Dear Parents,

While many people remember every date, my husband and I are not that way. On our first anniversary we looked at each other and said “Did we get married on the 6th or the 7th?” After ten years we have figured it out, but dates have never been important to us. However, there are two dates we will always remember, April 17, 2004 and June 6, 2006, the dates our boys entered the United States and became US citizens. Many people may think it odd that this is the date we choose to remember, but, it is this date that we know it was official. Court was done, the ten-day wait was over, we had our US Visa, and we finally made it home, it was for real.

The journey for international adoption is not an easy one, especially with Russia. It appears as if everything is always changing, different documents are required, different medical exams, more trips, etc… Every twist and turn brings a different surprise to the trip. Having said that, I could not imagine taking the trip with anyone other than Adopt-A-Child, they were willing to hold our hand every step of the way. Sometimes we needed it more then others, but when we needed it, they were there. We learned how much on our first trip for our first son. We had an itinerary that spelled out what we were doing each day, where we were going, how much money would be required, and what documents were needed. We met several couples on the flight, with other agencies, that had no idea what they were doing once they landed. They didn’t know for sure where they were staying, what their schedule was, when they would see their child, or how much money was going to be required for the trip. We felt very fortunate that we were as well prepared as we were.

I can’t say that everything went smooth in Russia, but I would have been surprised if it did. We had trouble obtaining our son’s Russian passport, and there was a meeting behind closed doors while we waited in the hall. Olga, Adopt-A-Child’s Coordinator in Moscow took care of everything. She kept assuring us not to worry, that they had done everything correct, and by the law, that it would be all right in the end. She was right. We were able to bring our son home on our 13 hour flight we look back on as our “labor”.

Fast forward two years and we are ready to start our second adoption. We didn’t even think about using another agency, how could we? The service and treatment we received, and horror stories we heard from others, convinced us that we were with the right agency. Again there were bumps and bruises along the way, some of them our fault, some of them due to the climate in Russia; it was during the first time the Duma voting to stop international adoptions, and accreditation issues. But again, we were well taken care of, well prepared, and we brought our son home for our second 13 hour flight of “labor”.

And the other day, I was sitting in the local elementary school filling out paperwork for my oldest to start kindergarten, and I write the date, April 17, 2008. It was four years ago that day I had brought him home, and I just sat there in awe and looked at what a beautiful little boy he is, and all the hopes and dreams I have for my son, of the man he will become. That is how I celebrate our homecoming.

Adrienne and Kurt Adams
Alexander Adams b 03-22-03 a 04-17-04
Andrew Adams b 02-06-05 a 06-03-05