Aqtobe -- Alive and Well

It has been an interesting 24 hours. I made it to Aqtobe, only to find that the regional coordinator is out of town on a family emergency. The translator stepped in and the show continued. I am not ready to go into any detail at this point, but if all the necessary paperwork gets processed in time, I am going to have my first bonding visit with a little boy later this afternoon. The selection process was at lightening speed and I wasn’t given much info on this child and never met the babyhouse director. I am eager to talk to the orphanage doctor and to send what info is available to my international adoption doctor for evaluation.

As so many before me have said, the experience was overwhelming. I am still shell-shocked, stunned, head is spinning. Hit the wall at 100mph yesterday afternoon and finally gave in and slept off and on until this morning.

Due in part to the coordinator being absent, there was no apartment available when I arrived, so was told I’d be staying with Regina (a beautiful and sweet woman from South Carolina) for a few days. Regina and her husband, Frank, are adopting an adorable toddler boy and are part way through the post-court appeal period at this point. She has been a lifesaver. It was wonderful to have her support and advice during all of this and I will be forever grateful for her willingness to share her accommodations and to help me through this momentous life-changing event. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Regina!