One Week Home!

September 7, 2010
10 days home

All is well with Miss Livea on the home front! She has/is adjusting so well and seems to love her new home here in Tennessee! Yesterday we took her on her first visit to one of our state parks and she seemed to really love it! She seems so easy-going and happy. We feel truly blessed and thankful!



Lilliana loves her new baby sister! Livea likes her new big sister as well, and looks for her during the day when Lilliana is school.








Livea likes Sunday school, especially snack time :) I think it was something familiar. :)
Oh, and she is smitten with Uncle Ryan and the playground!






Playing Hide and Seek with her Papa! Livea met this grandpa for the first time today and they hit it off almost immediately! Dad is good with kids and has always been close to his grandchildren. Livea still has two grandparents left to meet and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Our sweet little angel has much fun in her future!

Welcome Home Livea Kara-Ann!

I still feel as if I am in a dream, holding Livea each day and actually seeing her smiling face and sweet eyes look up at me. Our first four days at home together have been wonderful and it seems like our new little one just fits right into our home and our lives, like she is just supposed to be here.

Dean arrived in Atlanta with Livea late Friday evening and as soon as they crossed the arrivals lobby I scooped our little one up in my arms! She remembered me! Even though she was tired she played with us in the vehicle on the way home from the airport - sporting sunglasses, clapping, and crossing her arms in a cute little hip hop pose! (The orphanage caregivers in Kaz teach the children music and dance).

We kept her on the same schedule she was used to at the orphanage and she seems to be doing really, really well with that! We are definitely going to need to keep her on a structured schedule as this seems to make her feel secure. Yesterday I put her on the potty before I fed her and that brought tears and cries. What was I thinking!? Potty time is after supper! I wondered if the sweet angel thought she wasn't going to get to eat that night?! I quickly fixed my mistake and all was well again!

We took her to church Sunday morning and Livea got to attend her very first Children's Church with Mrs. Anna, and Big Red and the rest of the puppets. It was a very special moment and I had a hard time keeping the tears in check. We then went into "big church" where Aunt Sherry insisted on putting Livea to sleep in her arms. I can't believe I left my camera at home!

Each day I think I spoil her a little more. She now wants to be held more and more and when I put her down for a nap or to bed she lifts her arms up, says Ma, cuddles up in my arms and expects me to cuddle and rock her for a few minutes before I lay her down! It is as if she is just soaking in our love and attention!

She is such a sweet little angel and we are so thankful and so blessed that God allowed us the privilege of this journey.

Here's a video of Livea playing in the floor.

And another of Livea and Lilliana playing.



Livea sneaking bread out of the bread bag while Dean was checking messages :) I guess she was hungry!

Before we end this post we both want to thank those who helped us out along the way. Last December many people bought poinsettias from us because they wanted to be a part of this adoption. We raised several hundred dollars and used that money while in Kazakhstan to help purchase vitamins, bottles for babies with special feeding needs, scales to weigh the babies, and a push-reel mower for the orphanage. I would also like to thank our families for their prayers, encouragement, and for helping us out with Lilliana while we traveled! That was hard. But I know it has made a meaningful impact on Lilliana, Lindsay, and my other nieces and nephews that went through that time with her.
Thank you Pastor Kelvin for being willing to listen to God's leading and then share it with us on Sunday mornings. So many times I would come to Church with doubts and questions and your sermon that morning would be perfectly orchestrated.

I've always wondered exactly how the scripture "I will reveal Myself to you through My Word" actually worked. As we worked through this Journey to Livea, God revealed his faithfulness to us one day at a time, based on what His Word said and as we stepped each day in trust. He showed us that the journeys we take with him will be fruitful. We also learned that He doesn't just send money magically LOL. We always had sacrifices to make as we continued with the steps in the adoption process. We have grown. We have learned. And we are Amazed and in Awe of today's reality.

When we started this journey on June 10th, 2008, our child was not even born yet. Yet on faith (due to God's consistent prodding!) we stepped out, not knowing where the path would lead. Over the course of time, God provided for our every need, and ultimately led us to the Shapagat Baby House in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, where we met a sad little girl with the most beautiful eyes. And on August 27, 2010, we brought Livea Kara-Ann Holland home.

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thes. 5:24)

Embassy Day

Wednesday, August 25th - Almaty, Kazakhstan
I can't believe it's almost over. Today, our group of four had appointments at the US Embassy in Almaty to sign the final paperwork and get our children's visas for entering the United States. I did have a moment of panic, though, when after handing my paperwork to the authorities, they told me Janie had to be there because she had signed our I600 as the petitioner. Rush of crud to the heart! I could just see me being stuck in Almaty another 4 or 5 days waiting on new paperwork and appointments!

Fortunately, my wife was smart enough to sign a blank I600 as the petitioner's spouse in the event we got it wrong the first time. And that's why I married her - brains and beauty! I'm going to quit telling blond jokes for a few days...

Come to find out, Sue and Al had it wrong the first time as well, but Sue was also smart enough to redo the forms (before traveling). That's it. No more talking about how smart our wives are. On second thought, look who they married! How 'bout it Al?

Tomorrow night late, Sue, Lisa, and I will travel to the airport to finally return home with our new children. Sharon will return the US the next night. Hallelujah!

I took the above picture tonight in my hotel room. What a good looking couple. Hey Brian Meckler - notice that the bottles in the background are WATER! I've been Coca-Cola free since we returned from Karaganda!

It's a long story, but the four of us ended up in two different hotels. Lisa and Sharon are staying at the Astra, and Sue and I are at the Holiday Inn. Yes, they do have a Holiday Inn in Kazakhstan. Yeah, I was shocked too! Turns out to be a right nice place.

So last night, Sue and I decided to order room service instead of trying to take the children out to a restaurant when we had absolutely no idea where to go. Besides, it's much easier to let the children play in the floor while you eat. You can imagine the room service lady's confusion when I ordered two meals, one for room 808, and another for room 809. But deliver them to 808. The girl that delivered the meals had a weird grin when she brought in our food.

Well tonight, the four of us gathered at the Holiday Inn after our embassy appointments. And yes, we ordered our dinner via room service, this time for all to be delivered to my room. Now there's four babies playing in the floor. The girl that delivered the meals this time had a confused look when she saw our particular arrangement. Shoulda told her I was Mormon!

So before we broke for the night, I took this "family" photo. Pictured are Sue and Astana, Lisa and Tia, Me and Livea, and Sharon and Alec. Oh yeah, I am a lucky guy.

Yesterday, Sue and I took our kids for a stroll around town. Actually, I strolled and Sue used a... whatever you call those things that let you carry a baby on either the front or the back. Almaty is way different than Karaganda. It's actually a fairly modern city, and many people speak English. However, the people here drive like they think they are Dale Earnhardt Sr. And I'm not sure why they go to the trouble of painting lines on the roads...

I took the above picture of the Holiday Inn on an afternoon stroll with Livea. You don't see a lot of architecture like this in the US. Fortunately, you don't see the underlying structural quality in the states either! We tried to take the children out in strollers this morning, but got rained out. Seriously, I think it only rains a few days a year here, and we've been here for 3 of them!

Here's Sue and Astana in front of some statue commemorating Kazakhstan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1986.


We have a whole day to kill tomorrow, and Sue's husband Al Strong Man Blond is "encouraging" us to visit a place that you have to climb 1200 steps to get to the destination - a view overlooking the city and the new Olympic soccer(?) stadium. Let's see here, we carry two kids, one 20lbs. and the other 22lbs, up over 60 stories-worth of stairs! And then you have to come back down again! OK Al, here's the deal. If I can pull it off without lagging embarrassingly behind your wife, I expect a box of fresh New York apples on my front porch sometime in October!

Skype has been a lifesaver for us. Here is Lilliana and Livea "skyping".


Since I had time tonight, I've included some video for your viewing pleasure.

Sunset over Almaty from my hotel window.

Livea playing in a chair.

Livea making faces. The female voice in the background is Janie connected in via video Skype.

I can't close out tonight without thanking the God of Creation for calling us to this mission, and then supplying our every need to make it happen. And as a bonus, he threw in 5 new friends for life. Sue, Al, Sharon, Lisa, Brian - we love you guys!

To God be the glory.

Dean

She's Ours!

Almaty, Kazakhstan - August 23, 2010 Monday
Oh glorious day! After all this time, we finally have our Livea! And in four long days, I'll have her home in Tennessee to be united with her mother and new sisters. Oh that the time would pass quickly!

My flight arrived in Almaty at midnight, Sunday night. By 1:30am, I was checked into my hotel. By 6:20am, I had taken custody of our new girl! Here's a couple pictures from day one. More later!

Dean

Returning to get Livea

Well, Dean should arrive in Frankfurt in less than three hours. He will head to Almaty about seven hours later to await Livea's arrival.
I would love to be with him but our sweet Lilliana really needed one of her parents to stay with her this time and my job wasn't as accommodating as Dean's.
We are very blessed that Dean works for a company that fully supports adoption and actually exists for profit to be able to care for the needs of orphans.
I can only imagine how Livea will react to seeing her "Da Da" again and I look forward to seeing her on skype when he gets her back to the hotel!
Safe travels my dear ones!

New Picture of Livea! A classy little chic!

We were so thrilled to receive this picture of Livea yesterday. One of the mothers that arrived in Kazakhstan as we were finishing up took this and e-mailed it to me. She said Livea looks shy in the picture but that she really had a good time with her little photo session. I imagine Livea's caregivers didn't make her to happy, however, when they took that pretty dress back off! My classy little chic loves dresses!
Just two more weeks and she will be home!

Watch your step when in Florida!

Yes, this is a real rattle snake! And I have no idea how my dad killed it, just glad he did!

Home, Miss Livea, and "Who needs a fishing boat when you have Lilliana?"

We are home! (Sort of....) I don't think I have ever been so glad to see the Atlanta Airport in my life! We were greeted with Welcome Back wishes by the Customs officials as we made our way through their maze. While Dean retrieved our luggage at the final baggage claim station, I sought out two large glasses of sweet ice tea! Mmmmmmm! Delicious!

Then we were off to the rental car station and soon were on our way to pick up Miss Lilliana from my dad's in North Florida. This was not an easy trip as we had been without sleep for almost 52 hours! North Florida seemed like a pretty good place to recover from jet lag and fortunately, our systems seem to be returning to normal very quickly.

Of course, being on the beach, Dean had to do some fishing! And, of course, our Lilliana had to be right there trying her hand at it as well! After some lessons from Dad, our sweet little girl successfully landed a flounder and a trout! Way to go Lilliana! Dean and I both tried casting several times, but neither of us could seem to catch anything. According to Lilliana, you have to throw the bait only a few yards in front of you and then draw pictures in the sand with your toe while you wait on something to bite:)

Dean and Janie - 0
Lilliana - 2

Supper was delicious!

We think of Livea every day and remember our times with her fondly. In about a month we will have her home for good :)

July 16, 17 Our Bittersweet Groundhog Day is almost over! :)

Well, that is the name that Dean gave our day today. We only have one visit left to the baby house where our new daughter currently lives. Each day we wake, eat breakfast, work out, run errands, visit our children, chat, eat, and sleep. We add in sight-seeing excursions to learn more of the culture and to help fill the time.


These pictures were taken at the Miner's Park in Karaganda. There are many fun rides for kids at the park as well as the Miner's Statue. That statue is a memorial to the Coal Miners. The city itself sits atop, or used to anyway, a large deposit of coal. (Lee, the picture of the park ride is for you!)

For people like the ones in our group, who are used to much daily activity and little down time, having 5 weeks of it has been challenging. Actually I guess you can say, "You know you've been in Karaganda to long when you feel like your stuck in time, replaying a similar day over and over again!" :)
Of course, all of this is in jest as we have loved building the relationships we have since arriving and the extra time with Livea has been beneficial. She blossoms more every day!


(In the picture below, Livea is laughing at Mommy playing doggy at her feet:)

We had a tea party today with some of Livea's care-givers. It was so nice to have this time with them. They are so warm with us and wished many blessings over us and Livea's life together. Our translator, Natalia, was with us for the tea and that was a special treat as well as we have grown very fond of her! Livea joined us for the tea party and it reminded me of the "cat the swallowed the canary" so to speak! I am sure she was thinking she was "all that" getting to sit in Momma's lap and eat a feast of treats with her new parents and her care-givers all by her self w/o the other children. She was adorable! She kicked her feet and laughed often like a happy puppy wags its tail when it is excited!

In three days we will land in Atlanta. The thought occurred to me today that, at that moment, our sweet family will be scattered much more than I would like! Us in Atlanta, Lindsay in TN, Lilliana in FL, and Livea half way around the world in Kazakhstan.

I look forward to the day that I have all of my family at the same table and enjoying each others' company!







Paka Paka!

Janie

Our Girls!

July 14, 2010 "The Fantastic Four!" Part 1

Livea
Our visits to see our littlest girl have now been moved to the afternoon for about 3 hours a day. Yesterday Miss Livea was "full of herself!" I think she giggled more than anything else. Everything was a big game to her and she loves for us to bark at her like puppies and try to "bite" at her little legs :) This always brings a big smile, laugh, and arms wrapped around our necks.
She is very smart. She seems to understand what we tell her. She will put away her toys when we ask (although, yesterday, she told Dean "no, no" with her head when he directed her to put a toy on the shelf:) I really don't think she knows what a Dada is yet. We took our littlest one for a walk yesterday and came across some birds feeding on the playground. Within just a few minutes Livea was saying "Bird!" She now has about three English words: Button, Ball, Bird.

Dining
Our group is unique I think in that everyone likes to explore the area and seek out interesting places to eat and activities to experience. Of course, ordering is always a challenge as most places do not have English menus. Someone usually ends up mooing like a cow or flapping like a chicken to order their dish:)!



The Fantastic Four Part 1
That is the name we are giving our group! We may even make our own Fantastic Four video to share soon. Our group has encountered some completely unexpected challenges since we arrived! Being with this particular hilarious, unpredictable, pure-hearted, and extremely intelligent group has been one of the biggest treats of our lives. It is interesting to share that we are all from total opposite areas of the US with different political and even religious views. States represented from our group are Alaska, California, New York, and Tennessee. Our common ground: our adoptions process and finding our children here in Karaganda, our desires to do right, our eagerness to share in each others' good qualities, and respect for each others differences.
The Fantastic Four Part 2: Identity Revelation! (of course, Strong Man has already been revealed!)

Some of the pictures posted here are from our recent visit to Astana, the capitol of Kazakhstan. While there, we got to visit the President's Palaceand an exhibit of Bears each of which represented an individual country. Astana is nothing like Karaganda. All the buildings are newer and they actually have rain, neatly kept grass, and flower gardens. We had a good visit!

Quick Update, July 13, 2010

Hello All,

Sorry for the lack of blog posts lately. Blogger has been down, I think. We are leaving in just a few minutes for our daily visit with Livea so this will be short, however, I will make a much nicer post later tonight.

We have begun our countdown to home. Six more days until we get to go home. My littlest angel, Lilliana, has been a trooper but she is more than ready for Mom and Dad!

In the second picture, Livea is hiding rocks in Daddy's shirt. :)

Until Later,

Janie