tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424578473351827553.post7410893309802602257..comments2008-06-02T23:09:52.979+02:00Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07511610254321253491noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424578473351827553.post-12142508624205653342008-06-02T23:09:00.000+02:002008-06-02T23:09:00.000+02:00@Angela, congrats, your question gets its <A HREF="http://www.kickpaddlebreathe.com/2008/06/reader-writes-siblings-preparation.html" REL="nofollow">own post</A>!Bob Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10547619013918064902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424578473351827553.post-82556826729736357182008-06-01T00:35:00.000+02:002008-06-01T00:35:00.000+02:00Bob,<BR/><BR/>Thanks so much for the information on minimizing expenses. <BR/><BR/>I have a broader question - what did you all do to prepare Jack for your departure and absence? How did you communicate with his while in-country? Did you have a set calling time? Skype? <BR/><BR/>Anything you can share about this topic will be helpful - our son Luca is pretty close to Jack's age. We weren't sure whether we would take him or not and now are fairly sure he will stay home (GULP!). <BR/><BR/>Thanks for all of this - the info about expenses and your speeches especially.<BR/><BR/>AngelaAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04318549839390644553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424578473351827553.post-25804825531130325722008-05-31T20:20:00.000+02:002008-05-31T20:20:00.000+02:00All, thanks for the kind remarks...<BR/><BR/>@Shannon: thanks, just trying to pay forward your own kindness.<BR/><BR/>@Mark: the agency estimates are fairly accurate for the basic services (room/driver/interpreter), although perhaps quoted a little high for Karaganda. I guess it's better to expect the worst, and then be pleasantly surprised if things work out better.<BR/><BR/>However, as noted, you can see significant savings in food and creature comforts.<BR/><BR/>@dnd82001: Karaganda is really a great place to adopt from, IMHO. It might not be the fastest, but it certainly has to be one of the most consistent. Karaganda has just about everything you could need, and much cheaper than a bigger city (Almaty).Bob Simshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10547619013918064902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424578473351827553.post-43798641794119208852008-05-29T00:46:00.000+02:002008-05-29T00:46:00.000+02:00Thank you so much for taking the time to share all this info with your follow bloggers.<BR/><BR/>Our agency only adopts out of Karaganda so that is where we will be heading. Having such info is certainly helpful and like the rest of the Kaz adoption world we are spending alot and would like to cut costs down if/whenever possible so this does help.<BR/><BR/>Look forward to any more tips/advice you might want to share with us.<BR/><BR/>Darlenednd82001http://www.blogger.com/profile/10678469243810468405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424578473351827553.post-89690744237937021742008-05-29T00:16:00.000+02:002008-05-29T00:16:00.000+02:00Hi guys---<BR/>Thank you SO much for answering our million questions. We too, are budgeting down to the last tenge and boy---it really adds up! This has been tremendously helpful (and reassuring!). Keep the info. coming!<BR/><BR/>Melanie and MarkMarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824682192064920743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5424578473351827553.post-67522607301498033062008-05-28T22:56:00.000+02:002008-05-28T22:56:00.000+02:00Bob, <BR/>I'm convinced that you and I should rewrite the white binder and/or write a little white paper on Karaganda for Jim :)<BR/><BR/>LOVE your posts, really love the pictures with Vic ... what a wonderful family!<BR/><BR/>We're still following along!<BR/><BR/>Shannonshannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13500703307117074371noreply@blogger.com