piece lime green outfit with separate snow pants for her to wear home. The weather here is very labile, according to the reports it will be below freezing this weekend, and has snowed in June. I will leave both in her bag. We have not been shopping at the souvenir shop yet, we're hoping to go this week, but things are very busy with 5 families. We have a caravan of 3 vehicles to go anywhere, but so far I have had my own car, even when Mom and Zhanna don't go to the baby house with me!! I usually ride with Natasha, or Zhanna's new friend "Tasha" as she calls her.
Tomorrow we will go to the baby house twice, as today we were only able to go once. Madina has been somewhat sick, as have the other babies. She slept in my arms most of the morning visit, and I did have to take off some of the layers as she was so sweaty. She has a green velour dress, note the photos, which appears to be her uniform, as she has only been out of it for one day since I met her. She usually has a 2 tee shirts, a sweater, the jumper, thick tights and wool slippers on when we visit, and it is about 90 in the room. There are no windows open, to avoid a draft. The workers are now refinishing the music room, and it is somewhat dusty. We were told that we have to bring slippers tomorrow, as there are no shoes allowed in the baby house and most of us are only wearing socks. Will write more tomorrow, am signing off on our last Monday in Karaganda. Next Monday we will be in Almaty, preparing for the looooonnnngggg trip home!!Hope all is well!
4 comments:
Aaah, memories. Too many layers of clothing, slippers, Natasha, the buffet at the apollo, fish, shoes, and toilets all being sold right next to each other, the weird weather. We arrived on June 4 I believe for Caden's adoption and there was a foot of snow just 1 1/2 weeks earlier we were told. It rose from 80s to 110 in the first 1 1/2 weeks we were there in June.
MOE went as I suspected. They only ask you about the first kid and if they look healthy and happy then just approve the next!
Congratulations. Sorry you'll miss her bday. We were there for Caden's first bday but because we were only allowed to adopt Chloe at the time, we actually were told to ignore him for the whole month we were there. Well, we did as they said except on his bday we brought a few gifts to his whole room to honor him.
Yes. We never went anywhere without slippers. It must be a European thing also because I've been taking my slippers to houses for a long time, but usually only in the winter.
We went to the library with the kids today and they had fun playing with Wii and DDR(dance danece revolution). Ryan was really good at the Wii bowling and Matt loved DDR. The girls just hung out and played board games. Afterwards we went to the small park next to where Paul works.
Tomorrow Kim invited us over for play group. It will be a nice break for us.
Of course I feel really crappy this week. No energy. Can't figure out if it's a bug or allergies.
The outdoor market reminds me of the time I spent in El Salvador and Mexico when I was in high school. I know you'll think this is nuts but, I enjoy travelling ang living abroad. It's always best when you can do it just the the natives.
Well time is ticking away quickly and I know you are anxious to get home. Enjoy you remaining time. This is a once in a life time experience, even when you do it twice.
By Thursday I think we'll be in the 70's. Promised the kids a cone at the "Twist" to celebrate. We are taking Elliott with us this time.
Looking forward to more from you.
Lisa
Hey again
That fish looks goood...
hahah
tell Zhanna Mia says hi
cant wait til you come home
<3 Mia
Just looking at that fish.. ugh.. i remember the smell.........congrats on making it to the first round! Court should be a breeze now! great news that you can leave sooner.
The Schmitt- Schilds came over Saturday nite for a burger and corn (first of the season and pretty darn good!).. by July we will be sick of it! We had a nice time with all.. the kids played nicely and we went down the cellar to bounce (not me.. I bounce enough (LOL) but the under 6 set!!
tomorrow I am hosting the playgroup .. i swept out the garage and took out all the ride on toys and chalk.. let them have at it on the driveway! When paul gets home we are driving down to my mom's and staying over. Wed morning we are heading to Lancaster, Hershey and Gettysburg, PA> We are meeting up with Pam, Lonnie and Marina (and gram and granddad too) - as you know Marina and Vika were crib mates in room 2.It will be great to see them all again... they are planning a NY trip this summer so we should all plan on getting together.
I see red spots on Zhanna.. .are those bug bites?? Glad to hear that you all healthy and happy. Paul is bringing his lap top with him so while visiting the Amish we will keep in touch with you guys. (kind of paradoxial)
Bummer about you having to buy another snow/flannel suit....i thought sweating was good!!!
Goodbye to your last Monday in Karaganda!
Kim
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