Wednesday, February 2 After the excitment of yesterday, today was very low key. We arrived at the orphanage at our regular time and started our visit with rocking and watching Rebelde Way. Today the boys on the show were featured singing with Pablo as lead vocalist, creating quite a stir among the girls.  :) (Stacey had flashbacks of David Cassidy and the Partridge Family!) We played with Playdoh for awhile, creating many beautiful finger nails (including a set for dad, see the photo page). Kevin's cell phone was also of great interest and several of the girls spent time with dictionary learning English. After a bit, we began a "tickle fest" that started on the couch and eventually rolled its way to the floor. We also did some swinging in the air, around in circles (had forgotten how dizzy one gets doing this!) and used Dad as a pony and an airplane. Lots of giggles and gasping for air (mostly from Mom & Dad!) The laptop, always a hit, made another appearance today. This time we played music from the "City of Angels", watched a bit of a Russian children's film on dvd and then discovered computer pinball--which, of course, was the most popular activity. That finished the morning and we went to lunch with Super Myra and another bottle of vodka. Also a guest at lunch today was the music instructor for the orphanage. Our translator was ill today, so we were unable to talk much with the instructor specifically. We did understand that tomorrow we will be guests of honor at a student program, most likely under the direction of this gentleman. We will certainly videotape and take photos.  This event will feature Luda singing, as well as others, and is being done in honor of her adoption. I am certain there will be beautiful costumes, dancing and gymnastics.

Thursday, February 3 Received the waiver! So things are going lightening speed...had the program at the school, moved Luda into the hotel and fly out tomorrow. Have many, many beautiful pictures and stories to tell about the last day. Many tears from everyone... We expected to come to Kazakhstan and fall in love with a little girl, but not only did we do that, we fell in love with a wonderful group of people and an entire country!  Incredible.... More of the story-- We received notice late Wednesday evening that the waiver had been granted. Thursday began with an early morning scurry to the courthouse to register the adoption papers and to officially change Luda's name. This was quite an interesting event--while we were waiting, we witnessed about three weddings, complete with roses, champagne and the disco version of the wedding march!  (I am not kidding about the disco wedding march!) The courthouse evidently uses tapes with a variety of musical selections for the wedding couple to choose from... After completing the paperwork, we rushed back to the hotel to wrap forty gifts that we had purchased for the girls in Luda's group. Each package contained a pair of socks, nail polish, lip gloss, candy and a hair ribbon.  We had just enough paper to also wrap the sewing machine and iron, down the last piece. After gathering our gifts, we headed to the orphanage for our last visit. When we arrived at the Detsky Dom, there were many children running about in assorted costumes. Lots of anxious, excited and nervous performers gathering for this tribute that was for Luda and her new parents. The performance began with three versions of children's songs (Hickory, Dickory Dock; Old MacDonald etc.), in costume, sung in English. Luda performed in these--and was obviously nervous, but enjoying the attention. It was just delightful to hear these children singing familiar nursery songs in their lovely Russian accent. Next, the older children performed some traditional Kazak songs, with singing and dancing, in beautiful costumes. We were also treated to several solos by some excellent singers and several Turkish numbers as well. Kevin videotaped the entire performance, it was incredible. At the end, they presented Luda with gifts and gave a beautiful speech about how much they loved her, wished her well--and how much they had grown to love us and hoped that we would stay in contact.  It was painfully beautiful, so many tears and such "big love".  After the performance, we went with Luda up to her room to visit with her group and present the gifts. The girls seemed delighted with their goodies and very excited about the sewing machine. After watching the older girls for the last two weeks altering clothing by hand, I can understand why this was such a desired gift. Many hugs and kisses later, we left Luda with her group to spend a little time to say "good-bye" and Kevin & I went to Super Myra's office for a late lunch. As you can probably imagine, the spread of food for this lunch was overwhelming. The table was set with fine china and it was obvious that only the best would do, Super Cook had out done herself. We ate, made toasts to one another and exchanged gifts. Kevin and I brought some small gifts from the states to share--and could not believe that they had also prepared gifts for us. Kevin received a bottle of vodka, Stacey a beautiful Kazak scarf and for both of us, a lovely journal with an inscription from Myra and the others. WE exchanged email and snail mail addresses (as best we could, considering the language barrier--we kept Natasha busy translating!) Again, many tears as we prepared to leave our new friends... After gathering Luda and her belongings and saying das vidanya (good bye), we returned to the Beibars for the evening. Some of our friends from the orphanage joined us for an evening appetizer and one last gathering.  It was hard for us and especially for Luda to see her friends from the House of Hope depart that evening. Such "big love" in life is unusual and not easy to leave behind.

Friday, February 4 We fly out tonight at 7:15 for Almaty, where we should be for about a week or so before heading home! Will post pictures and more as soon as we can. Just no time right now... Much love to everyone! More on Friday... On Friday, we did little last minute shopping for Luda and had lunch with Natasha at a wonderful little Turkish restaurant in town. Natasha spent a good bit of time trying to prepare Luda for the journey ahead. After lunch, we returned to the hotel and packed all our things. Our little girl is extremely neat and tidy, and had the best packed bag among the three of us. She also straightened up the room and found several things that Kevin & I most likely would have left if not for her sharp eye. She is very bright, our young daughter... The flight left at 7:30 and we arrived in Almaty at 9:30. Ms. Luda did well on the flight, being her first time--although the change in air pressure did create some anxiety. Our coordinator Oleg met us at the baggage claim and it was comforting to see his friendly smile. We were all very tired, but very happy to arrive at the Hyatt in Almaty that evening and especially relieved to hear English, all the members of the staff are bi-lingual. We fell into our beds and fell fast asleep, emotionally and physically exhausted.

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