Asher is ready to travel home

Dad and Asher up in the mountains in Almaty

Asher waiting in the Dr.'s office.....

Asher's first camel ride...There are painted camels all over the city.....

It has been a few good days in Almaty and all the paper work is done so Asher can travel home with us. Yesterday we went to medical clinic so they could validate his health for the U.S. Embassy. He was a very good boy for the doctor and nurses; he didn’t even cry when they drew blood. Today we went to the U.S. Embassy to get his immigration documents and an entrance visa to the U.S. Once through immigrations in the U.S. he will officially be an American. So we are all set to travel home and Asher can not wait to see his sisters and brother. Actually we are all looking forward to be back home as one big happy family.

Jen and I are just amazed at how content he is with us; it’s like he has always known us. He is also really showing a true two year old nature. He is hearing “no” from us more than we would like, but some things he just can’t do… like digging through the garbage, touching the hot stove, or playing in the toilet. He has been sleeping pretty good and only got up at 4:40am once. He east almost anything we feed him without complaining, which is more than we can say about our other three darlings. The only issue we are having is how much energy a 2 year old has…. He is wearing us out since we are not spring chickens anymore.

Tomorrow we are going to visit Gorky Park, one of Almatys Cathedrals then out for our last Kaz meal then home to pack. Flight leaves at 3 AM Saturday. We are SO looking forward to getting home. Well… I better sign off… busy day tomorrow…we are pooped!!!!

Blessing from Kaz

J & J

Breaking Asher out of the Baby House…

Like much of our worries in life, our worries about Asher not remembering us was just that, worries, because he remembered his mama and papa and came running to see us. He also remembered everything we have taught him such as high five, tickle tickle, and Jen’s favorite… kisses. God is soooo good!

Before leaving Astana, we took him to his first restaurant and went to the Biterek (Tree of Life), which is their national monument (like our Washington Monument). From the top of the Biterek the city doesn’t seem as big, as you can see the city boundaries and beyond the city all you seen was fields of wheat and corn.

We also wonder how he would react to car rides and his first airplane flight, but no problems except he doesn’t like wearing the seat belt on the airplane. Which of course made him cry, something we have never heard him do either. I think we can all relate to this as no one likes to be trapped or not free to roam around and do what we like. But with some reassurance and a few smarties we were able to get him to calm down and deal with it.

In the few short hours we have had him, he has talked more than we heard him talk in the whole month we had spent bonding with him. He is speaking Kaz so we have no idea what he is saying, but he seems to be very content with us. During the plane flight he was singing, which was absolutely adorable to see and hear. And like most toddler boys, everything is an adventure for him. He wants to touch and see everything and we mean everything. His whole world has just expanded way beyond anything he has ever known and this is where we know God is going to bless us. We will be reminded of all the simple blessings around us that we take for granted everyday.

After a great first day of many new and exciting first for Asher it was time to get ready for bed and why not try the big potty, which he had no problem sitting on, but no luck going. Since we haven’t had a toddler in a while, we forgot not to let him run around with out a diaper… as he was waiting for his bath, he pooped and peed on the floor, but hey that’s what little kids do sometimes. After a nice bath and one of our favorite books, Goodnight Moon, it was off to bed with no complaints or crying and that was for all of us as Jen and I exhausted.
God is soooo good!

Signing off from Almaty.....

Jay, Jen and Asher

Back in Kazakhstan

Well after about 24 hours of travel plus the 10 hour time zone difference we have made it safely back to Kazakhstan and with no travel issues. Yep... no canceled flights, no delayed flights, and no lost luggage! This is a very nice blessing. Although the travel isn't fun, we are very excited to see Asher. The three weeks back in the states went very fast, but it seems like we left him months ago. We did get a very nice update last week when we were told that he has been talking to his friends about his mama and papa. He also was very excited to hear that we would be coming back soon. God is soooo good! That's the update for now... we are off to pick our new son up and fly to Almaty this afternoon.

Rest & Relaxation!!!

The kids with the dunes in the back Zoe with her Daddy!!!

Our first weekend home we decided to take the kids up north for a family get away!! We ended up in Ludington for a nice fall weekend. We hiked in the state park to the light house. Then we went up 100 steep stairs to the top.. what a nice view.. We played football with the kids, went swimming and just had some great family time. It was hard being away from them but the end result of bringing Asher home will be well worth it. The kids are excited but I do not think Zoe understands that this will be a big change. I keep telling her she will now be a big sister...

We leave in 11 days which getting on the plane for another 14 hours is not appealing to me... but this will be the last long trip for a while. We have left the suitcases out and have started to fill them..... this time though I will need more toddler things... I am going shopping this weekend for the necessary items to get me through...

Friday night my friends Toni, Carrie and Stephanine are throwing a toddler shower for Asher... it will be fun and Zoe and Shelby can feel involved.

Will post before we depart...I better continue to pack!!!!

Blessings

~Jen