 | Jeff says:
After three days in this town, I believe the strong Russian resolve incorporated into my genetic code is making itself manifest. I have learned not to complain, much less to complain about people who complain. I have learned that having to dodge traffic to make it through a crosswalk is less of a reason to emotionally recoil than it is to be thrilled that one succeeded in doing so in the first place. I have learned that there is a subtle but significant difference between whining about the water in the shower being "brown" and rejoicing that the exact same water is "almost clear!"
I have learned that hearing Mason Williams' "Classical Gas" as a muzak "easy-listening" cover with reggae overtones sounds really weird in a medieval-decor restaurant, especially while one is munching schnitzel wrapped in hash browns.
We visited Guy Smiley twice today. He was a little more subdued than usual. We and our travel partners are actually enjoying just playing with the kids inside, bonding with them there. We bring the three of them into the music room and just spend a lot of time touching, tickling, lifting, walking, holding, offering our knuckles as chew toys...bonding, basically. We've brought a few toys for Alex. So far, he likes his colorful, plush turtle, and he really likes Winston, his puppy you saw getting CPR from him a few days ago. Winston has crinkly ears.
Alex' favorite thing to do so far is clearly to be lifted over our heads. It makes him laugh. We like his laugh, so we do that a lot, and if any of the US weightlifters are disqualified, we may be able to fill in in a pinch, so long as flights from here to Athens are easy. They really should have a baby-lifting event, with bonus points for squeals of delight. He's okay with tickles and kisses, too. Sometimes, he just wants to snuggle. I'm alright with that.
To tell the truth, I feel like this fourth and fifth visits were pretty much like the others, except that he cries less and less (not at all today, really), and he's in a different outfit each time. Other than that, I find myself thinking things like, "Oh, look! He's smiling like he smiled yesterday!" and "Rejoice! He's drooling just like yesterday!" and "Glory to God! He burped again." Well, I must say that *he's* having a fun time, so again, I have no complaints. And today I actually remembered to put the card in the camera, so there are pictures of the afternoon visit, too.
Actually, he did do something new today. He fished my pen out of my pocket. What a resourceful little guy!! (Although, I think he might have been in league with mama.) He was so curious about the bright blue color against my wine shirt. Once he got it out, he grasped it in the middle for a while and shook it around. Then he grabbed the non-business end and enjoyed repeatedly stabbing Winston, stabbing mama, stabbing daddy, and then stabbing himself. We called it quits after that. No one told me these little tykes could be so violent! The sub-dood must be subdued some more!
I confirmed that fishing yesterday afternoon's pictures off Dina's video camera will require a trip home, but it will be done! If we'd only thought to bring the Secure Digital card from the still camera Dina decided to leave at home, we could use the video camera very easily as a still camera. But all is well. We have plenty of pictures and footage!
Alex' leaky nose (which we may not have even mentioned yet) seems to have stopped. (There was a respiratory infection in the babyhouse a few weeks ago, but it would appear they pretty successfully quarantined that.) My nose's faucet, on the other hand, is occasionally in full-swing. I have strong suspicions that it has to do with the quality of engines on the roads, as it is most active immediately after our return from the babyhouse each visit. Take this as a prayer request for our health as opposed to a complaint. I know full-well that I could take a remedy, but I would rather be awake and alert to visit my boy than comfortably numbed by copious dosages of Benadryl. (Come to think of it, the phrase "stiff upper lip" comes to mind at the moment, so I suspect my genetically-induced resolve comes from both sides. Thanks, mom and dad!)
Yesterday, I finally had a chance to walk by the local Church. It is under construction, but it is indeed quite beautiful. I haven't been able to find anyone around to tell me about it, though. I assumed the icons in our drivers' windows were a sign of religious fervor, but they are apparently merely cultural symbols, good-luck charms. I hear the bells of the Church every morning and I am so drawn to go and worship. Those of you who know my religious sensibilities understand the pull I'm feeling. Prince Vladimir's emissaries brought Byzantine religious formulae back to the Russian people with a simple explanation that "we did not know whether we were in heaven or on earth." Unfortunately, all the liturgies start at 9:00am (judging from when the bells stop), and that timing doesn't work out very well for me to be ready to leave at 9:45 for our morning visits. I do have my priorities here, of course. I'm not sure I could stand up for a typical Russian four-hour liturgy anyway, of course, speaking of the Russian resolve. Those people impress me.
But in any case, the facility is gorgeous, small, ornate, lavish, and excellently landscaped. There are a few select photos in yesterday's section. Today I finally walked inside, but only very briefly, on my way--in the other direction--to get pieroshkies for dinner. It is indeed beautiful inside, and far less garish than I expected. It is small, and just dark enough to convey the ominousness of the presence of God while still allowing the beauty of His realm to be seen. I stayed for a moment to light a candle, pray, purchase a beautiful but extremely low-priced icon, and then be on my way.
Getting the pieroshkies was harder than praying, but only slightly. I wound up with four mystery items, and got home to find that they were lovely mushroom- and potato-filled pastries. Good enough for me! Best meal I've had yet while here! YUM!
On that subject, the four of us keep going to American restaurants. I'm so bored. I know I've already used the "when in Rome" cliché, but seriously, can you imagine going to Rome and eating in the American restaurants every day? Somethin' just ain't right with that, boy. I'm looking forward to more Russian and Kazakh food. I could really go for some borscht (if the weather would cool a little).
Speaking of purchasing things, it would appear that we've cleaned out the local pharmacy of Kreme ot Komarov ("cream against mosquitoes"). I'm surprised that no one here seems to know that that is, and I learned that there is no concept in the Russian language for "bug repellant." Perhaps they see them as fellow citizens? I sincerely hope not, or all of you will be visiting me in the Pavlodar Jail where I will be serving the remainder of my life sentence for the murder of innocent insects.
I am almost down to 600 pages remaining to read! I took out 26 pages because of an article I couldn't find, so I've artificially lessened the figure there, but by the end of tonight, I hope to be under the 600-page threshold and over 80% done with my reading for this class.
I mentioned in yesterday's journal that Assia just laughs at me when I try to use Russian. Actually, that's not quite true. After I wrote that yesterday, she paid me the hugest compliment. We were in the car and she asked me what other languages I know. I told her that aside from English, German was my next-best bet, but even that was only on the level of a four-year-old or so. My Russian, I explained, was based on my creative use of about 50 words. She said she was surprised, and said, "You speak with almost no accent." Coming from her, I take it as a huge compliment. But I also must give kudos to my two sources, my best friend and great accent imitator, Jonathan Pryer, and my Russian conversation professor (whose name slips my mind at the moment, but whom Jonathan most likely remembers).
Of course, I did let her know this morning about the time during my Russian oral final when I told my professor that I was nineteen years old and that my then-girlfriend was "also nine hundred." She thought that was very funny.
I did have another chance to practice a bit last night. At someone's suggestion (perhaps Masha's, our partners' interpreter?), we all went to a local football game. (That's soccer, for those of you amerocentric folks.) It was almost cute. The 100 Tenge admission fee seemed fairly reasonable. (I encourage you to check out the links page by clicking to the left to see what 100 Tenge is worth today.) The stadium was teensy, perhaps designed to seat a couple thousand, and only the shady side was filled. The other side just had the kids who managed to slip away from their parents. I was fascinated by their drum-beat rhythms, which were identical to the ones I was familiar with from any American sporting event I've ever been to. Unbelievable. Though the language was unknown to me, in sports, we had a total meeting of culture. We could have been on Mars for all I knew, and we still completely understood the rules, and we all rooted for the home team.
Just before the game, I went to a kiosk to buy some water. Noting that it was only 65 Tenge a bottle, I said to the proprietor "Dva voda, pazhaloosta" (two waters, please).
"Dva??!?" said she. She looked at me like I was from another planet.
"Da, dva," said I. Is there something strange about people being particularly thirsty at a sporting event? Has she never met someone rich enough to be able to spend 95¢ on water in a single purchase? As I paid for the two bottles, she smiled at me as one might at a pitiful individual who is insane but harmless.
Then again, I suppose that describes me to a T. (Except to mosquitoes.)
Igor brought along his two sons (Arthur and Maxim, who are Philipiche's grandsons, of course), and also a Kazakh friend named Dimo. Dimo and I got to talking a bit, although his English was even poorer than my Russian, which certainly made things interesting. He spent most of the time spewing out paragraphs in Russian, during which I would nod, pretending to understand, glad that I could pick out about one word from every other sentence. Course, I understood perfectly well when he was watching a star from the opposing team and mumbled (in English), "Kill him!"
The other team, Irtiish (from Pavlodar) was playing the local folks, Akzhaiik. Deciphering the standings from the program, I noted that Akzhaiik was 16th in the league (of 18) right now, whereas Irtiish was 2nd. The local boys put up a fun fight, but the league statistics were consistent with the performance, which ended up with another 2-0 win for Irtiish. During the whole game, I had Alabama's "Cheap Seats" stuck in my head. It's a charming little ditty about life in a town that has a minor league baseball team. Somehow, it seems fully appropriate for futbol as well. "The game was close/We'll call it a win."
Driving in the car with Philipich is becoming comfortable and fun. I've re-learned how to tell time, for one thing. "Dva pyatnadsat" is "quarter after two," not "quarter to three," as I found when he knocked on our door yesterday wondering where we were. Dina and I have become pretty proficient at passing the dictionary back and forth to converse with him in a few nouns here and there, and we've taught him a few English words. This guy seems to have friends all over the city; he's always honking at a droog as we pass by.
But I have come to learn a new style of driving that I really think we should adopt stateside. Dashed lines are suggestions to use for passing. If there's no one next to you, why use the dashed line as a border? Just drive over it! Hey, makes sense to me. When you are being passed, it is polite to pull off the dashed line and into the right lane. But if you don't, no matter; there's plenty of room for one to use in the oncoming lane to pass.
Pedestrians are...well...if the light is green in their favor, it's polite to let them live. Otherwise, it appears to be open season. Although, I have learned that extra-polite drivers will use their horn as a way to let pedestrians waiting at a crosswalk know, "I really have no impetus to stop for you, but since I'm going to do it anyway, I'll honk now while I'm twenty yards from you. Hurry up and get going before you waste my time and make me come to a complete stop. I might just change my mind."
It really is nice of them.
Dina mentioned to me after crossing the street on our way to lunch, "I'm sure they know you're American."
I asked, "Why?"
"Because you thanked them for stopping."
She's probably on to something there. Sadly, I figure people are reticent to mow down American pedestrians these days because they're worried that their barely post-colonial countries will be placed under "economic sanctions," a charming euphemism for regime "adjustment."
And as I wrap up this entry for the day, I have finally learned to use the washing machine. A previous resident here left instructions that said that we would need "to manually turn the knob for the rinse cycle." But they didn't say how to do this. Once again, rather than complain, I merely say that I am glad to have soaped my clothes. If they turn out to burn me when I put them on (because they weren't properly-rinsed), I'll be able to say to myself, "Hey, at least they're not dirty!"
And as I wrap up wrapping this up, I also wish I had a spoon to stick inside my ears so I could scoop out my sinuses. This, too, is not a complaint, for I honestly AM looking forward to sticking a spoon into my sinuses to relieve them.
Barring that, Dina's given me non-drowsy Sudafed. Bless her, but I think I still want the spoon.
At least we've conquered the mosquitoes. You can't really use a spoon against them.
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 | Dina says:
Each day, we are getting more and more attached and bonded to our sweet baby boy. When his caregiver brings him out to us, he just stares at us with those big brown eyes and looks so curious. I wonder what’s going through his mind when he sees us. He obviously is trusting us now, and he doesn’t cry when we change him. He comes easily to us and seems very eager to receive our hugs and kisses. It’s obvious that he’s used to this kind of affection, which is very heartwarming to me knowing that his caregivers love him so much. It’s amazing to me to think how babies universally crave love and attention. Alex is no exception. When we hold him close, he enjoys it and really loves kisses. It’s so cute, he just waits very patiently until we’re done give him smooches. And believe me, he’s getting plenty of smooches from us- we’ve got 8 months of smooching to catch up on.
Our morning visit was spent with our travel partners and their boys. Damir, the older boy, is such a character. He has LOTS of teeth, and just as much personality. He loves to laugh and is makes these funny noises with his mouth. A.J., who is in Alex’s group, is much more mellow, but just as cute. He was a little fussy, and ended up falling asleep in his mama’s arms. A very sweet thing to watch.
For lunch today, we decided to try a new place that was recommended in one of the apartments in the journal. The four of us set out with a mental map and walked where it was described to us. We had a really hard time finding it and ended up making a gigantic circle around a block only to find out that the restaurant is closed for renovation. That was disappointing, as we had heard good things about this restaurant and had been looking forward to some shishleek. For those WPA-ers out there, it was the Alton Della that we were trying to find. Since Jeff and I needed to be back at 1:45, we needed something close. We went back to Kamelot, I wanted to try it again after my meatball experience. Today I ordered the Royal Schnitzel and it was really delicious. It’s pork encrusted with shredded potatoes. I really enjoyed it. We walked back to our apartment, and Phillipiche was there waiting for us. We grabbed our bags, and headed back to the babyhouse. On the way there, Phillipiche opens up his glove box and pulls out a small photo album. There were photos of his family and photos of adoptive families before us. It was very sweet of him to share that with us. I have to say, we’re doing pretty well communicating with him, even though neither of us speaks the other’s language.
Our second visit was nice, as well. Alex is definitely feeling comfortable with us. I still think it’s pretty amazing how quickly he adapted to us. We played a bit, and then he was a little fussy, but not too bad. I suspected he might be a little sleepy and tried holding him and rocking him a bit. Sure enough, within a few minutes, he started to put his head on my shoulder. His eyes would get a little droopy, then he’d hear a noise and he’d pop his head up and take a look around. Then he’d drop his head back on my shoulder then hear a noise and pop his head up again. This went on for a couple minutes until he finally put his head down, and closed his eyes and dozed off. I could get used to this.
We took him back up to his room and his caregiver asked us if we’d like to see his crib. We were so excited and said of course we did! We were escorted into a bright and clean room with about ten cribs in it. There were no babies in there, but we put Alex in his crib. He looked very calm and comfortable. We kissed him goodbye, and my heart pulled a little bit by leaving him there. I didn’t want to go. He didn’t cry at all, but inside I wondered if he feels alone at all. Having been in the baby house for so long, he’s learned how to comfort himself. I guess he knows he can count on his caregiver for the love and attention when he needs it, and he counts on himself when he can. When he’s home with us, he’ll never have to feel alone anymore.
After our visit, we did some grocery shopping. We picked up more bottled water, some “Apel Juicy” (orange juice), Fanta, and crackers. Then we went to another store to buy more OFF. We were planning to buy three more bottles since we’ve all but been bathing in it, but unfortunately, they only had one more bottle and one small bottle. We bought all that they had and will try again to see if we can get more. The mosquito problem seems to be pretty much under control. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers about that. It seems trivial, but when you’re allergic to the bites as I am, it does make things very uncomfortable. We also bought some peanut butter and tomato sauce. I’ve been eating crackers with peanut butter and honey for breakfast. I brought some peanut butter from home, but it was a small squeeze tube of it and we’re almost out. We got a very interesting brand with a peanut on the label. He’s got a comb-over and is giving the thumbs up sign. It’s very funny!
We got back to the apartment and rested for a bit. Jeff went to the bakery next door and picked up some pierogies. We had those for dinner and were so good! They had potato and mushrooms in them, and cost about 30 cents each. Nice and inexpensive way to take care of dinner.
So now, we’re in for the night and we’ll catch up on emails and all of your wonderful comments. It is really the highlight of our time away from Alex. It keeps us going to know how much you all love us and already love Alex. We miss you and love all of you so much. Thank you again for making this experience even more rich.
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Comments for August 15
Comment from
Nouno Lou | We arrived late last night from our vacation and this morning I've been totally absorbed in your website!! He is beautiful and we are all thrilled. We can't wait to see him back in Livermore. Will anxiously await each day's posting. | Comment from
gramps | to: Goofafeater the younger and Princess SummerFallWinterSpring
From: Goofafeather the elder
I love you(all three of you). The new mugwhump seems to be enjoying training his new parents on how to please and serve him. The photos are great. keep them coming.
Whats this about you may be home fifteen days early? how can anyone plan to surprise you if you surprse them first.
Mom REALLY needs a phone # to be able to get your Fuller info.
via con dios todo de sus dias.
amo,
dad | Comment from
Jeff | Huh? I didn't say anything about 15 days early. What's up with that?? | Comment from
Julianna | Re: 15 days early
Hi Jeff. I got the same impression about being home 15 day early or later. I think yesterday's post said something about meeting with the judge and s/he would then make the decision of having you three stay for the 15 day waiting period. Would this be 15 days BEYOND the Sept date?
-Julianna | Comment from
350110 | Oh! Hah! Y'all be reading Dina's words: We continue to pray for positive visitations and when our court day comes, that the judge grants our adoption (no reason why he wouldn’t) and grants us immediate execution so we can come home instead of staying for the 15 day waiting period.
Nah, the scheduled return date of September 8 *assumes* that the judge grants immediate execution. If he/she doesn't, we're all out here for an additional couple weeks. | Comment from
Dina Holton | I think that may have been in my post yesterday. The 15 days would be beyond Sept 8. The way it works now, our travel dates are reflecting having the immediate execution. So far, there are only three regions left in Kaz who are waiving that 15 day period. Eventually, all regions may require it and not waive it. As of now, the judge here in Uralsk is still waiving it, but things can change at any moment, with no warning. So we continue to pray that nothing changes before our court date and we'll be granted the immediate execution. Sorry for the confusion. | Comment from
Katherine | I'm checking your website at least four times each day. When I see new entries, my heartbeat accelerates a little as they download. And then I'm thoroughly entertained. The photos get better each day! We're all watching three people becoming a family.
Watch your back when you cross the streets!!! | Comment from
Auntie Julie | Actually Jeff, a spoon can be used against a mosquito. Aunt Samar taught me an old Arab remedy for dealing with an itchy mosquito bite. You should hold a metal spoon under hot running water to heat it up, then briefly touch the back of the spoon to the bite. It effectively takes the itch away... just be careful that it isn't too hot so that you don't burn yourself... I speak from experience! | Comment from
Darcy McGowan | oh that picture of Jeff holding Alex and him pulling away in such a HUGE laugh is priceless!!!!
I'm addicted to this site and how things are going with the three of you! LOVE THIS!
| Comment from
Deltamiss | Another wonderful day in the life and times of the Holtons.
That seventeenth picture is my favorite of the ones posted today. I can just hear that baby belly laugh!
Let's hope and pray the judge is still "waiving" when your court date arrives, and just "waives" good-bye to you and your precious new baby. | Comment from
the 913-year-old lady | Hey, Jeff, if your family wants you to stay away a little longer you can always spend tose extra 15 days in Georgia! A certain "old lady" here would love to meet your sweet son in person - not to mention your amazing wife who seems to have taken to mommyhood so wonderfully. | Comment from
Yiayia Connie | Hi guys, we just got back from church and ran to the computer to see the new pictures. We were not disappointed. Each day the picturs of Alex get cuter and cuter. You are capturing him in so many different expressions. I too LOVE the huge laugh. I can just hear him squealing. What a gift. Thank you Jeff again. Lots of love to you both , and special hugs and kisses and Love to Alex from YiaYia | Comment from
Uncle Dan | Jeff's comments were again humorous today. Dina's comments were as heart warming as ever. The pictures just keep getting better and better!
This site is obscenely addictive. You could have set it up as one of the 'pay to look' deals and gotten rich. We're looking at it a dozen times a day.
What a thrill to share this joyous adventure with you guys. If it's such a thrill and so joyous, why do I always wind up with tears on my cheeks? Go figure!! I'm getting to be an OF and have no image to maintain! At a point, one can simply get away with more.
Love you guys
Unka D | Comment from
Uncle Dan again | Jeff: Your tale of the church under construction brougth back a memory of getting caught 'trespassing' at a Greek Orthodix under construction in deep dark Alabama (It was near Malbis just off the Gulf Coast). It's a good story. Remind me to tell you sometime.
| Comment from
Stephanie & Alexia Polyzos | Hi Holton Family (all THREE of you!!)
We saw Julie this weekend and she reminded me of your website...boy am I glad. I must say I am so impressed by your dedication and drive to share your love and experiences with those you love here. Alex is stunningly beautiful and I can tell is full of joy and laughter. His facial expressions with those HUGE brown eyes is very telling of your short filled but already loving relationship. My eyes fill with tears as I can see how much he means to already... doesn't feel like you have never been without him? It was definitely in God's plans for you. We wish you the best and Alexia says "Hurry up and get home so we can PLAY!!". Plus whenever she sees him on the monitor she gets sooo excited pointing and singing "Baby,baby, baby..." Sending lots of love, hugs and kisses. | Comment from
Malena | Dear Jeff, Dina and Baby Alex,
Congratulations of your beautiful union. I saw Fawaz and Connie today at Church and they told me about your website. What a joy to share in your adventures. I am so happy about your little guy. You will make excellent parents.
Lots of love, Malena | Comment from
Aunt Janet Holton | I just love your site and feel like I'm now becoming acquainted with this part of Uncle Bill's family. Even your parents comments, Jeff, give me a little picture of them.
Mosquito bites - draw a circle with your finger nail around the spot. The nerves will believe you "itched" it and quit the hassle, plus the actual spot is not irritated.
So much of what you describe reminds me of Mongolia. I must admit in my quick stay I picked up no Russian, but the reminders of it are poignant.
Much love, Aunt Janet | Comment from
Cousin Lana | I am in love with those pictures!!! SO great he is ugh cute beyond wordssss!!! I CANNOT WAIT TO MEET HIM!!!<3
xoxoxoxox
Lana | Comment from
Auntie Jeney :D | He looks so grown up in his white T-shirt and jeans!
I love the one of him laughing so hard, and then the next one after that is also a favorite. Okay, they're all favorites :D
I love you guys! Hurry home!
Jeney | Comment from
Julianna | Do you know that I check this site several times a day? I'm excited beyond words when I see new journals and pics, but am so sad when I log on and there isn't anything new. Then I have to remind myself that I just checked three hours ago and saw the new pics. :) Fawaz (I think?) mentioned in an earlier post that he and all his coworkers are addicted to this site. Well, I am, too! I can't wait until you get home! Love you ALL!
-Julianna | Comment from
Julianna | Do you know that I check this site several times a day? I'm excited beyond words when I see new journals and pics, but am so sad when I log on and there isn't anything new. Then I have to remind myself that I just checked three hours ago and saw the new pics. :) Fawaz (I think?) mentioned in an earlier post that he and all his coworkers are addicted to this site. Well, I am, too! I can't wait until you get home! Love you ALL!
-Julianna | Comment from
Jeff | We just love reading all your comments!
If anyone has actually scrolled down this far, please accept *my* apology for the empty posts and the double-posts. This has everything to do with the speed and lack of attention with which I constructed this site. I may go back in and clean it up someday, but for now, I'd rather have a repeated comment than no comment at all! :)
Thank you all for interacting. This is just wonderful!
We've told Alex about the site and about all of you, but his attitude at the moment seemed to be, "Ok, whatever. Where's Winston?" | Comment from
angela evans | your baby is so cute, I can't wait to meet him! Love, Angela | Comment from
mary evans | Just finished reading your entire journal. I am moved by reading your thoughts and feelings about Alex. I could just see him in the crib room all by himself, I could empathize with Dina's thoughts. I am now going to look at the pictures! Can't wait to meet your baby! | Comment from
Sarah Jane | We went for an ultrasound the other day, and brought home a picture of our baby. Later, I was looking at pictures of Alex, and Randall held up the ultrasound picture to the computer so that the new babies could "look" at each other. At least... I think that's what he was doing!
I'm so happy your sweet boy is going to go home with you and never know what it's like to grow up without a mother or father.
Just out of curiousity... do you all know anything about what to expect in his language development? I mean... with learning English? | Comment from
Yiayia Connie | I forgot to tell you that I loved his jeans. He looks so cute in that outfit. I also wanted to ask you why you bought tomato sauce?????? a new mosquito remedy? | Comment from
Auntie Julie | OH I KNOW, that outfit is ADORABLE! I can't wait until he comes home so I can spoil him and buy him the cutest Big Boy clothes! That t-shirt with the pocket just kills me. SO cute! | Comment from
Melanie | I'm with my Mama, that picture of him laughing is the BEST!!
I'm so glad y'all got this site up and running. I don't know WHAT we'd do if we weren't able to check in everyday.
And I guess being in that part of the world makes you both a little more apt to actually type... because I'm reading more about every aspect of your day now than I have in the past two and a half years! HA!
See ya tomorrow! ;) | Comment from
Nana Nina | I agree with Melanie ~ you'll have to keep this up while Alex is growing up!
The photos are a good substitution for our actually being there with you ~ which we ardently wish we were. You are so funny ~ attributing words to Alex. You should start captioning the photos ...
When you run out of things to do with him, try teaching him colors. Remember, Jeff, when Joanna was just a week old, how you taught her colors ~ and look how artistic she turned out. Or maybe you could just teach him how to read. Speaking of words, how come the puppy is named Winston? After Churchill, or Marsalis?
Aren't you two gourmet cooks challenged to prepare a meal in your apartment, and then invite all your new friends to eat with you? How about spaghetti and meatballs, or oven-fried chicken (do they have chickens in Kazakhstan?)?
O.K. It's 7:59 AM Monday here. Where are today's pictures already?
| Comment from
the gong's | Dear friends,
Words cannot express the joy we feel for you as we look at your 3 faces as you bond. Your journals & photographs brought back priceless memories for us, too. God has a very special spot in His heart for adoptive families. The miracles are just beginning for you. Have a safe trip home. Cannot wait to see your smiles in person!
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Beth Christopher | It's been such a treat to visit your site. We adopted our son, Samuel Sergei from BH1 in Uralsk in September 2003 and had such a wonderful experience. Philippich was our driver, please give him our best, as well as the rest of the great Uralsk crew.
Congrats on your beautiful son, the three of you look and sound so incredbily happy.
We live in Broomfield, CO, about twenty minutes from Golden where your travel partners live! Please let them know that we have fun Kazkahstan get togethers twice a year with other Kaz adoptive families.
All our best,
Beth, Darrick, and Sam Christopher | Comment from
Jeff "Domestic" Holton | Hey, Beth and Darrick! CHECK YOUR EMAIL!!
I sent you a question on the loop about how to use the washing machine in this place!!! | Comment from
Joanna | Wow jeff, I just read the first paragraph of your journal for today. What an inspiration...maybe we should all go over there! And I had to print out what you wrote about community the other day, too. You should really write a book. Maybe about Alex and your journey of adoption! You've probably already thought of that though. Love you both! I mean all three!! | Comment from
Mairesue | Those big brown eyes break my heart. Oh Alexander is so adorable. We are praying for your health. All of you look so happy. | Comment from
April & Zach Taylor | Hi guys,
sounds like you're having a great time up there. Just a note, the driving isn't any better here than there. I find that stop lights are really more of a suggestion than an order, and we just marvel at thhe number of living people wandering around everyday. We can't imagine how they escaped being run-over. Alex is absolutely adorable, kiss his sweet cheeks for us!
See you soon,
April & Zach |
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