Comment from
deltamiss | I am very excited for y'all!!! Keep us posted the best you can. I don't know if I can wait until you get back to see pictures. Will you be able to post some before that? |
Comment from
Jeff | Yes, I will post pictures! There just really aren't all that many to post yet, given that we're only four hours into this four week trek, and we won't even leave for the airport for another six hours or so. :) |
Comment from
Karen in New Orleans | Hey, Dina!
I'm so happy for you and Jeff! It is an amazing ride, but in the end you have a special little one to call your very own. Sophia continues to amaze us each day, and we know God picked her out just for us! I know you will feel equally blessed when you finally hold that baby in your arms. It is a feeling like no other!
Have a safe and wonderful journey!
Karen* |
Comment from
Katie Nagel | I'm so happy for you guys! The time has finally come! You will love Uralsk and everyone there. I can't wait to see pictures of your first meeting. |
Comment from
canticles | I can't wait to see pictures!!!! :) I'm so excited for you guys! |
Comment from
Geoff | Congragulations to you both! You and the little one are in my prayers during this time. I'll be watching this journal closely to get the updates.
Praise God! |
Comment from
Julianna | I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe you're leaving so soon! My thoughts are with all three of you! :) I can't wait to meet Alex! Much love and warm fuzzies are flowing your way! |
Comment from
Jeney | HOLY COW!!!
HOLY COW!!!
THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY!!!
HOLY COW!!! |
Comment from
Melanie | Jeney stole my lines!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
A BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOW COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Comment from
Jess M. | I had the same problems with the baby gates, the rail got in the way too! I let it hang loosely out of the drywall until the gate stopped working and then I intended to use Dina's suggestion of painted 2x4 but conviently I stopped needing it by then :D
Woohoo! I'll be following along here and keep you THREE in my prayers!!!! |
Comment from
Jess M. | I had the same problems with the baby gates, the rail got in the way too! I let it hang loosely out of the drywall until the gate stopped working and then I intended to use Dina's suggestion of painted 2x4 but conviently I stopped needing it by then :D
Woohoo! I'll be following along here and keep you THREE in my prayers!!!! |
Comment from
Hill | So great to hear the news! We are praying for your trip and an amazing small amount of red tape. Looking forward to keeping up with the process! |
Comment from
Varvitsiotes Family | Jeff and Dina,
We are so happy and thrilled with your news! We are so excited for you and anticipating your postings and pictures sharing your joy with friends and family. We are praying for a safe round-trip with minimal Red Tape and look forward to see you all soon.
George,Dina,Stephanie and Nicole |
Comment from
Jenn Keohane | I can't wait to follow your journey! Have a wonderful time on your trip of a lifetime! I look forward to meeting Alex in person when you get back home! |
Comment from
Michelle Menard | Hi Dina and Jeff,
Just wanted you to know you are in my thoughts today as you leave on the trip of your lifetime. I can't wait to see how your trip unfolds! Be safe and congratulations! Your time has arrived!
Michelle Menard |
Comment from
Auntie Julie | Dina and Jeff,
I am SO thrilled that we will be able to read about and see pictures of this amazing journey as it all unfolds. What would we do without technology? What a great website...good job Jeff! Anyway, I will miss you TERRIBLY, and will be praying for all of you constantly. I can't wait until your safe return, when I will officially become Auntie Julie!!! I can't wait to hold and SPOIL my new baby nephew!!! So excited! I love you very much!
Julie |
Comment from
noetic_toe (David Keim) | HAHA! Loved the story of the gates. I fought the same battles for the first two of our children, but the last four have had to fend for themselves. Of course, they have had older siblings to help watch them and we have had a couple of spills down the stairs. Nothing serious, however.
Have a great trip. You all are in my prayers.
DBK |
Comment from
Uncle Dan & Aunt Samar | We've all heard stories of becomeing a family. You know, morning sickness, back problems, intestinal difficulties, how many hours in labor (some sort of badge-of-honor), etc.
Well now comes the story to top it all! You'll be formidable at cocktail pary talk. Everyone is going to love the story and hate you! It can't be topped.
The best part is that we'll all be able to experience it first hand via this web-site. Thank you Jeff and Dina for including us in this blessed event. We'll be checking the website hourly until you return.
We are all chomping at the bit to gte out hands on this new addition to our wonderful family! The poor guy is going to be terrified by all the goo-gooing and gah-gahing, but he'll come to love it just as we already love him. We are in love of the mere idea of him!
Godspeed and God's benevolent eye upon your trip.
Uncle Dan and Aunt Samar (Jacksonville, FL) |
Comment from
Uncle Dan & Aunt Samar | We've all heard stories of becomeing a family. You know, morning sickness, back problems, intestinal difficulties, how many hours in labor (some sort of badge-of-honor), etc.
Well now comes the story to top it all! You'll be formidable at cocktail pary talk. Everyone is going to love the story and hate you! It can't be topped.
The best part is that we'll all be able to experience it first hand via this web-site. Thank you Jeff and Dina for including us in this blessed event. We'll be checking the website hourly until you return.
We are all chomping at the bit to gte out hands on this new addition to our wonderful family! The poor guy is going to be terrified by all the goo-gooing and gah-gahing, but he'll come to love it just as we already love him. We are in love of the mere idea of him!
Godspeed and God's benevolent eye upon your trip.
Uncle Dan and Aunt Samar (Jacksonville, FL) |
Comment from
Yiayia Connie | Well, you've just left, but I miss you already. It will be hard not to be in contact whenever we want to be. But this website is fabulous and we can keep in touch this way. Have a safe trip, we are praying for you every step of the way, and we will be anxiously waiting to hear of your safe arrival there and ESPECIALLY the first pictures of our grandson ( oh that is so fun to say!! |
Comment from
Meggan | How funny that you think you will catch up on your sleep on the plane!! This is like a HUGE Christmas Eve, Prom night, big birthday celebration and MORE all rolled into ONE huge life altering experience! We traveled twice in 11 months and even the second trip when I knew what to expect, the excitment of meeting your baby is TOO much! Enjoy! Stay awake and giggle!! Safe travels, Meggan (from the loop) |
Comment from
Uncle Ramzi and Aunt Ragheda | Can't wait to have Alex visit down here in Florida, we are so excited about this new addition to the family! We are so happy for you and are pretty grateful to Jeff for making this site so we can keep up with you guys!!! This is such an exciting time for "you all" and we cannot wait to meet the wonderful Alex! You are in our prayers! <3 Love Uncle Ramzi and Aunt Ragheda |
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Comment from
Youssef, Zeina, and Lana | This is so exciting! Alex is going to be a wonderful add-on to our already great family! We can't wait to meet the little guy and have ya'll come down here and visit us (or vise-versa!!!) We wish you all the best and a safe trip!!! This is incredible you guys re actually adopting a baby boy!!! It's to great to fathom!!! Well we wish you a safe trip, all the best, and you are in out prayers!!!! <3 Foof, Z, Wana <3 xoxoxoxo |
Comment from
Aunt Janet | Hey, you guys,
What a wonderful event. Enjoy the journey...the first steps in the next phase of your walk with our Lord as parents.
You have my prayers also as you go and probably more as you return.
Looking forward to all the updates...I'll share the news.
Love and blessings,
Aunt Janet |
Comment from
Jenn Riedy | Baby gates? We were supposed to put up baby gates? Oh well...I missed that one by 4 kids! I'm too busy keeping the kids out of the ladders and power tools that are attractively displayed round about the house with all of our remodeling projects. LOL!
I'll be praying with you as you travel! Hugs & kisses to your little one! |
Comment from
susanna sloboda | |
Comment from
susanna sloboda | May you go with the Holy Spirit's protection guidance and direction. Blessings for you and your new little one. |
Comment from
Ludwigs | Have a safe trip. our prayers our with you |
Comment from
Jean Bisordi | Thanks for allowing your "WP Family" to share your journey of a lifetime with you. I look forward to hearing all about your adventure. Jeff your August 9 post had me both laughing and smiling- I wish I had half of your wit. Wishing you a wonderful trip!!!! Enjoy every moment- it will be over before you know it.
God Speed!!!!!!!
Jean Bisordi (mommy to Emily a. 12/12/01 Kokshetau) |
Comment from
Becky | Jeff and Dina,
I hope that you are having an uneventful trip. As I calculate it, right now, you are probably between Frankfort and Almaty. :) The trip is grueling but in some ways the easiest part.
Enjoy Uralsk. It has been in my thoughts a lot lately as Declan has begun thinking about his origins. At his birthday celebration last week, we remembered the wonderful ladies at BH1. Enjoy this city and these people. :) You will be in fantastic hands and Alex already is (although it will get so much better when those hands are yours!)
The website is great and almost a substitute for Jeff's frequent post ;> Can't wait to hear about meeting your boy!
Becky
Mama to Declan Azamat, Uralsk BH1 |
Comment from
Becky | Jeff and Dina,
I hope that you are having an uneventful trip. As I calculate it, right now, you are probably between Frankfort and Almaty. :) The trip is grueling but in some ways the easiest part.
Enjoy Uralsk. It has been in my thoughts a lot lately as Declan has begun thinking about his origins. At his birthday celebration last week, we remembered the wonderful ladies at BH1. Enjoy this city and these people. :) You will be in fantastic hands and Alex already is (although it will get so much better when those hands are yours!)
The website is great and almost a substitute for Jeff's frequent post ;> Can't wait to hear about meeting your boy!
Becky
Mama to Declan Azamat, Uralsk BH1 |
Comment from
Colene | We are thinking of you constantly and are waiting patiently for pictures!!!!!! We can't wait!!!
Best wishes, Colene and Jeff |
Comment from
Jeddo Fawaz | It is hard to describe the overwhelmingly exciting feelings I have for the two of you, Jeff and Dina, and of course for the new baby being absorbed into our Family. My first thoughts are prayers to our Lord and the Lady Theotokos to be with you and protect you - the three of you. Then, I am thinking ahead to the day we will see you coming back. What a day that will be!!! May the Lord's blessings continue descending upon our Family and his Spirit be with you wherever you are. LOVE YOU A LOT. |
Comment from
Uncle Dan, Aunt Samar, Samantha and Daniel | C'mone, guys. Only one post a day and nothing for the 10th yet. You're the uppermost thing in our minds right now and we're craving an update. The suspense in inhumane. It's going to be a disaster if you can't get an internet connection over there and/or can't keep your batteries charged! I hope you took power converters. The rest of the world seems to prefer 220V.
Rheem and Luay are in Jacksonville with their three kids (whom we'd never met) on holiday from Kuwait. Seeing Rheem and Luay and meeting the kids was great. You'd think it'd take our minds off the adventure you're on, but it was just another forum in which to discuss it!
Let's get some more stories and pictures up on this site! Jeffrey, while the idea of the site is fantastic, you may have created a monster. I can assure that it'll have an insatiable appetite for news and pictures. Get to cracking!
Love you guys and our hearts are hugging you right now! |
Comment from
Tyanna | Congratz to you both. I can't wait to see some pictures. |
Comment from
Nouna, Nouno and Anisa | We can't express our excitement for your family in words! Know that we love you and pray for a joyous union with your son! Can't wait to see pictures of our Godson, Alex.
Much love,
Koumbari John, Maria and Anisa |
Comment from
Shaw Family | We wish you both a wonderful adventure to Alex! It's been almost two years since our adoption adventure to Josie - and our trip to Kaz was a piece of cake compared to toddlerhood with the Princess!
We will enjoy reading about your journey - thank you for sharing!! Can't wait to meet him when you get back to California!
Lots of love, Princess Josie and her slaves, Chris & Steve |
Comment from
Melanie | Ooo! Ooo! It's Thursday there... right???
Cause it's Wednesday here???
YOU GET HIM TODAY!!!!!!!!!
Oh, kiss him a hundred times for me!!!! |
Comment from
LaRue | Congratulations on your new venture. Take care and God Bless you always. Love you. |
Comment from
Louise | This is beautiful. You are going to be the best of parents. :) |
Comment from
The Stoudts | We praise God with you, for his perfect provision. What an exciting time -- and the website is a great way to keep us posted! Welcome Alex!
Fondly, Bryan & Sharon |
Comment from
Nana Nina | You've arrived!!! And so has your luggage!!! Pleasant dreams and we'll talk to you tomorrow. We can't wait to see photos.
Love,
Nana and that guy |
Comment from
The Zigenis Family | We are so happy for the two of you. You have come a long way to make your dreams come true. We can't wait to meet Alex.
Love, Maria, Nick & Vasili |
Comment from
Katherine | This note is for Alex . . . so he can understand what is going on even before he meets the two special people who will love him for the rest of his life. ==== Alex, you are blessed beyond imagination. You will have the world at your feet because everyone you will know will love you intensely. When you are a man, read every word your family and friends wrote in these chronicals and think deepy about the love they describe. |
Comment from
jeney | You're making me cry! You have your baby!
Is he perfect? Does he smile a lot? Can he crawl? Does he sleep good?
He's so lucky to have you two :) |
Comment from
patti | i'm so excited i can hardly stand it!!!! |
Comment from
Jean Locurto | I am so excited for you! Congratulations. Thank you for educating those of us who follow you. |
Comment from
Linda Russ |
Wow! What an experience. Truly life changing. And so amazing that we can all "join" you on your journey. Can't wait for today's pictures to see little Alex. Message for Dina - I'm off to tackle my first Pacesetters lesson. Much love and beelief.
Linda
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Comment from
jeney | I'm sure there are more profound things to say about all these pictures, but I LOVE THE KITCHEN!! :D
You're there! |
Comment from
jeney | I'm sobbing!
He's perfect!
You look SO HAPPY!
I hope you never forget exactly how you felt this day. And that you remember every single, tiny detail.
I'm so happy for you guys! He's PERFECT!
I love him already!
I love you guys, too. You deserve all the best, and now you have the best baby ever :) |
Comment from
Corey Halls | Dina & Jeff,
I'm so glad you have finally met your son and all is well!Now all I can say is I hope the mother-in-law can handle the tech geeky picture hoop de do because I want (ok, NEED!) to see pictures.
Happy adopting!
Corey :)
waiting for travel dates |
Comment from
Jennifer Bosso | Dina and Jeff
You are all in my prayers-congratulations and best wishes... Alex is truly lucky.
Warmly yours
Jenn |
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Comment from
susan vogel | Oh my Gosh! How fantastic to be able to see your first meeting with Alexander, the bonding that's happening day by day. This is so incredibly exciting and we are thrilled for all of you. We'll be tuning into your web site daily. Be well.
Our love, ron & susan |
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Comment from
kassis family and hanood | Hey, we are all gathered here around the computer. Hanood is spending the night here due to the tornado watch. We are so excited for you guys and wanted to write you this brief message to congratulate u. Now we r going to see the pictures. C ya. |
Comment from
hazar and nick | Hey,we just saw the pictures what a cute baby. Dina and Jeff look great holding him. I could tell that the next day he looked more comfortable with his new parents. We wish u guys the best of luck. Can't wait to c all three of u in Florida. Lots of love and kisses. Bi |
Comment from
LaRue | He is just adorable. Give him a hug from us. Love you.
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Comment from
Theresa Wolinski | Oh my goodness, I am teary eyed! He is soooo... ADORABLE! I love the pictures today, especially the one of Dina holding Alex and laughing and Jeff looking at him eye-to-eye. I feel like I am there with you. Thanks for sharing, I love you both! |
Comment from
Joanna | I see he's an animal lover already! I like to give my kitties kisses, he likes puppies. We'll get along famously! |
Comment from
Colene and Jeff | Dina and Jeff,
Those pictures are adoreable!!! His eyes are amazing!! I had to go through the pages a couple times - you all look so happy!! This is the meaning of life.
Thanks for the posts, we wait each day for your next adventure!!
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Comment from
Ashley! | Congratulations! Im so happy for both of you. I love you! What a great family! Cant wait to see you. |
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Comment from
susan vogel | Alex is a beautiful child and he looks so happy with the two of you. We can't wait to have you home and can't wait to meet him.
By the way...great photos both of all of you and of the surrounds. Changing my mental picture of Khasakstan.
Love, Susan |
Comment from
angela | I can't wait to see your baby boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!He is so little and cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See you when you get back. |
Comment from
Crystal Sarver | Dina & Jeff,
I am so happy for you both. You have a beautiful baby boy. I am enjoying reading all about your experience to help prepare us for ours. I can't wait to see the pics of Uralsk so we know what to look forward too. We are still waiting for travel dates, but hope to get them soon. Enjoy your time there but hurry back so we can go! :)
Daaron & Crystal
waiting for travel dates to Uralsk |
Comment from
marilyn | great website! I'm soooo excited for you and your new family. I know you will enjoy your time with Alex. Be safe and we will see you soon. Our meeting on Thur was good, good training. I will visit again soon. Take care and God bless. |
Comment from
jeney | I feel like I know him already. And I love him so! Don't try to throw me off by posting a picture of him with one red eye, either! I still think he's adorable! ;)
Dina, you have shiny hair!
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Comment from
Colene | Is it me or is Jeff having more fun in the ballpit than Alex? |
Comment from
Theo Ted & Thea Mary Ann | We are so happy for you all. We just came back from Greece and we are enjoying this wonderful website you have created for your Precious Little Angel, Alex. May God Bless you during your journey to pick up your little boy and bring him HOME! We love you lots!
Love, Theo Ted & Thea Mary Ann |
Comment from
Tom and Pam Vamvouris | Congratulations Jeff and Dina, you both are going to be excellent parents! This is an exciting time in your life and this is a wonderful way to share your experiences with all of us back home. Tom and I hope you have a safe and calm trip home and we look foward to meeting the newest, little member of the family. |
Comment from
Julianna | I LOVE the picture of the three of you. I think that's the first time all three of you have been in the same picture. It's perfect! :)
-Julianna |
Comment from
Connie Trageser | Hi Dina & Jeff - I'm so excited for you - I love babies because they have the power to change your life by every little thing they do! Everything becomes so exciting from their cooing and baby talk to their first words, crawling and all of the exploring they do in their new world. They take you on their journey with them and you rediscover the world in a new and innocent way! What a blessing he will be to you both! I look forward to meeting Alexander - I love that name!
Hugs, Connie |
Comment from
Dana Washington | What a beautiful little guy!! I am so excited for you both! This is such an exciting time for you! Congratulations!!!! We cannot wait to see you when you come home!
Dana
Adoption Connection |
Comment from
Lauri Realini | Oh what a glorious day!! Dina and Jeff, you have been blessed wih a beautiful baby boy and Alex, you have been blessed with two wonderful parents!!
Welcome to parenthood! He's a thumbsucker! I love it! Both my boys were thumbsuckers (now ages 20 & 24). You have a great adventure ahead of you and you're going to love every minute of it!
Congratulations!!
What is a Boy?
(written by Alan Beck and published in Reader's Digest in 1954)
Between the innocence of babyhood and the dignity of manhood,
we find a delightful creature of a boy.
Boys come in assorted sizes, weights and colors. But all boys have the same creed: to enjoy every second of every minute of every day and to protest with noise (their only weapon) when their last minute is finished and the adult males pack them off to bed at night!
Boys are found everywhere: on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around, or jumping to.
Mothers love them, little girls hate them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them and adults ignore them. A boy is truth with dirt on its face, beauty with a cut on its finger, wisdom with bubble gum in its hair, and the hope of the future with a frog in its pocket. When you are busy, a boy is an inconsiderate, bothersome, intruding jungle of noise.
When you want him to make an impression, his brain turns into jelly or else he becomes a jungle creature, bound on
destroying the world, and himself with it. A boy is a composite. He has the appetite of a horse, the digestion of a sword-swallower, the imagination of Paul Bunyan, the energy of a pocket-size atomic bomb, the curiosity of a cat, the shyness of a violet, the audacity of a steel trap, the enthusiasm of a fire cracker, and when he make something, he has five thumbs on each hand. He likes ice cream,
movies, Christmas, comic books, the boy across the street, woods, water in its natural habitat, large animals, trains, Saturday mornings, and fire engines. He is not much for Sunday school, composing, music lessons, neckties, barbers, girls, overcoats, adults or bedtime.
Nobody else is so early to rise or so late to supper. Nobody else gets so much fun out of trees, dogs, and breezes. Nobody else can cram into one pocket a rusty knife, a half-eaten apple, 3 feet of string, 2 gumdrops, a five-cent slingshot, a chunk of unknown substance, and one supersonic code ring with a secret compartment.
A boy is a magical creature - you can lock him out of your workshop, but you can't lock him out of your heart! You can get him
out of your study, but you can't lock him out of your mind! Might as well give up! He is your captor, your jailer, your boss, and your master. But when your dreams tumble down and the world is a mess, he can put together the broken pieces in just a twinkle with a few magic words...I LOVE YOU!
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Comment from
Lauri Realini | Whoops! I posted the above on the wrong page!!! |
Comment from
Minnie | Biggest, warmest Congrats Jeff and Dina!!! I have been following your journey to parenthood and it overwhelms me with joy and excitement!
Baby Alex is simply beautiful! His smile makes my heart melt. You guys are lucky to have him and also, *he* is blessed to have you - two fabulous parents.
What a perfect family. Yay! :-) |
Comment from
Minnie | Oops. I commented on the wrong page, too! |
Comment from
Shannon Magnuson | Hi Jeff, Dina, and Alex!
I must apologize. I am not the most computer literate person, this is my first entry. I had a blond moment when I got the email from Jeff last month with the information about this site. I'll explain later...
I have just read every entry and I am brushing the tears away that have not stopped since I read the first entry. I am sooo happy for you :-) I know this has been a long journey. Seeing the three of you smile together is the most perfect picture of any family. Alex is a beautiful little boy!
Jeff, I would like to thank you for making me think at 3:45 AM on a Saturday (it's Sept. 11). I had to reach for the thesaurus a few times to understand you. :-) Alex is going to grow to be a wonderful, amazing, caring, Renaissance type of man because he has a magnificent father to show him the way.
Dina, oh my goodness! Your smiles have definitely brightened up the night sky. Besides your wedding day, I have never seen you so happy!! Of all the many roles you have in life, none will be as rewarding as being a mom. Your loving, tender heart and spirit already show in Alex's eyes. :-) I was laughing as I read your comments about being an RA and the things you get used to. Who knew taking care of 50 residents would prepare you to raise one child? Of all the ways you are going to have an influence on Alex, I think your tenderness, generosity, compassion, and business sense will prevail. You've already influenced those around you!
Alex, although your parents may seem a bit odd from time to time (as all parents are to their kids), they are the neatest people you will ever meet. From the moment they met, you began to grow in their hearts and dreams. You are a beautiful addition to an already amazing family. Welcome home!
Congratulations on your new life as a threesome!
And they lived happily ever after.... |
Comment from
Shannon | Another blond moment, I posted the above to the wrong page! Please see 9/8's remarks! |
Comment from
Nicolette Efstathiou | Congratulations on getting ALex and starting your family. I am very happy for you and he is so adorable. Good luck with everything. |
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