Finally home!

We got home this past Friday and are SO happy to be home! I feel like we've been away forever. Sammy and Charlie were very excited to have us home too! Especially Sammy. He's been Joe's shadow since we walked in the door.

A recap of our last days in Kazakhstan....

We left Karaganda on Thursday morning on Air Astana. Our flight had Air Astana's millionth passenger on it so there was a big celebration during our 1 1/2 hr flight. They passed champagne and served cake after our sandwich. Then, when we got to Almaty, there were camera crews and she got a bouquet of flowers. Interesting.

Almaty is quite different than Karaganda, and was like every other city we've been. It used to be the capital of Kazakhstan and still houses the consular sections of the embassies. Not nearly as many potholes either. We didn't do much sightseeing, just went to the mall and then to a bazaar. We hung out for a while at our apt. and then went out to dinner at a nearby restaurant. While we there, we also called the Dutch embassy to find out more information about getting Hannah a Schengen visa that will allow her to enter NL before going to the States (she will not become a US citizen until she is on US soil). We were hoping to come home first and let her get to know us better before taking her to visit our families in the US. Unfortunately, it will take at least 5 business days to get a visa for NL (it takes 2 days for the US). This was very upsetting news as Joe doesn't have the time to take off from work. I don't mind going by myself to get her but I don't want to stay another week in Kazakhstan. We're trying to figure out our best option and have our relocation company working on it too!

We were picked up at 430a to go the airport. Our flight home to Amsterdam was about 7 hrs and went by quick enough. I slept for most of it. We got home by 11am and the first thing I did was shower! I think I mentioned that our shower in Karaganda was not the best. And it was so nice to sleep in our own bed!

We miss Hannah but it is fairly easy to get back to our normal routine. It's so strange to think that we have a daughter, especially since she's not here with us. I don't think it seems real to either of us yet. I'm sure that will all change once we get her home.