Faithful Blog Readers:
I know we are behind on our postings, so please bear with me as I try to summarize the last few days and the days immediately ahead....
Thursday morning at 9:30, we learned in a phone call from Dana the children's visa applications MIGHT be signed Thursday or, if not, HOPEFULLY Friday, but nothing was yet certain. As you might imagine, the news was not well received and after a heated pow-wow among the four of us a return call was placed to Dana with a request for more clarity/information. At 11:00, Dana called back to say the visas were signed(!) and we would buy our plane tickets tomorrow for a Tuesday flight to Almaty (Olesya having made reservations for us earlier in the week).
Friday afternoon following our baby home visit, Dana took us to the travel agent to buy the tickets. For reasons we still do not understand, Bob and Beth's tickets were ready, but there were no seats available for us. Last night was pretty miserable, as it looked like someone had goofed and we would have to be inconvenienced or pay or both to make things right.
This morning around 11, Dana came to the hotel and took a call from Olesya while we were together in Bob & Beth's room. Still no seats for the flight on Tuesday: Best available would be seats for the same flight on Monday. (One of the issues involves our preference for a direct flight - easier with kids and fewer questions we will be unable to answer with no translator accompanying us). We went to the travel agent immediately and bought the tickets for Monday.
Bottom line: Alli and I fly from Kostanai to Almaty on Monday, Bob and Beth do the same on Tuesday. Medical exams will be on Wednesday, US Embassy interviews on Thursday and we will all fly HOME together on Friday, August 12!!!! Accordingly, we will take the children from the baby home and become full-time parents on Monday morning!
I have tears in my eyes writing this: tears of joy and frustration and exhaustion. As always, many thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers every step of the way. As we rush through these next two days and our brief stay in Almaty, please continue to keep us and the kids in your thoughts and prayers: No doubt, we'll all need your strength at one point or another.
This might be our final posting until we return home. Thanks to all of you for sharing our experience with us: Your interest encouraged us to post even on the most mundane or difficult of days. We hope you enjoyed the Blog as much as we enjoyed bringing it to you. At last count, we had more than 5400 hits, and I know they weren't all from Vegas (we love you, Gidge!).
I promise we will post through our return trip after we have a chance to get settled at home - or maybe in the middle of the first few nights while we and the kids work our way through jet lag. If there are any among you who are considering doing what we have done, please let us know and we will be happy to try to address your concerns and answer your questions. You can comment to the Blog or send a more personal message to allid@msn.com.
God is truly good! May he continue to bless us all. Our love,
Pat & Alli
14 comments:
I SIT HERE WITH TEARS OF JOY STREAMING DOWN MY FACE. YOU ARE ALL COMING HOME. WE CAN HARDLY WAIT. IF YOU HAVE ANY CHANCE PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT TO SHOP FOR IN THE WAY OF GROCERIES--WE CAN ALWAYS WING SOME OF IT. WE WILL BE IN SCHNECKSVILLE THURSDAY.
LOVE AND HUGS AND KISSES.
MOM & DAD
Congratulations!!!!!!
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! We are so excited to hear that you are coming home. Not quite in tears, but more than a little misty as I read the blog this morning. We are counting the days until we are all together again!
We wish you well as full-time parents of Molly and Aidan. May this be the beginning of a new and wonderful adventure. We pray for safe journeys for all of you and B&B&N, too.
We wish you fair skies and following seas!
Lots of love,
Eileen & Ron
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Pat and Alli,
What great news!!!! I'm glad you're back on track, even if you fly to Almaty a day early - better than a day late. Hope the flight goes well for you two and Molly and Aidan. It's great that you four and Bob, Beth and Nicholas will be traveling back to the States together. May all your travels go as smoothly as possible while traveling with young children. Just remember, the flight will eventually end and you'll never see the vast majority of the other passengers again. Don't fret if the children are out of sorts. They're just better at expressing themselves than the other passengers.
We return to Michigan on August 7th after a great visit with the family. Can't wait until Christmas when we get to see you and meet your children.
Safe travels. Kiss Molly and Aidan for me. Casey is all ready to teach Molly and Aidan how to boogie board.
Love to all,
Tres
Megan is peeved that I signed my comment just from me. The McDougall clan sends their love and prayers for a safe and speedy return. Shared today's blog while visiting Gail, Paul and Sara. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Tres, Scott, Megan, Craig and Casey
Woohoo! Congratulations! I so admire your persistence and patience, both traits that will serve you well as parents. Godspeed!
The Kearney family hopes that you have a safe and "uneventful" trip home. We will keep you in our prayers during the next week while you work your way back to the States.
Brennan
Alli & Pat,
What wonderful news that you will be back within the week! I am so happy for both of you, and for Molly and Aiden to be finally 'home'. It's been a long journey, certainly an adventure, and the rewards will be unending. Wishing you all a safe return trip and look forward to seeing you soon. God Bless. xoxo
Love,
Alice
Congratulations!!
The end to one chapter, but the beginning to many more!!!!
Safe travels! Can't wait to hear you are all safe and well and settling at home!
Love,
Susie
Dear Pat and Alli,
What a wonderful ending to a wonderful story!! The love you will share as a family will become the center of your lives...I am sure it already is!! All the sacrifice, the worry and all the heartache will be reduced to nothing as you hold your babies and feel their hearts beating next to yours. Your story gives me hope that there is still love in this world!! We send all our best wishes as you begin this most beautiful new chapter of your lives....Laura, Brett, Sophie and Callie Claire
Maybe ? my last Blog comment as you will soon be right up the street.
I've appreciated your inclusion of us all thru this very special adventure in parenthood.I look forward to many many more adventures shared Live and in person.
To see you all face to face can NOT be soon enough!!!
My prayers - My support - My Love & friendship ALWAYS !!!
It is damn well about time. Glad part one of the great voyage is over and I can't wait to start screwing up my new niece and nephew. I'll see you either Friday night or Sunday evening.
Mutty
I know Pat and Alli are busy right now, but from all the family members--is there any update? Did they get home safely. I was worried with the problems in London that somehow their flight might be affected.
Thanks if anybody knows anything!!!
News is that Allison, Pat, Bob, and Beth are home.
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