Next stop: Moscow

Our next stop is Moscow this morning, where we take the kids on their first plane trip, a practice 4-hour trip for what will be the final exam Wednesday -- the 9-hour flight from Moscow to NY, followed by a 5-hour flight from NY to Denver, followed by a 5-hour drive from Denver to Rapid City. This is not the trip we originally planned, but when the court changes happened five days before we were supposed tobe in Russia, it was the best we could do without having to take out a second mortgage on this adoption.

We are staying at the Hotel Ukraina, at least that is the plan, but we are hoping they provide cribs, breakfast, and Internet access, so we can keep communicating. If you don't hear from us for a bit, don't worry. we'll find a way to post, even if it means going somewhere else.