23 years ago, my husband and I married. We wanted children, but for some reason, they never came. We went through many test. We even did in vetro in 2003 and 2006, but nothing worked.
We decided that if we were meant to be parents it would happen.
In May 2009, I had this intense feeling to look into Russian adoption (we had looked into it before, but for some reason, I felt drawn to it again). I went home and told Steve we have to adopt now. We talked about it again and I convinced him to sign the papers on June 1, 2009.
There were home study reports, fingerprinting, background checks, verification of birth certifications, marriage license, drivers license, passports, etc (the list goes on and on). Each month something new needed completed. After we had everything done, it was submitted to Russia for approval February 2010.
Months go by, a year went by... our paperwork expired in Russia - we had to redo it all.... we did and resubmitted it all... of course nothing changed it was just the process. skip forward to May 2011.
We were anxious to hear something... anything. It had been almost 2 years since we started the adoption process and we were worried this wasn't going to work out either.
May 2011 - an email - they have little girl... . are we interested. YES.... we are..... she is considered SPECIAL NEEDS due to heart condition and FAILURE TO THRIVE.... we take the leap of faith and say "YES".... June 1, 2011 - We meet Olesya for the first time (2 years to the exact date we signed the papers--- some call this coincidence - I believe it was GODS doing!) She is available for adoption starting today June 1, 2011. She was born April l0, 2009.... GOD knew she was there and we were here and waited until the exact time she was ready and the exact time we were ready. We fall in love immediately..... we were in love the moment we saw her photo... the moment we knew she existed... our daughter...clear across the ocean.
June 2, 2011 we sign papers to say YES - we will adopt Olesya. Our visit was over in Russia and we returned to the US
Lots more of paperwork to be completed (5 months worth) before we finally got a court date.... November 15, 2011.
We returned to Russia. We visited with Olesya for the time we were there. The courts approved our application to adopt.... we returned home for our 10 day waiting period.
November 25 we return to Russia to get our girl. We visit her in the orphanage until Dec 2, when they tell us they are full and don't have room to keep her, we can take her today... Dec. 2, 2011 she is ours - in our arms. We are excited and nervous. We are in the hotel for a few more days until her passport is ready.
We board a train to Moscow, then stayed in an apartment until her VISA was ready. We were there until Dec 8, 2011. We left there and because of the time difference we landed Dec. 8, 2011 in NY, USA.
It has been almost 3 years now. There have been good times and bad, but we got through them all. She is a happy, healthy, wonderful, loving little girl. She is THE BEST! We couldn't have loved her more if she had been born to us. She is ours and has changed our lives and the lives of our family for the better.
So if adoption is in your plans, take that leap of FAITH. Listen to your HEART. God will lead the way.
People ask me -why did you decide on Russia - my answer is ---- Because that is where my child was.
Now she is home.........Our journey continues.......
Who wouldn't love this beautiful child!
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