Coming Home!

Quick post because I have to get to sleep to make an early flight. Success at the U.S. Embassy today. Nicholas' visa was issued in his Kazakhstani passport and he will become a U.S. citizen upon entry! Next stop: London.

All is well with Nicholas. Tonight he pulled his blankie over me, making sure it was tucked nicely under my neck--it's blue and silky, a gift from Grandma Barbie, sent for him on the first trip. Nicky had it on his little cot for a month at the orphanage before I came back. He's very attached to it and his "sabatchka" (stuffed doggy) that Katrina gave to him from her collection.

We've been playing with Elena, his little friend from the Dosky Dom (orphanage), who will soon be leaving for California with her new Dad. She has not been feeling well, gets terribly carsick, and Nicholas is so sweet to her. It's nice to see that he can get really wound up, but can also be quite gentle.

Here's a photo of cousin Cole. Isn't there a family resemblance? Well, I can't wait to get these good ol' boys together for a little 4-wheelin' and skeet-shootin' at the cabin. Actually that may have to wait. But Aunt/sister Deb is planning to visit with Cole and big sister, Marissa, in August. I can't wait to see the two little guys together!

I miss my girls terribly, just terribly. I'm going to be a bawling mess when I see them, and my dashing, handsome husband, at O'hare. The worst thing about how long adoption takes is the children left at home. Today at the Embassy I met a woman from Salt Lake, adopting a severely handicapped, but very happy, six year old girl. She has 5 kids back home waiting for her. She got the visa today too, so the journey is almost over for them as well. And the best is ahead! Cheerie-o.

Holland Boy: A Chip Off the Old Block

I’m afraid that bloodlines are not the only indication of a child’s true nature. Stephanie validated as much for us yesterday after a trying day with Nicholas in Almaty, the capital of Kazakhstan. Let’s just say that our boy tested his boundaries throughout the day. It seemed all was well by the afternoon when Stephanie took her young charge to the pool at the Hyatt, where they were staying for one night of recuperation following 12 days in Ust.

I’m not sure exactly what transpired at the pool… only that it ended with our digital camera at its bottom. This is the second camera claimed by Kazakhstan (the first was dropped, lens first, on the pavement in a park).

This second camera was actually a gift for Sophie, to reward her for outstanding grades (7 A’s and 2 B’s). Lucky for little Nicky that Sophie is 6,481 miles away, or he would have experienced his first big sister beat-down.

But nearly all else is well. Stephanie is still wearing the same clothes she traveled in (they’ll be donated to the Science and Industry museum upon her return). We should have the results of Nicky’s visit to the SOS Clinic any day, and tomorrow Stephanie will take him to the US Embassy for his passport. We’ll need to keep him away from the camera of course, or be forced to use the image above until we can properly restrain the boy.

Those of you who have know me since my youth must find this terribly amusing. It’s nice how things come full circle.