Another day in paradise

Today was very much a groundhog day: wake up, have breakfast at the hotel, go see the kids, have lunch, nap, go see the kids, go to Kazakh history class, have dinner, watch "Meet the Fockers", go to bed.

Ho hum. However, we do have a few fun pictures to share.


Yes, Lena, you can have the banana.


Sorry, Dub, but this was irresistable. Perhaps the financial pages next...


Who wants a gummy bear? I do! I do! We've taught them "please" and "thank you", but they're still learning English, so it comes out "PEEEEEZE!! Dongo!!"


Like brother, like sister.


Pay attention, children. Mommy will show you exactly what to do.


Yes, again, Mini Me.


A new Yurta being constructed near the Taraz square. Not sure what it will be, but Vera says probably a restaurant or something like that.

We have learned that our court date might be this Friday, which is great, since that is when our 15 day waiting period will start. Vera says she already knows that the judge is not going to waive our 15 day waiting period. Thank you for your prayers for that. God is good. God answers our specific prayers in one of three ways: yes, no, or wait. In this case, we got a "no" and a "wait" 15 days. In His grand plan, 15 days is the blink of an eye. We will treasure these days as we have them solely to bond with our children. It's a gift of time, something we busy Americans don't often get these days. God is good.

Thursday we will go with Mit to the village of Valeryi's birth to obtain his original birth certificate. No idea what to expect, but this "village" is 2 hours outside of Taraz, so it's probably more like an actual village.

Tonite in Kazakh history class, we learned some traditions. When a Kazakh girl gets engaged, she is presented with traditional silver earings from the family of the groom. When a boy reaches a certain age of maturity, he is given a gun, or a traditional Kazakh whip of horse hair, or perhaps a traditional Kazakh sword. The earings are no problem for Lena. We'll be looking for the whip and/or sword. Not sure how that will come through customs...

Blessings,
Kevin & Angel