Back in action

Sorry I've been so quiet. As many of you know, I just spent 17 days in Sweden, reconnecting with the people, country, and life that I abruptly left behind four years ago. It's been an amazing process for me to prepare, execute and digest this trip. I could feel minute for minute how the trip was defining a new stage in my life. I look forward to going back soon and often.

I made a very big decision while I was in Sweden. I have chosen to speak only Swedish with Lily. Everyone else around her here will speak English, so she will get both languages. This will guarantee a delay in her speech, as she will not only be processing Swedish and English, but will have been raised with Russian/Kazakh until I bring her home. It's a choice that any multilingual or international family must make. In our case, I speak Swedish on a daily basis even here in the States. And the truth is, since I have spent a ver large part of the last 17 years in Sweden, the culture has become a defining part of me. I want Lily to understand and experience that aspect of her mother, just as I will help her to explore and experience her Kazakh background, as much as she wishes.

While I was away, my fundraising obviously halted, and so did Kazakhstani adoptions! Now everyone stay calm, it was only for a couple of days and, while the Embassy and Consulate are still reviewing adoption procedures and agencies, this is not uncommon and business is now as usual, if a bit more slow.

I am now ready to sign the big contract and get going on my homestudy. I have been under the weather now for much of the week, but will pull it together and get this show on the road shortly.

I'll keep you posted.