What Time is it? What Day is it? We will put more detailed posting a little later, right now we are jet-lagged and stuck in a hotel room in Chicago. The good news is that we are in a hotel, rather than sleeping on the floor of the airport.  A snow storm blew in yesterday, just on its way out this evening. Many flights have been cancelled over the last 24 hours, and we have been rescheduled three times. Right now we are booked on the 1:30 flight and hope to be in Maryville by 4:00 on Saturday. As far as court goes, we think it was a positive decision. I know that it sounds strange for us to not be more specific, but the whole process was unusual and the judge didn't speak with us personally. Court lasted two hours, then she recessed to make a decision. After about 20 minutes, we saw the procescutor, both social workers and the secretary leave the office (where court was held). After 40 minutes, our coordinator Dinara checked with the judge who indicated that "she was busy and still needed to think". At the hour mark, the secretary returned and Dinara had conversation with her. Since the time for our flight was quickly approaching, the secretary told us that it was a positive decision and that it was fine that we go ahead and leave. Of course we were all concerned about leaving early, but the secretary said we would just make the judge angry if we bothered her again. So we signed some papers, flew to the notary office and to the hotel to get our things, before just barely scrambling aboard bus headed to the plane for our 6:30 flight.  We have been in transit since, traveling for 28 hour since our first flight left Kostanai. We are very excited to Luba, now legally Lily Louise Wilner (we think!) as a member of our family!

Dinner with Dinara We were allowed to take Lily with us to spend some quality time prior to the court date and our leaving. Our coordinator Dinara, doubled as a lovely host by inviting us to a traditional Kazakh dinner at her apartment. Her mother and friend Asel as assistants, they prepared a spread of food that we only compare to our Thanksgiving feasts. Dinara met us at the Medeo and escorted us to her apartment, which is about a five minute walk from the hotel. A traditional Soviet style structure, it was secured with heavy steel doors and clothed in contrete and a smattering of flaking paint. We walked up the three flights find a very warm and inviting living space, softened with lovely wallpaper and trimmed in oak, with interior wood and glass doors. The dining area was in typical Asian fashion, on the floor with handmade quited cushions for lounging in between courses. We arrived at 4:00 and began our feast with appetizers that featured various salads, nuts, chunks of horse meat (optional!) along with wine, juice and vodka. After trying not to fill ourselves too much with these goodies because of the wonderful aromas still coming to us from the kitchen, Dinara brought out the main course--a steaming plate of pasta, beef and onions. The dish was served on the Kazak equvalent of a Turkey platter and brought steaming from the kitchen.  Wonderfully delicious, this main course was complemented by other side dishes, including a seven layer casserole made of chicken, potatoes, cheese, beets, onions and two other mysterious ingredients. After stuffing ourselves and numurous toasts to each other's health and future, the adults lounged around on the floor, engaged in relaxed conversation while the girls went into the next room and played cards. When we were contemplating that fact that we couldn't possibly eat anymore for at least the next week, Dinara and Asel disappeared into the kitchen only to bring out about five delicious desserts that included a cheese plate, sliced bananas and oranges, three scrumptious finger desserts and one very large chocolate cake covered in nut sprinkles. This cake was heavenly--Luda and Lily ate two servings. Always the most gracious of hosts, Dinara and Asel walked us back to the Medeo Hotel when we took our leave at about 9:00 pm. It was gently flurrying in the soft light of night, making a wonderful background and finish for a beautiful evening.

The Good-byes... Since we were allowed to have Lily with us for dinner and for some playing in the hotel, we rented the swimming pool so that the girls could play. While Lily doesn't really know how to swim, it was amazing to watch her fearlessness in the water. We dragged some water wings onto her arms for safety, and it was a good thing we did. Most people ease themselves into the water when they are unfamiliar with swimming, she on the other hand, leapt into the pool with a big smile and great enthusiasm! Luda taught her how to dive and before the day was over, she was doing...albeit a little tough with the water wings. She certainly is an athletic little girl. The girls had a great time, doing belly busters and splashing about the pool. We are guessing that there will be a great time had this summer on our pontoon boat! When Dinara came to pick up Lily to take her back to the boarding school, we spent a little time explaining to her what will happen in the next few weeks. The mama's at the boarding school have been trying to prepare her, but we wanted her to hear it from us too. With Dinara's help, we explained that we would be going home and getting her room ready, make arrangements for school etc. Dinara will be taking her to Oleg in Almaty, and then Oleg will be bringing her to Maryville TN.  It was very difficult to say good-bye that day--lots of tears, but she seemed to understand that our separation would only be temporary. For our last day with our new American friends living at the Medeo, we went bowling! There is a nice alley, right next to the Aqua Park. We enjoyed cold drinks, chips and nuts, along with a lot of fun and laughter.  The only complication was that Kevin had three strikes in a row, winning a bottle of vodka. Since we were leaving the next day, we had to break into it...and we took our giggles to a new level. The girls finished the evening with intense conversation, while the guys moved to the pool table. Luda & Ryan enjoyed another game of bowling. We managed to find our way back down through the snowy sidewalks of town, to find the Medeo and enjoy a last supper together. One of the most wonderful aspects of our unexpected delay in Kostanai, was the opportunity to make new friends with the Watrous and Mullins families.  We wish you well! The other positive to come from this extra time, was the opportunity to get to really know and grow to love little Miss Lily Louise Wilner.  The girls clung to each other, sharing many tears when it was time to leave. While this was painful to experience, it was also such a good sign of the capacity for a deep relationship between the girls.

Saturday evening, March 2 We are HOME! We did find out that we had a positive court decision so we legally we have a new daughter, Lily Louise Wilner. The process in Kazakhstan is a little different this time than last. Before Lily can come to America, there is a two week waiting period and about a week or so needed to process paperwork such as a new birth certificate and passport. When the waiting period is up, Dinara, our coordinator, will take her to Almaty where she will live with Oleg and his family for a few days. After securing all the paperwork, Oleg will bring her to Maryville. Her estimated time of arrival in Maryville, TN will be sometime the first couple of weeks of April. (we hope she will make it by her birthday, April 12!)  Oleg will visit with us for a few days before returning to Kaz. We will post new photos at that time! So stay tuned...

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