Upon further review...a few more photos

Hi once more

Upon further review, a request has been made to post a few photos from the holidays...here's one with Grandma in Indiana, Grandpa and Grandma in Michigan...and one of the time tested method of how to get down the stairs. Boy-style. Our nephews used this same method when they visited ABUS years and years ago.....remember that Ben and James, and Ryan, and Corey and Nick and 1st Cousin Mike. After all, boys will be boys....in the USA and from Kaz' too.

And oh yes...Daniel met Father Frost on NY Eve at a Russian Celebration we attended. He got to speak Russkie all night long and even managed to stay up till 1 with his new friends.

Kindergarten and SnowMan update

HI All

Here's a few photos taken in the last few days....We had about 6 inches of snow 1/1/08, so Daniel had a good time playing with his new friends. And he even received a New Year's gift from a neighbor...a new sled. Big enough for two to ride. Yippee.

The highlight, and adjustment for the week for Papa and Mama and Daniel has been Kindergarten. Here's a few photos from Monday...he was ready on Monday at 7 and even opened the front door. Plus here's a photo of Mama and her baby's first day in school. She was heard to said .... it just seems like a few weeks ago we got him home, and now he's off to school already. Where has the time gone. LOL LOL

Plus a shot at the playground in our local mall, and another from Day 1 with his new friend....also a Russian speaking new arrival to America. We are hoping to connect with his parents and perhaps help the boys get together outside of school.


Thursday AM...we will try to meet the bus for Daniel's first bus ride to school. Our first attempt this morning did not work out....so try try again. Stay tuned!!!



Enjoy

Mama, Daniel, and Papa

Home with Daniel....Because of Kaz!!!

Greetings from the home front...at long last....we are all together - and adjusting.

Papa and Daniel touched down at O'Hare on Friday afternoon...and America's Newest Citizen became official. Daniel Jake.

What an ordeal...the flight out of Almaty on Thursday was delayed from 2 am to 1 PM...and that was after Papa had to return the cell phone and the local adoption folks had said goodbye. We checked out the near by dump, AKA hotel, but it did not offer a toilet and the receptionist must have been having another bad bad day. Did I mention it was a dump.

So, we headed back into the terminal with Daniel Jake finally dozing off from 1 to 5 am. The terminal is small, and was filled to capacity with Muslims heading to Mecca. Finally, at noon we were able to check in and wait for the departure to Frankfort. But no sooner had we sat down in the terminal, a very older Kazakhstan woman was hugging and hugging Papa. Initially, she seemed to be happy that a child was being adopted....yet it became clear....she was very happy and had had too much sauce with her borsh .... or horse...or pancakes that day at lunch. We were able to find a new spot in the terminal and avoided her entirely.

Again, this was Thursday, the day we were suppose to arrive at O'Hare....but with the delay in leaving, we missed our connecting flight to Chicago. So after getting more papers signed and waiting and waiting for forms to be processed, the airline put us up for the night in a very nice hotel. Some of the photos below include a ginger bread house on display in the lobby. Meanwhile, back at Ohare, Mama thought we were on the original flight and would be home on Thursday. After waiting, with a HUGE balloon for hours, she realized we were no shows. After many calls to our travel agency, she was finally told where we were and about the flight delays. ANd then at 1:30 am Frankfort time, Papa got a call from Mama. We were all ready for Friday's plans and being together soon.

We did finally make it home on Friday afternoon,,,,and have since been adjusting. Especially Daniel with the time changes. He woke up Saturday at 2 am, and we were all up after that for the day. And then Sunday and Monday, it was 4 am. Hopefully, if we can keep him up a bit later here on Monday evening, he will sleep in till 6 or so. Plus we are heading out soon to check out the Christmas lights.

Sure can not thank you all enough for your support and encouragement this year, and especially during our first trip in October, and the final trip this month. It sure means a lot to us...and some day down the road we will share your comments and the like with Daniel.


Here's a sampling of photos...







Daniel studying the safety guide on the airplane...he did this on each flight!!













One of the ginger bread houses in Germany....yummy










One from Uganda and one from Kaz'....not all that different, eh.
















Papa and Daniel with the Big Balloon from Mama











Elf Daniel shopping at Lowes. Mama and Papa are also learning how to shop with Daniel.

Mama and Daniel for his first hamburger in America...the happy meal toy was the best part!!!

Daniel wants to take a spin around the block and check out the young babes in the neighborhood. Mama and Papa can wait a few years while his legs get long enough to reach the pedals...and is also able see over the dash. Look out Ladies!!!


Love to all, Becky and Steve

What a Christmas this will be!!!!!

Daniel Jake...America's Newest Citizen

HI All

A note here just to let you all know that America's Newest Citizen, Daniel Jake, touched down on America soil about 1:30 Central Time with Papa. What a great day. What an adventure it was!!

Will post some photos and some of the details on the ordeal we had getting in...and the ordeal Mama went thru here waiting for us. Stay tuned.

Daniel is sleeping the night away already...and Papa is soon to follow his lead. We were both up this morning at 1 am, Chicago Time, to catch our plane.

Thank goodness we live in the USA. And Thanks to Kaz too...more on this later.

Daniel and Mama and Papa

Touch down at Ohare Int'l on Thursday....

Wednesday AM here in Kaz'....that makes it 9 pm in Chicago and the Heartland. On Tuesday that is.

Got the flights changed to leave here on Thursday at 2 AM...and should be at Ohare on Thursday afternoon with America's newest citizen in tow. It will be exciting time...getting there, and then once we are home.

There are lots of Christmas trees and Santas around time. Sorrta surprised me there are so many, and I know understand they do celebrate...but there is no day off...and I have not seen any religious displays either.

Daniel and I enjoyed some Chicken wings for dinner. BBQ style. Plus some French Fries...he enjoyed those too. And this morning for breakfast, he seemed to enjoyed his pancakes with Chocolate...and then a couple with Sour Cream...and a few more with Molasses. Papa tried 'em all, but does prefer the Molasses by far over the other two toppings.

We should done at the embassy by the time the sun rises over the heartland. Then off to the airport to wait a few hours...and spend the rest of our tenge. It takes 12,000 tenge to make $100 US. Food and beverages are very inexpensive, and the meals have been good. Quite the variety of dishes and assorted fresh veggies and such. Plan to celebrate our last meal in Kaz with a Banana Split for lunch...along with a couple of bowls of borsh.

Thanks all. Do keep a look out for Lufthansa 430 out of Frankfurt at 10 AM and due to fly over Motown and or Fort Wayne around 2 pm Eastern. Papa and Daniel will belooking down and waving bye bye.

Daniel Jake and Papa

Tuesday afternoon in Almaty

Hi All

Enjoyed a good breakfast with Daniel here in the hotel. They have some sort of Molasses side dish and a thick chocolate pudding. Both of us loved it...Daniel more the Chocolate...and Papa the molasses. Yummy.

And I just finished my first, and last, dish of horse. Even Daniel ate a few bites. Some of the slices tasted like beeef, other slices....not so good. Plus there were pieces of fat in there too. I left those behind. The borsh soup is very good...and seems to be enouyght to fill up Daniel. He is a good eater.

Will get some more shopping in here later. Even after just three days, I have experienced the sadness of my son at Papa not buying him everything in the toy store. I know this has been experienced by many readers of our blog. My frustration was furthered by the fact that I could not get him to understand that NO meant Mama and Papa would get him a few toys in America.

We are doing well. Keep those posts coming!!!

Love, Daniel and Steve

In Almaty...with Daniel jake

Hi All

No photos here for the first posting from Trip 2. I have Daniel Jake next to me right now...our second day together. It is going well. We have taken two walks today, and he got his physical. Plus Papa signed more papers than one does for a mortgage....seemed like it anyways. WOW

We have Tuesday off.....And Wednesday, we should be at the Embassy. Hopefully we will be able to leave on Thrusdya AM...that would mean American's next citizen would land on Thursday the 13th. Stay tuned.

I will try to let ya know as best I can. This hotel does not have the internet stability that the hotel did in Ust Kamenogorsk. And traffic....it worse. Still those Kaz drivers that put all my commuter friends to shame.

Daniel did enjoy his airplane ride....no fears. He even managed to take a few photos out the window. And the best par t of the day was when we landed an hour or so after takeoff...he said....Chicago and Mama!

Only two more flights....on thursday...i pray and hope


Papa with Daniel"s head on my left hand. Time to wrestle

bye bye

Thursday the 8th

Hi All

Just a quick note to all. We got in safe and sound on Saturday and have been trying to adjust to the time, work, weather (it's warmer here in Chicagoland), and the like.

And Papa is still fighting off that same cough, running nose, ucking feeling from last week.

We will get some more photos and videos posted by the weekend.

Thanks all for your support and help. It was especially great to get back and receive so many phone calls from family and friends. Plus a surprise visit by Nick Ferrari...my man in West Berlin. Thanks Nick...and also to his Pa and Ma who tagged along for the visit.

Becky and Steve

Update from on the road...Almaty, KZ

Hi

Surprise Surprise....we got connected to the internet via Wi-Fi here in Almaty. One flight completed, two more to go.

Managed to pick up a few more souvenoirs here at the airport, and only about 9 more hours before we depart for Frankfurt at 4 am. But, hey, we ain't complaining about any of it. This is a breeze!!! LOL LOL

We sure do miss Daniel, but know we will all be together soon. Probably early December all the papers will be processed and Papa will fly back to bring him home. Trip should only take four to five days. Papa will be dressed for the Ust' (UP like weather) and Daniel will be dressed real warm too.

No photos here to add to this post. It is prohibited to take photos of the plane or in the airport. We were politely advised of this.....less, we would be writing you this posting from jail and looking for a rescue team.

We are ready to get home and will now have a few weeks to complete DJ's room, and lots of calls to make on various issues. Papa sure has missed making all those calls, and Mama has missed her TV shows....

OK....thanks for your responses and continued support and prayers on our journey, and now on our journey back to America. What a country!!!!

USA and Kazakhstan.....each.....What a country!!!

One last shout out to MTU. Goo You Huskies Goo and beat up Bucky the badger in Madtown. Bucky on a stick!!!!! Go Tech Go!!!!

Update from on the road...Almaty, KZ

2 November....It's a boy

Hi All Blog Folks

We know everyone there in America is probably asleep right now...it is 11 AM Ust' Time.

We just got back from court....it's official. We are the proud parent of a bouncing, jumping, eating, active, boy...108 cm tall, 19 kilo weight. Brown hair, brown eyes.

We will now leave the Shiny River Hotel on the Banks of the Ulba River. Our flight to Almaty is due in at 4 PM, local time. We will have leisurely 12 hour layover in Almaty. More sourvenoirs and coffee. MAYBE Vodka to celebrate!!!

Thanks again everyone for your support and prayers. Our dream has come true....Kaz we can...

Kaz we could!!! Kaz we did!!!!

Thursday Morning...still Halloween in USA

Hi All

This will be our next to last post until we get back to USA

Our court session is Friday morning, and then we hurry off to the airport to get there by 1:30 or so, local time. If at all possible, we are going to try and visit Daniel one last time.

We will post one more later today with a photo or three of you know who!!!

OK..OK....just one more from Tuesday

Hi all

Today is a two posting day....seems like all our attempts yesterday did not work. Hope these go thru AOK.

Friday is court...we leave Ust" at 3 pm, and then will have 12 hour layovers in Almaty and Frankfort. And back home to Illinois on Saturday nite.

Mama is fine...Papa is fighting yet another cold. UCK

two videos from Tuesday

Daniel at the piano and getting around Mama...he is quick!

Tuesday update

Just a few photos from Monday, and one video. Enjoy!
Our court date will be Friday at 10 AM...12 PM Fort Wayne and Dee Troit time.

We are now trying to get flights out of here and back to America. Could be home Saturday nite or Sunday....stay tuned.

Bye bye

Saturday, 27 October....M&Ms...Daniel's first taste

We spent the morning shopping in the malls and the Chinese Bazaar. What a maze of shops that was. Mama was getting a bit dizzy with all the nooks and krannies with all sorts of winter clothing, and furs, and shoes. It must have been around 20-25 degrees, and we enjoyed a good brisk four hour shopping spree.

Our primary target was the souvenir store which had been closed for two days due to the Republic holiday. It was closed again - we will try tomorrow. Papa did buy a new winter cap…very stylish…sorrta Kaz’ looking. Mama now wants to buy some jewelry for herself. Go Figure.

Daniel had on his new sandals today…the ones we got him yesterday. We also introduced him to M&Ms (see MOV below). He loved them, as he does just about everything we bring him including apples, raisins, cookies, yogurt, bananas, to name a few.

The highlights of our only visit today were Mama was the horsey and Daniel sure liked that ride. And then as we left the orphanage, he was up at his bedroom window waving bye bye. It was sweet.

Here’s one more photo to add to the blog. Our last official visit is Sunday (two visits) and then Monday we get papers processed for the courts and such.

Second week anniversary in Kaz'

Here's a shot of the Madisons, and our translator Alina, watching Daniel enjoy a video game. He was so excited to hear that one day he will have his own computer….he said “spasiba” and gave us both a hug. Oh, yes, he can count to ten in English. What a good boy!

Our second week anniversary

Seems like ages ago, yet it has only been two weeks since we left O’Hare and headed east. We have since caught up on our sleep, and sure have had some very good meals….Turkish, Kazakh, Russian, Chinese…and Pizza. Last night we had tomatoes, mushrooms, and garlic on one full size, plus one half. It was very good and had lots of garlic. Papa loves garlic and Mama loves Pizza!

Saturday is bath day, so we will just get one visit with Daniel. We plan to spend our morning and mid day shopping at the local malls and at the Chinese Bazaar. Many of the malls here in Oskemen are very much like “antique malls” that we have in America with a bunch of vendors with small booths and a variety of items…clothing, toys, jewelry, food, and the like. A few malls are more upscale and sell fashionable more expensive items.

One of the bazaars near our hotel, http://www.shinyriverhotel.kaz/, is a maze of many little shops….all outside. It really is A bazaar. There are a few shops inside small buildings including stores that sell beef, and pork, and horse (we presume it is horse!)..all of which have been butchered and laying on tables for viewing and purchase. We hope to get a picture of some of these more unusual stores and shops.

Kazakhstan is a country of diversity and contrasts….it is really hard to put into words. For example….some cars have steering wheels on the right side, others on the left; the hot water is on the right and cold is on the left; instant coffee is just as good our ground brewed coffee; the tomatoes and olives and fruits and fruit juices are all delicious - even now at 40 degrees or less - we enjoy them all as if we were home in July or August. We have eaten Russian, Kazakh, Chinese, and Turkish, and have enjoyed some very good pizza too. We still have yet to try horse…at least Papa wants too….Mama will watch.

Snow and cold in Oskemen on Thursday

Thursday…snow and cold in Oskemen

25 October is a national holiday of some sort for the Republic of Kazakhstan. So we were only able to visit Daniel in the morning. He was so excited with the make shift Nija Turtle outfit, watched a Nija movie in Russian, played Tic Tac Toe, stickers, and tried a new puzzle.

We sure enjoy each and every visit with Daniel. Our official bonding period ends on Sunday, and then by next Tuesday we should know when our court day will be. Here’s the latest photo of the Madison Family.


We did wake up to some snow this morning, and it was colder. Sure would be great to see the sun again…

Wednesday…would you believe, another rain delay

We woke up to another rainy wet day, and din’t even bother to take the birch bat to the ball lot. We were treated to a special fall program, and all the kids participated; one group of Russian children and second of Kazakh. The kids were all dressed up, and some were dressed in native Kaz attire. They sang, they danced, and recited poems. We even got to watch Daniel dancing with a girl - it was cute, of course. It was really a nice program put on by the orphanage.

We were very impressed and could tell the kids were proud of their activities and poems. Unfortunately we are not allowed to take ANY pictures of the kids, only of Daniel. It is the orphanage policy. Daniel did finish the sand art project and we all helped put it in a frame. See photo below. If you see this same art work on E-Bay, don’t buy it. It’s a fake. LOL LOL

We spent our time between visits eating lunch at a very good Chinese restaurant. Then we shopped at a number of places, and did see a few snow flurries. Nothing that stuck to the ground…..yet.

OK...one photo...and short video...hope they get thru to America and the World.

Tuesday 23.10.07 Second rain delay

Another rainy, wet, dreary, cold day in Kaz. Gloomy gloomy. Not a good day to play ball…just stay inside and play. Daniel watched the same Nija Turtle movie he saw yesterday, but this time, it was in English. He was glued to the screen again, and laughed and seemed to recognize what was going on.

We did take a few minutes today and resized the baseball bat. Daniel helped Papa with the hand saw, and no one got hurt or cut. Plus we took a different approach on the stickers, it is a sand art picture that you have to peel off the sticker, and then pour the various colors of sand on the sticky part. We got about 1/3 thru our first project - a bird in the jungle. It is quiet colorful.

We did make more progress on the computer games. Daniel’s mouse skills are improving, and he has learned how to enter his name….D a n i e l.

Ok…here’s today’s photo of Daniel in his muscle man undershirt.