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Our embassy appointment is done (wow, that was a quick 5 minute thing!) and we have the "coveted sealed envelope" that we give to immigration officials.
Two of our bags are packed, and the rest will be packed soon! The potty will NOT be left behind!!!
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19 hours and 5 minutes of flying time with a 13 month old will commence in 10 hours.
YIKES!
I have been very emotional today. I cried when I saw her passport again, and I cried walking home from the mall today. I think it must be hormonal..Joe thinks I'm insane!
I'm so happy that we're almost home, yet part of me is sad that our journey is over in Kaz (if that makes sense!)
It's been a wonderful 11 weeks and 3 days, but I am excited to get home and show Leeza her home, see her brother!!!, the rest of her family, her new friends, and her room, and her books, and her closet full of clothes!!!
Dasvidayna Kazakhstan! It's been a long haul, but the prize at the end of the ride is indeed priceless and MOST DEFINTELY irreplaceable! Let's hope the prize is a good passenger for 19 hours and 5 minutes plus a 8 hour layover in Frankfurt.
Much love to everyone-talk to you when we're HOME!!!
Way to go RAYS for getting in the World Series!!!
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30 comments:
It is all bittersweet. Love the line about Joe thinking you're insane. It was great to catch you on FB last night and talk a bit. Know we are thinking of you all today. Safe travels. Take Care.
I totally understand how you feel. Bill was so ready to get OUTTA THERE, but I was also very emotional and more than a little saddened. I think since I stayed the whole time I became settled there in a way that Bill didn't. That place was my home for 3 months, and my child, my heart was there too. It was very difficult to leave although I was sooo ready to do so and bring Dylan home. Definitely very strange, conflicting feelings.
I've very much enjoyed reading your blog although I haven't had time to post as often as I have wanted to. I hope you will continue to post once you get to the States.
Good luck on your flight home!!!! I hope Leeza does much better than Dylan did!!!!!
Khadine
I am excited for you & Leeza to start your life in Florida but I am going to miss the Leeza & Susan adventures in Kaz. You have kept me going the last couple of months. Reading your blog has been a joy!!!! Hopefully in a couple of weeks I will be starting my own Kaz adventure:)
Hugs!!!!
Marla
Safe travels!
(And we only expect two or three detailed updates during your journey home).
Safe travels, and I completely understand the bittersweet end to the Kaz part of your journey. One door closes, and another opens. And you are going to love what's on the other side of the next door.
Safe travels, Serra family. We cannot wait to read about the FL reunion.
Love,
Karen, Glenn, and Max.
It's hard to leave Kaz behind, you will miss it so much once you are home. Have a safe trip HOME!! I can't believe you are on your way already. I am so super excited and happy for you. Maybe a trip down to Tampa is in order this summer. :)
Have a safe trip home.
You'll be home for the first game of the World Series. Go Rays!!! It was a massive celebration here. I could hear cheering, horns honking and partying through the night..early morning. It is so exciting.
I can't believe you are on your way home!!! I'm going to miss reading your adventures so I'm thinking you are going to need to keep this blogging thing going!!!! I feel like I'm right there with you.
Can't wait to hear about your journey home. I'm so praying that little Miss Leeza has a great flight home.
Love you guys!
sal
Safe travels!
I totally understand what you mean about missing Kaz. I still have days when I miss Kaz, I think it is because of the closeness that we had in Kaz and the fact that all we had to worry about was spending time with eachother as a family. Life gets crazy when you get home. Karaganda will always hold a special place in my heart because that is where my princess was born. I hope you guys have a great trip home and I can't wait to read all about it.
Thinking about you and where you're at... if my calculations are correct (big if!) you have just taken off from Almaty! It is definitely bittersweet to leave Kaz. I remember feeling this huge sigh of relief- she is mine, no one can take her from me, but also a sadness for our time there and the special place that gave us our Rylie. So I comptely understand. But believe me, coming home is the best feeling in the world. Couldn't agree with Karen more- you are going to LOVE what is on the other side of the new door opening. Cannot wait to see pictures of your little Florida girl, and especially pics of Sean and Leeza back together again.
XOXO
Hey Chickpea,
I can't believe your journey is almost done! I can only imagine all the mixed emotions. Good luck on your flights home, I am sure it will all go great! Just like the rest of your adventure has! :) Leeza is going to love the weather in FLorida!!!
Have a safe trip! Love you!
Wow. You are almost home. I am so happy for you. Travel safely.
It's 3:20am in Almaty and you should be in your seats with your seatbelts fastened, and the trays and seat backs in their upright position! Time to head for HOME!!!
I'm sorry it was an emotional rollercoaster of a day for you -- and probably still is. It definitely seems like a little part of us stays behind here, even though the best part (in the form of a blond princess) is coming home. You had a marvelous adventure in Kostanai, one that you can share with your sweet girl someday. Truly priceless.
Good luck on the trip home. I wanna see pictures of the pink potty on the plane! How cute!
Can't wait to hear about your homecoming!
Lots of love from Almaty,
Alysa and Brady
I am crying reading this! You must be traveling right now! It is a bittersweet thing to leave Kaz. I miss it to this day. Praying for you all!
xoxoxo
Have safe travels and I am praying for an easy time with her on the plane! I think as long as you have that pretty pink potty she will be fine!
Congratulations... all of the patience and waiting has paid off.
Tracy
So happy for you guys! I can't believe you're FINALLY on your way home. You get mother of the year for SURE for staying that long. I remember the downside of that early flight is you won't get to sleep at all beforehand ;-(
Good luck on your way home!!
Shannon
I am all teary too! I totally get it. I totally understand that feeling of being SO incredibly excited to be home but feeling that incredible sadness of leaving your daughter's homeland and all that you have come to love there.
Safest Travels :)
Christy
Have a great flight home!!! Congrats again on making through your journey - but of course you know it is just beginning now. I totally understand - I wanted to go home but didn't want to leave either. There are times now that I just sit and think about how nice the time was there in Kaz. Too bad it isn't a bit closer or I would make it a point to take the occasional vacation there. The people were all so wonderful...after they got to know me. LOL.
I can imagine that Kaz now feels like a second home. I was a bit sad to leave as well. And I actually miss it - and the time we were able to spend bonding with our Miras - now that we are home and back to the daily grind.
Have a great trip - I'm sure that Ms. Leeza will fall asleep in the ergo and be a happy camper.
safe travels for you. It has been a long road; think of all you have been through to get to this point! I am looking forward to a post when you are back at home in Florida.
Take care.
Heidi
Safe travels! I hope Leeza does well on the long trip. As much as you want to get home, it is tough to leave your second home and Leeza's first. Uh oh, we're rivals now...Go Phillies! :)
Tonight's the Night. WooHoo!!!
We are thinking of you all as you should be on your final leg now. In a few more hours Leeza Serra will be an American citizen, and more importantly, she will be home with her family. Much Love to you all.
You guys should be in U.S. air by now...FINALLY...arriving in Chicago will feel as close as Clearwater! See you soon!!
Just thinking about you and how you're probably just about back in the US now. Hope your travels back were uneventful and you post pictures soon of your arrival home :)
Suzette
OH MY - I bet you are home or nearly there. What an adjustment that will be! I can imagine those conflicting feelings but you are almost HOME WITH YOUR SWEET BABY GIRL! I am so excited for you. I just wish I could be at the airport. LA is just too far away from my favorite Kaz babies/kids who all seem to be so far from here. Boo hoo.
Thank you for a wonderful true story of love, persistence and hope. I've been wishing you well this entire time and missing the hell out of you, Suz. I know you're anxious to get home, but will always have a Kaz fibre in your soul. You are the best. Love to your family and especially to baby Leeza. The Farnells
i bet you're in tampa already--welcome home to our newest u.s. citizen. congratulations susan and joe, your little princess is finally home. can't wait to read all about the reunion. how fun. good luck with everything--it must feel so good to be back home again.
karen
Welcome home, Leeza Grace. Thanks to your mommy's efforts, attention, and love, you are already cherished by so many and we are proud to have you here!
I hope you are home by now! Can't wait to hear all about your trip home and your welcome home.
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