I write to you from the hotel lobby of Hotel Kazakstan. Now as you sleep, Gary and I fight off exhaustion as it is 2:10 pm here and we must stay awake to have some semblance of normalcy. We have arrived safe and sound after a total door to door travel of 25 hours. It was doable though the most unbearable were the cramped leg situation. I kept a journal during my flights and will gladly post these thoughts when I can. For now I tell you that in a nutshell, on the plane I had thoughts of grandeur as I listened to my favorite adoption songs and felt the excitement mount. Many exhausted hours later, arriving in the pitch black of early morning before dawn to a driver that did not speak English and only gestured, to a room that had more problems than you could count and prevented us from getting any sleep, I felt like crying, such was my extreme homesickness. But the light began to filter through our windows and I finally saw the snow capped mountains in the distance. I spoke to some friends on IM and then to my mom on Skype. Our toilet was finally fixed and the lock on the door as well. I organized my extensive suitcase collection in this tiny standard not what we are used to room and then went down to breakfast where the sun shone more through the glass windows of the hotel. Cup of coffee in hand (4 in fact), and delicious hot food in my belly, Gary and I finally punched knuckles and this meant it is all going to be okay. We met Tatyana at 11 am and I felt like I have known her a long time. I used to live in an entirely Russian neighborhood and she reminded me of this. Winds up, who would have thought that my Kazakh living, Russian born adoption coordinator lived in Brooklyn from 1998 to 2003 on Emmons Avenue next to Maria’s restaurant. For those who don’t know, this is FIVE blocks from where I lived on Emmons Avenue during those same years as a newlywed and then new mom to Emma. She and I spoke about shopping at Loehmann’s! Perhaps our paths crossed long before today. We went to lunch at Venezia’s, a nice and clean pizza restaurant, where a children’s party was going on. The Kaz kids sure are cute, but Gary still gravitates towards the girls. They are really pretty, in truth. Tatyana told us more about how the day tomorrow will go. The important thing is that tomorrow I will meet the little boy she feels quite possibly can be our son. There is nothing set in stone and I have no idea how tomorrow will play out. I have found out a little about him, but very little, so I prefer to see for myself tomorrow if this is all the case. I am cautiously optimistic but also realistic. I do know that in general, after feeling quite overwhelmed and scared this morning upon arrival, I am quite relaxed down with the sun at my back while I type this out in the lobby. I thought of so many of you upon my travels — after all, I had 25 hours to do so 😉
Yah-hoo!! Congrats! You are there ~ you made it. I don't know why but it seems so sureal to me. After all the delays with the homestudy, fingerprints and delayed travel dates, I find my self asking "are they really there?" Good luck with your appts. I will be thinking about you continuously.
Julie C.
sooooooooo nice to read this! you guys rock.
my son is a testament to how well this all works and you know many others too. go get 'em.
our time in kokshetau/almaty was among the best in my life. soak it up.
doug garofalo
sooooooooo nice to read this! you guys rock.
my son is a testament to how well this all works and you know many others too. go get 'em.
our time in kokshetau/almaty was among the best in my life. soak it up.
doug garofalo
sooooooooo nice to read this! you guys rock.
my son is a testament to how well this all works and you know many others too. go get 'em.
our time in kokshetau/almaty was among the best in my life. soak it up.
doug garofalo
The roller coaster is at full speed now. Hang on, don't look down, throw your hands up, and know that whatever happens next will feel somewhat out of control, but it is a tried and trusted track.
The only certainties are the ones within your heart – stay true to it and you will find your path forward.
These next 24 hours will be unlike any other in your life. Be sure to take time to breathe.
Lots of love from all of us here in Maine.
The roller coaster is at full speed now. Hang on, don't look down, throw your hands up, and know that whatever happens next will feel somewhat out of control, but it is a tried and trusted track.
The only certainties are the ones within your heart – stay true to it and you will find your path forward.
These next 24 hours will be unlike any other in your life. Be sure to take time to breathe.
Lots of love from all of us here in Maine.
The roller coaster is at full speed now. Hang on, don't look down, throw your hands up, and know that whatever happens next will feel somewhat out of control, but it is a tried and trusted track.
The only certainties are the ones within your heart – stay true to it and you will find your path forward.
These next 24 hours will be unlike any other in your life. Be sure to take time to breathe.
Lots of love from all of us here in Maine.
So glad you have arrived safetly! Sleep does wonders for your outlook! I can't wait for the next post – good thoughts coming your way! I hope for an easy meeting day filled with joy and confidence!
Julie R
So glad you have arrived safetly! Sleep does wonders for your outlook! I can't wait for the next post – good thoughts coming your way! I hope for an easy meeting day filled with joy and confidence!
Julie R
So glad you have arrived safetly! Sleep does wonders for your outlook! I can't wait for the next post – good thoughts coming your way! I hope for an easy meeting day filled with joy and confidence!
Julie R
Inhale Exhale..Everything from here just requires lots of breathing and focus…i am praying and will talk to you soon..xoxox
Inhale Exhale..Everything from here just requires lots of breathing and focus…i am praying and will talk to you soon..xoxox
You are definitely in my thoughts…
I forgot to mention how DARK it is in the mornings there. Even tho we were not in Kaz I imagine it might be the same there as it is in Russia? The sun didn't come up where we were till 9am.
Praying all goes well meeting that little boy who hopefully WILL be your son!
You are definitely in my thoughts…
I forgot to mention how DARK it is in the mornings there. Even tho we were not in Kaz I imagine it might be the same there as it is in Russia? The sun didn't come up where we were till 9am.
Praying all goes well meeting that little boy who hopefully WILL be your son!
As I go to bed tonight, I will be dreaming of your first meeting and praying it goes well.
As I go to bed tonight, I will be dreaming of your first meeting and praying it goes well.
As I go to bed tonight, I will be dreaming of your first meeting and praying it goes well.
Hi Steph and Gary,
It is sunday afternoon and I and sitting in my apartment doing all the prep work for my surgery tomorrow and feeling very nervous but thinking of you is helping me feel happy inside. I am dreaming about the moment the doors swing open tomorrow (or rather today for you) and in they walk with your little man, what a moment that is going to be. Expect to feel everything that you think you won't feel and it will all play out just the way it is suppost to.
Lea and I were sitting at lunch to today giggling about you and granny and just both feel so excited for you and Gary. I can not believe the time is here and you are really in Almaty.
I can not wait to skype with you. The first thing I will think about tomorrow when I wake up in recovery is you my friend. That alone is going to pull me through tomorrow. Kiss the little man and tell him so many people are waiting on the other side of the world to welcome him in our hearts.
I love you and am so PROUD of you.
xxxxxoooo
Hi Steph and Gary,
It is sunday afternoon and I and sitting in my apartment doing all the prep work for my surgery tomorrow and feeling very nervous but thinking of you is helping me feel happy inside. I am dreaming about the moment the doors swing open tomorrow (or rather today for you) and in they walk with your little man, what a moment that is going to be. Expect to feel everything that you think you won't feel and it will all play out just the way it is suppost to.
Lea and I were sitting at lunch to today giggling about you and granny and just both feel so excited for you and Gary. I can not believe the time is here and you are really in Almaty.
I can not wait to skype with you. The first thing I will think about tomorrow when I wake up in recovery is you my friend. That alone is going to pull me through tomorrow. Kiss the little man and tell him so many people are waiting on the other side of the world to welcome him in our hearts.
I love you and am so PROUD of you.
xxxxxoooo
Hi Steph and Gary,
It is sunday afternoon and I and sitting in my apartment doing all the prep work for my surgery tomorrow and feeling very nervous but thinking of you is helping me feel happy inside. I am dreaming about the moment the doors swing open tomorrow (or rather today for you) and in they walk with your little man, what a moment that is going to be. Expect to feel everything that you think you won't feel and it will all play out just the way it is suppost to.
Lea and I were sitting at lunch to today giggling about you and granny and just both feel so excited for you and Gary. I can not believe the time is here and you are really in Almaty.
I can not wait to skype with you. The first thing I will think about tomorrow when I wake up in recovery is you my friend. That alone is going to pull me through tomorrow. Kiss the little man and tell him so many people are waiting on the other side of the world to welcome him in our hearts.
I love you and am so PROUD of you.
xxxxxoooo
WELCOME TO KAZAKHSTAN!!! So very excited for both of you! I hope tomorrow is everything you've been dreaming of – try heard to relax, breath, and take it all in!
The Metz's
Kristi, Jackson, and Ethen (koksheatua)
WELCOME TO KAZAKHSTAN!!! So very excited for both of you! I hope tomorrow is everything you've been dreaming of – try heard to relax, breath, and take it all in!
The Metz's
Kristi, Jackson, and Ethen (koksheatua)
I am happy you are already in Almaty and your travel was safe. I can`t wait to hear about tomorrow. I will be thinking of you!!! Hugs,
I am happy you are already in Almaty and your travel was safe. I can`t wait to hear about tomorrow. I will be thinking of you!!! Hugs,
So glad to hear that you made it safely!!
I must ask, if your coordinator is named Tatyana, are you with EAC?? That was our agency as well, although we didn't have the pleasure of working with her for our adoption. But if this is the case, rest assured, you are in good hands!! =)
Saying prayers and sending good thoughts your way for tomorrow!!
Wow, you weren't kidding when you said you were leaving soon! I'm so thankful your travels have been smooth and fast so far.
That is totally wild about Tatyana. I bet in a way, it helped with the homesickness too. Small world, huh?
I can't wait for tomorrow. I hope all goes well. It sounds like you have a great outlook.
Oh hey, and you know what? You're in Kazakhstan!!!!!!! 🙂
Best wishes from Austin! I returned last weekend with my second Kaz heartthrob. I wish you the best! Susan
Best wishes from Austin! I returned last weekend with my second Kaz heartthrob. I wish you the best! Susan
WOW! So I guess it's safe to say you're ON THE BUS now!!! 🙂
Seriously, I am holding my breath for you. What an exciting and wonderful time. I so distinctly remember that crazy mix of feelings you must be feeling right now. There is nothing like it – Calm, fear, peace, anxiety, strangeness, familiarity, excitement, panic, etc. It's all there mixed up into a strange brew. I actually miss it. 🙂
Here's hoping you meet your son and today is the day of your (and his) happily ever after!
Lots of love and enduring support!
xoxo,
Regina
WOW! So I guess it's safe to say you're ON THE BUS now!!! 🙂
Seriously, I am holding my breath for you. What an exciting and wonderful time. I so distinctly remember that crazy mix of feelings you must be feeling right now. There is nothing like it – Calm, fear, peace, anxiety, strangeness, familiarity, excitement, panic, etc. It's all there mixed up into a strange brew. I actually miss it. 🙂
Here's hoping you meet your son and today is the day of your (and his) happily ever after!
Lots of love and enduring support!
xoxo,
Regina
YAY!!!! You are in Almaty! I'm so happy and excited for you! Hugs
YAY!!!! You are in Almaty! I'm so happy and excited for you! Hugs
YAY!!!! You are in Almaty! I'm so happy and excited for you! Hugs