In which we thank The Academy.
There's no place like home and there's no schmaltz like the American Academy Awards. Guess what we're going to do when we get home tomorrow night? After all, with the grandparently assault we expect upon de-planing, it's not like we're going to see the baby for a few hours...
So on our last day, did we spend it in a frantic rush to say good-bye to the city? Were we packing like mad people? Nah! Robin packed the bags last night (because it isn't like we're eager or anything...) and, despite rumours to the contrary, our American gold is running down to a few final tenge.
Sorry camels, some of you will have to stay behind.
Instead we enjoyed a quick peek at the local mosque and a leisurely lunch at the American Bar and Grill. We'd wanted to go to El Paso, Almaty's Mexican joint, but it wasn't open for lunch and so we had to resort to Plan B. We'll give it a not bad, but for those of you coming after, I'd recommend any of the pubs first and, definitely, a visit to El Paso. (It looked quite authentic!) The rest of the day we spent playing with the Puppet Master in anticipation of how mad he's going to be with us after that 27-hour plane ride.
We also spent some time reflecting on the past month and a half. While parts of it (being away from family, friends and furballs) seem incredibly long; parts of it don't seem long at all (being away from work!) Short or long, however, we've made memories that will last lifetimes-- ours and Owen's.
And, of course, the star of those memories has been a little boy from Kokshetau in his first American starring role. Since his English isn't so good just yet, his new parents have taken the liberty of writing a few little "thank yous" to all those who've helped him along the way.
To Grandma and Grandpa Henshaw, thank you for taking care my my koshkos and sebaccas. I've never really seen a pet up close, but I sure like the pictures and I'm very much looking forward to watching them chase around the house and to getting my face thoroughly licked clean. I know you had to give up a lot to spend six weeks sleeping at Mom and Dad's house with the dogs and cats. I appreciate it!
To Grandma Hess, thank you for watching Mom and Dad's finances-- I have big plans for their money!-- and for being such a faithful writer to them. After a few weeks locked up in Siberia, they were getting a little crazy-eyed (and you really don't want crazy people responsible for your diapers...) I know how much they looked forward to getting your e-mails and hearing about home. Thank you for making sure they didn't "lose it."
To Aunt Melissa, thank you for taking care of Dad's work. From what he tells me about you, it sounds like you do a lot all on your own. I know you had to work double-time to cover him no matter how much of a slacker job he has! I hope after Pops gets back you'll have time for a little vacation of your own. You've earned it.
To Uncle Kirk, you were as good a writer as Grandma. Thank you for your part in keeping Mom and Dad sane with funny stories and pictures from home. Thanks, too, for the terrific travel gift you gave my folks. They watched Will and Grace almost every night and I think they cried a little when they ran out of episodes...
To Aunt Valerie, I know you were sick for a lot of the time while Dad was gone. I hope you are feeling better. Thank you for taking care of him before he left and for making sure he could keep in touch with home when he needed to. Thanks, too, for sending Mom and Dad the updates on the dog show. I know how much they missed their animals and they really enjoyed hearing about all things furry. (Unfortunately, not pictured.)
To Abuelito Paul and Abuelita Pamela, thank you, as well, for writing so often and for sending pictures of the cats and links to fun websites. I also appreciate your pharmaceutical recommendations for Mom and Dad to make sure they stayed well and got some sleep. I haven't known them long, but I already like them better medicated.
To Roy, Eileen, Jessica and Shane Benson, thank you for writing as much as you did and for the horse cam website. We never got to see a foal being born, but we enjoyed hearing the stories. I'm looking forward to putting ice down Shane's pants when I get home. Dad may have to help me since I can't walk yet. (Also, unfortunately, not pictured.)
To all of the nice Americans in Kokshetau-- Ryan, Bryan, the Strelos, the McCalls, the Connollys, the Stannards and the Murphys-- thank you for entertaining Mom and Dad and for making their trip so memorable and fun. I know they would've been very lost without other people to help them figure things out and very lonely without people to tell them jokes and to enjoy dinner with.
To all of the nice Kazakhstani people-- Inna, Oleg, Dr. Natalia, Lyuba, Gulmira, Vitali and Gulbanu-- thank you for helping Mom and Dad in the process of adopting me and thank you for all the good care you took of me! I will miss hearing Russian. Mom and Dad don't speak it so well.
Thanks, too, to all our other family and friends who've done such a good job keeping in touch. Mom and Dad lived for your e-mails and were thankful for your prayers and well wishes. You helped them answer questions about how to feed me and how to get me to go to sleep (which I'm still not too excited about, by the way) and you kept them sane with the books and movies that you gave them.
And, finally, to The Academy, World Partners Adoption, thank you for making Mom and Dad's adoption process go so smoothly and effortlessly. They heard a lot of scary stories from people who used other agencies while they were here and are very thankful for the professionalism and effort you put out on their behalf.
....Well, our little boy's speech runs a bit long. Sorry about that. I guess he won't be getting the television (or whatever this year's keep it short bribe is). Still, the thanks is sincere.
And he, and we, can't wait to see all of you at home again!
