Beau and Donna’s Adoption Trip to Kazakhstan

Here’s an update on Beau and Donna’s adoption. We’re in the process of adopting not one, but two children from Kazakhstan! Our trip was to be a one-time adventure to pick up the children. However, because of the Kazakhstan government, we experienced a delay in getting the children. We will be picking them up soon however in another trip. Here’s our adventure ...

About our Children

We have come to the conclusion that the Kazakh children are the cutest in the world; little round faces, pinchable cheeks, and just a truly original look. Brody and Tiana are both pure Kazakh. Brody was born July 31, 2001, and at the time of these pictures is eight months old. He's quite the hefty little guy; he weighs about 22 lbs. and is already in 12-month sized clothes.  Our coordinator over there was absolutely in love with Brody, she has described him as “the star of the orphanage!”  Tiana, born June 28, 1998, is quite the petite little girl; she currently wears 3T clothing and weighs around 30 pounds. She actually made a return trip to the baby house, as she had been living at an orphanage for children over the age of two.

Our current plans are to return for the children soon. We don't look forward to the long trip - but can't wait to bring our already very much beloved children home!

Where on Earth is Kazakhstan?

We were in Aqtobe, in the northwestern part of the country.  Aqtobe is a larger city of about 300,000 people.  Once we pick up the kids, we will be traveling to Almaty in the southeastern part of the country, then on to Moscow for the final leg of our journey back to the States.

Click on the link below to see the stats on Kazakhstan...
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/kz.html

Entering The Orphanage

There isn’t much that can prepare you for the “orphanage experience” -- the first time you enter the building you’re struck with one or more odors which take some repeat visits before getting used to.  Kazakhstan is a very poor country and the orphanage conditions reflect this.  However, in spite of the lack of resources, the kids are remarkably well cared for and healthy.

Initial Meeting with Tiana

Our initial meeting with Tiana was a cool one. We were strangers to her.  Tiana was completely holed up in a shell.  We prayed to God that He would open her little heart to us.  It would be two days before we even got her to smile. She is playing with a little MagnaDoodle toy which she really liked and figured out within seconds. She’s a very bright little girl.

Meeting Our Son

This is how we first met Broderick (aka: “Brody”). Why they insist on putting boys in girly bonnets is beyond me.  “Hey! Somebody help me get this stupid thing off my boy!”  The young woman in the back is Assel, one of the Kazakh-English translators.

Our Translators

Ina and Assel were our Kazakh-Russian-English translators. You need a good translator when in Kazakhstan.  Ordering off the menu at a restaurant is scary without one! Both ladies were very nice and helpful. Ina was a great tour guide also. That’s Donna on the far right.

Photos of the Kids

Here are the kids after a couple of days; they’re all smiles.  Tiana has really come out of her shell now and has quickly become your typical 3-year-old.

Here’s the whole family together.

The “Brodester” sacked out ... The little red dinosaur outfit is from Grandma.

Tiana with her MagnaDoodle toy in her new Gymboree duds. The truly orange shoes are courtesy of the orphanage. Tia has quite the little personality.
Now if we just spoke Kazakh we could understand what she says ...

Mommy and Brody settle down for a drinklet...

Tia is a real ham in front of the camera.  Man this kid has a lot of energy!

Playing “Peek-a-boo” with Mommy.

Tiana chats it up on her new toy cel phone with her new English word: “Allo!”

“I love Papa this much.”

Okay, so he’s a bit shy on teeth at the moment.  He’s got two now and a bunch more coming in ...

Tiana doing her “Roy Orbison” impression.

At least Tiana fits in her chair nicely...

Tiana discovers something called the “ticklebug”! 
Momma does a much better ticklebug than Papa.

They had Tiana in some truly creative outfits at the orphanage, including the de rigueur bow ...

Here’s Brody with one of his favorite toys: “Fishy”.
He’s teething so Fishy is great to have around.
The Noah’s Ark quilt was made and quilted especially for Brody by Mama.

Is this kid cute or what?!?

Tour of Moscow

We never thought we’d be standing in the middle of Red Square in Moscow. St. Basil’s Cathedral is undergoing some restoration; hence the scaffolding. The cathedral is really in need of the work.  The restored parts look really awsome.

Donna in the middle of Red Square. That’s St. Basil’s Cathedral in the background.

Da.  Is comrade Beau in Red Square also. We got stopped by the police who asked to see our papers.  We reasoned that if we didn’t speak English, we’d blend in like the rest of the people.  We kind of look like Russians ...

A gold-domed church (one of many) in Moscow. The wealthy-er the church, the more gold domes and gold trimmings. Yes, it’s real gold!

Donna makes a new friend.  This is a 175 pound Alabai herd dog. Yes, herd dog. The Alabai is the National dog of Turkmenistan.  It is the oldest known breed of the Mollosser family and are probably the closest in type to the breed of ancient times. Its history dates back at least 4,000 years. They are used for herding and protection from wolf packs that roam the tundra.  Kazakh people also breed the dogs for sport fighting. No the dogs are not killed in the fight.  The “winner” is chosen well before this could happen. These dogs really love people (not for lunch either) and are great around kids for the family puppy dog.  Yea, puppy dog. Right. “Here little pitbull, here little pitbull; we have a friend for you to play with ...”