Our friends in Karaganda & a quick adoption process update

We have met some other adoptive families at the baby house, and it has been great to chat with them during our daily visits, and run into them while out and about. (With only a few wifi cafes and a limited number of restaurants with an English menu, we tend to bump into each other a bit!) Here they are:

Troy, Theresa (from NJ) and Grace - their adoption was just finalized (congrats!!) and they're awaiting final paperwork and passport. They have been here since the end of March! Their blog is http://tntc.wordpress.com.

Heather, Don & Judy (from TX) and Sasha / soon-to-be Sylvia. Heather, her dad and darling 4 year old daughter are our ‘travel partners.’ If things work out, Heather and I will return here in June for our 2nd trip together. Russ and I love to see Judy, but oh does it make us miss A & K!

Cecile (from France) and Sarah, who was in Valeria’s “gruppe.” I have spoken more French in the past 10 days, than I had in the past 10 years prior! It has been such a pleasure spending time with both of them.

Jenny & Chris (from Canada) and Addison & Catrin, who are 1 year-old twins.

We've also met a nice couple from Belgium who are adopting Daria, 6, and her brother Dima, 4. Here is a picture of Daria.


It is a nice “community” of cool people - we've enjoyed and appreciated their stories and advice (from “be prepared for this kind of question from the social worker,” to “don’t buy the shiskabob flavored Lay’s, they are gross!”)

Want to close with an update on the adoption process. We have now officially completed the 14 day visitation period, and our paperwork is being submitted to the judge today for his review. This is normal procedure and timing, so we are still on schedule as planned. But, it's nice to have one more step completed.