and the adventure continues, a bit longer

Just left our visit with Nurik today. He is still not feeling great and we got a little bit of crying but at least with that came lots of comforting. He let us hold him alot and the room was just about at its hottest today so this was uncomfortable for all. He was ready to get out of that room at the end of our time and so were we.....the very cold chill in the air never felt so good.

Masha let us know that the judge only wanted our papers by tomorrow so that he could review them so the actual court date is not until March 6th. Masha had mentioned that she thought our court date was really quick so apparently it was.......just a miscomunication, we guess. Good thing we have been told over and over again that things change and you just have to go with the flow. So, our 16 day waiting period will not start until the 6th of March and then we still have the other paperwork and visit to Almaty. So, it will definitely be first part of April, we predict, before we can start home. Good thing is that we get to see Nurik everyday until Court so another full week of quality time. After court, we will only see him every other day per their rules. God is definitely continuing to teach us patience and flexibility. We really are doing fine though and feel rather irresponsible most days because we lay around alot and watch sports and read.....We feel like we should be doing something but with the weather such as it is, not much else to do. So, I guess you can still continue to pray for good court appearance on the 6th but maybe start praying for spring like weather so we can get out and see the town and walk around although we do plenty of walking anyway not including the 76 steps up to our apartment. Oi veh! Love you guys, just wanted to fill you in on the breaking news! K-Pat

I spent a long time in papa's lap just taking things
in and out of the firetruck. I didn't feel so well and
it felt good just to be held.

I like my new very noisy firetruck!

We have not seen Nurik yet today ..... it is a late visit this afternoon. Dr. Roza told us that he had a fever yesterday. Maybe we gave him cold drinks? ;) But, we think it is all the new germs we may be introducing to him. But he seems to be a trooper and just wanted to sit more. As most parents know, this is not a bad thing! ;)

We have court tomorrow and will then begin our 16 day waiting period for paperwork and such. This is required and never waived as far as I know so it will be 2 more weeks here at least and then to Almaty. It really doesn't feel that long for us especially because we know that more time allows Nurik to feel very comfortable with us and maybe we can get a few more communication terms down before we hit the friendly skies.

We will write more later after we go to court. Thanks for all the prayers. Our interview yesterday went fine. I think these are very procedural and not so intimidating as one might think. The Director and assistant Director were very nice ladies and just were worried about Pat's jacket. It doesn't look like a winter coat to them. Pat says he can't even go to Kaz without being mothered! I think it is very humorous! Love to all! K-Pat

A few pictures we had made for our court appearance

Two weeks down, ? to go

Pondering from Papa. Well as the 2nd week closes, this journey continues to ever change, evolve, What a wonderful change we have seen in Nurik (Nick) over the last two weeks. Where there was uncertainty (and some fear) there is now the beginnings of trust. First comes trust then comes love. What a wonderfully amazing thing to see in such an out in the open environment such as the green room. I have gone from being a spectator to being able to hold an play with the little fellow. Today he was feeling sick so he just wanted to be held by both of us. Nurik has also discovered that papa's mouth make a very good disposal for the food he doesn't wish to eat (especially partially eaten bananas and apples). Karen is very happy that he has chosen me for such an honor as this. He has also discovered he can reach much higher when pap lifts him. He has a mischievous side to him and still likes to test where the boundaries are. One of the things I have truly enjoyed over the last two weeks has been watching how much he is bonding and growing in his trust of him Mama. It is hard to believe that in a few short days we go to court to start the process of becoming a true family. Nervous doesn't begin to describe how I feel about this next step. But with each passing day I realize a little more that this is the right direction for all of our lives.

As Karen has written it is very cold here. I actually had to buy a scarf at the open market yesterday. As Karen would say...If polar Boy needs a scarf, it must be cold. On Sunday it snowed most of the day and the wind has been very impressive a lot of the week (especially since there aren't any forests or mountains for hundreds of miles in each direction to stop it). We spent some time entertaining ourselves watching the wind blow the people (literally) down the sidewalks since most of the sidewalks are ice covered (snow removal is not a priority). Karen thinks this may be why so many great gymnasts come from this part of the world since everyone has to walk on the ice for many months out of the year. It is really amazing watching most of the women negotiate this icy area in high heel boots.

Finally, yes Scott we will consider adopting you. However, the girls and Tracy have to come also. Will this mean more free kayaking tours of southern WI?.

We have been getting more adventurous with the local cusine. We now eat fried hot pockets with mashed potatos and dough wrapped sausages. We did have a misadventure with what we thought were blueberry wrapped crepes which turned out to be liver wrapped crepes. Not interchangeable!!!!!! This afternoon we go back to the Ministry of education for another interview with the director who was not present when we went the first day.

Please pray that our court day on wednesday (tuesday evening your time) goes smooth and short. As always we enjoy your comments and all of your prayers. Pat and Karen

Happy Birthday Nurik!

Balloons are very funny!

Happy Birthday to Nurik!

You are 3 years old today. We are not really sure that you know what that means especially since you have received goodies and toys from us every day that you have seen us; But, we celebrate your birth with you today because, for us, it means that 3 years ago, God was starting a path for us that not even we were thinking about at that time. 3 years ago today, you were born, early they tell us, and you weighed a whole whopping 2 lbs. The bible tells us that God formed you and knew you even in your biological mother's womb. He fearfully and wonderfully made you with a plan in mind, we have no doubt! How could we possibly know that 3 years ago, God was directing a heavenly orchestra in His creation of you and we know that much went into keeping you safe and protected for 3 years because even starting out at 2 lbs, you have beaten all odds and were brought through difficult circumstances to be here this day. we are sure you do not understand what is about to happen to you but we know that God has given us a great honor and responsibility to take on such a special boy to make our family.. We are very sure God has big plans for Nicholas Carmon! You share your birthday with your mama's Grandpa Carmon and now you share his name too. If I could make a selfish wish, it would be that you will have lots of years to get to know your Grandparents like we knew our Grandparents. Your great grandpa Carmon left a legacy of great character, generosity, and love. Any one that knew him, never forgot him even to this day. Your Grandpas will carry on the same legacy to you and probably add a few more like southern gospel music, golf, the Packers or will it be the Cowboys, hmmm? So, the best birthday present that we can give you for your 3rd year is a family. Your Papa and Mama grow to love you more every day and we feel that you are loving us a little more every day too. Becoming a family will be a great journey for all of us. we will not be perfect, I promise but we will pray ever day that God will show us how to bring out the unique, beautiful, person that He created you to be. With our gift of a family, you will not just be getting Mama and Papa but more love than you can comprehend right now from Atas (Grandmas), Apas (Grandpas), Uncles, Aunts, and cousins. They all are so excited that you are joining the family and oh, the things they will teach you and bless you with during your life. You will need to learn to play Bocce ball and eat cheese curds, light firecrackers and challenge the iron chef (brats or fried turkey?) You will also learn the difference between a trio and a quartet, an F-15 and an F-18, and a holler and a knob (would that be butcher or tater), and last but not least, is that a greasy, pink tip or shelly bean (great great Aunt Wanda is responsible for that lesson). Dakota will teach you snowboarding and maybe saxophone, Zach is ready to play Spiro and transformers, and Lyndsay will have you singing the strawberry shortcake song and many others before you know it. And, maybe Uncle Mike will teach you how to cross the lake on the really slick ice (NOT!) or most likely he will be your Techno guru as your parents will surely fail you in this arena. Your grandmas will keep your stomach full with the best food you have ever eaten (sorry, your Mama won't compare). Most likely, your uncle BJ will teach you a love of Mexican food and computers and Uncle Brian will show you the boogey board moves and how to plant a tree. And, your Aunts, Oh goodness, what a treat. They will love all over you and you won't forget Aunt Julie's sugar cookies and salsa and probably a preschool craft or two, Aunt Kelly's yummy brownie treats and her heart for little one's like you, Auntie Erin will teach you somersaults and most likely you will get your ability to talk from her, and Aunt Tracey will teach you about the world, travelling, and she will help Mama teach you the non-grey area things! The really great thing is that this is just your immediate family. You have a Great Grandma, Great Aunts and Uncles, and more cousins than you could ever imagine all waiting to teach you all about the world as they know it ( a little scary but priceless, none the less) God has placed you in our family, we are a special breed but you will be loved to the end of the earth and back and we will always be so thankful for His gift of you to us. So, we do celebrate your third year because this year you will become a son, a grandson, a nephew, and a cousin. Someday you will understand what this third year meant to you and we pray that you will be grateful as we are grateful that God ordained February 22nd, 2004 for a special little boy with an exciting adventure ahead to be born. Happy Birthday to you, Nicholas. Love, Mama and Papa

Mark and Carrie, Your son is brilliant! Did you know he was bilingual? He was just practicing for Nuriks homecoming so they could share chips together. Who would have thought that we were wrong in assuming that he was just asking for crackers? Such a smart boy you are Mikey!

We haven't gone to see our boy yet today for his birthday. Still a few more hours but the internet is working well right now and we even got a few emails off which is a luxury we don't get too often. We will try to celebrate a bit although I don't think it will be a concept he understands. We were told that we could of course bring toys but no cake since they worry about the cream? So, it will be cookies for Nurik and some balloons and a toy or two. I think that we will try to celebrate his homecoming and just wait for a big 4 year old birthday when hopefully he can understand a bunch more.

Everyone has been asking about what is left for us here. After our court date, we will still have a 16 day waiting period for the court papers to be filed. On the 16th day, I believe we get to bring Nurik to our apartment while we wait on his immigration papers. This will also take a few days. Then we will fly to Almaty for all of his Dr. appointments and the rest of his INS papers. This can take about a week also. SO, we are still looking at mid-late March for our return to USA.
We are so blessed to have some contacts in Almaty now (former Hodags (school mascot) from Rhinelander) so they have offered to show us the town and I am sure Nurik will enjoy playing with their girls. Kirsten was the one who gave me the valuable contact solution!

Another question has been in regards to Nurik's name. We will continue to call him Nurik (Nurboulot) here and over time will maybe shorten it to Nick though Pat thinks Nick Nurik, Private Eye, "I carry a badge" sounds really cool.....yes, we still have our sense of humor here, you have to!

Sizes are probably 3T but he is shorter as Julie said and may have to have some pants rolled up which is pretty much what they do here.

We will probably keep Nurik out of the "public" for at least a month or so until he feels comfortable in his surroundings. After we feel that he is ready for more integration, We want to have a big party to celebrate his adoption and all of our great family and friends! Maybe it will be in May since that is birthday and anniversary month for Pat and I.

Hope this answers a few questions.. Still loving the comments...Thanks for the long ones Kristina and Julie! It is definitely a weird experience transitioning from Nanny to Mommy! Love you guys! K-Pat

We may be rounding the bonding corner......

I love to be high up in the air....height does
work for Papa in this instance. He loves his
Papa more everyday!


Bad lighting but priceless picture!




I love eating with PaPa.....visions
of Superbowls to come....

Another bag for me!

Today is Wednesday and we are almost 3/4 th of the way through our bonding and we are actually bonding! He saw us this morning and ran from his caretaker to the door to the play room. This was a big change for us because he usually starts to pout when he sees us. Dr. Roza also says that he is crying when it is time for group because he does not want to go but wants to come to the room. He also pouted when it was time for him to go which he has never done. He kept walking to the other side of the room away from the door where Dr. Roza was standing. Such a special thing to see for us. We got lots of touches and smiles today. He like to be put up in the air, tickeled and likes "ride a little horsey". He is mostly like a typical 3 (as of tomorrow) yr old. A tornado when he hits the room. Toys go everywhere. I think he will love the type of toys that you put things in and out. He will probably like legos as long as he has boxes to pour them in and out of. We got him a russian play cell phone which he like very much and took it with him when he left. Our translator, Masha, has a cell phone as we said before with lots of ring tones so this one was similar (and loud!) We keep forgetting to tell everyone about his special like of the turkish ring tone. It plays a turkish song and he just starts to wiggle and dance....only this song does he wiggle....the other ring tones he just sways. We feel this is once again a definite sign that he is for us because that means he is ready to meet Ahmet at our favorite restaurant, Oasis!!!! He will go crazy for the music and probably the food too! We tried bananas today and yesterday and it is quite comical. He won't let me cut it into pieces, he wants to hold the whole thing and keeps gagging himself trying to put the whole thing down his throat. Hilarious faces. He is definitely being more verbal now although none of us know what he is saying since it is Kazak spoken by a 3 year old. We had to do some boundary things today which was interesting. He wanted to play with our dossier (Masha was working on it) and he kept wanting to get up in the window sill (which would be OK except he is too smart and figured out how to open the window and that will get us in trouble with the Dr! ) so we had to take him away from both things and say no and as you can expect he was not so happy. Had to lay down and cry a bit but let Mama hold him and comfort him and then he tried again, just saying no worked the second time although we got the most hilarious mean face.

Thanks for all of the prayers, It is amazing how well the internet is working so far today and we found out our court date is the 28th (next wednesday!) .....only 2 days after our bonding time ends. Masha said this was fast and we know its because of some great Prayers back home and a gracious God!

We will not see Nurik until about 3 tomorrow because Masha is a teacher and her schedule will not allow a morning visit so we will try and take some pics of our area for all to see.

We have had some questions about sizes and we think he will probably be about a 3T. His weight is about 50th percentile and height about 10th. Well, we don't want to lose this blog so we will send now and say thanks for the prayers and comments. We really do value each and every one! Love to all! K-Pat