Our Story....An Adoption Story With a Happy Ending

I always knew I wanted children. I can remember telling my mom when I was little that I wanted to be a mommy just like her. When I was a teeneager, that dream almost ground to a hault. I was told I couldn't have children. Perhaps, one day, with medical help, but unlikely. When I met Michael, I knew we would have a happy life together and we wanted to share that life with children. He was the first to bring up adoption. We knew it wouldn't be an easy journey but on Sept 22, 2007 we began that journey together with our first informational meeting with Wide Horizons For Children. What a rollercoaster ride we were in for!

We were assigned a social worker, whom we now consider a friend. Together we all worked through the countless papers and meetings. In January of 2008 our "dossier" was completed. A few more papers later, and I had completed the first round of paperwork. I was thrilled to send the 5 pound package of paperwork to our adoption agency in March. A few months later we received our referral and in June of 2008, we were on our way to be introduced to a child. A child unknown to us at the time, but a child who has forever changed our lives.

We were headed to Yekaterinburg, Russia. Yeka what? Where was that? Oh, Siberia! Well, at least it was June. All we knew of Siberia at the time was that it is cold, desolate, and very remote. Boy were we in surprise. After 33 hours of travel we landed at the airport and were met by our Russian coordinator. We were brought to a nice hotel and everyone there was nice. The city of Yekaterinburg is absolutely beautiful. Clean, nice parks and walkways by the river. Nothing at all like we were expecting. Yes, we had language issues but everyone was so nice and we managed to go shopping, buy souveniers and even diapers, and have some nice dinners. That week we spent in Russia in June was full of emotion as we travelled the 2 hours south to another city, Kamensk-Uralsky to the baby home. We were met there by welcoming caretakers and a director who was happy to see our son get matched for adoption. No one there spoke English but it was obvious that they loved the children in their care. They told us about our son's background and let us play together. Those two visits were all too short and soon we headed home.

For the next 7 months we updated paperwork as requested by the judge, we met with 8 different doctors, including a psychiatrist and psychologist, and we waited. Family and friends questioned when we might return to get our son. We questioned it as well but all we could do was wait and continue to update more and more paperwork. I can never describe the emotions we had during those 7 months, not knowing how he was doing. We knew he was loved and cared for but he wasn't with us. We had met him at age 14 months and didn't see him again until age 22 months. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and a new year came until we finally had word. We received a couple updated photos and thankfully we could see he was happy. His baby face was already changing and he had more of a toddler look now but he looked healthy and happy. Then the good news came just after the new year. Our court date! We were headed back.

On January 28th, 2009 we left for Russia once again, this time knowing we would return with our son. This time we stayed in Kamensk for the first few days, in a small log cabin house which our son now refers to as the "gingerbread house". Then we spent the last few weeks in Ekat. And yes, Siberian winter is really cold! We spent much of February in Russia. We had court of Feb 4th, 2009 and waited out the 10 day court stay. We spent Valentine's Day with a nice dinner at a Scottish Pub overlooking the river. We even took long walks on the frozen lake and around the city. I may not have enjoyed the cold but the opportunity to experience my son's culture is one I am very thankful that I had. We now have memories, and many photos, that we can and do share with our son. We left Russia after a short stay in Moscow and were home on Feb 21, 2009. That is the day that Michael and I knew we became a family! Today a family of 3!

We have now been home a year. Yes, we have had our troubles but our adoption agency, family, and friends have always been there for us. We have met many other adoption families and will remain in contact with them. We enjoy playdates with 3 other WHFC families that have also brought children home from Russia. Our son has grown 5 inches and gained 8 pounds since coming home. He is happy, healthy, and the joy of our lives. Together we have experienced many firsts as a family and hope to enjoy many more. He has rode in a horse drawn carriage, gone swimming in a lake and in the ocean, experienced many family holidays, gone to an ice hockey game and we are now planning a trip to the aquarium, just to name a few of our adventures.

We now have our son, Colby, and a ton of memories to hold onto and share with him. We not only learned about a new culture but we gained friends whom we would never have met. The women who took care of our son will forever remain in our hearts. Tatiana and her staff helped mold our son into the person he is today and for that we will always be grateful. Our lives are forever changed for the better and they will always be a part of our adoption story.

I can't imagine our lives without Colby. We were meant to be a family and an international adoption with Russia helped fullfill that dream. I wanted to share our adoption story so that you can see the positive side of adoption. We are horrified by the actions of the woman in Tennessee. I can't imagine how she can go through the adoption journey only to return the young boy. Please do not allow the actions of her and the few others overshadow the amazing families that have been created through adoption. Do not let them affect so many other couples longing for a child to love and to affect the children waiting for their forever families and a place to belong. Please look to the positive side of adoption, not the negative. We need the media to see the joy and love that adoptive families ahve and to show the amazing, loving adoptive stories, not only the horrific. We have already discussed another adoption to bring home one or two siblings for him. I would love to have my children share a common cultural background and I would love the opportunity to return to Russia again to make that dream come true as well. Please don't end international adoption between the US and Russia.