Leaving the station for the 1 mile train ride...
Enjoying the mechanical train in the gift shop...
Saturday, May 21, 2011
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This is our attempt at capturing a record of our adoption journey to Kazakhstan to share with family and friends. Thanks for your support and for coming along for the ride. It is one of the most difficult rollercoaster rides we have ever been on in our lives. The child/children waiting for us at the end of the ride are what keep us on this international rollercoaster!
Kazapalooza
First Family Photo
First Year Home Milestones and other Firsts
- Nov 9, 2011 First Report Card
- Aug 30, 2011 First Day of Kindergarten
- Aug 29, 2011 First Gymnastics class
- Aug 27, 2011 First Hurricane-Irene
- Aug 23, 2011 First earthquake
- Jun 3-5, 2011 First Kazapalooza
- Mar 23, 2011 Registered for Kindergarten
- Mar 19, 2011 First time playing T ball
- Feb 28, 2011 First Speech Therapy Class
- Feb 25, 2011 Ear Tubes and Adenoidectomy
- Jan 18, 2011 FIrst Martial Arts Class
- Aug 13, 2010 First time fishing
- July 20, 2010 1st Anniversary of life outside of Umit
- July 4, 2010 First 4th of July as an American Citizen
- Jun 28, 2010 First Hearing Test
- May 30, 2010 First Boat Trip
- May 21, 2010 First Sleepover
- May 20, 2010 First Post Placement Report submitted
- May 8, 2010 attempts to write his name
- May 7, 2010 First trip to eye doctor
- Apr 29, 2010 First Post Placement Report
- Apr 18, 2010 First Circus
- Apr 10, 2010 First Official Easter Egg Hunt
- Apr 4, 2010 Taste first Peep marshmallow treat
- Mar 4, 2010 Able to ride Big Bike
- Mar 3, 2010 First Swimming Lesson
- Feb 9, 2010 Sings Sponge Bob Theme along with TV
- Feb 2-3, 2010 First trip to Disney
- Jan 30, 2010 First Family Vacation
- Jan 16, 2010 First Friends Birthday Party
- Jan 5, 2010 Follow-up with IA Clinic
- Jan 1, 2010 First Self Hair Cut
- Dec 16, 2009 First visit to Santa
- Dec 12, 2009 First Birthday in US
- Dec 10, 2009 First Sick Day
- Nov 28, 2009 First ride on Two wheeler with training wheels
- Nov 19, 2009 County Diagnostic Appt
- Oct 12, 2009 Picking Pumpkins
- Oct 11, 2009 Baptism at Christ Lutheran Church
- Oct 8, 2009 Absessed molar removed
- Oct 5, 2009 First dentist visit
- Oct 3, 2009 First trip to the ocean and first wedding
- Sept 8, 2009 Visit to JHU International Adoption Clinic
- Sept 7, 2009 Riding Trike by himself
- Sept 6, 2009 First Baby sitter
- Sept 5, 2009 Visit Maryland State Fair
- August 31, 2009 First day of pre-school
- August 15, 2009 First Steamed Crabs
- August 14, 2009 Jumped off diving board
- August 13, 2009 First time swimming in pool
- August 11, 2009 Howard County Fair
- August 10, 2009 First set of vaccines
- August 9, 2009 First time in Church
- August 4, 2009 First Doctor's Visit
Adoption Milestones and timeline
- August 31, 2009 Certificate of Citizenship arrives
- August 24, 2009 Social Security Card arrives
- July 30, 2009 Arrive home to USA
- July 26, 2009 Arrive in Almaty for US processing
- July 19, 2009 Return to Kazakhstan to bring Lukas home
- July 10, 2009 Appeal Period Over
- June 24, 2009 Court decision Yes!
- June 22, 2009 Pre Court Hearing
- June 17, 2009 Return to Kazakhstan via London
- June 10, 2009 Visas for Trip 2 arrive
- June 4, 2009 Send Visa applications in for Trip 2
- June 2, 2009 Notified of Court date (June 22)
- May 14, 2009 Papers registered with Court in Taraz, arrive home from Trip 1
- May 12, 2009 Positive Decision with Guardianship Council
- May 7, 2009 end of official bonding period
- April 24, 2009 Met with doctor and Pyschologist
- April 21, 2009 official start of bonding
- April 20, 2009 Signed paper stating intent to adopt Anton
- April 17, 2009 Visit Umit Baby House and meet new son
- April 16, 2009 Arrive in Taraz, Kazakhstan
- Mar 26, 2009 Receive 3rd and hopefully last set of FBI clearance letters
- Mar 4,2009 Visas arrive for first trip
- Feb 24, 2009 Send off Visa Applications
- Feb 20, 2009 Receive LOI, expected travel date is April 15th
- Jan 21, 2009 LOI is in Astana, expected US arrival is Feb.
- Jan 14, 2009 LOI issued from MOE in Taraz
- Dec 31, 2008 One last set of fingerprints we hope
- Dec 4, 2008 Cleared MFA and MOE, Assigned to Taraz Region
- Oct 10, 2008 Dossier cleared Kazak Embassy and is headed to MFA
- Sept 11, 2008 YEH! dossier finally submitted to Kazak Embassy in DC
- Sept 4, 2008 submit updated Medical reports and FBI fingerprints that expired
- Aug 15, 2008 still waiting; submit updated home agency license for dossier
- June 9, 2008 still waiting; submit updated Medical reports that expire July 1st
- May 2008 dossier completes translation, begin wait for dossier to be submitted to Kazak Embassy in DC
- April 9, 2008 dossier packet arrives at Adoption Ark for translation
- April 7, 2008 assemble dossier to be mailed
- April 4, 2008 apostille from Secretary of State in Annapolis of dossier
- April 3, 2008 authentication of notarized dossier documents
- March 25, 2008 receive FBI clearance letter
- March 21, 2008 (Good Friday) receive USCIS approval of I600A
- March 14, 2008 receive completed homestudy
- Mar 12, 2008 send off prints for FBI clearance
- Feb 7, 2008 FBI fingerprints
- February 2008 Anton Maxsimovich Kyrienko arrives at Umit
- Jan 2008 USCIS fingerprints
- Jan 9,2008 submit USCIS application I600A
- Jan 2008 decide on Kazakhstan and sign with Adoption Ark (International agency)
- Dec 2007 complete home visit
- Sept 2007 complete mandatory adoption training
- Sept 2007 sign with DIAKON (homestudy agency)
- July 2007 attend adoption info session
Taraz Coat of Arms
Taraz Seal
Taraz Fun Facts
TARAZ REGION FUN FACTS
Administrative Structure
Area, thousand. sq. km 144.0Number of districts 10Number of cities 4Number of towns 12
Number of aul’s okrugs 83
Other Information:
Oblast formation date 1939
Territorial Characteristics Its territory represents a plain, the oblast's south represents those Kirgizsky, Alatau and Karatau ridges.
Climate sharp continental, especially in its northern part.
Average Temp January -12°C, July +25°C.
National Representation Kazakhs (48.8%), Russians (26.5%)
Mineral Resources phosphorites, copper, gold, coal, barite, limestone, gypsum, revetment stone, gas, ground waters.
Industrial Centers Taraz, Zhanatas, Karatau
Industrial Branches chemical, light, food
Agricultural Branches production of grain, cattle breeding
Administrative Structure
Area, thousand. sq. km 144.0Number of districts 10Number of cities 4Number of towns 12
Number of aul’s okrugs 83
Other Information:
Oblast formation date 1939
Territorial Characteristics Its territory represents a plain, the oblast's south represents those Kirgizsky, Alatau and Karatau ridges.
Climate sharp continental, especially in its northern part.
Average Temp January -12°C, July +25°C.
National Representation Kazakhs (48.8%), Russians (26.5%)
Mineral Resources phosphorites, copper, gold, coal, barite, limestone, gypsum, revetment stone, gas, ground waters.
Industrial Centers Taraz, Zhanatas, Karatau
Industrial Branches chemical, light, food
Agricultural Branches production of grain, cattle breeding
Links of Interest
- Lukas Anton's gift registry
- Interlink Resources: Non-profit working in Kazakhstan
- Spoonfoundation- Giving nutritional aid to Kaz Orphanages
- 2008 Aug Article about Kazakhstan
- Adoption Ark (our IA Agency)
- Map and Information on Kazakhstan
- Taraz Region
- Provinces of Kazakhstan and other info
- Kazakh Adoptive Families
- Kazakh Aul
- Kazakh Crafts
- Two Hearts for Hope Kazakh Orphan Charity
- Kazakh Tourist Info
- Kazakhstan Embassy
- JCICS
Kazakhstan Flag and Facts
Country (long form): Republic of Kazakhstan
Capital: Astana
Total Area: 1,049,155.40 sq mi2,717,300.00 sq km(slightly less than four times the size of Texas)
Population: 16,731,303 (July 2001 est.)
Languages: Kazakh (Qazaq, state language) 40%, Russian (official, used in everyday business) 66%
Literacy: 98.0% total, 99.0% male, 96% female (1989 est.)
Religions: Muslim 47%, Russian Orthodox 44%, Protestant 2%, other 7%
Life Expectancy: 57.87 male, 68.97 female (2001 est.)
Government Type: republic
Currency: 1 Kazakhstani tenge = 100 tiyn
GDP (per capita): $5,000 (2000 est.)
Industry: oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, iron and steel, nonferrous metal, tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials
Agriculture: grain (mostly spring wheat), cotton; wool, livestock
Natural Resources: major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium
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