The following was written on Saturday, April 26th:
We are back in Moscow and our goal today is Red Square. The driving here is a little more civil, and there are dashed lines for individual lanes on the major thoroughfares.
We are staying in the Holiday Inn-Sokolniki. It is new hotel with all the amenities of an American hotel. We are staying on the 10th floor of the 25 floor high rise. Unfortunately, our room does not come with a complimentary breakfast. In the morning we will decide if we are hungry enough to pay 800 rubles ($35) each for the breakfast buffet. Geoff would like to find a small Russian café.
The 4-hour flight from Krasnoyarsk to Moscow was almost uneventful. An older lady in front of us had a teacup Chihuahua in her coat during the trip. We didn’t notice it until about an hour before landing. We thought someone was passing gas (Geoff got an elbow to the ribs), and we jokingly blamed it on the dog.
As soon as we landed, we saw the lady try to pass a fist-sized bundle of newspaper to a man standing by the restroom to Mona, who was in our row. When Mona wouldn't accept it, she finally convinced a man behind us to take the bundle and throw it away. As it passed our row it was painfully clear she had “passed the poo”, and Karey almost lost her lunch! Only in Russia (or not?)!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
We are home!
We made it home this morning around 1 am. After we are caught up on some sleep we will update you on our last few days in Russia. Thanks for all your prayers!!
Friday, April 25, 2008
Last Day in Kras
Our second full day in Krasnoyarsk
This morning Geoff and I were able to get out for a walk to explore some of the city. It was early morning and the clean up crews were busy. Lots of people are out at night drinking and it appears no one makes use of the few trash cans available. By around 9 am it is clean again. Our hotel faces the river, and the area between the hotel and the river is essentially a party patio at night. The local twenty-somethings party there every night.
This afternoon we got a document notarized, and then went to lunch. Geoff does very well with different kinds of foods. I don’t mine trying different foods, but I tend to like flavor and Russian food doesn’t have much. A lot of their food to me is bland. I will probably loose weight here on our second trip, which we are hoping will be in early July.
After lunch we were able to visit our boy. He was very reserved at first, then warmed up to Geoff really well. He is very much all boy. He loved for Geoff to swing him in the air and do the airplane.
We did decide on a name today, but I would like to make sure my kids know first. So I will post the name later.
We leave for the airport at 4:45am. Our flight is at 7am and we arrive in Moscow at 7am. So we will have a full day in Moscow to be tourist.
As for driving, it is crazy. Many of the roads have no lines or medians, and the ones that have lines have only center lines with no dashed lines to separate lanes of traffic. There are a few traffic lights, but they appear to be suggestions rather than laws. There are large round-abouts, as in England, but they are not for the bashful. Again, no lanes and hesitation is weakness—you will be assimilated! U-turns are fascinating. They occur (unmarked, but at common locations) just before you reach an intersection. Most people use their turn signal (again, optional), and seize any opening in on-coming traffic to quickly execute a 180. If there is no opening, you stop in middle of the road until you can bully your way through the turn. While turn signals are optional, horns are not.
As far a parking goes, any bare piece of pavement, sidewalk, or dirt works. Airport parking is amazing. No lines, no tickets, no organization!
As Tigger would say, TTFN
This morning Geoff and I were able to get out for a walk to explore some of the city. It was early morning and the clean up crews were busy. Lots of people are out at night drinking and it appears no one makes use of the few trash cans available. By around 9 am it is clean again. Our hotel faces the river, and the area between the hotel and the river is essentially a party patio at night. The local twenty-somethings party there every night.
This afternoon we got a document notarized, and then went to lunch. Geoff does very well with different kinds of foods. I don’t mine trying different foods, but I tend to like flavor and Russian food doesn’t have much. A lot of their food to me is bland. I will probably loose weight here on our second trip, which we are hoping will be in early July.
After lunch we were able to visit our boy. He was very reserved at first, then warmed up to Geoff really well. He is very much all boy. He loved for Geoff to swing him in the air and do the airplane.
We did decide on a name today, but I would like to make sure my kids know first. So I will post the name later.
We leave for the airport at 4:45am. Our flight is at 7am and we arrive in Moscow at 7am. So we will have a full day in Moscow to be tourist.
As for driving, it is crazy. Many of the roads have no lines or medians, and the ones that have lines have only center lines with no dashed lines to separate lanes of traffic. There are a few traffic lights, but they appear to be suggestions rather than laws. There are large round-abouts, as in England, but they are not for the bashful. Again, no lanes and hesitation is weakness—you will be assimilated! U-turns are fascinating. They occur (unmarked, but at common locations) just before you reach an intersection. Most people use their turn signal (again, optional), and seize any opening in on-coming traffic to quickly execute a 180. If there is no opening, you stop in middle of the road until you can bully your way through the turn. While turn signals are optional, horns are not.
As far a parking goes, any bare piece of pavement, sidewalk, or dirt works. Airport parking is amazing. No lines, no tickets, no organization!
As Tigger would say, TTFN
Thursday, April 24, 2008
The Meeting
We finally got to meet him!
Yesterday around noon we met with Oleg and Sveta (our CHI rep and interpreter). They took us to the MOE (Ministry of Education) to get permission to meet our boy. We got asked several questions like: What our names are, what we do, how old are we, asked us to give a brief description of our history, why we want to adopt from Russia, do we have kids, what do the kids think of adoption, and do we know about the post adoption follow up report? I feel their main question was, “Why did you pick Russia verses any other country?” That was the hardest question to answer. After the question, they told us a little more information about our boy and showed us pictures of him. He is very cute!!
After our visit with the MOE we set off for lunch at an Irish pub. Our reps said it was a favorite of Americans and had very cheap lunches. The restaurant was an adventure. They served us in courses. First, we had a choice of salad (not the lettuce type, I picked the cucumber salad. It was shredded cucumbers and tomatoes coated with oil and dill.) Then we got served a big bowl of soup. I chose a tasty chicken broth with slices of hardboiled egg in it. Then we were served the main dish. I had beef stroganoff with mashed potatoes. Finally, they served hot tea with a dessert--a choice of a cookie or fired pancakes. Notice that no drink was served until the end. We were extremely thirsty and asked for water “with no gas”. As in Europe, carbonated water is the norm.
After our meal we headed to the orphanage to meet the director. We again got asked the same questions; we were a little more prepared this time. Finally, we were allowed to visit with our boy. He is high energy and loves attention. Medical wise, he appears to be a very healthy boy.
Geoff and I were so tired due to lack of sleep since we left home that went directly to the hotel and slept. We slept from 8pm to 5 am. We feel much better now as we watch the sun rise over the Yenesie River. Thanks so much for your prayers.
In the next post I will tell you about their driving. That is a story book in itself.
Yesterday around noon we met with Oleg and Sveta (our CHI rep and interpreter). They took us to the MOE (Ministry of Education) to get permission to meet our boy. We got asked several questions like: What our names are, what we do, how old are we, asked us to give a brief description of our history, why we want to adopt from Russia, do we have kids, what do the kids think of adoption, and do we know about the post adoption follow up report? I feel their main question was, “Why did you pick Russia verses any other country?” That was the hardest question to answer. After the question, they told us a little more information about our boy and showed us pictures of him. He is very cute!!
After our visit with the MOE we set off for lunch at an Irish pub. Our reps said it was a favorite of Americans and had very cheap lunches. The restaurant was an adventure. They served us in courses. First, we had a choice of salad (not the lettuce type, I picked the cucumber salad. It was shredded cucumbers and tomatoes coated with oil and dill.) Then we got served a big bowl of soup. I chose a tasty chicken broth with slices of hardboiled egg in it. Then we were served the main dish. I had beef stroganoff with mashed potatoes. Finally, they served hot tea with a dessert--a choice of a cookie or fired pancakes. Notice that no drink was served until the end. We were extremely thirsty and asked for water “with no gas”. As in Europe, carbonated water is the norm.
After our meal we headed to the orphanage to meet the director. We again got asked the same questions; we were a little more prepared this time. Finally, we were allowed to visit with our boy. He is high energy and loves attention. Medical wise, he appears to be a very healthy boy.
Geoff and I were so tired due to lack of sleep since we left home that went directly to the hotel and slept. We slept from 8pm to 5 am. We feel much better now as we watch the sun rise over the Yenesie River. Thanks so much for your prayers.
In the next post I will tell you about their driving. That is a story book in itself.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
In Krasnoyarsk!!
We made it to Moscow!! What a flight that was, being in the air for over 11hours. We watched several movies. The plane was noisy and we missed much of the dialogue, but at least it helped pass the time. The food on the flight was just plain awful—the snack mix we brought was a tummy saver.
Upon arriving at Moscow we were met by our interpreter Mia. We got our money exchanged to rubles. I hope the exchange rate is better for our next trip!
After cancelling our Moscow hotel reservations we found out we needed reservations after all. Mia gave us the option of hanging out at the Domestic airport for eight hours or getting a hotel room to get freshened up and sleep. So we chose the hotel room. Geoff did the math and we ended up paying $50 per hour for the six hours we were there, but it was well worth it. So glad to get some sleep and take a bath. You ought to see the room. We opened the door and were surprised to see 2 very small twin beds. We got pictures of the room. Hopefully, we can attach it here.
After some much needed rest, we met up with another lady who is a with us to adopt in Krasnoyarsk, but from a different baby home. Also, got to meet the CHI reps., while they took the other lady to the airport, we were left behind to pack our things and take a shuttle to the airport. So at 7:15 we asked for the shuttle just to find out we missed it by 5 minutes and the next run would make us late for our flight. We called the CHI reps to come rescue us. Talk about driving and parking in Moscow, I don’t think I would ever be able to drive if I lived there. It was just a mess. We made it to the domestic airport just fine. We noticed that when a plane loads and unloads passengers, it does so out on the tarmac. You either walk out to your plane, or you take a bus to your plane. I thought that very strange.
The food on that flight was very good. I was so hungry. Geoff and I were not able to sit together on that flight. It was completely booked. I sat between a man who spoke English and a lady who was quiet most of the flight. It wasn’t till we were about to land that I found out the lady spoke some English. Oh, that was a 4-hour flight from Moscow to Krasnoyarsk. We left at 9 pm and arrived in Kras at just after 5 am, with the 4-hour time change.
We are now in the Hotel Krasnoyarsk. It is a much nicer room. I would call it more a suite. Oh and get this, it has a bidet! I had never seen one before. Our plan it to sleep some and then meet up with our reps at 11:45 to go to the Ministry of Education to get permission to see our little boy. After that lunch and then the baby home.
Thanks so much for your prayers!! Keep them coming.
Upon arriving at Moscow we were met by our interpreter Mia. We got our money exchanged to rubles. I hope the exchange rate is better for our next trip!
After cancelling our Moscow hotel reservations we found out we needed reservations after all. Mia gave us the option of hanging out at the Domestic airport for eight hours or getting a hotel room to get freshened up and sleep. So we chose the hotel room. Geoff did the math and we ended up paying $50 per hour for the six hours we were there, but it was well worth it. So glad to get some sleep and take a bath. You ought to see the room. We opened the door and were surprised to see 2 very small twin beds. We got pictures of the room. Hopefully, we can attach it here.
After some much needed rest, we met up with another lady who is a with us to adopt in Krasnoyarsk, but from a different baby home. Also, got to meet the CHI reps., while they took the other lady to the airport, we were left behind to pack our things and take a shuttle to the airport. So at 7:15 we asked for the shuttle just to find out we missed it by 5 minutes and the next run would make us late for our flight. We called the CHI reps to come rescue us. Talk about driving and parking in Moscow, I don’t think I would ever be able to drive if I lived there. It was just a mess. We made it to the domestic airport just fine. We noticed that when a plane loads and unloads passengers, it does so out on the tarmac. You either walk out to your plane, or you take a bus to your plane. I thought that very strange.
The food on that flight was very good. I was so hungry. Geoff and I were not able to sit together on that flight. It was completely booked. I sat between a man who spoke English and a lady who was quiet most of the flight. It wasn’t till we were about to land that I found out the lady spoke some English. Oh, that was a 4-hour flight from Moscow to Krasnoyarsk. We left at 9 pm and arrived in Kras at just after 5 am, with the 4-hour time change.
We are now in the Hotel Krasnoyarsk. It is a much nicer room. I would call it more a suite. Oh and get this, it has a bidet! I had never seen one before. Our plan it to sleep some and then meet up with our reps at 11:45 to go to the Ministry of Education to get permission to see our little boy. After that lunch and then the baby home.
Thanks so much for your prayers!! Keep them coming.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Ready to go
We have our bags packed and are ready to go. We finally got the picture album for the baby done. That proved to be a bigger job than we had planned. The kids' allergies are doing well, and we are having such beautiful weather here. We managed to get out and go for walks these last couple days.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Ready for Travel
Just 2 days left before we leave. I finally feel that we are ready to go. It has been so nice having my mom here a few days early. The house is clean and and the bags are already half way packed.
We fly out of KC Tuesday morning, so I probably won't post again till Wednesday. Please keep us in your prayers.
We fly out of KC Tuesday morning, so I probably won't post again till Wednesday. Please keep us in your prayers.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Getting ready
Wow, these last few days have had me going crazy! Geoff and I got the results back from the blood test and the x-rays. We got a scare with Geoff's x-ray. The doctor thought he may have found a nodule on his lungs, so Geoff had more x-rays taken. We just found out that it was nothing. YEAH!!
The visas arrived today. All of our medical forms are notarized, so tomorrow I need to run to Topeka to get them apostilled. Tomorrow is also the last day of SAT testing for Joel. Melissa finished her testing today. My mom flies in tomorrow after I pick up Mandy from school
It finally feels like we are going on a trip.
The visas arrived today. All of our medical forms are notarized, so tomorrow I need to run to Topeka to get them apostilled. Tomorrow is also the last day of SAT testing for Joel. Melissa finished her testing today. My mom flies in tomorrow after I pick up Mandy from school
It finally feels like we are going on a trip.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Gifts
I took the kids shopping yesterday, and they each had a fun time picking out a gift for brother. Mandy picked out a small backhoe, and Joel chose a toy airplane and a Thomas the Train book. Melissa had a hard time deciding what to get (to many choices). So we will return there again Saturday.
We have a really crazy week this week. They all have SAT testing this week. So we need to be extra careful to get them to bed on time. Geoff and I had to hire a babysitter for our Monday night CHI meeting, just so the kids get to bed on time. Generally they come with us and meet other kids whose parents are adopting also.
Right now Geoff is checking out our different phone options for Russia. I will have to up date you on that latter. Till then .........
We have a really crazy week this week. They all have SAT testing this week. So we need to be extra careful to get them to bed on time. Geoff and I had to hire a babysitter for our Monday night CHI meeting, just so the kids get to bed on time. Generally they come with us and meet other kids whose parents are adopting also.
Right now Geoff is checking out our different phone options for Russia. I will have to up date you on that latter. Till then .........
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Blood Work
We got the blood work and x-rays done yesterday, ando far all looks good. The only problem we may have is the blood work results. Geoff and I had gotten our shots for Hep. A & B this week and had to get blood drawn for Hep. C testing yesterday. Hopefully, there won't be any problems with antibodies. We don't know enough about the differences in hep strains to know if there may be an issue.
After picking up the test results Monday it is off to get the paper work apostilled.
Thanks so much for voting on brother's new name!
After picking up the test results Monday it is off to get the paper work apostilled.
Thanks so much for voting on brother's new name!
Friday, April 11, 2008
RECOUNT!!
First I have to apologize for our poll not working well. It is actually my fault. Once someone votes I can't edit the names. Needless to say, I had several request to add Garrett to that list. So I had to delete all the votes in order to add the name. I think we have all the names now. We are trying to figure out how to get the votes back on. Bare with us, until then please vote again!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Medical
Well, it looks like we are still not done getting poked. We have to get some blood work done on Friday along with a chest x-ray. For blood, they are testing us for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis. The x-ray is to prove nothing is wrong with our heart. Then we head to the doctors for him to say we have no: infections, dermatology, neurology, oncology, narcology, psychiatry or pulmonology problems. Sure glad I am not a doctor. But that will not be the end of it. When we get to Moscow we have to see 8 doctors to more of less say the same thing. Seeing doctors in Moscow will be $750 just for one of us.
As for the kids we are leaving behind, they seem to be getting more and more activities to do. Joel and Melissa just got invited to a Royals game. Oh by the way, GO JAYHAWKS!! That was one very tense game.
As for the kids we are leaving behind, they seem to be getting more and more activities to do. Joel and Melissa just got invited to a Royals game. Oh by the way, GO JAYHAWKS!! That was one very tense game.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
SHOTS
Well, Geoff and I got shots taken care of today. I had to get HEP A & B and then Typhoid. Geoff only had to get HEP B and Typhoid. Glad that is taken care of! Now I need to get some toy gifts for our boy and some snacks. Don't know about you, but I am not a shopper. So that will probably get put off for a few days.
Geoff and I do Children's Church, so we are going to get some help from the kids on names. Can't wait to see what they suggest. That reminds me, I need to get someone to cover for us the Sunday we are gone. That shouldn't be too hard.
Geoff and I do Children's Church, so we are going to get some help from the kids on names. Can't wait to see what they suggest. That reminds me, I need to get someone to cover for us the Sunday we are gone. That shouldn't be too hard.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Travel Dates
Just got our travel dates today. We leave for Russia on the 22nd. So we are counting down the days now. We got our visas, airfares and motel reservations all taken care of today. It has been a very exhausting day, but so much was done. Now we have to find time to get all the necessary shots.
I also have to work on getting the paper work together. Buy some toys and snacks for our soon to be son. We are still trying to decide on a name. Would like it to start with a J. Any ideas?
I also have to work on getting the paper work together. Buy some toys and snacks for our soon to be son. We are still trying to decide on a name. Would like it to start with a J. Any ideas?
Friday, April 4, 2008
We got the CALL!!!!
Just got off the phone with CHI. We have a referral for a boy. We are all so excited. We hope to get a call on Monday with travel dates to Russia. After that call we will be going crazy trying to get tickets, visas, hotel reservations, etc. From what I understand, we should be in Russia around April 24th. Let you know more on Monday.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
We are getting closer to the time!!!
Just got a call from CHI today, asking if we would take a child with Eurasian features. Of course, we said YES!!. Geoff asked what that means in waiting time for us. The agent said, being that you are already registered in the region and they are asking you personally, very soon. Probably within a month or 2.
We (including the kids) are very excited. At least we know the time is near. Called my mom in NC to make sure she can still fly out here to watch the kids when we go. She said yes. She is just waiting for the call. That is a big relief for us. Thanks MOM!!!
Now to just get that photo album together for our new son!
We (including the kids) are very excited. At least we know the time is near. Called my mom in NC to make sure she can still fly out here to watch the kids when we go. She said yes. She is just waiting for the call. That is a big relief for us. Thanks MOM!!!
Now to just get that photo album together for our new son!
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