Just a Quickie

As we wait to head over to the airport to board our plane for Almaty, KZ I thought I'd shoot a quick post your way. So...can anyone answer me how Joshie ended up bringing along a pair of handcuffs in his carryon backpack? Was THAT considered essential material for a 6 year old? When asked he grinned broadly and said "Well, I might want to lock up Kenny and Matthew when we get there!". Add to that the 2 little rings he got out of a gumball vending machine that for some reason HAD to be clipped to the outside of his backpack, and I realize I have one eclectic kid.

Kenny thinks Sponge Bob (Which he has always called Spongy Bob) is HILARIOUS in German.

Matthew was warning the boys today about how from the moment we step into the Lufthansa gate for our flight to Kaz they can expect to be stared at by every Kazakh person on board, especially once English spurts out of their mouths. But he told them to stick close to him, and not to worry because he looks more Kazakh then they do and will get stared at the most. HAHAHA! Yea, Matt...I think it will likely be mom and dad who get stared at the most!

Never did get back to sleep...can you tell how punchie I am getting???

More Diet Coke...I need more Diet Coke. Except I am already in the land of "Coke Light" not Diet Coke!

Also have come to the rapid conclusion last night while reading in bed that Beverly Lewis is the Danielle Steele of the Amish set. You read one of her books, which I did yesterday as I got it free somewhere...and you wonder why you read it when you are done. Of course, having it in an Amish setting at least dictates the smut is toned down, which is not all bad in my book. But why can't someone write this stuff WELL???? Sometimes I get tired of reading non-fiction because most fiction is not well written. But in this case, that was OK, because I don't feel bad shedding it here at the hotel and I know it isn't something I need to continue to haul around with me as I highly doubt Dominick will want to read it (giggle giggle).

Thought for the day:

Do Not Lose Passports. With 8 of them that is easier said than done.

The worst part of the entire trip lays ahead...going through Passport Control at Almaty Airport where we will be given the once over, the twice over, the thrice over. Having to go through customs at Almaty Airport...anyone who has done that can sympathize at how uncomfortable that one is. And getting OUT of the Almaty Airport and remain unaccosted by the "taxi" drivers who literally make you feel like you are walking the plank when you walk through them to get out of there. Traveling with 1 Large Italian Man helps considerably.

And I do hope the boys don't feel too uncomfortable today. After the first couple of days they get used to being stared at, but it is always odd and unnatural feeling for all of us at first when we return. After awhile though we all grow immune to it and blow it off. Because of that, they are wearing their Sunday finest for this flight and our entrance into Kaz. Knowing that it is uncomfortable for them at first I wanted them to feel confident that they looked sharp and presented themselves well so they have nothing to worry about. Seems more important for Matthew this time around, but I have no idea how Kenny will feel about it.

Kenny also revealed he is feeling nervous about going back to an orphanage environment. We talked a bit about it, I made sure he understood that he is never going back to live there...to which I got one of his famous grins in reply and he said "I KNOW that mom!", and we will keep the communication open on this one and revisit it often as we go through all of this. Lots to process for him I think.

OK...time to roll out the suitcases!

See Ya!