Greetings from Almaty!
Today is Jon and Julie's 5th wedding anniversary. When we answered our door this morning to let our coordinator in so we could get going to the baby house, she brought the driver up with her, and she handed me a bag with a gift and he handed me white roses! The gift was a traditional Kazakh husband and wife doll. I have to say it started the day off on a great foot : )
We then headed to the baby house for the celebration of the children. The baby house was decorated with stuffed animals, balloons, streamers, plastic monkeys and donkeys. Very nicely done by the staff at the baby house. We were the first and only family that was invited to attend this celebration. The families that normally visit in the morning were asked to come later today. Jon and I feel EXTRA special to have been there. We of course went and scooped up Miss Lucy, who seemed very happy to see us (she was so cute standing in the play pen smiling over at us).
We were then asked to go to the music room upstairs. All the baby house officials and staff, and children were sitting and there was an open area for a performance. We were so surprised to see all the 3 and 4 year olds dressed in there Sunday best (were talking tuxedo vests and ties on the boys and very fancy dresses on the girls) and they sang and put on a performance for the group. It was FANTASTIC! Of course Lucy had a different agenda while this was going on, and was wanting to get down and crawl, so I got to experience what it feels like to stand in the back of the room with the fussy baby (just kidding). : )
We took TONS of pictures and I will share a few, that is as soon as the darn Internet cafe is back up and running. We walked over again today to find out that it's still not up. Jon is scooping the map right now to figure out were there sister site is, and if it's close we will pack up the bag and head over there tonight or first thing in the morning. We are now up to about 100 pictures needing to be transferred. If no luck, we will ask our coordinator to direct us to another place tomorrow after we get back from the mountains.
After our exciting morning at the baby house, our coordinator took us out to lunch (wine, beer and all) on her for our "celebration". She toasted us several times and also told us we are the youngest couple she knows that has adopted from Kazakhstan. We did not eat Kazakh food, but rather Chinese (her pick). She also told us she is very happy that Lucy Zhanna has found a loving family, and she knows that the baby house feels the same way. She hopes to come visit us in Boston some day, and she also hopes we will come and visit her in Washington D.C in a year or two when she goes to visit a few other families. We told her we would do our best : )
We certainly feel lucky to have found our special girl on the other side of the world. We just can't wait to take her to our side : )
4 comments:
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY What a wonderful way to spend it. This is an Anniversary I'm sure you will never forget.
Aww.. What an incredible way to spend your anniversary, and tremendous memories to go along. How amazing is it that your anniversary and the special children's day coincided? Happy Anniversary!
Happy, Happy Anniversary!!! What a great way to celebrate. Sounds so special with the celebration at the baby house as well. We check in every few days and love to get the updates and pictures of Lucy. She is just too cute!!! We can't wait to meet her. We are so happy for you guys. Hope you had a great time in the mountains as well.
WOW What a wonderful day. That is a spectacular anniversary. Also seems you have kissed up well to the stuff - hee hee. I am amazed all the time at this story. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. Oh had to laugh the fussy baby comment. I am all over the place now every cabinet, draw, magazine, door, remote, computer is open touched, licked etc. They are busy busy babies. Well i miss you and love this adventure. THis blog is really a wonderful idea. I cant wait for the pictures.
Post a Comment