наконец!

That means "finally" (actual translation: it is final) in Russian.  We have made a bit of progress on our move.  Of course, it could always get delayed again, but we are pretty sure that it won't this time.  We received our LOIs (letters of invitation), which will allow us to purchase our single-entry visas to get into Russia.  Shane's work permit will be ready in 3-4 weeks.  We are scheduled to leave Doha on September 29, which will put us in Yuzhno around 10 pm on September 30 (local time, of course, it will be around 6 am in Houston).  The packers are scheduled for the 20th and 21st, which means that we will have more than a week in Doha after everything gets packed up.  We are still trying to determine if we will move into a hotel or into temporary housing, and where the dogs will go during that time.  Sounds like fun, right!  Stay tuned...