We have new travel dates again.

We were notified by our agency tonight that we should plan on arriving in Ust Kamenogorsk on July 14. In order to arrive by that date we will need to leave NY by July 12. I have just checked availability online and there are flights and seats available so we will rebook again. We are that much closer to meeting and holding our beautiful daughter. What a journey it has been so far.

A Thought for Today

We witness a miracle every time a child enters into life.
But those who make their journey home across time & miles,
growing within the hearts of those who wait to love them,
are carried on the wings of destiny and placed among us
by God's very own hands.
--- Kristi Larson

Flights Rebooked

We rebooked the flights and are now officially (well as official as possible) scheduled to leave for Kazakhstan on July 18th. On the bright side Christopher will now be able to attend the moving up ceremony at school tomorrow and play in the last Little League baseball game of this season this Friday. He has also started an adoption journal for his baby sister to share with her when she can understand. We think its kind of neat to write down some of the experiences,expectations,emotions and life lessons he is learning on our way to his baby sister. It will also serve as a reminder to him when she is messing with his stuff. So for now we wait. Please keep us in your prayers.......

Delays

Well we wont be leaving today after all. Our agency notified us on Saturday that the official at the orphanage who handles all adoptions will be away until July 16. Needless to say we are all very disappointed. We had everything arranged. However we have chosen to look at this as an unanswered prayer. For some reason the time is not right. We thank our friends,family,co-workers and the adoption community for your kinds words of support and your prayers. We continue to wait in faith that Jesus will lead us to our child in his perfect time. So now the plan is to leave on July 18. One more month.......

Republic of Kazakhstan Visa

We received the Visa's today right on schedule as the Assistant Stork promised. Now we will confirm travel dates and choose seats on the airplane. I called the pediatrician and checked on Christophers immunizations just as a precaution . He is all up to date. We will all avoid any non bottled water and under cooked food. I will see the doctor tomorrow to obtain some travel medication. I am hoping I can get some antibiotics to take along in case of the routiene illness's.
Now all that is left is the daunting task of packing. Deciding what to take and how much. I have been on the adoption web sights for advise. Its really hard to focus as I am in labor right now and I am not supposed to be lifting or anxious ect...
So the time line goes as follows.... Departure JFK 9:10 June 20.... arrive Almaty,Kazakhstan 11:45pm on June 21. Then we will be met by our coordinator and taken to an apt for a few hours sleep. Our flight will leave Almaty for Ust Kamenogorsk at 7:20am on June 22. This is a 2.5 hour flight. We'll be met at the airport in Ust Kamenogorsk and taken to another apt where we will stay for the remainder of our time in Ust. I believe we will then be taken to the baby house to meet our daughter. TO BE CONTINUED>>>>>>>>>

Booked Flights

Our visa's will be here on June 13.Travel dates are June 20th. We will see and hold our precious daughter, and our son will have a sister by the 22 of June. It is almost hard to believe. Our faith has been tested and we have learned difficult life lessons in this international adoption process. However, God has been the leader in this journey, and we are going to bear witness to this wonderful miracle.

Ust Kamenogorsk Here We Come

The Assistant Stork will be filing for our visa's tomorrow. We are told we could possibly travel on June 20th, 2006. Tomorrow we will call the travel agent and check on flight availability. The excitement is building.

LOI ARRIVES

We have received our LOI. And so begins the next leg of our journey to the adoption of our beautiful daughter. The excitement in the air tonight is palpable. We have sent off our Visa applications to The Assistant Stork and believe they will be completed with in 3-5 days. Tomorrow I will contact the travel agent for flight reservations. We are hoping to be traveling within 10-14 days. God willing........