Planning trip #3

Life is still a bit of a whirlwind trying to prepare for the newest member of the Gray family. We have decided that I will go back for trip #3 to take Daniyar to his appts and then fly home together. We are awaiting the dates for the travel. I am excited to be seeing him soon. We have a lot of work to do, packing, sorting clothing and toys, preparing Collin for life with a little brother. We are also trying to plan for time off work, medical appts for Daniyar and eventual preschool. Thanks for all of the ongoing support. I'll post again as soon as we have dates. Jacqueline

Home Again!

I finally had a few minutes after returning home to let everyone know we made it back OK. We got back Sunday night and went to bed right away after a 27 hour process of airports and plane trips. Collin did so well. He enjoyed the in-flight movies and games and played with his transformers and sticker books a lot. What a great helper, he really surprised us.

We are missing Daniyar already. Counting down the 4-5 weeks until we are all together again. It will be a good opportunity for me to learn some more Kazakh and get his room all put together. We hope the boys can enjoy the fall and Halloween together. Collin has already decided they should be Optimus Prime and Bumblebee (transformers for those of you who don't have small boys at home).

Thanks again for all of those who have offered support and prayers through this process. We can't thank you enough. We'll let you know when we hear more about the next trip and the "coming home" dates.

We are having some problems with our picture card but will try to post some pics later from the rest of our trip.

In Almaty!

We are here for our last day in Almaty! It is beautiful and sunny, in the 70's. We plan a nice lunch then a trip up to Kok-tobe on the gondola to the top of the mountain. I think Collin will like the childen's area up there. We fly out about 3am in the wee hours of tomorrow morning. I think we will get to the airport just after midnight. Collin is feeling well so hopefully no ear pain this time. We had a hard time saying goodbye to Daniyar yesterday but take some comfort in knowing it is our last goodbye. One month to having two sweet boys in our home. We will spend that time sorting clothes and toys to get ready for his arrival. We are so excited to get his room ready.
I am at the internet cafe and not sure how to download pics from here so we'll post more from home. Thanks for all of the good wishes. Jacqueline, Ed and the Collinator

Last day to visit

Today will be our last visit to the Baby House for this trip. We will go this morning and then we have to drive to Almaty to complete some paperwork for Daniyar's trip to the US. How fun to be talking about him coming home in a few weeks! We have been on the run since we got here, between documents, Baby House visits and keeping up with Collin. He has been a trooper. Even with the jet lag and an ear infection/fever at first, he has been a great big brother.
I am up at 1 am with the time shift trouble myself. I slept well for 2 nights due to flight exhaustion but now seem to have days and nights mixed up. Oh well, a little alone time is good, maybe I'll nap on the car trip. Love and hugs to all back home. I'll take more pics at the Baby House today. We had a battery shortage for the camera but now it is working. Jacqueline

Still Celebrating!

We are up bright and early on Thursday morning to prepare for visiting Daniyar and to take him for some photos for his travel paperwork. We also were asked to buy him a jacket to wear until he gets to come to the US. Apparently he has outgrown his old one and this has made him quite sad. They tried to give him a larger one but he wants one with a hood like his old one. Shopping...that's right up my alley!
We have to leave for Almaty on Friday to complete some paperwork and then we will fly home on Sunday. Sad to only have one more day of visits but eager to count down our 15 day waiting period and prepare to get our boys back together. Some pics of our City Plus celebration and our Kazakh tea party.

The Verdict is ....

Yes! We have a new Gray in the family. Announcing Daniyar Adam Gray! The judge was ill so we had to arrive for court and the process was short. He announced the decision to approve our adoption application. We are off to the City Plus to celebrate with some bumper car riding and dinner. I'll type more later. We are on top of the world. Thanks to all that have supported us. Jacqueline

Court Day

We are up early trying to do some last minute court preparation while Collin is still sleeping. We will be glad to get this day behind us. It has been a bit of a whirlwind since we landed. We have gotten to visit the Baby House once Monday and twice yesterday. Collin and Daniyar played so well together. Collin really likes Mika, our interpreter, who will watch him while we are in court today (we will have a different interpreter today for court). Collin had fun at the City Plus arcade yesterday, especially enjoying the bumper cars. They go much faster than the ones at Kings Island so he just loves them.
We think we will be in Taldy Korgan through Friday, then back to Almaty for a couple of days to prepare for our trip home and to work on some paperwork.
We are thinking of everyone back home. Please know we wish we could be with our family in Indiana as I was just told of a very ill family member that is in our prayers. We will try to stay posted through my sister Jennifer and visit when we make it back home.
Hope to be able to give good court news this afternoon. Jacqueline

We are here!

We just got our internet going but wanted to let everyone know we are safe in Taldy Korgan. Daniyar and Collin are playing very well together with a lot of hugs. We had good flights except Collin got an earache but now seems to be doing ok. This will be short as we have to prepare for court tomorrow but I promise pics later. We will hope to post good news tomorrow. Hi to all! Keep us in your prayers. Jac, Ed, Collin and Danny