1st day

Well, after a little sleep and a very nice first day home, I want to write a little and post some photos. There are more on Janet's disc I will receive in a few days. My camera or my batteries were constantly having problems. Between the two of us I think we took around 4 gazillion photographs.
Speaking of Janet, she LOVED Kazakhstan and wants to go back in the summer time. She was an uber traveler and dove right in. This is a woman that imposes her likes and dislikes on no one but does have them. And she just tried all the different food, tolerated the different communication and social norms, never complained about bathrooms, beds or driving in Kazakhstan. She and Cameron have a special relationship already. She was a huge help and comfort and friend. Yeah for Aunt Janet!
Cameron enjoyed his first new outfit, his first haircut and first ice cream in Almaty. He loved sitting in the window and enjoyed taking his stroller for a stroll. After a long day of walking his limp would become apparent but he never seems in pain. We are SO glad we were advised to take one extra day in Almaty as we needed it. The Embassy wanted an updated addendum to our home study. Somehow our social worker and team made that happen in 24 hours. It was hard to say goodbye to people we have come to love but we are sure we will see some on them again.
He was a wonderful little boy to travel with also. When we arrived in Houston he and dad picked up where they left off. We drove home and arrived about 0300. Shawn stayed at his grandparents that night. Mike and I enjoyed watching Cameron explore his new home. He took a bath and went to bed. Later that day Shawn came home and woke Cameron up and they began their brothering and it was so precious. It was precious. We visited both grandparents' homes and Cameron was showered with welcomes and met his cousins and had his first pizza party. After a fun day in which he acted like he'd done this all before-we went home for a nights rest. Both boys slept in their room and did wonderful. The house was a rustling crashing pitter pat and banging house this morning. We are letting them work our their little hierarchy issues and so far no fighting....Shawn is the sweetest child if I have not already written that. (only 10,000 times...)We see them together and know beyond a doubt this was worth it and in perfect time and with the perfect child for our family. We are blessed beyond our dreams.
And yes, that is a dead woman in an open casket in the parking lot of our apartment. An Orthodox funeral with priests in robes, candles and incense in the parking lot. We were told it is not a norm there and no one was sure what that was about. And the dog is Scruffy our "sabacka" away from home.
I will write a little later for families going and also about some families we met.
I will also be ending this site soon and start a family site.
So glad to be home and so thankful for our new son to be home. HE is a happy and healthy boy and a joy to have with us. Shawn seemed like he was 12 years old after being with little Cameron. They grow so quickly......