Dinner with the Clark/Gilpatricks

We had a wonderful evening at Bob and Tammy's. Bob is an excellent cook and, since we don't have a kitchen at the hotel, it was nice to have a home-cooked meal. We had cheese and crackers, oven roasted chicken, potato salad, REAL salad (hallelujah where did this man find lettuce?) and watermelon. In true Caesar fashion, Mom and I brought wine and dessert. Also yummy and we are very pleased to have finally found a good bottle of wine here in Kazakhstan.

Their apartment is great for them, as their 6 year old daughter, Sarah, is here with them. They have settled in nicely, having been here longer than we have, and are pretty much a part of the neighborhood now. This is really a credit to who they are. They are such wonderful people and we are so lucky to have gotten to spend so much time with them. We basically have no secrets anymore. HAHA. We spend all of our bonding time with our children with them and we have probably bonded equally as much with them as with our children! I mean, let's qualify that, I'm not rocking Tammy to sleep and Bob's not burping Mom, but we are all really close. HAHA That just made me chuckle out loud all alone in a room. Yes, we are starting to get a little loopy here.

Bob and Tammy

Mom and Sarah

Mary Lou

Dessert

Since we will likely have the same Gotcha Day (as we started bonding the same day), Tammy and I have concocted a great plan to celebrate our Gotcha Days together every year. Gotcha Day is the day you actually take custody of your child once and for all. It's a little confusing in Kaz because the process is different than in other countries, so some may call Gotcha Day when the judge signs the adoption decree, when the appeals period is over, or when they actually physically get the child forever. I am leaning towards that latter. In any case, how much fun is it that these wonderful lifelong friends (I am sure!) will only be a couple of hours away from us. Mom and I are so excited.