tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63017251156851309972024-02-06T22:23:02.344-08:00A Mother's Journey to KazakhstanJayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-7978574412661400692007-12-08T12:11:00.000-08:002007-12-08T12:54:23.586-08:00"Amazing"The purpose of this blog was to chronicle my story of adoption. I thought it was important to have this source of contact with family and friends while I was in Kazakhstan. I thought it was important for me personally to be able to journal my feelings and experiences. I also felt it would be important for Noah to one day be able to read this story. I will be having it printed into a book that he can keep and cherish and even one day be able to share it with his own children.<br /><br />I have to decided to end my story ... "A Mother's Journey to Kazakhstan" and to concentrate now on my task at hand ... loving, nurturing, and raising Noah to be all God would have him to be. I have always said, "a picture speaks a thousand words," so I have put together a video montage accompanied by a beautiful and appropriate song called "Amazing." While there is no way I can find the words myself to adequately bring this blog to an end ... I believe the pictures and the song will say it all. Click on the link below and enjoy.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=462620d9e9c0ddb615d0b7&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=image" target="_blank"><img title="View this montage created at One True Media" alt="View this montage created at One True Media" src="http://www.onetruemedia.com/cover_thumbnail?p=462620d9e9c0ddb615d0b7&view=2" border="0" /><br />A Mother's Journey to Kazakhstan</a><br /><br />Noah ... I love you my little man. This is for you.Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-65190522582023121422007-12-01T20:41:00.000-08:002007-12-01T21:12:54.126-08:00Noah meets his Grandfather and Uncle Mack!Saturday morning ... 4:00 a.m. to be exact, Noah and I woke up and prepared to drive to Birmingham, Alabama. My neice, Alison, lives there with her family. Her son, Henry, was celebrating his 2nd birthday! It was a HUGE day for us as Noah would get to meet his grandfather, oldest uncle, and a few cousins!!<br /><br />My father had the biggest smile I have seen on his face in years! As Mack and my Dad approached Noah for the first time, Mack exclaimed, "Jayne ... HE IS BEAUTIFUL!" and then again ... "Oh my God ... he is beautiful!" Dad and Mack were wonderful with Noah today as were my neice and her husband, Martin ... and Noah's cousins, Greta and Henry. There were other longtime friends of our family also there.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRe_r9-4Ek2AfxDgioEIztF7UqBFd8urwTmrKXLGTp0FSHej0pdmHFdBCXEgww9yZYVaZVxgEKtxnEJDmuQzZWHfX4xPIrRsJuNJptnm1-ghl6d0dQLrtgIzWxQQpuewJgK7qfW7cob7s8/s1600-r/dad+and+noah+2+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139238687868837826" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9mfdjAY4mHhv0_te0Bq9H-IeWVL6vdHLHJwoDsh4A2p3vACv_Ywoi_h5HuxiH5KmR6gTiicuJ9Lk7lHBpPnAbw2P9coKlgAh0aD9uAXawtQavelg5HKRzdH0KQQQXmHaMRyDGdHscYME/s200/dad+and+noah+2+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvH7dthRdsZALSuKukxDFA7LxmlTmC3BEa22CkzIvtaldqmVPz8u2f16U2G138C8_zytBG6XjYThkIdS_URpsWRFcRbJCElg5ynqny-zfhZEhyi5XdxjveRzoMxAX6PRhI5tR9Qg1G_kSI/s1600-r/dad+mack+noah+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139238614854393778" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; 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MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtZDdrFbwp_x8RiKKDiPXU91HlPq4_EdVceNiRj-MvCPN-VdJ2BNx9YwrDFsNMiA61KEdrXwu-a7g1UL8O7GinQwJLyhmWChkyNIDRuSZsaXdDIRdgGuiKETtX3dD9O0fIUPiRC-4Rs6k/s200/dad+noah+mom+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSVriclVV0DuFvlcVW1fnoWATsMDq5eNvIhtmJ2NWSWkUGsqsQRFahc70EasAjPqFwgB_wWY0ZE8DgPvAGAO8wZjOgiv1rlxzBO1WfiIzHU2m7Zy_1ca60XVzZRMuuKyYxIIJlAEXwZp4/s1600-r/debra+noah+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139238224012369794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGta16Bau7iWiefvdx4WAlMbcV7VZTCxf9AAV19RusAtodIvk_1TjWZrIXpGJGeJTDXYvyuoXYto5RSwSx1P_E6yeyCgTZLLJcGSw43T52pSI80P4pM5TfO-QuMH_X0y8miocJPB5hg8dd/s200/debra+noah+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpa8XKjV10mQju8lUKLjMMzuEZct2Z_6fzz3pD-1SVfWZQjavij910-mL3R_tOjCLseJX6fZnA7xHQ-FOY4JwMXGrFxBOhPNgnA00mzAAVxCGZS4fFRNT6oHvVlhwqC8uKomtSvXzDD1z/s1600-r/presents+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139237837465313138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KpU8O2s0gtUqCxm81iOUl2lvZXyb9HKtAwomDj4nyWRrwkMNw46J0oBvWFKDvYaRWEJfBM_whRuUggTwdyloQzJivJBxSBTHQrfxTHUlzKdREyH6X-SmB3GILZ4ueNVVWQtSs0NDUbd7/s200/presents+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0QQP4NwrlMoBdosqA-zldSIlupETqYcxpmd0JtA2SFdp9Pl91gxhwNv5sCNj69FKHy2YiwHQp_SzjNfX2_4CYPrvijF9uGL-QOm4RsKF3DxChKxNKb1j-Wo_xqmSlr9lPPap4J4fD34p/s1600-r/red+flyer+2+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139237760155901794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62_regrVBty8BpIiXuTGIpqC6i5fBT5Y0rz2_6fkbIRu3hLcOd-ji1ExIYKi_nfudkGRLdsM-sztzvK8_Ja8TOuFp9KsELqbOYTEbOsz4GYfm5buBuhKC7tzdzwOndCLSlSUWePPlkQgt/s200/red+flyer+2+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2k_sQCYh1h0FydEQNO7ONEnIvx4s2biyCQfwrZHIaUdgA6RhS-WvOG1U_C_fAP5ZEDgOi7fGoWnYUgSpuKKvAhp82oN_YHdEq1FufHRzv-ai4FuxrY5HDIveVaDG8l5ngh6qUdmA-QXrx/s1600-r/red+flyer+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139237691436425042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS90rOeEghTM7-UZWd_0u4Xc0AA_l04sdAdJx8phYiO2IFyWRu4c04Bcubib7X77ZdOnGeb2OpBLohRhclqpyNsdoYu3gR7sST8ioUw6v1fuplnzq01C4u87QEd1UhcvpgASo40t1HY9vY/s200/red+flyer+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP6O5LnW52CcX6eZ6fe-l1yXtqeFriUOFDqqliciLAUYjtI1LgYhGvSblnHA9eb0VAzmHtIhCzpKkWP2VmrPz1rz6_Td9CtZL2CeSUkZN86wgS0dI0YwU2CevUb4peBVxSriW3_aTJah_/s1600-r/alison+noah+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139237596947144514" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHjArt7Wx804zkYMADG5KJSllOdNI9iNzYQiEDVsF8Zr2EH10YrDWy0b4aPe38T1V4leQnsR1MRG3ZgtUzlpIRC4QN7pHoMEBrV0Q_tDt2B3w5Zx6tNpTtZ1c_MfVP857jp5WgenHDxe0/s200/alison+noah+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />What did today mean? It was our very first feeling of ... family ... and boy, did it feel good!!! We received such an affirmation from my immediate and extended family ... that of an open armed welcome and genuine LOVE, EXCITEMENT and ACCEPTANCE.<br /><br />Mack is convinced Noah must have the blood of Genghis Khan ... that of a great warrior! Mack loves the name Ramazan and got a kick out of calling Noah that.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMWulmbyexG2nSuF5oeXKANF21Rg_nWV6Wwz3vMFgtkwmJyV8eRngdZG4peFchy4dMEAeF8sS5slIwNtfIzVEaV-8X2RGQsDQ8QYj5fAeuY97z05xYj8AzxAbY-iU-jOs9v-Jb-_PCtsl/s1600-r/mack+and+noah+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139237287709499186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9S5gDwroKcAaBQrFHrQeKkTD2qVxoJBjmADohZ9mNHRC8MtjzTUDf1ExY9Ylta4CkftvLRMeVKE53h70lnwh5pJNDCxHlbkt5u-y9jsKTH51rLSObDJ-lNYmbMX4xwLoyDy6IGkV0hk8/s200/mack+and+noah+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My Dad called me when he had returned home to MS tonight and said, "This is my opinion of Noah ... he is CALM, COOL, AND COLLECTED and he will break the heart of many ladies." Dad also said, "Thank you Jayne ... for a day from which wonderful memories are made."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5zmLrC5IHUScI-gM7tCw_Z2nHOJGRSvjOy4RTLNWCe3IYO0DK_T-eD5Nlf_XMHCoKONqjn-NcbKozKeufgTrAZbUBJPQi1bzzGKtpK0YvxunjhehRobpevc1P-sRGGd1695HKaMq1xuX/s1600-r/dad+and+noah+4+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139237012831592226" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggapaQ7qujkIVksSWMsVaXbWyHYe4Jc__yZPSu7Rk7cojJL1_JQys1W6b5Txm_8Wl4p2PDIiLNfEmb9YR3BMc23Ab9cw7xxsZUZzuQjqPqEiXIgLUNpLaZgGlC4k2xmkJwC_2B2ne1lZxa/s200/dad+and+noah+4+com.jpg" border="0" /></a>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-35260901020240357372007-11-30T20:07:00.000-08:002007-12-01T21:29:55.702-08:00North Forsyth High School Greets Noah!Friday ... three days after our long journey home ... we went to my high school so that I could introduce Noah to <span style="color:#ff6600;">THE GREATEST STAFF OF TEACHERS IN THE WORLD</span>! We made the rounds for over two hours and the warmth and love given to Noah was indescribable. In the workroom between mine and Anita's room, I saw a poster where Anita has written beautifully ... "Bible Verses for Jayne and Noah." Below it were Bible verses given to her by different teachers ... the verse, location, and the teacher's name. Just amazing.<br /><br />I'm including pictures taken that day. Noah was dressed in his University of Georgia warm-up suit ... as he knew that would be a crowd pleaser!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod-yJVUOwda32KJGsiXZBcJqqQJAfV52F9ZR3E8voHhKnuaj6pfRO_e-lmIPmCyJGkhP8oTCm7eeaar6ETjnm_zo8R2MkGJ4f-ixJrBN5CP1-nwOr8LS3i5n7wnZirIqI1an4Gm_JXC_7/s1600-r/Noah+GAcom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139229634077777666" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissV6HZEH3HWG31lchz5eEyx-FrWkij6o97k6WrwPhIKrRkXc977dPR1XpP-PZzqQ4xmxszeVhkmkM-M0eA0BvtaNB3sr1huQZSZs_c8qQtjfNQ0zhn-OpJMilibMZb2-PNjqXdG4e61eb/s200/Noah+GAcom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLDAyT7wSbhzKvBMepbbbdDX-zu25Q77QrkJj10-1UvcnpiY5HIdH_wuQ1SYinKnqMc7cggeeL_RmqDYbsWWP1xYz7VyhsU_Ffbdp1COT86nUVa3wslc7tvlw_96Lc-skFP17uk59Tlnx/s1600-r/mom+and+noah+2+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139229565358300914" style="FLOAT: right; 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MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzNz_C8QvVDUEeXPxsiiIgZf7aqqSd7Z5B-873ENfL4EDkHNqdGB0xUPlRpaZQV-JD6REj4rE1VSCCDbUV0uLJ8HzTcCOFcKJB5Vd3gPrB8INspQ-m1WXcJebTyYCHQdtS74I2hdEcBZi/s200/ken+noah+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAmovWFuYG3ccos2zVWCAhZ-54xxwIg3ftGS9kwkXNHu_RjwjJ4chQvor3oZOfniRb4XHu8ErctfxhEB_kMDjFNvhsV8L6OL5EUQo10O5TSbBC9WeSYN0g_BnZSqEW8wBYNByPwbtbmSJL/s1600-r/mom+noah+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139228603285626434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwC3ZJ5J-ntTLOgDxwrm7wXYx2TqkGrsShpw4jHsEmP_H_SojwMLjSSt7AwzwWn1pORn7HAKja14AlNzzPPqmwHyDxrcLI3i3J5FAAhSjz6xm3ROByKeBicGUumPJ8JvyEDiF0WQkiRcT1/s200/mom+noah+com.jpg" border="0" /></a>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-80253365229425384332007-11-27T19:14:00.000-08:002007-12-01T21:29:16.692-08:00HOMECOMING!Noah is an excellent traveler! He only had one five minute meltdown out of 16 hours in 2 different planes. I would like to make note that once we boarded the first plane, he fell fast asleep and slept for a good 2 hours. I didn't want to wake him, and as a result ... his clothes got soaked with pee. Geez! Soooo, I took his only change of clothes to the airplane bathroom with me ... pulled down the baby changing station in those tight quarters ... and proceeded to do damage control. Strange thing ... I was thinking at the time ... Noah ... NOW is NOT the occasion to spray me the "first time." What did he do? I saw an extra dribble that shouldn't have been there ... I grabbed the baby wipe and before I could cover him ... you're right ... liquid warmth all over my hand and arm ... his only change of clothes ... and off course the airplane bathroom. Then I grabbed the clean diaper and covered him ... waiting for him to finish his "business." I then looked at him and he grinned from ear to ear and I just shook my head.<br /><br />Needless to say, his only change of clothes smelled questionable the remaining trip as did his mother ... who had no change of clothes and later also acquired two baby vomits to go with the pee! Just lovely, can I say?<br /><br />The trip home was exhausting ... a tiredness I've never known before ... down to the bone. Shannon, Derick, and Asher shared the first 6 hour leg to Frankfurt with Joanie and Hayden and me and Noah. When I said good-bye to Shannon and Derick and Asher in Frankfurt, I broke down. I fell apart emotionally ... I sobbed as I held them and told them I loved them. And it was as if Asher knew he was saying good-bye to his "brother" ... playmate ... friend ... as he took Noah's hand more than once and stared into Noah's eyes and Noah his. We watched in disbelief at what we were witnessing. There was not a dry eye.<br /><br />After boarding the plane, I continued to cry as I realized a huge part of my support system for 5 weeks was gone, in a sense. I want to say it clearly ... I LOVE SHANNON, DERICK, AND ASHER and I will always hold dear the companionship we shared and the sense of "family" they gave me while in Kazkahstan.<br /><br />Arrival in Atlanta was surreal. Did I kiss the ground? NO ... if I had, I would not have had the energy to get back up. After going through passport control and customs, we took the long escalator to our waiting friends. There was Crystal armed with "Welcome Home" balloons!! Joanie's mother (fighting back the tears) and friend, Marci, were there!<br /><br />We arrived home to a wonderful surprise! My friends, Crystal, Nancy, and Lisa had worked all weekend in my yard ... doing winter cleaning, planting pansies, etc., etc., etc!! They also put up ALL my Christmas decorations and had a steak dinner, baked potato, salad, and wine waiting for me! Of course ... Master Noah ... was top priority as he entered his home for the very first time!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9e_dI8ia4uGGi0f5lekQmM-880kbJNQ5MGHCuUD7oXIEmmOw0Qwha8FWPx7szCspqUUP0jbT5YnthGDjUNRl7AuWcbZINV62yW9Eu3FSRLyQWyC6kQ0VOkQUpAflBg61rlYnBNfsIxvP/s1600-r/noah+in+car+seat+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139220846574689842" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPL15mIIIrMm2suvnUsMcegKJkvc6Miq4xFMppEjQXll7IsDspELlphd77M6QNc5AF9SeSe6PE5RDAwuZLKm7k_wWSL0DOaEHxGMjyVz5FTPqhgRi0CPiJcugbmbHFm06EPHF8C-onCZB/s200/noah+in+car+seat+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYtJHyUEXwK1JR73Q3JB7hc2OznX9I5yU71rS1iTkrdQ2QTh3VELxjfmdBw9Qzb4-eqRMuhfd1NcRExp0Gfix8ayzAvLGnVxLSxK4iAc6qqQCT4Olpi223FtkQM_VLt7SaTf5I7RQjogH/s1600-r/balloons+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139220691955867170" style="FLOAT: right; 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MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkd7AQmH6jyBIrEHuxTc-ur-cUAykGcL4APViSawAPwAyjaqBcTTxKWOCC7ImIW_mGfH3mM6lGCJfnOBRjYo7YbXXSAshmzH6YfxkHvST403AFVU_HAEwY4vogJRHemUlYaA0isBSfcppI/s200/crystaljaynenoah+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYUQ7wRvR8jQ-gvNH1RuoOyaz8OGc5ikT3bNJpVdt8heBRPTPNtUOR3jAef984pebFmlDUwwAiSgvl72n6xCQvEMeS4l4smTxnWc38LSiFrbT4PLv44dQIOaCtjLnajyp2e3C5-2k62y7u/s1600-r/lisa+and+noah+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139219837257375186" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ao4raEy12nNmDKISyrcqDbD-y4ZeaX0zoJAjIN24h-uJMEu840X2a0B9P2meYwyd2dCQBcVB85_6KfGAgARpw_94h_fIsg2G4IS4w_t2SWtbLrF5QpMmNmAfXBR8Oj77uQu65EPT8jHJ/s200/lisa+and+noah+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdC3pPTqA489tbpk1hbChjbCz7SZS1QX8KwEQ-PEZHhD8VDIEFAmnwxIP6apXCai3WvpC9IYJ7MI_XKT2uzJwGwXklnl5o0iLOBsA9epl7zDGX2yND9nB2RY0BBO-IXw-kgtohwMf_npz/s1600-r/nancy+and+noah+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139219716998290882" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWYI3jVH_2FFMzETngyjY87qwKQP2TR60ZNknjY2sqru3GXC7pvQQzidpJsIe4c5N8v-V1iwQN-4FP7EIJd5k04BMDhG62aK7CjCe8Cb9uykjovgEuhoibh6WUARtsJDB7gDC6cxWOWXx/s200/nancy+and+noah+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoGPk5VuRYpkNGqmGw_ChpAaRMnjkdIKRuVz72Xz6bSpnr2s3jbaLbzaYgNcZwGE7998OkFBp61ztNsmvGO8kJOfVsB1S5frr3GehawXPfvDWd6Cr51ZYdxvkbNCZnpjIAt6-wfdvojU9/s1600-r/tree+with+noah+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139219579559337394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxxIrU8orx2K5LuO3s6_c5kKqZDmVWFYcx1ok0MAglYtP8JyqwbppT4ElIylun4FZ0i0xSYAmPq59-BSIc9q8lmYxWML3-kqojY2fP7VTRkRst5QBocBL3brtcfyJ9chBfFwn5Yh6Mp8Z/s200/tree+with+noah+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I gave Noah his first bath in his new abode.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdC7zg_ENPNac87RdXO3f4Q0tsyNa103pcoBd1t4KAkpMkhyphenhyphenrt835gZkjyqD8DnCLKW6enMD78Oa2VX_Y8pz9GAyXRO4-tgoZat5RAbI0J0SUhWbTiYHmUiLK2CKXEwdIEtF45CX3XSUuh/s1600-r/first+bath+in+home+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139219193012280738" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Cp3-4Dh-z7G5R_iLxDJyLNzG4TQmRdPYj6merpJGgomgMzU4sU17rGIpKWGMccUVuZAorQ3algteUw7CIAD7y7P5WLNfOUZN_spVcPZr69W4NT59DilEf4hJqoCO4CF7fbZYeKv7PW_p/s200/first+bath+in+home+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriWWGnt88xxl6H6N6pWz_NavAeylKwXF-kwJgL0YeF8dtZ_9Ll_13mDuAlr8C_c6fBYQ28EGl2lF3MakoK-mToQdCP_9fXhquKhY2nUGdN8reIl1iUKsQ5VI2mmUw9dCvQ1WdUrikQ0Qt/s1600-r/almost+first+bath+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139219115702869394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUI1iBjW_LK4WJSLCKIp5cIEN-rYSnZNgkXctpEuJbozEpP3zi-FX7b8-bwkEf5FSu1dS7TVXGXFPafWd7owpOP0Ez1vWQuajNXaM0ScR7nukLbdDPB8z09r3GfsbvwZDUZ1clBLZ7Fqcm/s200/almost+first+bath+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Crystal gave him his bottle and he then went FAST ASLEEP in his new room! I then enjoyed time with my friends ... and what friends they are! They spent hours upon hours at my house working to make sure that our homecoming was extra special! They also took our homecoming pictures which I am so happy to have to share on my blog site. How do I repay such kindness? At one of the greatest moments of Noah's and my life ... they were there ... recognizing the importance ... and making sure it was a night to remember.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vdx20jpFfS7TdJeOC0f6lQTCnhzgNSIbiZgknPS5SORDHBJ861YSbmY5IDIgsIkO2lQYXE4ohAVrGYAbiVTwu-VNGTl3OhIW7ev0LV-uWY-thbrs8X80iGpNu6th0E3dn1nSdoyXW4DQ/s1600-r/bottle+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139218364083592578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqbRv9FPwFTJZ6mbTZHounjBVQcvsEXFN3RrZwnRdL9bIqQJT-waqyi2Xj1OGj9btEFM74Ol4__-Wm4hYnc8Z_vbfks39ZvVAuSEeluA2hbLFWeAWkiQvnsw8ANACGLstxrQ4MpuGPCNl9/s200/bottle+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5toj6ZNd6RpDjO_YjjRxgrV2R_wiKXms7Hcg25FatW5p1b37SjjlrS5l-iS4qamg2ETUlj_KOj43dKWYGHpynNayyyphAaOXuqK2SJJH-O3oQEXJsiWQIAOjqggomIcWacbHaY7Dsc3s4/s1600-r/put+to+sleep+com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139218286774181234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiRQd7yoM1UiNSrTAgCgotX0YdrYoV9awg9_0kOg5ujT1SsbyMHilthexIzsiTegef0NbpjoXYIzW-sn7a6oypdS3eA_dKBZokWU2ol7cEUAhyphenhyphenYl1D828e_yGvDJPhhS4mNw5IqWhJK0W/s200/put+to+sleep+com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDT-dwxd8agXbBQ_9OWK_pGwSkYC3R_Q9R21z91Exd3-nLDQRYjcT0h8OvhhrtGL82L26AwNee5gyJ3HvWTWiog3hHbywUFYXJiOC21fOLZsOl6DMZA6RgnhkSr-PlCEe8rcEC-VbNeP4/s1600-r/first+night+at+home2com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139218114975489378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBj5x-yZB-1StIUyDaaUec2XK_VEMR5Cu-2gON_ctOrBlaaGNfApzPZTP-64DrN525lLs25VA3qsV-SNZNN2bMQO8T_EZ7GTjVNJ6IWF1qREfwLEIJWqW8JuGoWrMZZaCfEjeLS4EEOfv/s200/first+night+at+home2com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuKnfUKBFBZ7bXwhQAOCQ_GQur489pkHEvfEZB6mXRnfo44AX34_123rpPsZs7-edChoxYVQjdJy1BZVtC_KgnM1pThbNcySs-mMfDuxzK0KVLApTtu9gQcKaj1O9PzCMuN81C4R-aP6v/s1600-r/First+NIght+at+homecom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5139217797147909458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0teU2Fhh0GXqX4kyS03E7qcqEDWhYfd-Tt6kuzxyX05mwlvyo7B-8qjjKOTMzZ7ch_j2KZyrPql2NHEGzCv6dlGupVCldsKMkCwrz0QRdnnB4SX6yCgS2herL8EugYSBcKFbRw1sU2NeS/s200/First+NIght+at+homecom.jpg" border="0" /></a>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-45378304426798631202007-11-26T07:38:00.000-08:002007-11-26T09:12:46.242-08:00Thank you, God!Today was all about the "finish."<br /><br />The interview at the US Embassy was basically a "Congratulations ... all your papers are correct and in order." I'm including a picture of Noah's Kazakhstan passport and a picture of his visa to enter the US. Also pictured is a sealed envelope given to me by the Embassy with the instruction "Do Not Open. Give it to the US Custom's Office when you arrive." I also got instructions on how to apply for Noah's Social Security Card and a blue packet of all of the original court documents from Semey. All of us held these documents tight to our chest, pumped our fists in the air, and yelled YES!! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp92_WUifz5LCIqR6HpnOoGWifWm50WkMo58EAVGyMwQPqCLGm0_KNVCYlDE_CRAUywdNX5fEhkhM5x3BzVID-IvYygsiorMT170b6Dk3nhml1-2bStS5ceGpBaEIqOesS9WgPMBlnaz_2/s1600-h/passportcom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137195916414167746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp92_WUifz5LCIqR6HpnOoGWifWm50WkMo58EAVGyMwQPqCLGm0_KNVCYlDE_CRAUywdNX5fEhkhM5x3BzVID-IvYygsiorMT170b6Dk3nhml1-2bStS5ceGpBaEIqOesS9WgPMBlnaz_2/s200/passportcom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6wil-QbqgVaP8fqc7asC2ILCIbKj7FwsFEwHp9oy-AORIEK-MUojeOKl9kYZmXBhyOXImL6V1PQmCJeDTuTf31eeyZX7ZW6J_Dr2nLtDtSlphFluDMPbtg7KZW7ryYtCWMXi5kNJ7mpi/s1600-h/visacom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137195538457045682" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6wil-QbqgVaP8fqc7asC2ILCIbKj7FwsFEwHp9oy-AORIEK-MUojeOKl9kYZmXBhyOXImL6V1PQmCJeDTuTf31eeyZX7ZW6J_Dr2nLtDtSlphFluDMPbtg7KZW7ryYtCWMXi5kNJ7mpi/s200/visacom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqsSG7L36-ivzFEuPlCaT2Sa_aBVPWFDWaqmmAJeK32H127dMfFF4RdDj8w7lcLq0vQXPOd1CAFM-M02doU1v_2tYFLv4ec-0SO3-4eRxw-rggTokr_KdkDC7DLmAJYVLWf48ek2pOEwI/s1600-h/sealedenvelopecom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137195418197961378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqsSG7L36-ivzFEuPlCaT2Sa_aBVPWFDWaqmmAJeK32H127dMfFF4RdDj8w7lcLq0vQXPOd1CAFM-M02doU1v_2tYFLv4ec-0SO3-4eRxw-rggTokr_KdkDC7DLmAJYVLWf48ek2pOEwI/s200/sealedenvelopecom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Back at the hotel, we met with Marina, the coordinator and Kate, the interpreter. We paid our final fees, exchanged gifts, and said our good-byes. At 1:30 a.m., Sam, our driver, will be here at the hotel to pick us all up.<br /><br />Noah is in his crib fast asleep. He has no idea the long day we have ahead of us. Leaving the hotel at 1:30 a.m ... I estimate we will not step foot into my house for about another 24 hours. That's okay though. We've made it this far!<br /><br />The title of my blog is "A Mother's Journey to Kazakhstan." My journey to adopt began over two years ago and during this time, I've had my faith tested, my heart broken, and I lost my mother. I read the book Hinds Feet For High Places and it made me understand that sometimes God doesn't take us straight up the mountain. He may have us take the long road there ... through a desert, down into a valley, or into a frightening, unknown place. There are lessons about faith, about hope, and most importantly ... about love that I have learned on this journey that I might never have learned had I easily strode to this mountain top.<br /><br />I'm here ... humbled, wiser, more faithful ... and with a heart that has changed. God has prepared me as only he can ... so that when I hold Noah in my arms, I feel inside me ... the wide open heart of a mother.Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-6841957550393554462007-11-25T07:46:00.000-08:002007-11-25T20:45:02.622-08:00Full day of fun!Would you have your little finger cut off to save the life of your dog? How about your forearm? Would you boil a hotdog in water, save the water with hotdog juices in the refrigerator until it gelled a little and then drink it for $200? Would you live in Semey, Kazakhstan for a year for $1,000,000? Would you kill your dog for $50,000? (Derick gets credit for that sick question ... actually, I think Derick came up with all of them!) Yes, these are just a few of the questions that went around the breakfast table this morning! Can you tell it's time for us to come home? Ha!<br /><br />It was a GREAT day today! Joanie and Hayden, Rebecca, and Noah and I left the hotel today to explore! We were gone for a total of SIX HOURS on foot.<br /><br />We went back to the colorful Svyato-Voznesensky Cathedral … the Russian Orthodox Church. It was designed by A.P. Zenkov in 1904 and even while built entirely of wood … NO NAILS were used in its construction. It survived the infamous 1911 earthquake and so is one of the few pre-Soviet buildings in the city.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ygSpfuw9eeDGu4LBRiTOqFVhItimzo_YFStMleqamkc9sDGeFw-Y71WQDckUN7jp_VpKzN_TKiMEWI_hhgZEv4y-xyuAcCcPbuQuQBZgX46JOM6UmUStv3yAHdwxwao8FeRmz_fd85Ov/s1600-h/churchcom2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136809068709816978" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ygSpfuw9eeDGu4LBRiTOqFVhItimzo_YFStMleqamkc9sDGeFw-Y71WQDckUN7jp_VpKzN_TKiMEWI_hhgZEv4y-xyuAcCcPbuQuQBZgX46JOM6UmUStv3yAHdwxwao8FeRmz_fd85Ov/s200/churchcom2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nearby we visited the giant war memorial which has an eternal flame. There was a “memorial lane” with engraved stone pedestals commemorating the soldiers. The HUGE statues and stone pedestals were beyond description as far as I’m concerned and I was absolutely blown away by this memorial. I’m only including pictures of the eternal flame.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUigN_isyf0aaAZpJn7ummuyYguTGw4H7PXLmw5WDTQ10tJqk02pxn_yhYgyQIiRDV-yKXvulGVQzHtTtx_0m_JHFjKhZIniM85i8yydfoTbZyRH23qcxlqAc6gGQ4zbvllZ2SQTGQfliZ/s1600-h/eternalflame3com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136808776652040834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUigN_isyf0aaAZpJn7ummuyYguTGw4H7PXLmw5WDTQ10tJqk02pxn_yhYgyQIiRDV-yKXvulGVQzHtTtx_0m_JHFjKhZIniM85i8yydfoTbZyRH23qcxlqAc6gGQ4zbvllZ2SQTGQfliZ/s200/eternalflame3com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFkiaTYcAWp70hxwMOPV8tPXQo3CNxFZKd4LuXEQ-iijcST1Amm1YeXYV5svjf0Xa2fpvrq4jDeZH4ltSDjeEPll2nq-5WDNQdFflqS3db8_6NXTfr-ojnL5yaduXvpvdYJIfrNhTTxny/s1600-h/eternalflame2com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136808626328185458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFkiaTYcAWp70hxwMOPV8tPXQo3CNxFZKd4LuXEQ-iijcST1Amm1YeXYV5svjf0Xa2fpvrq4jDeZH4ltSDjeEPll2nq-5WDNQdFflqS3db8_6NXTfr-ojnL5yaduXvpvdYJIfrNhTTxny/s200/eternalflame2com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next, we walked to the “AMERICAN BAR AND GRILL.” Here is a picture of the sign and a picture of Noah’s first ever french fry! There are certain foods I have been craving and one was a hamburger … so I actually had my first one in 5 weeks and it was so good!! Between every chew, I was moaning mmm … mmmmmm …mmmmmm!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ts3AiGpN3lwR5bLDrF3N8Zqx7ynl4THBo9MI-xxUiutbxGSnAqHYYlWlh2tfi27phcC-DINvSMHMDN38yWGwS2mfm2Yq8oBmnKBV5b4I0UtFnVhBAUqvl5noEmR28YjUYrZRcDetxPtx/s1600-h/frenchfrycom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136808304205638242" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ts3AiGpN3lwR5bLDrF3N8Zqx7ynl4THBo9MI-xxUiutbxGSnAqHYYlWlh2tfi27phcC-DINvSMHMDN38yWGwS2mfm2Yq8oBmnKBV5b4I0UtFnVhBAUqvl5noEmR28YjUYrZRcDetxPtx/s200/frenchfrycom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLk5bKOySsAHk_wIOCBtuE-T6OoEvSm1TR8RiFvCAPoTxonx5WqmXYAZXo-2Wa3gbLDK8RcZquvWoqgOBSDvj91Gbg0IHzkH3ZYmcwfavxWCuusZ7V6BLhaOX5TlF3XS4gNdiWrvHa7eyL/s1600-h/americangrillcom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136808158176750162" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLk5bKOySsAHk_wIOCBtuE-T6OoEvSm1TR8RiFvCAPoTxonx5WqmXYAZXo-2Wa3gbLDK8RcZquvWoqgOBSDvj91Gbg0IHzkH3ZYmcwfavxWCuusZ7V6BLhaOX5TlF3XS4gNdiWrvHa7eyL/s200/americangrillcom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We then found the amazing Tsum Mall. We were told that on the 3rd floor there were great Kazakhstan souvenirs. Well, they were right … almost the entire floor was dedicated to Kazkahstan memorabilia. I spent ALL my tenge and at the end of our spree, the stores began accepting my American money! My prize purchase was a commemorative coin for Noah. It cost a pretty penny but I think it will be something nice for him to cherish one day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZue6bloAsIO-ir44Os5IVgx2mmwFZH7P8mwkRYIdBO_R-AedNP4ZXinsI0xbkRoA55CwrZYLO8emE7hDhMIS7m6ecUu4NpC63T0j55wLWw6ooGZl97eDObtGCcwHXOjjX8F_KSlSPwlG/s1600-h/coincom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136807844644137538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZue6bloAsIO-ir44Os5IVgx2mmwFZH7P8mwkRYIdBO_R-AedNP4ZXinsI0xbkRoA55CwrZYLO8emE7hDhMIS7m6ecUu4NpC63T0j55wLWw6ooGZl97eDObtGCcwHXOjjX8F_KSlSPwlG/s200/coincom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After this loooong hike back to the hotel, the “crew” all gathered in my hotel room. We are all on the same hall and Joanie and Rebecca are right across the hall … which is why we all laughed agreeing that we feel like we are back in college and hanging out in our dorm rooms … except with babies now! We laugh alot and it's this laughter that has helped us get through some difficult days. While hanging out ... we showed Derick and Shannon our purchases, let the kids play together, talked about plans for the next day …and of course we discussed our all important embassy appointment tomorrow!<br /><br />After a full day of adventure, Noah was one exhausted little boy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeS6qIGYmGTeE9BQ1mzxOhO7Vs4R9QhMIOUlKdCS7T8EnYQFhgc5mvWfIy-gxtallQYEVn5LXv5Fr9wH5XE9ET-pbFmWBGtl-jxib3UZxK_oL8EX2zBa36F0T66nK1cTT2d-Trsr6aAL2/s1600-h/joanie1com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136807307773225522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeS6qIGYmGTeE9BQ1mzxOhO7Vs4R9QhMIOUlKdCS7T8EnYQFhgc5mvWfIy-gxtallQYEVn5LXv5Fr9wH5XE9ET-pbFmWBGtl-jxib3UZxK_oL8EX2zBa36F0T66nK1cTT2d-Trsr6aAL2/s200/joanie1com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjv6PfD7cC5iLrUk_iEbGF5T-VhST7GPpNsvMAjokFnP_iHu8z9b9KhQ2VnKpteipweOSTme0I4N4Ubg4P5SsFfYWYvUrnqSMg2Jn6Oyd5UDeu3mnIQ7RtVvtSGxHoDZgUGE8Y_ycf6dy/s1600-h/joanie2com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136807183219173922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgjv6PfD7cC5iLrUk_iEbGF5T-VhST7GPpNsvMAjokFnP_iHu8z9b9KhQ2VnKpteipweOSTme0I4N4Ubg4P5SsFfYWYvUrnqSMg2Jn6Oyd5UDeu3mnIQ7RtVvtSGxHoDZgUGE8Y_ycf6dy/s200/joanie2com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XJr5Opx50bKlf64sO_YfV6gnMRQXG_GJG6dvUrAigIlGr5JKoMFQNdCYa6SctpShF7gLhi6t7_SEJj_t_XAf1i3ct9n4P6NkPMb4WFIMD2oHjxjkf9DMZZj2gFEcIDqblP14OdJoWIVi/s1600-h/joanie3com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136807058665122322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XJr5Opx50bKlf64sO_YfV6gnMRQXG_GJG6dvUrAigIlGr5JKoMFQNdCYa6SctpShF7gLhi6t7_SEJj_t_XAf1i3ct9n4P6NkPMb4WFIMD2oHjxjkf9DMZZj2gFEcIDqblP14OdJoWIVi/s200/joanie3com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3JIg2e_GFNmOVcMxIBGG_JjgHUx9G7Z8-oYraqQuA6Ivc_X_jBSjqaMl2wtlWRrrdejX1FOrPA7xro5kEHtq08pOJsX0Fi7byPcw0OVhEuRGkUy7cfWiIiTVkYCa-mitFqRe85WjNI7H/s1600-h/joanie4com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136806938406038018" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3JIg2e_GFNmOVcMxIBGG_JjgHUx9G7Z8-oYraqQuA6Ivc_X_jBSjqaMl2wtlWRrrdejX1FOrPA7xro5kEHtq08pOJsX0Fi7byPcw0OVhEuRGkUy7cfWiIiTVkYCa-mitFqRe85WjNI7H/s200/joanie4com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEIzGdJrWulm7t3fEZfgjFz7kkphImERgLvc2I1O4s3UFDidbPetATMLE4-zbYBLSF0wmBxiDC81qF0k1klOpEnBq72kIv7gDkEd8oPZaAPd4SZleCsRWQaaMZhyphenhypheng69P5fQXOm295sdqp/s1600-h/joanie5com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136806813851986418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEIzGdJrWulm7t3fEZfgjFz7kkphImERgLvc2I1O4s3UFDidbPetATMLE4-zbYBLSF0wmBxiDC81qF0k1klOpEnBq72kIv7gDkEd8oPZaAPd4SZleCsRWQaaMZhyphenhypheng69P5fQXOm295sdqp/s200/joanie5com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0eqit-ObYzRa0VmOA7xpP-nTipSiRz2RP3Hoeh7QPaW6s8DtEfBei-eb8ZaUuOc8gHqpPR1xXDWpGLwnZxBXhtVEaeNBhYyTLDVhWVXNKyifQGnrEUCqlWF9aL1i1JLSValspMy8WOTk/s1600-h/dormroomcom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136806685002967522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0eqit-ObYzRa0VmOA7xpP-nTipSiRz2RP3Hoeh7QPaW6s8DtEfBei-eb8ZaUuOc8gHqpPR1xXDWpGLwnZxBXhtVEaeNBhYyTLDVhWVXNKyifQGnrEUCqlWF9aL1i1JLSValspMy8WOTk/s200/dormroomcom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XZzX1B_Gq6j9jom6vQ5lXbT6bTEjyN5uA1sh7ecTeHDzU9SJpPYTq8ohWjxHVl2dt7ScdWq1WlGeWopQmwgcCawK3fLvnjXQ9sqE4RhfH_pGxhzZ_y7w126kSIdKmbyqk9-2BEVzEr_0/s1600-h/rebeccacom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136806478844537298" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XZzX1B_Gq6j9jom6vQ5lXbT6bTEjyN5uA1sh7ecTeHDzU9SJpPYTq8ohWjxHVl2dt7ScdWq1WlGeWopQmwgcCawK3fLvnjXQ9sqE4RhfH_pGxhzZ_y7w126kSIdKmbyqk9-2BEVzEr_0/s200/rebeccacom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDQYjfGb5Oo_IBumhb2UFVYiNdTlr7BhhSPUplyomte2QuZIjDzPwJtJcoGnjUq7G_0sKKT_XffOIQ_uu-zExB4Hk7mQaHJinuvZIsTfaQF7X9VNbdgKGIRi0Aio4bBuWhcqZDAUtZCDI/s1600-h/sleepingcom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136805920498788802" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJDQYjfGb5Oo_IBumhb2UFVYiNdTlr7BhhSPUplyomte2QuZIjDzPwJtJcoGnjUq7G_0sKKT_XffOIQ_uu-zExB4Hk7mQaHJinuvZIsTfaQF7X9VNbdgKGIRi0Aio4bBuWhcqZDAUtZCDI/s200/sleepingcom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tomorrow will be our last day in Kazakhstan. It’s really hard to believe.Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-65241895937966553952007-11-24T08:13:00.000-08:002007-11-24T09:07:47.444-08:00Two and 1/2 nights and 2 days to go ...Last night in the room above me and Noah, there was a party ... and not just any party. There was loud music, live bongo drums, what sounded like horses stampeding above, drunken Kazakh men singing off key and as loud as they could to every song. One morning, I awoke at 5:00 a.m. to people having LOUD sex in the room next door. Sex not once, but twice ... believe me, I could tell. Derick got a phone call late one night and a woman said, "You don't know me, but would you like to have a good time with some women?" He said, "No thank you." When he told Shannon, she asked, "Why were you so polite?!" ............. Anyway, I just thought I'd share with you all a few typical nights in the Almaty hotel. Ha!<br /><br />Joanie's good friend, Rebecca, flew into Almaty to help Joanie bring back her baby girl, Hayden. Rebecca has actually been a big help to all of us as she is constantly looking for ways to lend a hand. She is total sweetness and I do believe Noah has developed his first crush.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLhi5pizOzN2CblGhc8D0D2AOk2lBntMZg7PVJZvFSgOOX2jQmf29Ue4e1qfEGKIP1EAXu6SpLG84G-WSsQRhjrodfRjEMOcomm3GIHNpS6hicaOEEqb-X_JvilmxkvVHBsv4G0XkeGkS/s1600-h/rebecca2com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136452045258369458" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLhi5pizOzN2CblGhc8D0D2AOk2lBntMZg7PVJZvFSgOOX2jQmf29Ue4e1qfEGKIP1EAXu6SpLG84G-WSsQRhjrodfRjEMOcomm3GIHNpS6hicaOEEqb-X_JvilmxkvVHBsv4G0XkeGkS/s200/rebecca2com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsz0FdxKzXZfNUWBizGEeXGgDYJqZUEJHDs-AREvGp0U7D39Mnaj0uypDbGjmnjqwksZ7-r8lGA11JY2pZUhy_zfKVV0UX8UuPBrX7be6am4LtBCiHWChBGH1QCsWKSpr9JbHtnVtMmWlQ/s1600-h/rebecca3com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136451899229481378" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsz0FdxKzXZfNUWBizGEeXGgDYJqZUEJHDs-AREvGp0U7D39Mnaj0uypDbGjmnjqwksZ7-r8lGA11JY2pZUhy_zfKVV0UX8UuPBrX7be6am4LtBCiHWChBGH1QCsWKSpr9JbHtnVtMmWlQ/s200/rebecca3com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrx9iqo1RN0T1TzKHYqr6-3HUGzsPE8obLG7hyphenhyphenokqg23VJyPoiaAV4F-UMi-bgjc5iaS0zuuaZuXIfOO4yf6LvJB9WkU6U4f-eMSPsRaZOCzANbAWAP2Bqw4reEk0yczW2dm4iGO-ojlGY/s1600-h/rebeccacom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136451757495560594" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrx9iqo1RN0T1TzKHYqr6-3HUGzsPE8obLG7hyphenhyphenokqg23VJyPoiaAV4F-UMi-bgjc5iaS0zuuaZuXIfOO4yf6LvJB9WkU6U4f-eMSPsRaZOCzANbAWAP2Bqw4reEk0yczW2dm4iGO-ojlGY/s200/rebeccacom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>It snowed last night! We took the children out for a long walk. We went to a beautiful park. In the center of the park is a Russian Orthodox Church famous because it has no steel in the construction. It is all wood. It is absolutely breathtaking inside with murals painted on the ceiling and on every wall. You could feel God's presence there. Just outside the church, very old, poor, and freezing Kazakh women sat on the curb begging. It broke our hearts.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx95wSwAx6FRhGlzdLDX5KWCvIrXEyHKOFg5d5a07UVZl7FdibtPFEdhmdNeFyPocNkJrd8goQvjJoAJddVcpybejDNxrG-Qnmn_r70QjbgsexpxE1pcFWYurfJJRGQCHaI-66P8a7is1/s1600-h/momandnoahcom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136450769653082498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglx95wSwAx6FRhGlzdLDX5KWCvIrXEyHKOFg5d5a07UVZl7FdibtPFEdhmdNeFyPocNkJrd8goQvjJoAJddVcpybejDNxrG-Qnmn_r70QjbgsexpxE1pcFWYurfJJRGQCHaI-66P8a7is1/s200/momandnoahcom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFZTDLhsWH6RrjvcNUaEytNAdAs1D1NBm-lEQN6SgoE33x28lOn7lKGMA2JUYiz3KhGrutUknTLbx2B5UTEy-oZJZnvpB6xO5CR_Ww_JLrP8p2Wk-Yp6h3mee1P07oz0zF4364vgzzXxe/s1600-h/momandnoah2com.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136450636509096306" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFZTDLhsWH6RrjvcNUaEytNAdAs1D1NBm-lEQN6SgoE33x28lOn7lKGMA2JUYiz3KhGrutUknTLbx2B5UTEy-oZJZnvpB6xO5CR_Ww_JLrP8p2Wk-Yp6h3mee1P07oz0zF4364vgzzXxe/s200/momandnoah2com.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh_VzyvPOB415iTXN-OdOuWt4YOdLfuYnXeEiXCN8YjqPjlToqXZ9N6Q6R3yuoCgEBGhsWFoJpvkGUS9pRIgtCjHf2eqANbcoju8QxdOXw1puuJvoIo3aCAQHKWpzCzW0TZBb9iFxU9Tl/s1600-h/horsecom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136450473300339042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh_VzyvPOB415iTXN-OdOuWt4YOdLfuYnXeEiXCN8YjqPjlToqXZ9N6Q6R3yuoCgEBGhsWFoJpvkGUS9pRIgtCjHf2eqANbcoju8QxdOXw1puuJvoIo3aCAQHKWpzCzW0TZBb9iFxU9Tl/s200/horsecom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ERbyiKi4HvHAeNMNvaWKxOO2mtqvpsJ323I5pHOQR43zJw3iWFD8pxbuD8_pXj8uilPR10xg7OVWfKQDKgMOIniMZgZqOWH_XGmHJ8YXIxRuEd9oXOGRIYFXAtshj5s_MBZ86jw_zcSm/s1600-h/churchcom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136450305796614482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ERbyiKi4HvHAeNMNvaWKxOO2mtqvpsJ323I5pHOQR43zJw3iWFD8pxbuD8_pXj8uilPR10xg7OVWfKQDKgMOIniMZgZqOWH_XGmHJ8YXIxRuEd9oXOGRIYFXAtshj5s_MBZ86jw_zcSm/s200/churchcom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSO_T75YYFt26tNz-Kir7Ur9_e6GPc1qiTmuA2lBx_B7MZJNVJyBkZxVYpHV9sX4B1gq8mI-R6nEvhtLdxrAh2_fX6gHyI-EOV1tDUZVcsKvJmm-PvWxNItkfsJtQSGsnAA6wRJFsILVoA/s1600-h/snowmancom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136450112523086146" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSO_T75YYFt26tNz-Kir7Ur9_e6GPc1qiTmuA2lBx_B7MZJNVJyBkZxVYpHV9sX4B1gq8mI-R6nEvhtLdxrAh2_fX6gHyI-EOV1tDUZVcsKvJmm-PvWxNItkfsJtQSGsnAA6wRJFsILVoA/s200/snowmancom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>We stopped at Mama Mia's, an Italian Restaurant and had a late lunch. By the time we got back to the hotel, Noah was tired. I took a few photos of him that I am including. You can see how his little mood can change in a matter of 30 seconds! You must understand that his facial expressions are highly manipulative. Notice I figured out very quickly all he wanted was his bottle!!</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Icir1nqnG3m2f5D1nmiF9pLMDHJ_2SAdpqPpQBmb506QRS0Ylgpnai-Q7BCNINm5iONGiC4dwr_OmggRdzj7QLoUGvDvKluFmFbr7oVXg_Kb5FoFegyAI52FXGTLXpDoCh6wb2qAWgCz/s1600-h/happycom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136449614306879794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Icir1nqnG3m2f5D1nmiF9pLMDHJ_2SAdpqPpQBmb506QRS0Ylgpnai-Q7BCNINm5iONGiC4dwr_OmggRdzj7QLoUGvDvKluFmFbr7oVXg_Kb5FoFegyAI52FXGTLXpDoCh6wb2qAWgCz/s200/happycom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcQgQRWHdfLd0AmPe2SS_ohI7KB54QlYgMJ72bgn4bXHs-5gZcrht20hLuYKrQc8DF4SSPcZqjS1vsFpDZHPd0J-Tw-aN-d-9Lfyms-vMzYyiIOXA4nSZjjaFMo6-buPqOX2Z6xW_eEN6/s1600-h/thinkingcom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136449472572959010" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcQgQRWHdfLd0AmPe2SS_ohI7KB54QlYgMJ72bgn4bXHs-5gZcrht20hLuYKrQc8DF4SSPcZqjS1vsFpDZHPd0J-Tw-aN-d-9Lfyms-vMzYyiIOXA4nSZjjaFMo6-buPqOX2Z6xW_eEN6/s200/thinkingcom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-13C347MMyHbDAXTww7cSf8KpXOUsuP11QtlCh7QjJSsOyepFjXe-Ix6dVbW95fr8PuVIVgwBag_3PB_ws03tLHyxma09wVC1VcjPYK7pc4x7Dri376WrDR3Hf0wI65DT0RNZkIuDeIBT/s1600-h/tonguecom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136449335134005522" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-13C347MMyHbDAXTww7cSf8KpXOUsuP11QtlCh7QjJSsOyepFjXe-Ix6dVbW95fr8PuVIVgwBag_3PB_ws03tLHyxma09wVC1VcjPYK7pc4x7Dri376WrDR3Hf0wI65DT0RNZkIuDeIBT/s200/tonguecom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ495Aa2ZUEnsn2NjkwT-n5lWFjXKRvWSb0Po793MSpBSUDoVBMzJ7eqfEBNvlljskDREU7Ab40iMfkDq0WuxEZTLLdTSt1bsWf-QyKY6A3L9wDFAlsSE6dKXdOAj7nt5iHWzXylguMj7e/s1600-h/unhappycom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136449154745379074" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ495Aa2ZUEnsn2NjkwT-n5lWFjXKRvWSb0Po793MSpBSUDoVBMzJ7eqfEBNvlljskDREU7Ab40iMfkDq0WuxEZTLLdTSt1bsWf-QyKY6A3L9wDFAlsSE6dKXdOAj7nt5iHWzXylguMj7e/s200/unhappycom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWzr1tehCRLoptzyXI9kzw3BrY7OcdqTUSe_3OcU6E5pfU-h7HDSiK0jCqQC9s0QTcAMbtU3cU6MPbSsYiLlfgqBAvECBKn1psPVAsr53r1oJtdkWgVdSt6XYwOkAyroFJyozDyqU4ds-/s1600-h/veryunhappycom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136449008716490994" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjWzr1tehCRLoptzyXI9kzw3BrY7OcdqTUSe_3OcU6E5pfU-h7HDSiK0jCqQC9s0QTcAMbtU3cU6MPbSsYiLlfgqBAvECBKn1psPVAsr53r1oJtdkWgVdSt6XYwOkAyroFJyozDyqU4ds-/s200/veryunhappycom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Le9JKF9b-vD4cETjE5N6sjq7xbdFtvH1Ihfzgus6TObmd03Pkyk0TIjtkxJqybjdTEx_aiWb28N-cA7Kf1wpuSOM4vDExt80_wNgTVUlmCO9tq6uvfUK0vhF3d1sJO5aCiTa5R8IDgPN/s1600-h/bottlecom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136448613579499746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Le9JKF9b-vD4cETjE5N6sjq7xbdFtvH1Ihfzgus6TObmd03Pkyk0TIjtkxJqybjdTEx_aiWb28N-cA7Kf1wpuSOM4vDExt80_wNgTVUlmCO9tq6uvfUK0vhF3d1sJO5aCiTa5R8IDgPN/s200/bottlecom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div></div>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-46356786153349488522007-11-24T08:00:00.000-08:002007-11-24T08:10:32.042-08:00You are an Osborne.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPeFTh-Y9WoKwb66FlZTokaMFOFEIL3ae6dXbYUZ4SGU8QPg5Y_ebirCaD1n27aYUGLj40fIxD1zdsIkSXNehjnCUE5R4-JbbZaTiC17QIxo36_tkl6Zdr5hRX_ZPNBra7a9be2H1t2O2/s1600-h/noahmamacom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136439529723668690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPeFTh-Y9WoKwb66FlZTokaMFOFEIL3ae6dXbYUZ4SGU8QPg5Y_ebirCaD1n27aYUGLj40fIxD1zdsIkSXNehjnCUE5R4-JbbZaTiC17QIxo36_tkl6Zdr5hRX_ZPNBra7a9be2H1t2O2/s200/noahmamacom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>When the employee for Lufthansa handed me Noah’s plane ticket, I saw printed across the top center of the ticket <strong><span style="color:#330033;">OSBORNE, NOAH FRANKLYN</span>.<br /><br /></strong>I looked at Noah because it finally hit me … You are no more “a name I thought of” FOR “a child I dreamed of.” This employee just handed me a real life, official ticket with <strong>YOUR</strong> name on it.<br /><br /><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>You are … yes, YOU are Noah Franklyn Osborne. </strong><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#330033;"><strong>God</strong> </span><strong><span style="color:#330033;">had a plan for you, my little one.<br />You have been born into your mother’s heart<br />and now have your forever family.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#330033;">YOU ARE AN OSBORNE.</span> </span></strong></div>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-51088605207552876512007-11-23T07:25:00.000-08:002007-11-23T08:02:27.609-08:00Enjoy the process ...I'm counting down! As a matter of fact, I look at my watch constantly ... I practically watch it tick. My twin brother, Wayne, has said to me for years, "Enjoy the process." I'm trying. I guess it's perfectly normal to miss home ... after all, that's why there is such a word as "homesick!"<br /><br />It rained today so we all just laid low in our hotel rooms. Noah took 2 long naps today and I thanked God for that! I was then able to get some much needed rest. I'm including a few pictures of Noah from today ... with his giraffe ... which he and I affectionately call johnny giraffe.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZivKOaV7YgnYJ447S_HklWNHSb8zEtBTqQskwDXSqImo3PUBMAunI3K6uv1xEzdfYJBoUnSnhfXPixVZRHyc-U9J8ucHpN_LF4Wf-q_mOzTjGmMKoMEbRlEo0nckRpw0tiGecZ3954fW/s1600-h/johnny3com.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtZivKOaV7YgnYJ447S_HklWNHSb8zEtBTqQskwDXSqImo3PUBMAunI3K6uv1xEzdfYJBoUnSnhfXPixVZRHyc-U9J8ucHpN_LF4Wf-q_mOzTjGmMKoMEbRlEo0nckRpw0tiGecZ3954fW/s200/johnny3com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136065631345715394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtmPijRsXodjjW9aHyAuh8wa3ydQwJm5y66BbRbpO_Kb6XdbdSteeCsK1i_lZ-gaLCOdckSTt5DHr-Vay90JQrQBbWvsEFLwPHL33-2Pgx-tgOChQzvXjaYIf3OyhJqEARFIqS1q6Pxun/s1600-h/johnny2com.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtmPijRsXodjjW9aHyAuh8wa3ydQwJm5y66BbRbpO_Kb6XdbdSteeCsK1i_lZ-gaLCOdckSTt5DHr-Vay90JQrQBbWvsEFLwPHL33-2Pgx-tgOChQzvXjaYIf3OyhJqEARFIqS1q6Pxun/s200/johnny2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136065481021860018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CC1e2YVnU6hw3YikXFSPqCXBNBIw-B9RUh2AfWXGXmAQrmRDSoiZSaabGiKoWoLWGmyB9Qfsgo3_xGG0LFUKBrbku0gKHiRPG_UWzATA3_ybWrNBDV7EcSbfre_OipCUuCODP6eYqEBY/s1600-h/johnny6com.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CC1e2YVnU6hw3YikXFSPqCXBNBIw-B9RUh2AfWXGXmAQrmRDSoiZSaabGiKoWoLWGmyB9Qfsgo3_xGG0LFUKBrbku0gKHiRPG_UWzATA3_ybWrNBDV7EcSbfre_OipCUuCODP6eYqEBY/s200/johnny6com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136065261978527906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgHuC9l5NuYe13AiSt1uaRapSVUcdx4s8vy3Xl7FDkwhpIPoHcQRe77j7UaCtvzecOcieHlN29zwQR7Gj7n_xNsPgq8FQxgc3yIexiLvBdKVmqPpu2iec9FOVoX0-kJBZjpOY64WCewrj/s1600-h/johnnycom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgHuC9l5NuYe13AiSt1uaRapSVUcdx4s8vy3Xl7FDkwhpIPoHcQRe77j7UaCtvzecOcieHlN29zwQR7Gj7n_xNsPgq8FQxgc3yIexiLvBdKVmqPpu2iec9FOVoX0-kJBZjpOY64WCewrj/s200/johnnycom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136064991395588242" /></a><br /><br />I did get Noah's HIV test report back today (negative). I also got all his medical records from the orphanage in the original Russian version and in an English (translated) version. Included in these records is Noah's vaccination history. Marina, our coordinator here in Almaty, called today and said all the paperwork is squared away in reference to Noah's passport and visa. The appointment at the Embassy is Monday at 3:30 and tickets to fly home are purchased. Now, we just wait.<br /><br />Tonight, Noah got a little cultural experience listening to a pianist and violinist in the hotel lobby. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlcK-JrurIWcEXwLGMPz5HT6plKmHpZdQFRYU6OWmSIRCrrLqW3jinVxm9jrsymh9ZkT3ysvj6AwPp2DLRrnS5Nl9tJaR5mTZorbFG2qqVGoSo_XUoZz_xEO5pBbvDNSnp9wsKh3PtsND/s1600-h/violin2com.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlcK-JrurIWcEXwLGMPz5HT6plKmHpZdQFRYU6OWmSIRCrrLqW3jinVxm9jrsymh9ZkT3ysvj6AwPp2DLRrnS5Nl9tJaR5mTZorbFG2qqVGoSo_XUoZz_xEO5pBbvDNSnp9wsKh3PtsND/s200/violin2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136064325675657346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuAza661gUCYxDkDsPJDBxZALW-mn2CsxC51t_57YMsgmfYLymeVhXlqdhBxE5_8CusWX9vHS1lebqaY9vAFvYbbo0gQIkZCP2OWSFfVpUH4RthRMLJvws1dyIzY1OUErnr19_4__4QoK/s1600-h/violincom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuAza661gUCYxDkDsPJDBxZALW-mn2CsxC51t_57YMsgmfYLymeVhXlqdhBxE5_8CusWX9vHS1lebqaY9vAFvYbbo0gQIkZCP2OWSFfVpUH4RthRMLJvws1dyIzY1OUErnr19_4__4QoK/s200/violincom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5136064179646769266" /></a><br /><br />Maybe I need to do some soul searching tonight and think about "enjoying the process" these last few days. After all, I'm on the downhill slide! Wheeeeeeee!Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-24224372655761344422007-11-22T09:07:00.000-08:002007-11-22T09:28:28.127-08:00Thanksgiving and a Live WireThanksgiving Dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel was very nice. I’m including pictures of just SOME of the food … There was MUCH more! We were in awe of our food choices and I laughed as it reminded me of the Survivor reality show … where these survivors are starving … and they win a reward challenge … and the prize is a huge feast. What food they would normally not think twice about … they are ooohing and aaaahing over it and thinking food has never, ever tasted so good!! That was us in a nutshell.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo9ryHMUhuP4gheFWnTun4HY1qDCM_lLIwpg7wHKQPE4FunwaZGsPxM_a-0WHJCzwCe1jTycYN1pxXQ9z6En5s9OFbaewIJAlkzFBJngXbwWn_TvlzgxjOCvZQN6L5bamjAgrMQU4cMR0/s1600-h/turkeycom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTo9ryHMUhuP4gheFWnTun4HY1qDCM_lLIwpg7wHKQPE4FunwaZGsPxM_a-0WHJCzwCe1jTycYN1pxXQ9z6En5s9OFbaewIJAlkzFBJngXbwWn_TvlzgxjOCvZQN6L5bamjAgrMQU4cMR0/s200/turkeycom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135715024575408226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCnc2NQKImKET7IMacBcSLtm2z_ObVDo7d68-0aiY6UeJPLg_29sDmIEjTUT5l7U-HHw-uSjSwSdaVjEFddw6X15jzyM_vZsa57O3L8ZHB5mA744WdWcKfxdA2CdruwlMehELYVEPrvcd/s1600-h/dessertscom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCnc2NQKImKET7IMacBcSLtm2z_ObVDo7d68-0aiY6UeJPLg_29sDmIEjTUT5l7U-HHw-uSjSwSdaVjEFddw6X15jzyM_vZsa57O3L8ZHB5mA744WdWcKfxdA2CdruwlMehELYVEPrvcd/s200/dessertscom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135714844186781778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkk2VPukMSCHTKWWy1u3EwKcisNTcQjWvXWecptw4SCzuPL7bTvuiwcVgO0La07wACVX9zoPfflUOowDVAqUIxlBqW-NDOcq24ibep6WDKX70Vij-y6uDFwIO5GZJP_a6L3V6JiL0CxlS/s1600-h/saladbarcom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkk2VPukMSCHTKWWy1u3EwKcisNTcQjWvXWecptw4SCzuPL7bTvuiwcVgO0La07wACVX9zoPfflUOowDVAqUIxlBqW-NDOcq24ibep6WDKX70Vij-y6uDFwIO5GZJP_a6L3V6JiL0CxlS/s200/saladbarcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135714646618286146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaNosyzCIxGTg7bPNqrbKN4q8y41ulUr8ag8frG6tE0QDKhRvxBlynlv3eWuYMfD4njhCeXVBJaNmS_cdSVLZHO-mMrN35s5LetrSbRbQRDZlrkK_3Qo4LUXiPUvkk9fSfMazOwA_Vo_A/s1600-h/afterdinnercom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaNosyzCIxGTg7bPNqrbKN4q8y41ulUr8ag8frG6tE0QDKhRvxBlynlv3eWuYMfD4njhCeXVBJaNmS_cdSVLZHO-mMrN35s5LetrSbRbQRDZlrkK_3Qo4LUXiPUvkk9fSfMazOwA_Vo_A/s200/afterdinnercom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135714504884365362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5sTpd2zZ2R7jPsAcAoSo5jOvu_UgOkwhhAFdVbuqVebATqtwZaysYitSMqyqA9cgT4GwC-AP31fJfjJRsNeFN0olf9cKfHqjVwOZPz_A3b2j6v6Y_75q1FI2oNqStqALkF42viuhGmUU/s1600-h/dandscom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5sTpd2zZ2R7jPsAcAoSo5jOvu_UgOkwhhAFdVbuqVebATqtwZaysYitSMqyqA9cgT4GwC-AP31fJfjJRsNeFN0olf9cKfHqjVwOZPz_A3b2j6v6Y_75q1FI2oNqStqALkF42viuhGmUU/s200/dandscom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135714290136000546" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BnEef0qPPuwVA2J97tRcjU0lAeG6hMIya9oCjZMnUMJrfRt_Ssv_YbAAtFFJcwU-hZZJeBKmgx8RLkb_IUqEOA8H4mfBLuUYRRVW_2n6VJY0IJAb9QAFhL1_G_p35L_tpZWKTdlpkvbP/s1600-h/dinner1com.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2BnEef0qPPuwVA2J97tRcjU0lAeG6hMIya9oCjZMnUMJrfRt_Ssv_YbAAtFFJcwU-hZZJeBKmgx8RLkb_IUqEOA8H4mfBLuUYRRVW_2n6VJY0IJAb9QAFhL1_G_p35L_tpZWKTdlpkvbP/s200/dinner1com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135714156992014354" /></a><br /><br /><br />But Noah had other plans for me tonight. He wouldn’t nap this afternoon so he was very tired and antsy AND he has two MORE teeth coming in on top and two more readying themselves on bottom. So, he was not a happy camper and at the same time was a “live wire.” It felt like trying to hold my golden retriever in my lap during dinner. By the time our Thanksgiving dinner was over, I was sweating and worn out and hadn’t had a whole lot to eat. He also didn’t like the pumpkin and turkey baby food I so happily chose for him to eat on this special occasion. He puked it all over me … not once … but twice. (smile) Haaaaaaaaaaappy Thanksgiving!!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr_-azpEoGxk7gfx7WurE8sZimsBjBQEoJL3uSNBbY1uOSmkx-HdXIlgXFvAn3BS-j6sgE085J7osQ_ezGFKX35mWXg35dUEXb9wUqGno11YY3AKZFUIav_FJNSg1kdNuVLR7CsG9euhb/s1600-h/babyfoodcom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDr_-azpEoGxk7gfx7WurE8sZimsBjBQEoJL3uSNBbY1uOSmkx-HdXIlgXFvAn3BS-j6sgE085J7osQ_ezGFKX35mWXg35dUEXb9wUqGno11YY3AKZFUIav_FJNSg1kdNuVLR7CsG9euhb/s200/babyfoodcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135713624416069618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvLEkHIcV9Ghg0e7gPoNJjV6GCLn1ieIis2GwcLaKGdPOfXB82GrTQ-TtI4Z3E8jA7iuHI7MPRKpO8KMLOQE-3Yrn89cf0X0tk78YpkaD4ZgibV7gfnq9ghwHpaDCn9Rwr8ruP3ldCASp/s1600-h/wigglewormcom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvLEkHIcV9Ghg0e7gPoNJjV6GCLn1ieIis2GwcLaKGdPOfXB82GrTQ-TtI4Z3E8jA7iuHI7MPRKpO8KMLOQE-3Yrn89cf0X0tk78YpkaD4ZgibV7gfnq9ghwHpaDCn9Rwr8ruP3ldCASp/s200/wigglewormcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135713431142541282" /></a>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-74706011878310106672007-11-21T07:47:00.000-08:002007-11-21T07:56:19.244-08:00Tickets in Hand!There are two things that must be accomplished in Almaty before I am free to come home. First, Noah must be cleared by a doctor at the SOS international clinic. This was DONE yesterday! Second, Noah and I must be cleared through the US Embassy. Our passports must be in order and Noah must also have a VISA allowing him into the US. He is not a US citizen until he steps on US soil. He will then have dual citizenship … Kazakhstan and the US.<br /><br />Our appointment with the Embassy is Monday, the 26th at 3:30 p.m. <br /><br />Today, we were taken to a Lufthansa Airlines office and we purchased our tickets home! Yippeeeeeeeee! We leave Almaty Tuesday, the 27th at 4:05 a.m. and arrive in Frankfurt, Germany at 6:30 a.m. (4 hour time change so it’s a 6 ½ hour flight). We have a 4 hour layover and depart Frankfurt at 10:25 a.m. (8 hour flight) and ARRIVE IN ATLANTA AT 2:50 P.M. Can you believe it? I am sooooooooo excited!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMk0T3bBNynxlm2hRbQ_DHbySRZHBishkSn9XF7Qci4PAelbWN6q9vfBcC1wbcp6hAdxA9NoEqe1-7AUqWTf8WQc5gUhKWz-a7pvJ3d5xl30JD6u9QhMe-MQPL2i4R_w7UgnnCUzRs8ET/s1600-h/ticketcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMk0T3bBNynxlm2hRbQ_DHbySRZHBishkSn9XF7Qci4PAelbWN6q9vfBcC1wbcp6hAdxA9NoEqe1-7AUqWTf8WQc5gUhKWz-a7pvJ3d5xl30JD6u9QhMe-MQPL2i4R_w7UgnnCUzRs8ET/s200/ticketcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135322717967624146" /></a><br /><br />After purchasing our plane tickets, we were driven into the mountains of Almaty to see the scenery. I've included a few pictures. In one picture you will see me and our interpreter, Kate. In another, I included a picture of me and Sam. Sam is our driver. I have realized that Almaty is a GREAT city. It used to be the capital of Kazakhstan, but recently the capital was moved to Astana … a more central city to the entire country. My understanding as to the reason of the change is that the city of Almaty is too close to the border of China and in case of war, it would be too vulnerable. Almaty is a bustling city with beautiful buildings, all the best retail stores, and the people seem very professional and quite hip.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusHWYAB7IH0yYf-6CeLifMZ7KNB5FjA9YJGegHT3DDC951ZaP6K-J6nkjGnHcx5OKvAIgoNoenMwZkfHyJKbzal5E9WJW_pmjoYXxX0YHjmGgGfuEaonSLAQdTkw6AwUZqOo_kaW6jjz0/s1600-h/katecom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusHWYAB7IH0yYf-6CeLifMZ7KNB5FjA9YJGegHT3DDC951ZaP6K-J6nkjGnHcx5OKvAIgoNoenMwZkfHyJKbzal5E9WJW_pmjoYXxX0YHjmGgGfuEaonSLAQdTkw6AwUZqOo_kaW6jjz0/s200/katecom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135322013592987586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5-37XAqa8XnhNkuvW-7kN39rFK1ExDNV6-iZkPkn4Q6-PpVK6jfqwoMDQrnvZRRdmodwB5WtQinBTLq2doBoCi_KPOYLk2G_XpusuT8ZgCAl08qOMpFG8w1SsgmSQUAbQsEOC-Mhnffh/s1600-h/noahmommountaincom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM5-37XAqa8XnhNkuvW-7kN39rFK1ExDNV6-iZkPkn4Q6-PpVK6jfqwoMDQrnvZRRdmodwB5WtQinBTLq2doBoCi_KPOYLk2G_XpusuT8ZgCAl08qOMpFG8w1SsgmSQUAbQsEOC-Mhnffh/s200/noahmommountaincom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135321846089263026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsicLbH7iKTRlbc_04X2PalJBgkck5DZopQ2UfkU8pQKzeB3tiOSN1wX3Th39HZuKaWXaL4kVQH3KOi56BOmNIyUzrDVsTIfY_CDWhpm0jY3Vtr1txVr4N8KvbeHc5kgy8RQlwH5sgI81d/s1600-h/mountainscom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsicLbH7iKTRlbc_04X2PalJBgkck5DZopQ2UfkU8pQKzeB3tiOSN1wX3Th39HZuKaWXaL4kVQH3KOi56BOmNIyUzrDVsTIfY_CDWhpm0jY3Vtr1txVr4N8KvbeHc5kgy8RQlwH5sgI81d/s200/mountainscom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135321515376781218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgBRlxwH8ChB1Xh38FbNYhsEs0-U_hiLhDe4TmT-7sYUdHFwZbNJDkRRJnb6ZlFA9qIgsXUunfiGABIWV_xNBsspCWFobABG9BBYGcapowHOIZQb0NO8GPWYIWgrDawjMlnXUWEywFXz2/s1600-h/samcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgBRlxwH8ChB1Xh38FbNYhsEs0-U_hiLhDe4TmT-7sYUdHFwZbNJDkRRJnb6ZlFA9qIgsXUunfiGABIWV_xNBsspCWFobABG9BBYGcapowHOIZQb0NO8GPWYIWgrDawjMlnXUWEywFXz2/s200/samcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5135321373642860434" /></a><br />Today, we made reservations for Thanksgiving night at the Intercontinental Hotel Restaurant. It is a gorgeous hotel and the dining room is spectacular. They are going to be serving turkey and dressing, etc. Our “crew” is looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving together with our children …and of course having some great American food!<br /><br />I have to admit that this last week has been tough for me and I have found myself completely exhausted and homesick. Shannon and Derick call it being tired down to their cells … the cellular level! I feel better knowing it’s not just me … but I still feel like I’m on my last wobbly leg. But now I have plane tickets in hand and my handsome boy and me and my wobbly leg are coming home soon!! (smile)Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-32622735503347775972007-11-20T10:40:00.000-08:002007-11-20T11:00:38.904-08:00Freedom!This is a little boy who only wants to play during nap time! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZk26SbMF4tFc_qTKgNtEb8KMx9ETnknXU2898lVQChpqi_LRlC8wE2IRdA_drxWq3DkuiH8Tdt_1lT8JlMc4gLAW4CfeR-IrL1t5yepwJb21j-_pdK2gWFOkhQAmJmdFwbGH-nXQ58e5b/s1600-h/ncom9.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZk26SbMF4tFc_qTKgNtEb8KMx9ETnknXU2898lVQChpqi_LRlC8wE2IRdA_drxWq3DkuiH8Tdt_1lT8JlMc4gLAW4CfeR-IrL1t5yepwJb21j-_pdK2gWFOkhQAmJmdFwbGH-nXQ58e5b/s200/ncom9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134998383512266626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHyFQuU6Wi84O2SUVOYQLQYj1d9dldcb3DGouJgftQrV9Lf7ErV25IQM1kOCjNkjaSECyDT_5ZHviA0cABrTzzC1afUbMfLkJZKEHpeoNS-8oUH58YvNLqx2oHIzmcMqa4mrfjM3MxMVO/s1600-h/ncom8.jpg"><img style="float:right; 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margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmkmf3a39yiOebkTBBJ87CCZrGZng_towPjJxiacfQqQEKP25qu7b8Mg8RiAlAgaMsqDX2Sy52igPq8SvEOZZQf1DKbRryVfTyJ-8jPyOrfO_I3oJscXVAuJTPvgWJfxU_ixqykN_hNjf/s200/ncom6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134997992670242642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuMftZOAUdh3sDiYFLqqUOd8Zs-vtEJ2_HGHFkLsnG8eib-EVHcnwZnS85z90jVirYt-JqGtq3bTPbuZIyTUSgxrl5VRw0guO9I0wjNTZ3hy7tx67kU9CP4mElRWPoW8-nccHDimzgLyp/s1600-h/ncom3.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuMftZOAUdh3sDiYFLqqUOd8Zs-vtEJ2_HGHFkLsnG8eib-EVHcnwZnS85z90jVirYt-JqGtq3bTPbuZIyTUSgxrl5VRw0guO9I0wjNTZ3hy7tx67kU9CP4mElRWPoW8-nccHDimzgLyp/s200/ncom3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134997833756452674" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvyAlu-vdKmGuog8tuCpQ_Aug62xLkv1fikEIU3WTNiHcIVF9cBg2p4bb6JgSs2op9_-JDLDUgpD94gEyHAb8DrLQa_uR9CARlsEIlymApc2WhIaOiZWjENAYRf9xFOQylKSFQ4VfXKEU/s1600-h/ncom2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvyAlu-vdKmGuog8tuCpQ_Aug62xLkv1fikEIU3WTNiHcIVF9cBg2p4bb6JgSs2op9_-JDLDUgpD94gEyHAb8DrLQa_uR9CARlsEIlymApc2WhIaOiZWjENAYRf9xFOQylKSFQ4VfXKEU/s200/ncom2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134997683432597298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpGmwp9ZxWVMkUlifZPgPUPMMp7N1luf0zsqjhCgWgCcN9soSExpOv1jCBFkCddjrl3srv2LKxZkKWTzzlXk-ZtqnnIO6OotfAaZ_2plJxEFDI1ktev44o-2O3E-zE-Bp118c8Tjy4jeZ/s1600-h/com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpGmwp9ZxWVMkUlifZPgPUPMMp7N1luf0zsqjhCgWgCcN9soSExpOv1jCBFkCddjrl3srv2LKxZkKWTzzlXk-ZtqnnIO6OotfAaZ_2plJxEFDI1ktev44o-2O3E-zE-Bp118c8Tjy4jeZ/s200/com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134997507338938146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIFOpFSUH8sfZdoTU2rWZ2pF8M6W7fM0y-llMdIPoR-9uYCyCC3ZIVWB9TaZGAV7baFWgathEmsxAugTw65PXqhxt6VWM3DTFqBEOKj-1VVrW3J3iqgUMyx3FLlSi8zZ25VSFBlJcrhjq/s1600-h/ncom1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIFOpFSUH8sfZdoTU2rWZ2pF8M6W7fM0y-llMdIPoR-9uYCyCC3ZIVWB9TaZGAV7baFWgathEmsxAugTw65PXqhxt6VWM3DTFqBEOKj-1VVrW3J3iqgUMyx3FLlSi8zZ25VSFBlJcrhjq/s200/ncom1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134997326950311698" /></a><br />Here we all are at an internet cafe/coffee bar in Almaty. Derick is sooooooo happy to have high speed internet ... he stayed glued to his computer! I got a latte and a piece of cheesecake! It is very nice to be able to walk to a place to eat and to take the kids out in their strollers. In Semey, we were told to stay locked in our apartment because it wasn't safe to go outside ... and that's what we did. Trust me when I say ... this is hard ... and after 4 weeks, anxiety begins to set in. So, I am THRILLED with the fresh air and the FREEEEEEEEEEDOM I have!! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHYHz3MNwq8QBJJIkx8-t-bOXI5dV1lvWVv1yyjqjQXtmUKkgYy7qfAyza84kmCwAGHy8LCib0UHGGq5X7FxfPddODO2qOzxsY1npmx_fNx4hyphenhyphenrf6cJs0YPt7RcinKiThDo1Mdl8MLCwg/s1600-h/momnoahstrollercom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHYHz3MNwq8QBJJIkx8-t-bOXI5dV1lvWVv1yyjqjQXtmUKkgYy7qfAyza84kmCwAGHy8LCib0UHGGq5X7FxfPddODO2qOzxsY1npmx_fNx4hyphenhyphenrf6cJs0YPt7RcinKiThDo1Mdl8MLCwg/s200/momnoahstrollercom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134995419984832258" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoD4Bi9fkUzeDse6z1X0iWYD6acVoH-fWrB5Ir9X76qstZ-8UtQYTiICxawBrWRCkrL-1HYKmKaLlSTEFjE9tKyJBfE3UEGBxHbXxW-yUYfCOI_8xBkmfgq96fLCKndvvtvjCPUxj_hOC8/s1600-h/derickcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoD4Bi9fkUzeDse6z1X0iWYD6acVoH-fWrB5Ir9X76qstZ-8UtQYTiICxawBrWRCkrL-1HYKmKaLlSTEFjE9tKyJBfE3UEGBxHbXxW-yUYfCOI_8xBkmfgq96fLCKndvvtvjCPUxj_hOC8/s200/derickcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134995235301238514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDjvszRP8mJABoRRyq5iUr8UpqXuZymMTJBeve2HeJLvoK5GCEvbtF4j33gcTohGiIlCxS4YfL50wNPtsTwiAhVg98sy5pK7mU6ncaNqIpvWZPoCBaPIXTBswbb6XjEigSERXkrAAgcEk/s1600-h/11-20-07+010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkDjvszRP8mJABoRRyq5iUr8UpqXuZymMTJBeve2HeJLvoK5GCEvbtF4j33gcTohGiIlCxS4YfL50wNPtsTwiAhVg98sy5pK7mU6ncaNqIpvWZPoCBaPIXTBswbb6XjEigSERXkrAAgcEk/s200/11-20-07+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134995093567317730" /></a><br /><br />This is a picture of our nice hotel in Almaty!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryExyZJ3r4_ym6PaviZJNfuvOGaCaifCxunwIBB3N6Go84e3kv7d2JqTKzb4Tn9Poxz5jRX9flzIqalhHB4VjdJos5fNY464bpkhjhk3c3oXzlXlrOxhIt_PrSVoeIzpIQRjDmiNHRM_-/s1600-h/almatyhotelcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryExyZJ3r4_ym6PaviZJNfuvOGaCaifCxunwIBB3N6Go84e3kv7d2JqTKzb4Tn9Poxz5jRX9flzIqalhHB4VjdJos5fNY464bpkhjhk3c3oXzlXlrOxhIt_PrSVoeIzpIQRjDmiNHRM_-/s200/almatyhotelcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134994638300784338" /></a>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-34235165489273680972007-11-20T08:43:00.000-08:002007-11-20T09:02:30.944-08:00Next Stop ... AlmatyWe arrived at the Semey airport on the 18th at about 9:30 a.m. for a 10:30 flight. We waited in an enclosed area until about 2:30 p.m. as the plane was late. There was NO heat and we were trying to entertain three 11 month old babies stuffed into snowsuits the entire time! The only heat we found was flowing out of a hole in a wall. We huddled around this hole quite a bit. The most DIFFICULT part of this ordeal was the "not knowing." Since we don't speak the language, we had NO IDEA when the plane was coming in or IF it was coming in. Next ... <strong>every</strong> Kazakh person in the waiting area STARED US DOWN. It was obvious that they did NOT like seeing Americans with Kazakh babies. We had to deal with this resentment the entire week in Semey when we were with our babies ... but we always had Larissa, our interpreter, with us. Many times, she had to stop to explain to the people why it was a good thing that we had adopted "THEIR" Kazakh children. But on this day, we did not have her and we were VERY UNCOMFORTABLE with the situation. We just kept saying to each other ... "<strong>This is a nightmare</strong>."<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojmjSnT1tAAM1JC0YPuhs6i_mIkzXV27lcIvXgtjd8ELBWgBfUWKlPclt3oLSw2SJ1ki5EGgleC1b7Yqyeoy904u1vxMifBQmuZNOsQCcQOnI2G29q7hAbhyphenhyphenTeR9bjKVa54Ga19uRXBSU/s1600-h/heatcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojmjSnT1tAAM1JC0YPuhs6i_mIkzXV27lcIvXgtjd8ELBWgBfUWKlPclt3oLSw2SJ1ki5EGgleC1b7Yqyeoy904u1vxMifBQmuZNOsQCcQOnI2G29q7hAbhyphenhyphenTeR9bjKVa54Ga19uRXBSU/s200/heatcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134968585029166786" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8e5ghsAD1-xbu_JTpOCHE5J7yqxyGlNdh10yQOsb09qx7Nt8aR5jhEzdDvjTc_OWFWTEqGhgQnqqZYBAqRavMqE1WaAQqtEQ0pAxLe6SGW_5Nj2I9xUmpStFjAoi7gt_-GCakBpXsRtLN/s1600-h/heat2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8e5ghsAD1-xbu_JTpOCHE5J7yqxyGlNdh10yQOsb09qx7Nt8aR5jhEzdDvjTc_OWFWTEqGhgQnqqZYBAqRavMqE1WaAQqtEQ0pAxLe6SGW_5Nj2I9xUmpStFjAoi7gt_-GCakBpXsRtLN/s200/heat2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134968447590213298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrWSbEZTWJ3ORC1Qrocu_qIaBDzvP4iHtE_etYLLSGf8euf1vlU6ZRQZLw0q4K2ot53M9ViBxQfegvm1htWpg7eXqJQzhc-jOKQFevOG7DhSHcGlOfxx5CzUap8oq0lmCD2TD4LDmk2eZ/s1600-h/airport1com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrWSbEZTWJ3ORC1Qrocu_qIaBDzvP4iHtE_etYLLSGf8euf1vlU6ZRQZLw0q4K2ot53M9ViBxQfegvm1htWpg7eXqJQzhc-jOKQFevOG7DhSHcGlOfxx5CzUap8oq0lmCD2TD4LDmk2eZ/s200/airport1com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134968267201586850" /></a><br /><br />Well, the plane finally arrived and once again we boarded the "LAWN CHAIR FLIGHT" to Almaty ... yes, the plane is THAT small ... but now we had to hold our babies in those tiny seats with us!<br /><br />Noah did GREEEEEEEEEAT! Wow ... he was amazing. He loved looking out the window and seemed to just take it all in! My heart pounded at times when I thought about what this was meaning for him ... in ways that he doesn't realize.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8Nb1_CJ5f3Rl3SxoHC78dJNpbfTm6TlzCMPj0FbgZQzJmNX6np4uIGWcoIhwDfuJsywRfAhV26NJu6qNaq2nX-6r5_xo9rN4FRyNavFss7C2xqsQz6qxDTDFV5SLCZdm8Mry9mActSh8/s1600-h/plane2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8Nb1_CJ5f3Rl3SxoHC78dJNpbfTm6TlzCMPj0FbgZQzJmNX6np4uIGWcoIhwDfuJsywRfAhV26NJu6qNaq2nX-6r5_xo9rN4FRyNavFss7C2xqsQz6qxDTDFV5SLCZdm8Mry9mActSh8/s200/plane2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134967811935053458" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBguZ4e6ii3um3-t5F5MkDKQlwB5VSYqam7G40IKrqJQIj7Cg7OE3wcHtLT_eNcJ3Cqje7JzYs7jNhHg93DzRILyg5FSA8sAZ6LBu0c7Z8gplXdamsRfARZlWVsVl8ZwZU9z6HFlbbgynU/s1600-h/plane1com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBguZ4e6ii3um3-t5F5MkDKQlwB5VSYqam7G40IKrqJQIj7Cg7OE3wcHtLT_eNcJ3Cqje7JzYs7jNhHg93DzRILyg5FSA8sAZ6LBu0c7Z8gplXdamsRfARZlWVsVl8ZwZU9z6HFlbbgynU/s200/plane1com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134967683086034562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxShVjDmPxB5AOF2xle0EVeNL1N8IeowlfSdwZbIuFHKrr4bhPkvueu1qYDGA4Usjo8LPr8jpumL8zvolZsdYwlN3WUoFhoScUOu88fex_zXKbSoSrk4ZQN8ybFvzNqWLeI64YaQReA5E/s1600-h/plane3com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUxShVjDmPxB5AOF2xle0EVeNL1N8IeowlfSdwZbIuFHKrr4bhPkvueu1qYDGA4Usjo8LPr8jpumL8zvolZsdYwlN3WUoFhoScUOu88fex_zXKbSoSrk4ZQN8ybFvzNqWLeI64YaQReA5E/s200/plane3com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134967554237015666" /></a><br /><br /><br />Once in Almaty, we were picked up and taken to the Almaty Hotel ... OUR JAWS DROPPED at the concrete streets, actual concrete sidewalks, buildings with glass windows that aren't broken, street lights, REAL CIVILIZATION as we know it. We walked into the lobby of the hotel and wanted to kiss the ground ... we all were nearly in tears. The rooms cost $170 a night and can I tell you ... I am in hog heaven! I'm including pictures of the room ... not because any of you reading this will be that impressed ... but because I want to remember it. To me ... IT'S PARADISE!!!!! The best part of this room is I HAVE A SHOWER!!!!!!!!! You must understand I have bathed in a tub with only three inches of lukewarm water for an entire month. In this room was a refrigerator stocked with goodies! I started with a coke and a snicker bar!!! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLAXvivJNO3Ztr3TUkVbg4kjOJBvUmqf5pJf7sAp89HUEYmqzKIRhADZiYOmrQtBcsVV4CVmZ6RsWqQL9U9m5yRO45Oxier7qoRyU8z_iPjFkb_EYpPtUcm8tlBvObqyXf1Met_Jp9FqV/s1600-h/tvcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbLAXvivJNO3Ztr3TUkVbg4kjOJBvUmqf5pJf7sAp89HUEYmqzKIRhADZiYOmrQtBcsVV4CVmZ6RsWqQL9U9m5yRO45Oxier7qoRyU8z_iPjFkb_EYpPtUcm8tlBvObqyXf1Met_Jp9FqV/s200/tvcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134967189164795490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTLMGIpk_kF4hI1v_dgjeZjX8LHfN-d-IpTSwZxKUHQMb1jFj03AFUvd_2h80qzvCt3J-rQGFXBwSHtZAh9vOZKI9KeyhYYbBwnWZwzGwWwExAOGcoaxt5s61sLIlootTNc4hyRIr58j6/s1600-h/showercom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTLMGIpk_kF4hI1v_dgjeZjX8LHfN-d-IpTSwZxKUHQMb1jFj03AFUvd_2h80qzvCt3J-rQGFXBwSHtZAh9vOZKI9KeyhYYbBwnWZwzGwWwExAOGcoaxt5s61sLIlootTNc4hyRIr58j6/s200/showercom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134967047430874706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1M6ZKwIE-MaTE-OKOFV6TJjrot6Km_TjpjXVgAYY2nbZq9SRFLvsGMRDoC3uwCqWOrQFJxegGeYcDSxtgxihIgVeFhzgN3jgIJOzkTuCVmg2JqcVflZerYYAfw0MHgkoOa98K6TF_HhAo/s1600-h/officecom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1M6ZKwIE-MaTE-OKOFV6TJjrot6Km_TjpjXVgAYY2nbZq9SRFLvsGMRDoC3uwCqWOrQFJxegGeYcDSxtgxihIgVeFhzgN3jgIJOzkTuCVmg2JqcVflZerYYAfw0MHgkoOa98K6TF_HhAo/s200/officecom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134966892812052034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GCjC6hdAR42jnXzwB2SnhIhhozTqj6XceUsb6raWmCzALBJIrHaQVMayWXFh-npT84AvCNRit3aOvB_oLQI8jarshw4xOZefFlHMIIrufEv7gB1w4AnMAgfAfW1luf15J1R1KgmgPzhS/s1600-h/bedroomcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GCjC6hdAR42jnXzwB2SnhIhhozTqj6XceUsb6raWmCzALBJIrHaQVMayWXFh-npT84AvCNRit3aOvB_oLQI8jarshw4xOZefFlHMIIrufEv7gB1w4AnMAgfAfW1luf15J1R1KgmgPzhS/s200/bedroomcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134966721013360178" /></a>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-24179546510639009692007-11-17T03:25:00.000-08:002007-12-03T03:17:22.215-08:00Last day and night in Semey!Today, we had lunch with the three new families who will be adopting next. They sat at one table and we all sat at another table with our babies. It was such a contrast in my eyes. Here we were ... exhausted, experienced, and ready to go home with our children and the other table was excited, energetic, and filled with questions and anticipation. I remembered the feeling well.<br /><br />After lunch, everyone was patient as Larissa ran me into a store to buy a belt. None of my pants will stay up anymore. I guess I've lost quite a bit of weight as I typically have had only one meal a day. I've gotten to where I eat the food only because I know I have to. We eat mostly meat and rice or potatoes ... and sometimes soups. We went to a shiskabob place yesterday and all they serve is meat, onions and bread. Long story short ... this food gets old ... so weight loss comes naturally.<br /><br />Later that day, we went back to the orphanage to deliver pictures to the caretakers. We were able to go into the old "Bonding Room" and see the new families bonding with their babies. We stayed for an hour snapping pictures and visiting. Olga came by and gave Noah, Asher, and Hayden gifts. Noah got an adorable outfit. You will see a picture of 6 babies, three of which have been adopted and three more that will be adopted. It's a beautiful sight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvVRAPrblSH_MobueWOIGsqfhdk2bX5d84zqnFQY3S0q5DdMuQ2HdrFyGQlgAq0sGxgMXizz1K05MOQkhONMWf1VtmUdnzRmpT-_dFFvu6al70OxMeilrcFJqB84Jcs412xsTCiw5Nmh8/s1600-h/toycom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133781335809467938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvVRAPrblSH_MobueWOIGsqfhdk2bX5d84zqnFQY3S0q5DdMuQ2HdrFyGQlgAq0sGxgMXizz1K05MOQkhONMWf1VtmUdnzRmpT-_dFFvu6al70OxMeilrcFJqB84Jcs412xsTCiw5Nmh8/s200/toycom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPj1-uV47EUEvDGhfp0kx-pq0G5Y9wfSihIGyKu2GMiRPIDOw5_AV10Zch8NQHTzygk07YhQ2qK1ISqBzlNyKzqsx_qptIC3TYDbu1WUF-uCHqxLLQgj_pjmaEJB3bjfy7qgwrk_G1ovi/s1600-h/olgalarissacom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133781151125874194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguPj1-uV47EUEvDGhfp0kx-pq0G5Y9wfSihIGyKu2GMiRPIDOw5_AV10Zch8NQHTzygk07YhQ2qK1ISqBzlNyKzqsx_qptIC3TYDbu1WUF-uCHqxLLQgj_pjmaEJB3bjfy7qgwrk_G1ovi/s200/olgalarissacom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SS17rqBlZtKZM6LtC_rLew0lDTsunQLx1J1gaY5DKvjtvezTWpIR0el9EGSjm9xp_BRynquHr77ybGteoBhUVCUyxfCtMjawhnjx37rM-AfHQcmQLOECyrUtDpINY65f-e37G99nYh05/s1600-h/babiescom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133780678679471618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6SS17rqBlZtKZM6LtC_rLew0lDTsunQLx1J1gaY5DKvjtvezTWpIR0el9EGSjm9xp_BRynquHr77ybGteoBhUVCUyxfCtMjawhnjx37rM-AfHQcmQLOECyrUtDpINY65f-e37G99nYh05/s200/babiescom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMU6CTujbV9jRP-OtP5RLbBC5bszQo6pbWLJng_rfzXGTivkrZj88AMcMDv3nd19w8p0T2MBmrZ_c4wiLVx-0yWxu2BioZ28XcTwTuz1eIK-iJDxzRaeYW5aH71o9AIby5ygfHp9n2LtL/s1600-h/parentscom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133780554125420018" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMU6CTujbV9jRP-OtP5RLbBC5bszQo6pbWLJng_rfzXGTivkrZj88AMcMDv3nd19w8p0T2MBmrZ_c4wiLVx-0yWxu2BioZ28XcTwTuz1eIK-iJDxzRaeYW5aH71o9AIby5ygfHp9n2LtL/s200/parentscom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJhyphenhyphen2zNYZGuTV3S0yrFDYPhJQLlMXgyYrfBsWF20wNd3vNkW-BZzbQQsvY_LNZJMll9YiBhY5ku9UAAm_xScMZ8xCoRqtIEjxwbjU6e5G5zcXqfPwNjRyzAHjp6BYXgHSgGvfgdmxQafd/s1600-h/larolgajaycom.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133780446751237602" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJhyphenhyphen2zNYZGuTV3S0yrFDYPhJQLlMXgyYrfBsWF20wNd3vNkW-BZzbQQsvY_LNZJMll9YiBhY5ku9UAAm_xScMZ8xCoRqtIEjxwbjU6e5G5zcXqfPwNjRyzAHjp6BYXgHSgGvfgdmxQafd/s200/larolgajaycom.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Tonight is all about taking care of an 11 month old baby while trying to pack and prepare for Noah's first plane flight. I have a feeling it is going to be a long night! Joan Graham once told me parenting is nothing but "problem solving." I'm just beginning to see how this is true.<br /><br />We fly out tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. for a 2 hour flight to Almaty. I have noooooo idea where I am staying once there ... a hotel ... an apartment ... or how long. The coordinator, interpreter, and driver in Almaty will swoop us up from the airport and get us situated, I'm sure. We may end up staying in Almaty through the holidays ... we're just not sure at this point. All I know is I will be ONE STEP CLOSER TO HOME.<br /><br />While I am ecstatic to be getting on that plane tomorrow, saying good-bye to Larissa, Pasha, and Olga will be very emotional for me ... especially Larissa. I will miss her very much.<br /><br />This will be my last posting for a few days as I have no idea when I will have internet access again or if I will. Please continue to pray for Noah and me ... that we will have a good flight to Almaty and a good transition. Also please pray that Noah's passport and visa arrive to Almaty soon and that we get cleared to leave the country as quickly as possible!<br /><br />For all of you who have been reading my story, sharing in my excitement and praying for us ... thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now ... off to pack!Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-60878285288492846682007-11-16T08:15:00.000-08:002007-11-16T09:13:58.739-08:00Party Time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKzsWAcKhPEyXwaowhI5xEgQxoWXlpJb2-gtqRe_r0eY_YBUNDkpqE7qe_v-Hq0Rd6BywH9ozvErHpy2Acu7W-vQS8cKVK9aNYpAbUtL4ZN7gvZBsF5NNzZCito4NtXHcwe-CzUj57a4W/s1600-h/washcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUKzsWAcKhPEyXwaowhI5xEgQxoWXlpJb2-gtqRe_r0eY_YBUNDkpqE7qe_v-Hq0Rd6BywH9ozvErHpy2Acu7W-vQS8cKVK9aNYpAbUtL4ZN7gvZBsF5NNzZCito4NtXHcwe-CzUj57a4W/s200/washcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133484768317679058" /></a><br />When Pasha arrives to pick me up, I need to be READY! So, I wait at the kitchen window and watch for him. When I see the van pull in to the apartment area ... I see him flash his van lights at me. I then scurry around to be at the door waiting for his 5 knocks. Now ... this isn't so easy when you have a baby boy who is demanding your attention. For two days now, I have found the trick! I start the washing machine and put Noah in front of it. He is mesmerized by the clothes spinning ... until the ride comes! I'm learning all the little parenting ploys! Ha! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxy5bHL-vyhGw7R7zF3ZQI_ibP9_u_Q4eHatIawzf9smD7CEMDOvxPRpJa02nzgY-SOOW6QZadkiuStpZZy4s0wL-LsS4UCAblK9po4QIDZ66hGYC4bnQ0qVVSe_kfwdMIbFv_Xx5We_g/s1600-h/gifts2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxy5bHL-vyhGw7R7zF3ZQI_ibP9_u_Q4eHatIawzf9smD7CEMDOvxPRpJa02nzgY-SOOW6QZadkiuStpZZy4s0wL-LsS4UCAblK9po4QIDZ66hGYC4bnQ0qVVSe_kfwdMIbFv_Xx5We_g/s200/gifts2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133483630151345602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJeJ0wjPN371aDmpeEiBcX0nOsI2BC6Zqdx1gZ1TNW8XNT5gLzagH7Tu9rZatTP1jpHMeAbhUDHalkgtCdCe1tc1IiY26Hfbv2ccHgUR1rEHI8-djYFa-gJ4hoxBkk_RTNgMK0qEAw53G/s1600-h/giftscom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJeJ0wjPN371aDmpeEiBcX0nOsI2BC6Zqdx1gZ1TNW8XNT5gLzagH7Tu9rZatTP1jpHMeAbhUDHalkgtCdCe1tc1IiY26Hfbv2ccHgUR1rEHI8-djYFa-gJ4hoxBkk_RTNgMK0qEAw53G/s200/giftscom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133483535662065074" /></a><br />This evening, our van ... loaded down with gifts for the caretakers, orphanage director, and orphanage doctor ... and our three new families (with children stuffed in snow suits) headed back to the orphanage. I wondered what the babies would think when they saw familiar sights and smelled familiar smells. They didn't seem to be fazed. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj2O709uE-qxR9OsLtAtHTmVRTFSUUDFywUTQnmFfYGz_8hPisilzdIfoHbG8JaehOGuTSU7gxSH_zdgB0tYa8ZFic9e4S-UteK-tVViU3N5y7e4Q1wkTDoOG6D4EwX5Rj2-PqMoKDbGG/s1600-h/directorcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTj2O709uE-qxR9OsLtAtHTmVRTFSUUDFywUTQnmFfYGz_8hPisilzdIfoHbG8JaehOGuTSU7gxSH_zdgB0tYa8ZFic9e4S-UteK-tVViU3N5y7e4Q1wkTDoOG6D4EwX5Rj2-PqMoKDbGG/s200/directorcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133483312323765666" /></a><br />We met with the director and presented our gifts. Our interpreter, Katya, was with us tonight and she read the cards of thanks that we had written to the director. He graciously accepted the gifts and also the extra "orphanage donations" the families gave to him. He then spoke to us through Katya. He told us many things ... but what stuck out in my mind the most was ... "You are very friendly people and your children are very happy. You are a perfect fit." He also said, "Come back and get brothers and sisters for your children." We gave him hugs and let him know that we would never, ever forget him, the caretakers, and our time here.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyYV2LH6QelD8pA_uhXLm4b8pjah8UqI4nbuiv6mCPDym4cJeUjGn7UbGhxQfbu-2TW_y7exPLY6VZS5_GJV-mjva8HjB7q4TAycfM0OFxcMB4iUOp6-OIEPgCZKe3sKHUCzLSiL8NWbj/s1600-h/caretakerscom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyYV2LH6QelD8pA_uhXLm4b8pjah8UqI4nbuiv6mCPDym4cJeUjGn7UbGhxQfbu-2TW_y7exPLY6VZS5_GJV-mjva8HjB7q4TAycfM0OFxcMB4iUOp6-OIEPgCZKe3sKHUCzLSiL8NWbj/s200/caretakerscom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133483037445858706" /></a><br /><br /><br />As we left his office, some of the caretakers happened to see us and they were soooooo happy! They absolutely LOVE THE BABIES!! Oh ... they showered our children with kisses and ooooohed and aaaaahed. So, we had pictures made with them per their request! They asked us to bring copies to them before we leave ... which we will do. <br /><br />Olga and Larissa met up with us as we were leaving and told us that the passports for our babies did NOT arrive today as expected. We will still fly to Almaty on Sunday ... but we may be home later than we had hoped. The US Embassy is closed for the Thanksgiving holidays so now ... my trip may be extended up to a week longer than I had thought. Oh well ... It's important to always be flexible while here! <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lUrGMti11YzREB8IZcoyxYBk91c8k8VZyHl36eoKA2X3ogL0F9qHqum6SeyJmUtmPdiTcv3ttOXlSza2ySYnomPto_xUtSHpwRzwo4fwGTSWd5kVRohEBUyGCPW7QiXYUkNzqk0fqITM/s1600-h/wine2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lUrGMti11YzREB8IZcoyxYBk91c8k8VZyHl36eoKA2X3ogL0F9qHqum6SeyJmUtmPdiTcv3ttOXlSza2ySYnomPto_xUtSHpwRzwo4fwGTSWd5kVRohEBUyGCPW7QiXYUkNzqk0fqITM/s200/wine2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133482702438409602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw7VGlw9-xysCF9y8mf0a6e26VerPYGncMV0a6Pz71y2gc_FcMLvsLg20rq3OScllVjzN23-Q5F8PReXn3OIPEyH2x619cL232Fqrc2Jj2Ql6AXqmzxbqVaPWeqiczTm4gjfLOYEVeB0Z/s1600-h/winecom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdw7VGlw9-xysCF9y8mf0a6e26VerPYGncMV0a6Pz71y2gc_FcMLvsLg20rq3OScllVjzN23-Q5F8PReXn3OIPEyH2x619cL232Fqrc2Jj2Ql6AXqmzxbqVaPWeqiczTm4gjfLOYEVeB0Z/s200/winecom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133482444740371826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrhxpgYIsobaSuOOIKgwpLuV4KM5uRBwHHuuMf2lVcCgSWvV3beB1aYuEMjm2yXydFCgfpgmBLBU4q_uqp7ZZG12MwRjg1-6pVchqbaCs_nRnaA93ZOdfgx8Wex35Pw-rHFEDcpkQQVZk/s1600-h/noahmom2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrhxpgYIsobaSuOOIKgwpLuV4KM5uRBwHHuuMf2lVcCgSWvV3beB1aYuEMjm2yXydFCgfpgmBLBU4q_uqp7ZZG12MwRjg1-6pVchqbaCs_nRnaA93ZOdfgx8Wex35Pw-rHFEDcpkQQVZk/s200/noahmom2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133482281531614562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv8v0Ozy5yLGMC2bFh15eiNKkvTNwPI5vHf7PG8C8ypPhJ_V1Yp0U7bGiGcSwxJLeBJoX4civ4ZEX_1DQQECfFP93VH8n2are0vfyEfyK1KCzdrloT9MM2dquoH8R99RlfuwLTkcIjmD5/s1600-h/party2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQv8v0Ozy5yLGMC2bFh15eiNKkvTNwPI5vHf7PG8C8ypPhJ_V1Yp0U7bGiGcSwxJLeBJoX4civ4ZEX_1DQQECfFP93VH8n2are0vfyEfyK1KCzdrloT9MM2dquoH8R99RlfuwLTkcIjmD5/s200/party2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133482075373184338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqei-IqpTFpRi6eI_kr7ZB2Hl-90yVXGWpLxepHtxwpmODWteWqG2C6-XCm_2vDDp1hHcz9H9iwqRr4Ih5T59_BrLQa_VC0vZMloLDCEBKT6_a6Nomhik-awHBvyVzNo9xMB1q4KTKJ11o/s1600-h/sarahcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqei-IqpTFpRi6eI_kr7ZB2Hl-90yVXGWpLxepHtxwpmODWteWqG2C6-XCm_2vDDp1hHcz9H9iwqRr4Ih5T59_BrLQa_VC0vZMloLDCEBKT6_a6Nomhik-awHBvyVzNo9xMB1q4KTKJ11o/s200/sarahcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133481967999001922" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbs53KFAivw1BzzYVDzFS465GA48fvY5-tNb4KPm6SVXaP2AFIIWw-dFnrp5hq9uPNy07i8cDAYUwlUiITgA1N-7Fz73edRkACcbOis8NHZiK982JKsxeRrHlluxorOMn9PAAjRQXe6go/s1600-h/partycom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbs53KFAivw1BzzYVDzFS465GA48fvY5-tNb4KPm6SVXaP2AFIIWw-dFnrp5hq9uPNy07i8cDAYUwlUiITgA1N-7Fz73edRkACcbOis8NHZiK982JKsxeRrHlluxorOMn9PAAjRQXe6go/s200/partycom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133481839149983026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpi-hhbf_qzWBH-UZW1y2VAai1Lbr9gAehnRvPE57cLtgHfd_sJugcY_lU0_p93fDe_uD4vwmp5MU9oaBOfR-ZJvRLt6GjIKNYAYk1ChbF-I9_carfh6TNFII3nlO9aPP2RsN4sUL7Q-38/s1600-h/upsidedowncom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpi-hhbf_qzWBH-UZW1y2VAai1Lbr9gAehnRvPE57cLtgHfd_sJugcY_lU0_p93fDe_uD4vwmp5MU9oaBOfR-ZJvRLt6GjIKNYAYk1ChbF-I9_carfh6TNFII3nlO9aPP2RsN4sUL7Q-38/s200/upsidedowncom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133481667351291170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Dj4ObfBSudndsR9ocYGpB0qE48KDBnmU_Z1_eWCSMBVwVwOAe2ckVr8t4lzqJuipnUl7u-nrOxIEtB9wLxlMJOm4BUt-gGSaPTIcrKJneL-MWy7pbChHeHlfFDltEiAxAKjolld0J5BN/s1600-h/shannoncom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Dj4ObfBSudndsR9ocYGpB0qE48KDBnmU_Z1_eWCSMBVwVwOAe2ckVr8t4lzqJuipnUl7u-nrOxIEtB9wLxlMJOm4BUt-gGSaPTIcrKJneL-MWy7pbChHeHlfFDltEiAxAKjolld0J5BN/s200/shannoncom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133481564272076050" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuATrXt6nX2N0SNCzN5zohumc4dX972b9XnFf_Jm1lnMcHbdqx6O-ilcEkcZLfntF_YYBCAunCX4kY5wp6DS3Vn67qvS0B0Pwvfv9ZS1izQQV9Zdb-2gmyI3eGEXphNOhfG9uBf789cbd/s1600-h/teresacom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuATrXt6nX2N0SNCzN5zohumc4dX972b9XnFf_Jm1lnMcHbdqx6O-ilcEkcZLfntF_YYBCAunCX4kY5wp6DS3Vn67qvS0B0Pwvfv9ZS1izQQV9Zdb-2gmyI3eGEXphNOhfG9uBf789cbd/s200/teresacom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133481465487828226" /></a><br />Tonight ... we had a PARTY! We had pizzas brought to my apartment. Joanie, Derick and Shannon, The Conley family (who arrived a few days ago), and Theresa all came. Of course, we also had Noah, Asher, and Hayden there!! I had been saving TWO bottles of wine for the crew and we finally enjoyed them tonight! Shannon, Derick, and Joanie were the first to arrive and we thought it was fitting to open the bottle of Caymus and have a special toast among the four of us. Even with the babies demanding our attention ... and the slight uncomfortableness of trying to relax in this sparse Semey apartment ... there was an "<em><strong>understood</strong></em>" appreciation between the four of us ... that we were stealing this moment ... as we raised our glasses... to celebrate this incredible experience that we have shared.Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-7744978725194593022007-11-15T07:51:00.001-08:002007-11-15T08:01:07.266-08:00The Three Unsung HeroesWhen I got to Semey, there have been three people who have worked tirelessly on my behalf. I NEVER realized before coming here the HUGE role that Olga, the coordinator, Larissa, the interpreter and Pasha, the driver play … in making not only this adoption successful … but in making my stay here comfortable and as pleasant as possible. All three of these people ... met me at the airport in Semey and have since been at my beck and call. <br /><br />Olga handles all the legal documents and represented me in court. Most of her work is behind the scenes. She has "connections" and uses her influence in this town to work miracles on our behalf. She is the backbone and is "<em><strong>The Boss</strong></em>" as I like to call her. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4aWfXyfW0RtvUggGjNVQlF239YbVLWMxrdOclCYktXERzf7517ueZ47Yf6ehNJ2hdzcFRxxhmCnYX8hW2NR1KPUI8ZxqbQhCKml4v-7Bfb4WF2vGU6pZRxjGEl41w28EkGGHIneCbhse/s1600-h/olga3com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4aWfXyfW0RtvUggGjNVQlF239YbVLWMxrdOclCYktXERzf7517ueZ47Yf6ehNJ2hdzcFRxxhmCnYX8hW2NR1KPUI8ZxqbQhCKml4v-7Bfb4WF2vGU6pZRxjGEl41w28EkGGHIneCbhse/s200/olga3com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133096735202354418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeijPwdSHTLaDPGiWVfiLfJawysQI30TD99qixPuMG79NOjo5UOv33zwAWmE12JsWj5b0npVjvI9qiu-sNnq4I66vn7SJmdq6nkkRsbzyIA739nEdc9qpQSUoaq8ymuwLkMb_3cObndNDG/s1600-h/olgacom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeijPwdSHTLaDPGiWVfiLfJawysQI30TD99qixPuMG79NOjo5UOv33zwAWmE12JsWj5b0npVjvI9qiu-sNnq4I66vn7SJmdq6nkkRsbzyIA739nEdc9qpQSUoaq8ymuwLkMb_3cObndNDG/s200/olgacom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133096657892943074" /></a><br /><br />Pasha, my favorite driver ... is a <strong><em>giant teddy bear</em></strong>. He is very protective. He walks the 3 flights up to my apartment every day and knocks five times to let me know it's him. Upon my return, he walks me up to the apartment and makes SURE I lock the door before he will leave. He tries to not let me carry anything. He treats me sweetly and affectionately and makes me feel so safe. I will genuinely miss him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh85IDBAoJB6nTHIevm2vosGOD3iJNm0p-cePInKATzHc9thcpKu7s9dHGb3AnZ5db44V-UI9AM_UE7lCituM6ieihrSpaOn705WKtk8q7LGPSUpLC0qqxFWZBVUjT8z-vx0KNqjKUBkT/s1600-h/pashacrystalcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieh85IDBAoJB6nTHIevm2vosGOD3iJNm0p-cePInKATzHc9thcpKu7s9dHGb3AnZ5db44V-UI9AM_UE7lCituM6ieihrSpaOn705WKtk8q7LGPSUpLC0qqxFWZBVUjT8z-vx0KNqjKUBkT/s200/pashacrystalcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133096473209349330" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bveGd5aqGT2uLDPDw9M5AWV-sKn66wNhcGDIrhSrc7ZjZak9ABFveGQ_qLjnEfFRpQUobXJMV0iaQTqpZCd5lWOXYY_0aQFhoE1Oel8YxHMEc-UXa0Yr6JGEKz-QdjCqU1Fn1SYg6JU0/s1600-h/jaynepashacom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9bveGd5aqGT2uLDPDw9M5AWV-sKn66wNhcGDIrhSrc7ZjZak9ABFveGQ_qLjnEfFRpQUobXJMV0iaQTqpZCd5lWOXYY_0aQFhoE1Oel8YxHMEc-UXa0Yr6JGEKz-QdjCqU1Fn1SYg6JU0/s200/jaynepashacom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133096400194905282" /></a><br /><br />Larissa, my interpreter ... is my <strong><em>EVERYTHING</em></strong>! How was I to know what a vital role she would play in my everyday happiness, my ability to function in a foreign city, in the daily walk of the business at hand ... meeting Noah, bonding, court, and helping with my needs in caring for a baby. She not only hears for me and speaks for me ... she has become <strong><em>my friend</em></strong>. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DpNZrkLoKLGQVPoMs8PsbH1Q139d5zG1SZMJoXxw4SHkEF6Mojzix_QIXRei3mAN7xmR4VMUjrbfnlFNnWvFXnRlppV-FohDPW_azm6n6ddiCA0GOHFNB1Vs0BENCh-mTQ8VXi75Xpcx/s1600-h/larissacrystaljayne2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DpNZrkLoKLGQVPoMs8PsbH1Q139d5zG1SZMJoXxw4SHkEF6Mojzix_QIXRei3mAN7xmR4VMUjrbfnlFNnWvFXnRlppV-FohDPW_azm6n6ddiCA0GOHFNB1Vs0BENCh-mTQ8VXi75Xpcx/s200/larissacrystaljayne2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133096249871049906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZr9xfNriDlN1JSOcHuK3W5JhS64l8Li5Su6JkqDhOB_o4VksTwShbHqg5B6tlFtyZ83fEzKT7AOOcCM7QcF-vGz1ln9lJwC__fkG8a9K_dDKOsHoMMkcqOVUWstoh2X_RV1pUt3QRy0b/s1600-h/larissajaynecom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZr9xfNriDlN1JSOcHuK3W5JhS64l8Li5Su6JkqDhOB_o4VksTwShbHqg5B6tlFtyZ83fEzKT7AOOcCM7QcF-vGz1ln9lJwC__fkG8a9K_dDKOsHoMMkcqOVUWstoh2X_RV1pUt3QRy0b/s200/larissajaynecom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133096163971703970" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JtkhqkivqNsKgLxD6uTXLgOVPgQEUEDJCpgfIUesxCetWT_BHEuCa3ZyBeTqf5d9OOI_bq-UHEpgfEOcwVeui7kHma6RsL-2Q28fHuXkER3wJkpLeCWz9ERWhOBxiLcDhHwgXf4kIdD_/s1600-h/larissajaynecrystalcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6JtkhqkivqNsKgLxD6uTXLgOVPgQEUEDJCpgfIUesxCetWT_BHEuCa3ZyBeTqf5d9OOI_bq-UHEpgfEOcwVeui7kHma6RsL-2Q28fHuXkER3wJkpLeCWz9ERWhOBxiLcDhHwgXf4kIdD_/s200/larissajaynecrystalcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133095880503862418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysE5lfhB0tSBSAq4qs2fCAaacx3uNb6Kqf5GAwDaYbOnawSyA57Nagpw9Fn6Cqv1yEPlXlHLQn8S6pvcQWcoqgdjBoD74jBn_aPcShK3xmsoZzbp93heLUH3ySBNZnN1jJlpUnTngy80F/s1600-h/larissanoahcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysE5lfhB0tSBSAq4qs2fCAaacx3uNb6Kqf5GAwDaYbOnawSyA57Nagpw9Fn6Cqv1yEPlXlHLQn8S6pvcQWcoqgdjBoD74jBn_aPcShK3xmsoZzbp93heLUH3ySBNZnN1jJlpUnTngy80F/s200/larissanoahcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133095768834712706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2cHZUxQTZhpl3b8TONnXAZseG2HN8x13_NA3NydlcGG7qfEoww9NLvUSbtrAR4R7HaeEXagG4W71YN92opvA-NWwD2FfMmgfja4H_bR1g0SWoPFCGVZaRdmSBEcbYoA4B4FNMj5hZ5ou/s1600-h/larissaworkingcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2cHZUxQTZhpl3b8TONnXAZseG2HN8x13_NA3NydlcGG7qfEoww9NLvUSbtrAR4R7HaeEXagG4W71YN92opvA-NWwD2FfMmgfja4H_bR1g0SWoPFCGVZaRdmSBEcbYoA4B4FNMj5hZ5ou/s200/larissaworkingcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133095622805824626" /></a><br />So, while so many, many people have played a role in my process of adopting Noah ... I just wanted tonight to recognize those three who have been the foot soldiers ... those who have seriously made it happen for me here in Semey. <strong><em>I love them</em></strong> for what they have done for me. <strong><em>I do</em></strong>.Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-55586570214342176992007-11-14T06:56:00.000-08:002007-11-14T07:50:49.670-08:00I like clingy ..."The Group" had lunch together again today with our children. Am I a part of that? Did I just say "our children?" I have a child? I know I do ... I just wonder when it will sound normal to hear things like that? <br /><br />Noah slept ten hours straight last night! But today, the only nap he would take was when he just collapsed at lunch. The first picture is Noah and me at lunch. Noah was pretty much bright eyed and bushy-tailed ... so I thought. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGtpg2TnFyAtxgAfjfcU9nAmeKBkpKsOMsHihOIoWKUDnzijhWZHfW9VEM6SY94q7L9o-qclQwdK0GtTLLAeeGYEJm85z2MdQEyW76veiNcRH4LUsPV9UCVPqapuJ8mBUiSifO6yqCPwG/s1600-h/noahandmomcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGtpg2TnFyAtxgAfjfcU9nAmeKBkpKsOMsHihOIoWKUDnzijhWZHfW9VEM6SY94q7L9o-qclQwdK0GtTLLAeeGYEJm85z2MdQEyW76veiNcRH4LUsPV9UCVPqapuJ8mBUiSifO6yqCPwG/s200/noahandmomcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132713378791903650" /></a><br /><br />When he gets tired, he falls on my chest and sucks his little thumb and usually a piece of my shirt with it. Moments like these are so beautiful to me. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-xuj6rSuJoWb0Kzdvln-Bnfklqf_it10UgNNnfgYe_2ezmH7SFrhBoSb15YPdaKChQiSX904WezVJZQ5DFzGIqCZsN-qrnQWxYZRpUBSfP3zUZrH1uEhShDwODpDX41a5awsfMOM5DbJ/s1600-h/noahandmom2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-xuj6rSuJoWb0Kzdvln-Bnfklqf_it10UgNNnfgYe_2ezmH7SFrhBoSb15YPdaKChQiSX904WezVJZQ5DFzGIqCZsN-qrnQWxYZRpUBSfP3zUZrH1uEhShDwODpDX41a5awsfMOM5DbJ/s200/noahandmom2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132713254237852050" /></a><br /><br />One thing led to another ... and he was OUT like a light!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeKzhFz3tkGaTymAMqWM7UtX4qm_Tq74coVDE4f3R0YiMxtr88NIF5wkp1GGISPNVF4GOOLrSPERUWLcU6uTRUu9Rx0Czw6tbiQCqvWuC1WX1cAOfJdfIOFDwngfbEoWqAy2GQS37cWa2/s1600-h/asleep1com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeKzhFz3tkGaTymAMqWM7UtX4qm_Tq74coVDE4f3R0YiMxtr88NIF5wkp1GGISPNVF4GOOLrSPERUWLcU6uTRUu9Rx0Czw6tbiQCqvWuC1WX1cAOfJdfIOFDwngfbEoWqAy2GQS37cWa2/s200/asleep1com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132713099619029378" /></a><br /><br />When we got back to the apartment, he was still OUT ... in his snow suit and all! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_Fs5itoNz6fQ8TKu59h0R2oYFhofpfYVdxMQeFYpyxjWLy86MWqbW4jeVCKdoK-eezIXdiSWNYv1sKGefRTzPkrGcQNYkHFLZDHIswVtt6JpDc-A9K3BTGNgw0LxFqyHhNF1Q5szTUyP/s1600-h/asleep2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_Fs5itoNz6fQ8TKu59h0R2oYFhofpfYVdxMQeFYpyxjWLy86MWqbW4jeVCKdoK-eezIXdiSWNYv1sKGefRTzPkrGcQNYkHFLZDHIswVtt6JpDc-A9K3BTGNgw0LxFqyHhNF1Q5szTUyP/s200/asleep2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132712854805893490" /></a><br /><br />Took off that snow suit ... still sound asleep!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46__FUh1-JpeZlEF9GPveKQMEuv1kWG11yD26z9iEXbU7dTPwSwPxu1OD9kebRLu1rFOgIjjnS8GGpoEcxIsRvx-GuDs7B6Zv25nHFwn1xlpMqgn3LCU8-PwNI-ldcnfFOUBB6TvUCVV9/s1600-h/asleep3com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh46__FUh1-JpeZlEF9GPveKQMEuv1kWG11yD26z9iEXbU7dTPwSwPxu1OD9kebRLu1rFOgIjjnS8GGpoEcxIsRvx-GuDs7B6Zv25nHFwn1xlpMqgn3LCU8-PwNI-ldcnfFOUBB6TvUCVV9/s200/asleep3com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132712730251841890" /></a><br /><br />There's something else I'd like to share that I have found quite odd. In the playroom at the orphanage, I noticed there was always a t.v. on. This helps me understand why Noah responds to a t.v. in the strange way that he does. If I turn on the t.v., all that matters is that t.v. screen. He gets in a trance ... totally mesmerized. So, I am using this to my advantage while I'm here. If I have to run to the bathroom, I just turn on the t.v!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaghvvH-iECjsSC0YxNWf6pyoYilvtbmcp2YtY0HmwVnTSPmduWwQ2-MzaM8hFAdVaCA7Bty7z9x8_9j6LCQHhpqz7ixdFn2ueHvC9bJ7avJp7VDj8GjEt2T6DpSoS78F16MDZDCWn4Ai/s1600-h/tvcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaghvvH-iECjsSC0YxNWf6pyoYilvtbmcp2YtY0HmwVnTSPmduWwQ2-MzaM8hFAdVaCA7Bty7z9x8_9j6LCQHhpqz7ixdFn2ueHvC9bJ7avJp7VDj8GjEt2T6DpSoS78F16MDZDCWn4Ai/s200/tvcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132710861941068114" /></a><br /><br />Noah is becoming very clingy ... and I don't mean that in a bad way. He wants me near him. He'll reach out his little hand for me. It's enough sometimes that he is just holding on to my finger ... or my pants leg ... or has his hand on my arm. I don't know if he is afraid I will (really) leave him or if it just comforts him in a way that he needs right now or both. He also doesn't want to take naps in his crib now. Today during his nap time and while in his crib ... he cried for about 45 minutes. I kept thinking, "Jayne, let him soothe himself. He'll be fine." Nope, couldn't do it. I finally took him out and laid on the couch with him. He laid on my chest sucking his thumb for the next hour. He wouldn't sleep but he was content as long as he was right there with me. I watched him and thought to myself ... "How is it that you're perfect for me?" He'd raise himself up just off my chest and flash a little grin and plop back down and start sucking again. I kept wondering ... "Why is this child doing this cute stuff ... is he trying to melt my heart?" And he would raise up again, look into my eyes ... let out a giggle ... plop back down on my chest and start sucking that thumb again.Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-65365385996087975002007-11-13T17:33:00.000-08:002007-11-13T17:54:21.044-08:00Evidence of BondingThese are the pictures Larissa helped me choose to put in a photo album for the judge, the prosecutor, and the representative of the Dept. of Education. They are supposed to show evidence of bonding. The album was passed around and it was heartwarming to see these ladies smile as they turned the pages. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh826BEoiDnZdUWgb0moV3t090RZ9BhCl_5XCJaOTjpV9qQYuU0YYWPI-LHSDR17BCZZ_jB3Um3YrvI24LUgmVuB2YedVf4C76ombfFWuuhr-mcXtjCF9pvcYqMGZuKG8CBW2RH2qodD6Gn/s1600-h/tonguecom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh826BEoiDnZdUWgb0moV3t090RZ9BhCl_5XCJaOTjpV9qQYuU0YYWPI-LHSDR17BCZZ_jB3Um3YrvI24LUgmVuB2YedVf4C76ombfFWuuhr-mcXtjCF9pvcYqMGZuKG8CBW2RH2qodD6Gn/s200/tonguecom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132506763984197314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwzYc80V8SmFRfUYAb2Kie4XI76tHCFRYoktHVEQPwk5IgjvvkYoTTb1VoL7wk5luAD3nFAtIptqiGskT9XX152Iecp3yA1TKmPN5SZU5iE1jQ1FsmBz4NBduVxqiDzYteGFAMZxQ2hEZ/s1600-h/Noah019com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwzYc80V8SmFRfUYAb2Kie4XI76tHCFRYoktHVEQPwk5IgjvvkYoTTb1VoL7wk5luAD3nFAtIptqiGskT9XX152Iecp3yA1TKmPN5SZU5iE1jQ1FsmBz4NBduVxqiDzYteGFAMZxQ2hEZ/s200/Noah019com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132506497696224946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzMIZQXTd462CFKx9gG7lvQNSSk_H90S9vovvZ741uA3r1w7mwtsI5yRgsHdyOhPBjQNTIo1mz1cv4_-HdeOjJLtcRCmG9eOUPEv8u58IuHX-oXSsFjyFISwLDhY9OORp72orfkVfFeDS/s1600-h/noah&momcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzMIZQXTd462CFKx9gG7lvQNSSk_H90S9vovvZ741uA3r1w7mwtsI5yRgsHdyOhPBjQNTIo1mz1cv4_-HdeOjJLtcRCmG9eOUPEv8u58IuHX-oXSsFjyFISwLDhY9OORp72orfkVfFeDS/s200/noah&momcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132506265767990946" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift55xxdu6kuFm8h6mN0EvbVEbHGNPdIbNdBur0hUBVgVfn1YW2k5kEcrVZLsoARXAOgD3B1Uxnq0eRfJ4R1CjtaAP2xOzjLletiOlEZENSSx4tb6I9VRRHf1zb0AO3kAbxJKgTHDtBkqN/s1600-h/noah&momlaughingcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEift55xxdu6kuFm8h6mN0EvbVEbHGNPdIbNdBur0hUBVgVfn1YW2k5kEcrVZLsoARXAOgD3B1Uxnq0eRfJ4R1CjtaAP2xOzjLletiOlEZENSSx4tb6I9VRRHf1zb0AO3kAbxJKgTHDtBkqN/s200/noah&momlaughingcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132506166983743122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-604yu8ks6gNuv03MBGDwhIz4Sr3Tu-AoyafVjjsnQba6GWZKkVCAwHY5icjLwn7SXriGpmfzD74PUFC4MblsX0P3OpIQQf5g3yP6ye6JSwrlAdbDx_OIdBd4U0CW5e4taq4EIDtczFs/s1600-h/Noah&Mamacom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi-604yu8ks6gNuv03MBGDwhIz4Sr3Tu-AoyafVjjsnQba6GWZKkVCAwHY5icjLwn7SXriGpmfzD74PUFC4MblsX0P3OpIQQf5g3yP6ye6JSwrlAdbDx_OIdBd4U0CW5e4taq4EIDtczFs/s200/Noah&Mamacom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132505999480018562" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEiT7cQLctVtpoiEwaMdHBNFW-nVDK4knuB-rfBlok-5NdYMSb-ekNApGCcmVTC4OPOKaVjlP-KUTZqjv7KK8svu2XE8A-W3_Q_vXYkLofTfB6qIYKvYNgfn_y6kDHJ0rwTGNhuM08LYg/s1600-h/noahsmiling2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEiT7cQLctVtpoiEwaMdHBNFW-nVDK4knuB-rfBlok-5NdYMSb-ekNApGCcmVTC4OPOKaVjlP-KUTZqjv7KK8svu2XE8A-W3_Q_vXYkLofTfB6qIYKvYNgfn_y6kDHJ0rwTGNhuM08LYg/s200/noahsmiling2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132505454019171954" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8Sbzirhw__NwoJMDpNz9Vw3ObuO5wRxLq8QXZUGAnkS68wubEShz3W4qkLIR9ur6jk-1eOwj-FxSaLhGqFTjsXRnGFx4KFLwe_732plyYnRH7NeTHdnLj95adQXWWCRflqFhKoSOA8iT/s1600-h/noahwalkingcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8Sbzirhw__NwoJMDpNz9Vw3ObuO5wRxLq8QXZUGAnkS68wubEShz3W4qkLIR9ur6jk-1eOwj-FxSaLhGqFTjsXRnGFx4KFLwe_732plyYnRH7NeTHdnLj95adQXWWCRflqFhKoSOA8iT/s200/noahwalkingcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132505088946951778" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJESyiABSr3EDkmGtmnKtSGPC3tAZJ-lZ3BXu5uTLs2W0Df4RkcRBwtoeLRIWLRWTpyJqANq4tFBZVewTlap1vKBYO0bkkjOX9jKwM-cpb5OKAIYiVtAvXyQGo83Kj4imo4Btksh6Com-/s1600-h/crosscom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJESyiABSr3EDkmGtmnKtSGPC3tAZJ-lZ3BXu5uTLs2W0Df4RkcRBwtoeLRIWLRWTpyJqANq4tFBZVewTlap1vKBYO0bkkjOX9jKwM-cpb5OKAIYiVtAvXyQGo83Kj4imo4Btksh6Com-/s200/crosscom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132504517716301394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzY7TSeq9xBScA5FR13qy0aXe12oEVDIVvDg-Ay96Ya9nYuJAQDMZ_sYE1n8EXiDyJk3SwBfyiN44JIAxMPbKLtTFRrEilh7v8C4P65IPhcYyi34lgAKFJPrFkiGAo7N_rJf7LYbTW160R/s1600-h/spreadoutcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzY7TSeq9xBScA5FR13qy0aXe12oEVDIVvDg-Ay96Ya9nYuJAQDMZ_sYE1n8EXiDyJk3SwBfyiN44JIAxMPbKLtTFRrEilh7v8C4P65IPhcYyi34lgAKFJPrFkiGAo7N_rJf7LYbTW160R/s200/spreadoutcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132504049564866114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG75qm25-FprnIEHu1MbZaxmOFXW9Uj4is-E5OB5op6duFEagsa6tIDRZn9HseHfEK70qT6MDDpl0_J6yjWyO_ltQYAgJMGn3Qz5o0xFsolKIvLumlPWzdsxQQ5xhWVKQyOd7SUw4bEulu/s1600-h/11-2-07+010.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG75qm25-FprnIEHu1MbZaxmOFXW9Uj4is-E5OB5op6duFEagsa6tIDRZn9HseHfEK70qT6MDDpl0_J6yjWyO_ltQYAgJMGn3Qz5o0xFsolKIvLumlPWzdsxQQ5xhWVKQyOd7SUw4bEulu/s200/11-2-07+010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132503809046697522" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRIHqwQOi1AGWgnQroFDK4yK3Lhpb_Ml9_2tbck2-7EgmTJsB06wrxiaqSNd1OaMm0pPeonKTEoCWVpT9RfX4RQBrbSlFW9KPucPA9L8kcZCghkDEQGugdpvunl1GTEOsRx1U6IesHPo9/s1600-h/11-2-07+014.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRIHqwQOi1AGWgnQroFDK4yK3Lhpb_Ml9_2tbck2-7EgmTJsB06wrxiaqSNd1OaMm0pPeonKTEoCWVpT9RfX4RQBrbSlFW9KPucPA9L8kcZCghkDEQGugdpvunl1GTEOsRx1U6IesHPo9/s200/11-2-07+014.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132503718852384290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP_zt4KackIrDO9zAdYuTk6MmOSei5UpsN595tD1tOLmGvsZ6Qp810FQixR8rsJGcp41CS2hEYIn2abOmRBdNk-EAIomqOkcf6-e4Rm5YkQSRcZImxvih29ron210F38gPpPIlN9Bvczl/s1600-h/stollerandmecom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP_zt4KackIrDO9zAdYuTk6MmOSei5UpsN595tD1tOLmGvsZ6Qp810FQixR8rsJGcp41CS2hEYIn2abOmRBdNk-EAIomqOkcf6-e4Rm5YkQSRcZImxvih29ron210F38gPpPIlN9Bvczl/s200/stollerandmecom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132503504104019474" /></a>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-54017975520233932192007-11-13T02:34:00.001-08:002007-11-13T03:05:34.579-08:00Mama's Exclamation Point!Today, we were picked up to go eat lunch together. While there, we met ANOTHER new family who is here to adopt ... the Conleys from Florida. Conversations have turned from discussing our experience in Semey and the adoption to ... "Asher didn't sleep well last night," "Did Asher finally poo-poo?" ... "Try mixing oatmeal with the rice and banana cereal ... Noah loved it," "Hayden won't drink the apple juice mixed with water," ... and on and on and on. What did you do? Did you try this? How do I do that? Three sets of brand new parents trying to figure it all out as we go along! It's <em><strong>awesome</strong></em>!<br /><br /><strong>NOW ... THE NEWS! </strong> Larissa came to pick us up from lunch and trying to hold back the grin ... she said, "I have some good news. Do you want to leave Semey on Saturday or Sunday?" Joanie, Derick, and myself couldn't believe our ears!! Our jaws dropped and we were so excited, we thought we were going to jump out of our skin!! We never DREAMED we might leave that soon! It seems we may have the passport and visas for our children by the weekend! This is UNHEARD OF for it to happen so quickly!! Larissa said ... "Come on ... we need to take you by your apartments to get your money, your passports, your adoption cerficates and your baby's birth certificates. We are going to BUY YOUR TICKETS TO ALMATY!!!" <br /><br />The three of us are ECSTATIC!!! We have tickets to fly to Almaty for this Sunday, the 18th! Early next week in Almaty, we will take our children to get the medical exam and then we have to get cleared through the US Embassy. As soon as that is done, we can get our tickets back to the USA! We may leave as soon as Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving! Could we be home by Thanksgiving? It's possible since we gain 11 hours coming home! <br /><br />"<strong>Mama</strong> ... is it <strong>NOT</strong> enough that you help me find my son ... are you <strong>NOW</strong> just trying to add an <strong>EXCLAMATION POINT </strong>?Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-12020020035750255202007-11-13T00:52:00.000-08:002007-11-13T02:33:07.158-08:00The "Mongolian Spot"Blogger.com wouldn't activate last night so I wasn't able to post.<br /><br />Here's a little news from yesterday ... I guess the most important thing that happened yesterday was this ... Noah had what looked like <strong>solid</strong> bruises all over his rear end, lower back, up his back, and up and around his right shoulder. I discovered this during my first day with him. I was horrified and my first thoughts were that he was mishandled at the orphanage or possibly even abused. Last night, I was alone with Larissa and I told her about it. It appeared that she was trying not to laugh. She slowly said, "That's his Mongolian Spot." I said, "His WHAT?!!!!" "His Mongolian Spot," she said again. I said, "What are you talking about?" She went on to explain that almost all Kazakh baby boys and girls have this. It is a type of birthmark that disappears usually by 5 years of age. She said to research it on the Internet. I did so as soon as I got to the apartment and sure enough!! It's true!! The article said that when people don't know about it, they mistake it for bruising. Shannon and Derick's son, Asher also has it. Derick tells me now that Shannon hasn't been able to sleep at night for worrying. So, needless to say ... we are quite relieved and at the same time amazed to learn there is such a thing! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0N-CA3MRIXMSfRRoiba4VN-KWGNu7tBAN9DzSxRVEoi-i34MsBp8osWJQcbgdCIoegNLx6T6ugr2aSXjjy1W6rW2v7j_88ZcWXTkoyXSwIsz6O1nmtVEvkzHw4IKiSN6rjZBnqoBQbgl/s1600-h/sleepingcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0N-CA3MRIXMSfRRoiba4VN-KWGNu7tBAN9DzSxRVEoi-i34MsBp8osWJQcbgdCIoegNLx6T6ugr2aSXjjy1W6rW2v7j_88ZcWXTkoyXSwIsz6O1nmtVEvkzHw4IKiSN6rjZBnqoBQbgl/s200/sleepingcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132263539986224642" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqToI9y3jRMkuTFF4pRD-f4BQ7YToij1Vi_iJ00gRt8J9dGpZn_YS5cKkCCPQiuy4hMiFwGl9uxbAlxHXCasseZ4QBY5ZoXYBhx06T7Y1of0uhK6UxHPdKJ75cvjLjMkjH_wP7U_3RVwX/s1600-h/asleepcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHqToI9y3jRMkuTFF4pRD-f4BQ7YToij1Vi_iJ00gRt8J9dGpZn_YS5cKkCCPQiuy4hMiFwGl9uxbAlxHXCasseZ4QBY5ZoXYBhx06T7Y1of0uhK6UxHPdKJ75cvjLjMkjH_wP7U_3RVwX/s200/asleepcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132263454086878706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFkd_YhHrBF_p4OKvt0Dq7_no7xpr6dM2MdAS_ceyn6twSAwqmEzrSr6V-u0O6lPt4VaGKMxUaJ5S_yAdE7CHrPNvMuqmCOZbqTRZuRz7-MmTN6u5jY6w5ifpzdwXtsaxaAJRwi6amDQZ/s1600-h/mirrorcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFkd_YhHrBF_p4OKvt0Dq7_no7xpr6dM2MdAS_ceyn6twSAwqmEzrSr6V-u0O6lPt4VaGKMxUaJ5S_yAdE7CHrPNvMuqmCOZbqTRZuRz7-MmTN6u5jY6w5ifpzdwXtsaxaAJRwi6amDQZ/s200/mirrorcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132263329532827106" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1b5GauPDmsPVm2Np2ulMktShG5JpbhHZ6EgUPy_aFUBmafBVEV2_2hI5MHE5oNDu44cfHYLZNgKDFXLFbpT3gg-JR6oxcwa4AgzcwvkFGxkcY9fABq8yoQEQ9wveGfvF8giw4QoDjtCQH/s1600-h/VIProomcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1b5GauPDmsPVm2Np2ulMktShG5JpbhHZ6EgUPy_aFUBmafBVEV2_2hI5MHE5oNDu44cfHYLZNgKDFXLFbpT3gg-JR6oxcwa4AgzcwvkFGxkcY9fABq8yoQEQ9wveGfvF8giw4QoDjtCQH/s200/VIProomcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132262492014204370" /></a><br /><br />Noah DID NOT want to take his nap yesterday. I saw a side to him I've never seen. All he wanted to do was one constant GIGGLE, LAUGH, and SCREAM FOR JOY ... with every muscle in his body and every ounce of his being. This went on for almost two hours. He wore himself completely out and then only had time for a 30 minute nap. Then we were picked up to go to a funhouse for kids. He was sooooooooo exhausted that for the most part, he just wanted to be held. The whole place seemed to overwhelm him. It might have been a little too much stimulation for a worn out, teething, 11 month old ... just 2 1/2 days out of the orphanage. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO53Iu8dVrppflGLByCNANzsWP1PAZvDGNAAMEfHgP6Oc80kP-D26nQyBpndvpmDH4hkHbXwjXcU7uCd_QHDj3nPPv8PLAdHoFdi9PkVArm5iaUB5f_Plqj2ZHScOysssjOdd67oklxnNe/s1600-h/ballscom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO53Iu8dVrppflGLByCNANzsWP1PAZvDGNAAMEfHgP6Oc80kP-D26nQyBpndvpmDH4hkHbXwjXcU7uCd_QHDj3nPPv8PLAdHoFdi9PkVArm5iaUB5f_Plqj2ZHScOysssjOdd67oklxnNe/s200/ballscom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132260104012387762" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GSrfhv5f18gF-KGXX1ex2DHy4K5R9qFnMow5PVUXETaac2VBYovuzA-qqLidEje49-lKF3ioDnVQnhiTCT5GhRydcLwmW035oRfAahltI5sHNwu27TnAQKHY5_EiZkH7m72yWL5k9_96/s1600-h/balls2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GSrfhv5f18gF-KGXX1ex2DHy4K5R9qFnMow5PVUXETaac2VBYovuzA-qqLidEje49-lKF3ioDnVQnhiTCT5GhRydcLwmW035oRfAahltI5sHNwu27TnAQKHY5_EiZkH7m72yWL5k9_96/s200/balls2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132259970868401570" /></a>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-57042300643112943662007-11-11T07:28:00.000-08:002007-11-11T08:22:14.231-08:00First full day as a mother ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1APo0g-iV0tC2cctZMMFKZG2-tymPeX4ZtOhehtQJgT9gTc57mjFddRY6f8zzmKYvw4mfUgI1tG2ftthotdgPIF0_IEpZ8K1HCBla5e7LEgjC98L-C7_VbV8MLOGGhxJAdS6qY6gPTeB/s1600-h/jaynenoahcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1APo0g-iV0tC2cctZMMFKZG2-tymPeX4ZtOhehtQJgT9gTc57mjFddRY6f8zzmKYvw4mfUgI1tG2ftthotdgPIF0_IEpZ8K1HCBla5e7LEgjC98L-C7_VbV8MLOGGhxJAdS6qY6gPTeB/s200/jaynenoahcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131617585494840722" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL8BNRmkmhxI1wIMXEN_EyKPnhqQXNtdFzH8MIn6omvDb9s4nQsO7LH-PwkC2-AeTjjFi-ZM4MDBr3SZcw8BAwbauQodHliuBANS2VUOGGMBgN0xyEgBiR8DQON1Rl4bsClcEwD3CT8FP/s1600-h/grouplunchcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL8BNRmkmhxI1wIMXEN_EyKPnhqQXNtdFzH8MIn6omvDb9s4nQsO7LH-PwkC2-AeTjjFi-ZM4MDBr3SZcw8BAwbauQodHliuBANS2VUOGGMBgN0xyEgBiR8DQON1Rl4bsClcEwD3CT8FP/s200/grouplunchcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131617001379288450" /></a><br />I got out today to meet Shannon and Derick with their new son, Asher ... and Joanie with her new baby girl, Hayden for lunch. It was nice to get out for a while with Noah. He was so adorable finally dressed in normal, boy clothes! Today, Larissa said that Noah is going to be very sexual! I said, "Why do you say THAT??" In her broken English, she said, "Mmmm ... he's soooo handsome ... and those eyes ..." <br /><br />Today was my first full day to be a mother!! I think "Parenting 101 should just teach ... nap, change diaper, feed, play and love on each other ... REPEAT. <br /><br />I've been advised to keep Noah on the same feeding and nap schedule as the orphanage. I'm also trying to feed him the same types of foods. I am giving Noah a bottle of Kefir early in the morning and late at night. <br /><br />What is Kefir you say? I had to look on the internet ... "Kefir is a fermented milk drink that originated in the Caucasus region in Russia. It is prepared by inoculating cow, goat, or sheep's milk with kefir grains. Traditional kefir was made in skin bags that were hung near a doorway, and the bag was knocked by everyone passing through the doorway to help keep the milk and kefir grains well mixed. Kefir is becoming increasingly popular due to new research into its health benefits."<br /><br />Twice a day he gets what they call a milk porridge. For lunch, he gets more substenance. Today, I fed him borsch soup with mashed potatoes mixed in it. Yeah, I know ... sounds deeeeeeeeelicious! Right? Well ... all that matters is that he loved it! He eats sooooooo good! What an appetite! He won't stay underweight for long! <br /><br />For his naptimes ... I lay him down and he goes straight to sleep. It just floors me! He's such a good baby, I feel I need to pinch myself to see if I'm dreaming!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq76O4PjwqKh1ydls_bQfUzCM4XRfCVKyTFlmVXsjH8dDC2-jWpMVBlotuXMnNUJoSlJ9f-jn5S051I84Re2vtVwUBRJIihpXEjS6E-hwnMCL8n77I1WzmXhiwUGLXeRc2sljn139ix7b6/s1600-h/walker6com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq76O4PjwqKh1ydls_bQfUzCM4XRfCVKyTFlmVXsjH8dDC2-jWpMVBlotuXMnNUJoSlJ9f-jn5S051I84Re2vtVwUBRJIihpXEjS6E-hwnMCL8n77I1WzmXhiwUGLXeRc2sljn139ix7b6/s200/walker6com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131609738589590898" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4POskpwfCaJu4rt-505iYz5MRt5YxuGrBtsGOGTFYMdDdeQ70_J6DiPafxzyXdHmoMBrx-XUHlCmZX2FxIEOOSRmy1eEU6pPNPPQpcGIv3a34FExbfyHtiINV6vGVTwZmJJHq1dwlfF6g/s1600-h/walker8com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4POskpwfCaJu4rt-505iYz5MRt5YxuGrBtsGOGTFYMdDdeQ70_J6DiPafxzyXdHmoMBrx-XUHlCmZX2FxIEOOSRmy1eEU6pPNPPQpcGIv3a34FExbfyHtiINV6vGVTwZmJJHq1dwlfF6g/s200/walker8com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131609609740572002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCovH6vOk9E0cpZLfFbFsZRZyvH27VH9SiZtWSACfgOyK67Of6StiYssmsk1cY9fsukvelP9YI3EmQLrjW6oM7mGDuy9-OtawwzQATw0kJn7qgQqLNbu9PIpSYD6uNB2T01IjsXzn-5lwV/s1600-h/walker7com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCovH6vOk9E0cpZLfFbFsZRZyvH27VH9SiZtWSACfgOyK67Of6StiYssmsk1cY9fsukvelP9YI3EmQLrjW6oM7mGDuy9-OtawwzQATw0kJn7qgQqLNbu9PIpSYD6uNB2T01IjsXzn-5lwV/s200/walker7com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131609493776454994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTAdnSGko6l9_5pc5oCnmjXde0I0veDIsbUAYc30PfpZSeKXY1kANnnt7UajqpNEZxLVuRViaxWkloqiavdZFCoycn3srNsbiRxmtr58d_7qZEFcsNtWvnDdPf6wMhivpDTOgiSU2ZAr9/s1600-h/walker3com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTAdnSGko6l9_5pc5oCnmjXde0I0veDIsbUAYc30PfpZSeKXY1kANnnt7UajqpNEZxLVuRViaxWkloqiavdZFCoycn3srNsbiRxmtr58d_7qZEFcsNtWvnDdPf6wMhivpDTOgiSU2ZAr9/s200/walker3com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131609330567697730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XwA_O9yPNgKgEmT3QAfxs04kprYtpIy2XB5brlme83xq3SA6-eHroY2x8mXDDF2SLtEdP0ywcZb_fubQRMS548mqA7q9rhmNEXdDV4HGHHv_zbGeiVwV_EUK7HPGJlP973SlFpakbU4m/s1600-h/walker2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XwA_O9yPNgKgEmT3QAfxs04kprYtpIy2XB5brlme83xq3SA6-eHroY2x8mXDDF2SLtEdP0ywcZb_fubQRMS548mqA7q9rhmNEXdDV4HGHHv_zbGeiVwV_EUK7HPGJlP973SlFpakbU4m/s200/walker2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131609236078417202" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-76TwcRD36PlSAleA63u3UBGzlecG_HXsfUVfxlJUpDnLCTTasNppkuGFDF-SoauKju917XnphGqS620qSIoppwGqK0BMuMckzt93c-RslAvx8Uv8OkNndD_1t8022PM85haLCBkquIfH/s1600-h/walker1com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-76TwcRD36PlSAleA63u3UBGzlecG_HXsfUVfxlJUpDnLCTTasNppkuGFDF-SoauKju917XnphGqS620qSIoppwGqK0BMuMckzt93c-RslAvx8Uv8OkNndD_1t8022PM85haLCBkquIfH/s200/walker1com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131609141589136674" /></a><br />The orphanage loaned me not only his crib but also a walker. Today was his first day to get in a walker and he loooooved it! The above pictures are his different expressions!<br /><br />Toward the end of the day, I had to change my VERY first poo poo diaper. I had been dreading the moment. Well ... I SMELLED it and I knew it was time. So, I pulled down Noah's diaper to find a perfect, solid, little log! Whew! Sigh of relief! I used a baby wipe to clean him up ... oh, so easy and no mess ... then all of a sudden ... out starts another perfect not so little log! So, I strategically caught it with my baby wipe. I'm laughing and thinking ... "Well, is there anything else I can do for you sir?"<br /><br />Then, I gave Noah his very first EVER bath. I've heard nightmare stories about children from orphanages and how they are scared of baths at first ... so I was anticipating a possible fit. We got in the tub together and he was just amazing. I washed his hair and bathed him and afterwards ... he finally smelled like a little baby should. Then, we cuddled and cuddled before I put him to bed. My co-worker, Pam Holtzclaw, told me ... "Don't listen to what anybody else says ... you hug and kiss your little boy as much as you possibly can ... because before you know it, he'll be in high school." (I teach her adorable son, Drew.) So ... I'm taking her advice!Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-51873497525408940672007-11-10T07:17:00.000-08:002007-11-10T08:25:28.823-08:00The Mountaintop!People have told me that sometimes you have to travel through the valley before you reach the mountaintop. Well, I believe I've arrived ... and I love it!!<br /><br />I laid Noah down in his crib in my apartment at 8:15 p.m. and he hasn't made a sound. He's been sleeping for about 2 hours. I'm having some time to myself to reflect on the day ... and oh, what an amazing, miraculous day it has been!!! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuB_s1eXY5cTu2keTM4ikk6v0Zh6QzGNn8UBBWD_u0mhx7fTXNnB675ANCbf8L3Na4OBxJ0vbRcXpnmBWzP3cI7-Gl945pObVKpc2jFTXE_fyJT6bqw0mS6PxsIWMmYE0GH40ZNc-nvK2/s1600-h/spa1com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuB_s1eXY5cTu2keTM4ikk6v0Zh6QzGNn8UBBWD_u0mhx7fTXNnB675ANCbf8L3Na4OBxJ0vbRcXpnmBWzP3cI7-Gl945pObVKpc2jFTXE_fyJT6bqw0mS6PxsIWMmYE0GH40ZNc-nvK2/s200/spa1com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131243661347083538" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtF_Nk19Wa2qP-GPiPscgLoCHc9T_7QF00GX53noXIayk2KxbuzA4Z9X8qm6r6znaVqtU6YiTt-BJaAlRBvz8jDOj_bG4wAgQoouyFqER_5MnlUbDirES10cJtvHXJR2CXJimSKlDn5iB/s1600-h/spa3com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtF_Nk19Wa2qP-GPiPscgLoCHc9T_7QF00GX53noXIayk2KxbuzA4Z9X8qm6r6znaVqtU6YiTt-BJaAlRBvz8jDOj_bG4wAgQoouyFqER_5MnlUbDirES10cJtvHXJR2CXJimSKlDn5iB/s200/spa3com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131243562562835714" /></a><br /><br /><br />This unbelieveable day began with 3 hours at a spa. Joanie, Shannon, Larissa, and I got a dry sauna, massage, facial, oil and rose petal bath, hot tub, and drank hot tea steeped with flowers and fruit. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU6nlQl9unos-QPsdRwSyaAmuWYIRRV1FpmgyNG92-fy86iYfJ4fk2i4pwPs-y21Br30y_pUzyXc-ogUHHhPTWgmAOTP3poJDpzeYmlJhls_KvP52Q9kku2wslDT9W8imnO7SrWviMYLd/s1600-h/signingcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCU6nlQl9unos-QPsdRwSyaAmuWYIRRV1FpmgyNG92-fy86iYfJ4fk2i4pwPs-y21Br30y_pUzyXc-ogUHHhPTWgmAOTP3poJDpzeYmlJhls_KvP52Q9kku2wslDT9W8imnO7SrWviMYLd/s200/signingcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131241196035855602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXX2dNCkkUAM3zCNN947XvhOpf_HSj5WpwTNE0zRygxATmXKXg-6GLpCM6oNj0JIU-mYwKEz9iOmvmtLylmNSMdvuUq1ygSqXVaiO_EHP69oGoLdWwYOzmGYnt6QwID2PfHG9ttlrz3j82/s1600-h/birthcertcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXX2dNCkkUAM3zCNN947XvhOpf_HSj5WpwTNE0zRygxATmXKXg-6GLpCM6oNj0JIU-mYwKEz9iOmvmtLylmNSMdvuUq1ygSqXVaiO_EHP69oGoLdWwYOzmGYnt6QwID2PfHG9ttlrz3j82/s200/birthcertcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131241110136509666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhyphenhyphentzHOa0PTQeYioCZnruY5BMo73ZKHDoervKDNkhUlc39auAM4yUKOeimBsT7vwDUTZlUPeEI9aB_aWh_KRdpG8_z9ZABjz8oivED_R-moSbLt1yitb9heeoMMXTziaIe6pR8QYMqDq1/s1600-h/adoptioncertcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhyphenhyphentzHOa0PTQeYioCZnruY5BMo73ZKHDoervKDNkhUlc39auAM4yUKOeimBsT7vwDUTZlUPeEI9aB_aWh_KRdpG8_z9ZABjz8oivED_R-moSbLt1yitb9heeoMMXTziaIe6pR8QYMqDq1/s200/adoptioncertcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131241024237163730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi819kOG7sYXqbqHPuNWcar-RQ90_XB9IGBZNjw7HDQ3QBAg9hYyTPzB0IK7nyIoYDnHLUlszj_Hl7Baji12SGl7-_-9HhON_f-8GqpIZE_T7gQWOFxJnPb39HvvT9yCF86fmnLd-KaLe/s1600-h/vitalrec2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi819kOG7sYXqbqHPuNWcar-RQ90_XB9IGBZNjw7HDQ3QBAg9hYyTPzB0IK7nyIoYDnHLUlszj_Hl7Baji12SGl7-_-9HhON_f-8GqpIZE_T7gQWOFxJnPb39HvvT9yCF86fmnLd-KaLe/s200/vitalrec2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131240886798210242" /></a><br />At about 1:00 today, we were taken to the Vital Records Office in Semey. Here I signed paperwork to receive Noah's new Birth Certificate ... listing Paula Jayne Osborne as the mother! I also received Noah's Adoption certificate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJSUV9WmbI8i2T7YQb-LhfGYjHQVQn2WwXpWSzdIHOyHhPHYcH3TqTx5kzyjQDe7Tu1_mMdc1HXm1663eaOi14OlVoCNEInLBsSTsSQxrh4HRbYxRkeUOmxexJUvM8eDAjDB6Qsw4wejT/s1600-h/groupdircom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJSUV9WmbI8i2T7YQb-LhfGYjHQVQn2WwXpWSzdIHOyHhPHYcH3TqTx5kzyjQDe7Tu1_mMdc1HXm1663eaOi14OlVoCNEInLBsSTsSQxrh4HRbYxRkeUOmxexJUvM8eDAjDB6Qsw4wejT/s200/groupdircom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131240178128606386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATzvTrEAUFIqgs-dibn8VSk8Qs2R5YG6DbTCZT_krxucs_xCKRl75dGIR1kZfROiUsMgXFjyDEdE3C4M9Dhiu36gfez9XnIVDPS-vqSr8lws2-DpHMznQp5qqnhw_okWkQBjrBqqfdfXZ/s1600-h/orphdircom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATzvTrEAUFIqgs-dibn8VSk8Qs2R5YG6DbTCZT_krxucs_xCKRl75dGIR1kZfROiUsMgXFjyDEdE3C4M9Dhiu36gfez9XnIVDPS-vqSr8lws2-DpHMznQp5qqnhw_okWkQBjrBqqfdfXZ/s200/orphdircom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131239941905405090" /></a><br />Around mid-afternoon, we were taken to the orphanage to meet with the orphanage director. While there, we signed the necessary paperwork that would release the babies from the orphanage. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cl254qgbbOuBWhMkC0vTm6vOlitPx-vA5YGSB78F0iKn2-LorseLlXhllaKgADSLeaMK9XbIHDwFzZ9lIgqkJsgMRLDifem6MNwjJyAYb_QxzQk23Kgz2zCFf_HOIfGly3ZvWe0ZIMS-/s1600-h/nurserycom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cl254qgbbOuBWhMkC0vTm6vOlitPx-vA5YGSB78F0iKn2-LorseLlXhllaKgADSLeaMK9XbIHDwFzZ9lIgqkJsgMRLDifem6MNwjJyAYb_QxzQk23Kgz2zCFf_HOIfGly3ZvWe0ZIMS-/s200/nurserycom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131239340609983634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02Gk7blzYNTvlX4cBb9DPUXf2obOLXiyoHjlqSYMYR7WhpwWw0W3J_J-UKeTyaNOfQyT7I2iaaMXnoqGwvYb_K_TK50XJdzfOya1yevG7bCB-lVOQg0Huy4-YNBct2yJ7WXNNHg0YLSQZ/s1600-h/playroomcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02Gk7blzYNTvlX4cBb9DPUXf2obOLXiyoHjlqSYMYR7WhpwWw0W3J_J-UKeTyaNOfQyT7I2iaaMXnoqGwvYb_K_TK50XJdzfOya1yevG7bCB-lVOQg0Huy4-YNBct2yJ7WXNNHg0YLSQZ/s200/playroomcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131239254710637698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEOIr35mncGlt3Gh0Vn-0l6EA-ol9NArCtYvJyjJGdLo5SaRt9ioGF7N_uw3uoKfC2ZqM2t3VfESAabbs6zvyl3TKVCDp9IN9RB38e2ZvBgJaVPK2IxIVIcT2SNb-j3CTZqrzhwsQkczA/s1600-h/playroom2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEOIr35mncGlt3Gh0Vn-0l6EA-ol9NArCtYvJyjJGdLo5SaRt9ioGF7N_uw3uoKfC2ZqM2t3VfESAabbs6zvyl3TKVCDp9IN9RB38e2ZvBgJaVPK2IxIVIcT2SNb-j3CTZqrzhwsQkczA/s200/playroom2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131239164516324466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2ZMVU_bRUNWW1W5SmhfU7Fn4myEY8inqZ2V1DzumuEexiZq-AtO775OX0DzERxXo9KSnpchIWRauQweBt4yZBJVidog_jWudEvYHy9XjwgbrEVmhgs73Wh9gzABiO33c4wV39XVVYAVs/s1600-h/childrencom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie2ZMVU_bRUNWW1W5SmhfU7Fn4myEY8inqZ2V1DzumuEexiZq-AtO775OX0DzERxXo9KSnpchIWRauQweBt4yZBJVidog_jWudEvYHy9XjwgbrEVmhgs73Wh9gzABiO33c4wV39XVVYAVs/s200/childrencom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131238906818286690" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFovNEZwTYzB93VnMAtCukvdgEHlq7U8BEtnrr1jNv7UN0K_vyyWKc2B7_w_RSj2JweRXxRUsf3eXIMqdOzGDCeULLa1mp8YfShSqAX3NYkyMmGraVLn3npScFHky_uDo8vTQXOgAv7wld/s1600-h/noahdiaper2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFovNEZwTYzB93VnMAtCukvdgEHlq7U8BEtnrr1jNv7UN0K_vyyWKc2B7_w_RSj2JweRXxRUsf3eXIMqdOzGDCeULLa1mp8YfShSqAX3NYkyMmGraVLn3npScFHky_uDo8vTQXOgAv7wld/s200/noahdiaper2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131238743609529426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSQIgW2_0Ad_f2julOg16joMqNvmDk6BmPmdON-dQXyGU2T2QBGZlSx0dnIrgQhluks2ua3Fqt3kd1d3PzHGIAade50ATpknDgDfbeqcgj-H9sk0eqgGkScRwrPDrIkSJOGl-qIFrTrVZ/s1600-h/noahdiapercom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSQIgW2_0Ad_f2julOg16joMqNvmDk6BmPmdON-dQXyGU2T2QBGZlSx0dnIrgQhluks2ua3Fqt3kd1d3PzHGIAade50ATpknDgDfbeqcgj-H9sk0eqgGkScRwrPDrIkSJOGl-qIFrTrVZ/s200/noahdiapercom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131238490206458930" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddYkpSlMubnJOW8rxiwM1iDFVL1f7iERwn9oiOdJPDmsJxLGB82ytmwBlF9lJroZGB2ykySxeYG7zAnp0urGfcwPkuJWYh29A9Gj-0ElzzGKGb7xoZzOqTSKXvHtNjNrB42aWz7Lz25dL/s1600-h/noahdressedcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgddYkpSlMubnJOW8rxiwM1iDFVL1f7iERwn9oiOdJPDmsJxLGB82ytmwBlF9lJroZGB2ykySxeYG7zAnp0urGfcwPkuJWYh29A9Gj-0ElzzGKGb7xoZzOqTSKXvHtNjNrB42aWz7Lz25dL/s200/noahdressedcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131238391422211106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vqj8VzJxUUkvz135Ghhi9wqDMX2iXKyxYKUtz6cyDuU6Irx0dHUM4arZeQJJBh2ccmP90mAYEalIpH_NC-YN6pQOtr10iplv0td5pPktRP3ub62o5YaMTI0RnzxCgpOudxjTkiCc80-N/s1600-h/caretakers2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vqj8VzJxUUkvz135Ghhi9wqDMX2iXKyxYKUtz6cyDuU6Irx0dHUM4arZeQJJBh2ccmP90mAYEalIpH_NC-YN6pQOtr10iplv0td5pPktRP3ub62o5YaMTI0RnzxCgpOudxjTkiCc80-N/s200/caretakers2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131238193853715474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByGFJP6P_vUO8R5qiaaMIUor9rMPw03v0KGSGYeMaY5_Bd1_bnaskXt-Mt4M-j8Hk3UTs6M_PsLF7BqprJi8SJjBz3Qw3eHrcD4I2W8GwuiIrBl9SNDdZP56dFtsyM6wuI2EsTLgLDdko/s1600-h/caretaker1com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByGFJP6P_vUO8R5qiaaMIUor9rMPw03v0KGSGYeMaY5_Bd1_bnaskXt-Mt4M-j8Hk3UTs6M_PsLF7BqprJi8SJjBz3Qw3eHrcD4I2W8GwuiIrBl9SNDdZP56dFtsyM6wuI2EsTLgLDdko/s200/caretaker1com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131238086479533058" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGzLgLaIUwc4Dek5ABatYX064W6BetFlstNDYRlgG-kwFvDxMz48Gm1Ug3CTr1QBMhetg__65oLJDp170r_qFykp5gJJEvupXoOAYnQ_AGCsQZvLBsCZYLASS4CFCpLRLSfMDER__235d/s1600-h/leavingcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZGzLgLaIUwc4Dek5ABatYX064W6BetFlstNDYRlgG-kwFvDxMz48Gm1Ug3CTr1QBMhetg__65oLJDp170r_qFykp5gJJEvupXoOAYnQ_AGCsQZvLBsCZYLASS4CFCpLRLSfMDER__235d/s200/leavingcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131237528133784562" /></a><br /><br />When we arrived to pick up the babies, the caretakers stripped them down to their birthday suit. We gave them a diaper and clothes and they dressed the babies for us. We brand new parents had a ball snapping pictures! We also snuck around the area and took pictures of the room where the cribs are and got a few shots of the playroom. Looking at a chart on the wall, I figured out that Noah slept in crib #8 ... but when I looked for it, it wasn't there. Pasha, our driver ... had gotten Noah's actual crib and was taking it to my apartment. Isn't that amazing? <br /><br />Noah was a doll. He giggled some and seemed to love the attention! The caretakers smothered him with kisses and asked me to take pictures of them with him. I was caught off guard when one of the caretakers broke down in tears. Then I started crying. I gave her a long hug and asked her her name and told her mine. Noah watched her as I took him away. I can tell they love each other. I cried walking down the mural painted stairs. When I got to the first floor and headed toward the front door ... I held him so tight as I took in the enormity of what was happening. I stepped outside to the cooooooooold ... and Noah and I left the orphanage behind. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wDk-NVKhZRBg8PGauTpxY3xVX-33pVMKtIULK_cGI5NfmcsCAzCA-XazZpVW-V_xHE0L6-2Hv3aOLE2J1-AqnKWu4aGRhAwe2NBf00Xmgukm3XWughq5xQhQRH6_BmPttNq17wzsTIxX/s1600-h/greatescapecom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wDk-NVKhZRBg8PGauTpxY3xVX-33pVMKtIULK_cGI5NfmcsCAzCA-XazZpVW-V_xHE0L6-2Hv3aOLE2J1-AqnKWu4aGRhAwe2NBf00Xmgukm3XWughq5xQhQRH6_BmPttNq17wzsTIxX/s200/greatescapecom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131232855209366466" /></a><br />On a frigid, November 10th evening ... we made our GREAT ESCAPE!Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-31735356144987790422007-11-09T04:01:00.000-08:002007-11-09T04:07:49.653-08:00Court Ruling ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFd0NNljT2lkXpLgtUwleWWFsCf5uDAFZASCdhRk77NhdtWgyr093HAI3QYiWAKN68UKv0dfzDA01uMXTst9ZGFS674EPNYDK5trvSjuNNHQs86MHpB_sxONXo7h8Q1U1QVM7PkbQPkBG/s1600-h/passportcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFd0NNljT2lkXpLgtUwleWWFsCf5uDAFZASCdhRk77NhdtWgyr093HAI3QYiWAKN68UKv0dfzDA01uMXTst9ZGFS674EPNYDK5trvSjuNNHQs86MHpB_sxONXo7h8Q1U1QVM7PkbQPkBG/s200/passportcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130810213247570866" /></a><br />Court ruling …<br /><br /><strong>YES … to my petition to adopt!<br />YES … to immediate custody!</strong><br /><br /><strong>Noah Franklyn Ramazan Osborne </strong>will need to get his bags packed!! Can you believe it? Can you JUST believe it?? He’s my son … and I’m his mother! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!! <br /><br />I got to pick up Noah briefly today … the picture is of us going to get his passport picture made. Yes, my little man <strong>WILL NEED A PASSPORT</strong>! YIPPEEEEEEEEE! <br /><br />I believe I will get to pick him up for good tomorrow … I am meeting with Larissa this evening to sign some papers and she will let me know the plan. But I came by the apartment and wanted to get the great news posted right away!Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-42807314759558559752007-11-08T03:31:00.000-08:002007-11-08T06:23:12.616-08:00Last Day at the Orphanage<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2hMk80uppMOC8wqNQjKJ1p3EM6nkoMHxM69oN0fd-D3i87B87tiSwJss77VMMsUqv3TXG7cdFLKjVX-6Mat6s565A0ICOhREoK9LtjCZPvYWRRs2FjNIooxuzYip76esnuA2fxHR3viv/s1600-h/smilecom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2hMk80uppMOC8wqNQjKJ1p3EM6nkoMHxM69oN0fd-D3i87B87tiSwJss77VMMsUqv3TXG7cdFLKjVX-6Mat6s565A0ICOhREoK9LtjCZPvYWRRs2FjNIooxuzYip76esnuA2fxHR3viv/s200/smilecom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130439533931145346" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiISvDFw53-1qtXAayytAlWyT6KyljPeRicQ7D5xpy2M2RICrYB1dBPkbzQ_e-WpZaCgTj_PkiadXmsHl0MbEQGtJTCZrrgz5H1cce38951PQTvMOCRwOLntLYsJxyDlLqCn2x4Y9MP8J/s1600-h/noahmomcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCiISvDFw53-1qtXAayytAlWyT6KyljPeRicQ7D5xpy2M2RICrYB1dBPkbzQ_e-WpZaCgTj_PkiadXmsHl0MbEQGtJTCZrrgz5H1cce38951PQTvMOCRwOLntLYsJxyDlLqCn2x4Y9MP8J/s200/noahmomcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130439353542518898" /></a><br />There was a sort of strange reverence as I entered the orphanage today. I don't know if reverence is the best word to use ... but I was quietly very aware and that this could be my last day there with the Noah ... at least in the way that we have known our days here. I memorized each step, the murals on the walls, the feelings, the smells of the kitchen, the sound of children crying, the clanking of dishes, etc. The greetings, zdrasvwetye ... zdras ... priviet. The good-byes, dosvidanya ... paka paka. The thank you's ... spasiba ... spasiba bolshoye. I tried to soak in my time with Hayden and Asher, Noah's playmates. I looked at Shannon and Derick and Joanie with love and admiration ... three people who have shared with me first hand the most incredible experience of my life and the only three who can ever fully comprehend it. As we parted at the end of today, we all hugged and assured one another that we would lift each other up in prayer tonight. We knew that we would not be together again until we all knew the judges decisions. It's understandable that today was an emotional day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA90pqIqT0XdrVD74KPaAJ1dnBmE8XfBNki5Pacjx0eEs2wGxWS-PTY1suU1Mjzmgc3gxSjkn9o6Jm8FRFfmTzupWEtjo5JTwtrtXvL6WMGzmWQIE43N7IKuY5VEz77u6HsRS1mFssOey0/s1600-h/donnanoah3com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA90pqIqT0XdrVD74KPaAJ1dnBmE8XfBNki5Pacjx0eEs2wGxWS-PTY1suU1Mjzmgc3gxSjkn9o6Jm8FRFfmTzupWEtjo5JTwtrtXvL6WMGzmWQIE43N7IKuY5VEz77u6HsRS1mFssOey0/s200/donnanoah3com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130434916841302114" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysMnkfVzPItplphwhFBFJdQ4ANA4ZJfIqeUuJC_kqfCuBQ4WzT0duXJjkotuk2LoidO7Vv70-AU3htrhKVsj0PgymQXK-GEXb54K8laiG1LpdutY7qw9dY2Nd6qFVyCAj88fteXsA6HUe/s1600-h/donnanoahcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysMnkfVzPItplphwhFBFJdQ4ANA4ZJfIqeUuJC_kqfCuBQ4WzT0duXJjkotuk2LoidO7Vv70-AU3htrhKVsj0PgymQXK-GEXb54K8laiG1LpdutY7qw9dY2Nd6qFVyCAj88fteXsA6HUe/s200/donnanoahcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130434822352021586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalrI-gJeRlrIHkFSWuS_DViqM1b8t5KlE-efsXvg_t4gS4AXuXt5yRGtnqxMu6rvU7RBGLn9CIrmWGyolRCrQC3MrNLaC1QA8mXhptFa_uenrW7-Df9Fy3MMe-yEap0SFR-fsAxzty8F3/s1600-h/donnanoah2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalrI-gJeRlrIHkFSWuS_DViqM1b8t5KlE-efsXvg_t4gS4AXuXt5yRGtnqxMu6rvU7RBGLn9CIrmWGyolRCrQC3MrNLaC1QA8mXhptFa_uenrW7-Df9Fy3MMe-yEap0SFR-fsAxzty8F3/s200/donnanoah2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130434637668427842" /></a><br />I watched as Teresa's mother, Donna, handled Noah with such ease. He watched her for the longest and giggled and giggled when she gave him attention. It was hard to stay composed as I imagined that being my mother doing the same. These are those kinds of feelings that you can't really start talking about ... so you just have to swallow really hard and savor the moment.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LjOfkJDdftfTpBLYbzdx_YGxCssV3cxbM9DbbSsj9XEh5_x19PQCQk5AnxYkd-tkl8E5a4N_HIKbfJmOqjPSIPoj9v1ecg92-yHV-XGgxDCObyHCWAvxz4X2nddDS7IQU00RAP4rXmml/s1600-h/popcom.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6LjOfkJDdftfTpBLYbzdx_YGxCssV3cxbM9DbbSsj9XEh5_x19PQCQk5AnxYkd-tkl8E5a4N_HIKbfJmOqjPSIPoj9v1ecg92-yHV-XGgxDCObyHCWAvxz4X2nddDS7IQU00RAP4rXmml/s200/popcom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130432490184779826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenUAS-UwRG1DipdRkII9Ej3YwXaHuTec-BGQppyVftDP_4WLuLwljlc5nLxWMjVbuTUrN2lpVEIG80SAtILLOfuo8V-Ps9nU6WBr-mwM_svbKrRZqVJQb8rxv6M43B-pQ4tE9FG5f3fVq/s1600-h/pop2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgenUAS-UwRG1DipdRkII9Ej3YwXaHuTec-BGQppyVftDP_4WLuLwljlc5nLxWMjVbuTUrN2lpVEIG80SAtILLOfuo8V-Ps9nU6WBr-mwM_svbKrRZqVJQb8rxv6M43B-pQ4tE9FG5f3fVq/s200/pop2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130432387105564706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFGM-TPSs0IB3T-ls-blggwkPgJDVkrm3Qgx4wkAiGsMaVVJqfRlsuoz7wz9YhRGIOS0a0hyH2sQoVoxYZb0mqb1sdsHwlFTuSLI4VpTABKdoT8qnUvA1SpJmgpiVKWpe2jkb_hDkzdVP/s1600-h/pop3com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFGM-TPSs0IB3T-ls-blggwkPgJDVkrm3Qgx4wkAiGsMaVVJqfRlsuoz7wz9YhRGIOS0a0hyH2sQoVoxYZb0mqb1sdsHwlFTuSLI4VpTABKdoT8qnUvA1SpJmgpiVKWpe2jkb_hDkzdVP/s200/pop3com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130432279731382290" /></a><br />When we arrived this morning to visit, I was surprised to be handed Noah and then led to a room where the caretakers were putting on a show for the children. When the show was almost over, they put on some music and the caretakers had all the children go out on the floor and dance with them. It was absolutely heartwarming to see. I danced with Noah as I held him in my arms. They then handed out lollipops to the children. Noah sure enjoyed his!!Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6301725115685130997.post-21851112247101113702007-11-08T03:22:00.000-08:002007-11-08T04:16:43.797-08:00Giving it all to Him ...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMSzEkgvlN6idENEQ7qyHaavuj3Kp0krf6IzkF5W3qgnYMGqaugKx1ZUlpvrGHndi_IyEIVZIfJkk5BxkK-67aEHO80LVaebPK8oSI6BAu-i5Y6-Sye5vCFZl5yd-g1R9wnbl8ibg0ui9/s1600-h/mosque4com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMSzEkgvlN6idENEQ7qyHaavuj3Kp0krf6IzkF5W3qgnYMGqaugKx1ZUlpvrGHndi_IyEIVZIfJkk5BxkK-67aEHO80LVaebPK8oSI6BAu-i5Y6-Sye5vCFZl5yd-g1R9wnbl8ibg0ui9/s200/mosque4com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130430196672243714" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1A9xmXviGeiYi23eGGr_J1m_fPUeMKDczDCsKlsmbwVZeMyShYHPUwoCZvpCPUC-krtOKfi3kgoQm6esVzOk82x9ZQoZY8bFHBzcCoWYNQXZnFYPP8RbOaV84W8F2TFZEwHU_X5ApWj_/s1600-h/mosque2com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1A9xmXviGeiYi23eGGr_J1m_fPUeMKDczDCsKlsmbwVZeMyShYHPUwoCZvpCPUC-krtOKfi3kgoQm6esVzOk82x9ZQoZY8bFHBzcCoWYNQXZnFYPP8RbOaV84W8F2TFZEwHU_X5ApWj_/s200/mosque2com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130430089298061298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHQ_v6iziKzUzRar_maCeexysq27i75DT2LqXCWM1Mj4ndnEVmnrR2IcyVH1MFbT4qJuiUSIDjrN__B_sUiAiedwJVLPmwnW97qcAu3k7JSpfwDIq5vPfRwqv4gDGT49zvGjwQdBlTOEQ/s1600-h/mosque1com.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHQ_v6iziKzUzRar_maCeexysq27i75DT2LqXCWM1Mj4ndnEVmnrR2IcyVH1MFbT4qJuiUSIDjrN__B_sUiAiedwJVLPmwnW97qcAu3k7JSpfwDIq5vPfRwqv4gDGT49zvGjwQdBlTOEQ/s200/mosque1com.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130429981923878882" /></a><br />Today, Katya ... our other interpreter took us to see 3 mosques. In Semey, approximately 70% of the population is Muslim. But they are quick to point out that they are "secular" Muslims and that they do not agree with the Muslim fundamentalists. We also went back to the Russian Orthodox Church. I stood before some prayer candles and felt my heart literally rise out of my chest as I prayed for God to take tomorrow into His hands ... <em><strong>Even with my eyes closed, I could still somehow see the light flickering from the candles. I took all I've been through, all my feelings for Noah, all my hopes and dreams and gave it all to Him.</strong></em>Jayne Osbornehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781833420466142896noreply@blogger.com1