[Military Momma]

O.K. grab yourself a drink as this one is going to be a long one!

I've created a website...(again without all the bells and whistles) for you all to follow along! Since he is offically my son...I can now post the link. http://www.castlebound.com/will/trip2.htm

Here we go!!!!!!

We left from Boston on April 8th on Swiss Airlines. Now the seats were really, really, small and uncomfortable! I really had a hard time getting comfortable. I'm not a small person so it was very uncomfortable. We flew into DME because it was cheaper than going into SVO. ALSO this was a good thing because most domestic flights out of Moscow go to DME. We didn't have to leave the airport which was a good thing. It was the Easter season and the airports and traffic was horrible!!!! We took a connection in Zurich to Moscow and it broke up the flight alittle. It wasn't bad at all! Our travel time was...Boston to Zurich to Moscow to UFA. Then a 2 hour drive to Sterlitamak where the orphange was! By the time we got to Sterlitamak, it was like 3 in the morning! We were beat.

Sergi and Galina were there at Sterlitamak to meet us. WE stayed with this host family before and have become great friends! I would recommend this to anyone! We got great homecooked meals everyday!

We met with Will on Saturday and Sunday, twice a day for two hours! It was great to be with him again! He remembered us and wouldn't let go of papa's hand when the caretakers came to get him.

We prepared for court (April 12th) with speeches and paperwork and went to UFA for court. UFA is a 2 hour car ride from the orphange where we were. Now, it's a closed session with no cameras or videos. UFA is in the Bashkortostan region and takes care of the adoption court proceedings. We were terrified. Our court session lasted about 2 hours with the orphanage director, social worker, prosecutor, our lawyer, our translator, the secretary and the judge! They went through everything in the Dossier!!!!! I couldn't believe it! They had the photos, licenses, birth certificates of Bill and I...Everything!!!! The judge went through everything! When all was said and done....We were granted permission to adopt Will and the 10 days got waived for medical reasons.

The next day...we visited Will while our agencies team did all the paperwork to get the birth certificates, passport, court decree's, and rejections letters of the birth mom. At night...we had a small "Party" with the host family to celebrate our last night alone in awhile! IT was one I won't forget.

On "Gotcha" day, April 14th! I couldn't believe that we were taking Will out of the orphanage! Everyone loved Will and were happy that he found a great home! All of the workers came out to say good-bye to Will and we were off to Ufa and flying to Moscow.

We checked into the Marriott Renassiance Hotel and they had a pack-n-play all set up for Will to sleep. I don't think I got a wink. He sleeps like the dead that's for sure! I had to make sure he was breathing! LOLOL

The next morning it was off to the Filatov clinic to get clearance for Will to travel. We were told by the doctor (russian) that he was healthy to travel but his lower half needed work. (he isn't sitting up by himself yet and he's not crawling yet.) Althought he is 8 months old...he needs to get his lower half to catch up with his upper half.

Then we had the day to explore. WE ended up at Red Square but then it started to rain and Will didn't like the wind/rain that was comming down. So, we opted to go back to the hotel and bond some more. I'm glad that we did. We filled out the forms for the Embassy as our liason was going to the embassy in the morning to get an appointment for us.

The next day April 16th...Embassy....We walked in (no cameras/cell phones/ or video cameras allowed) Gave our electronics to the guard (we got them back after the appointment) and off we went to the adoption window. We waited with a bunch of other adopting families and were called almost immediately! So, we were asked a few questions, received Will's visa and packet for INS in the states, and we were done! It was easy!

Exploring for the rest of the afternoon...we went to Old Arabat Street... If you want to get souviners and such...go here! It was great and alway barter or ask for a discount!!!! They will give it to you! They also take american dollars! We didn't have to just use Rubbles.

Finally...the next day, April 17th...we were off to the U.S. We checked out of the hote, got to the airport and took the long journey home from Moscow, to Zurich, to Boston then drive to our home! Will didn't sleep that much on the planes comming home! We splurged and got Will a seat and I'm sooooo thankful that we did! HE is a big boy and with the Swiss Airlines seats being sooo small....we were able to streach out a bit. He was toooo big (20 pounds) for the bassinet.

When we got back to the U.S. We had to go to immigration for Will's Visa. We were taken aside and while they stamped his passport and his papers...we were done in about 10 minutes. We collected our baggage and headed out of customs.

We were greeted by Bil's (my DH) parents who couldn't wait to hold their new grandson!!!! They were just overjoyed. Will slept all the way home. When we got there.....Everyone wanted to come over. Now I was a bit taken aback as I haven't been able to shower yet and all these people showed up at the house! They all wanted to see Will and I was fine with this! When I put Will down for a nap...he went to sleep in about 2 minutes! What a trip, I couldn't belive it!

Anyways, It was a long journey but wouldn't have changed a thing! Hang in there everybody....Your son's and daughter's are there waiting for you to bring them home like I did! It was the best decision We could have ever made.

Enjoy your ride...it's one in a lifetime!

[bobb e]

Thanks for the trip info.
Looks like you guys had fun.
The Foto here looks like one handsome tike.

Hi, Will , Welcome Home.

[Bcelli]

Are you at the point yet where you can hardly remember life without him? His little face has changed so much just between the two visits. We're so happy for you!

[bobb e]

How come Everyone is smiling all the time!!!!!

[waitinginnj]

Lisa - your pictures are lovely. You look like a happy family to me! A Jumperoo and a walker/acitivity center will work wonders on Will's legs in no time.

Enjoy this special time.

[tobemom]

What great pictures. Congrat's. You all look so happy.... Will is a beautiful baby.

[citymom]

Lisa,
Okay, I won't say the first thing I did this morning was ck to see if you posted pics yet..I did have to pee first, LOL!
I KNEW you would have an updated post to read. You aren't a photo journalist for nothing. LOL! What a great synopsis on everything! You got GREAT photos and the details you included were awesome. Everybody looks soooo happy. I am soooo happy too! Love to all of you!

[britfish]

I am so happy for you! Welcome home Will!

[njmomtobe]

Congratulations!!! What an adorable little boy. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

[Javalita]

With my cup of coffee in hand, I enjoyed this mornings read about your experiences. It really helps to hear these stories-all of us will learn from your trip and be a little more prepared when our time comes. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

Great photos too!

Jeannette

[slm_tbm]

Lisa,

I am so happy to hear how wonderful everything turned out for you. It's a blessing to have Will home safe and sound. He is yours forever!! The pictures tell a thousand stories of two VERY happy and loving parents. I wish you the best and enjoy your son mommy!

Shana

[Ktates]

What a cutie - Will has beautiful eyes - look at those lashes! Thanks for the long post - it's great to hear all the details - like Jeanette said it will just make those of us who haven't traveled yet more prepared. It's nice to know someone actually looks at all these darn forms we are filling out!!!! Although I'm sure it was annoying at the time!
Congratulations!!!

[papedge]

will is sooooooooo cute you took some good pic I did not think of welcome home

[stern]

What a wonderful Story and Pictures! Thank You!

You make such a beautiful Family!

WELCOME HOME WILL!

[doc_2006]

Thank you so much for the wonderful photos and for telling your story in such detail. You have given me so much hope that our story will also be a happy one!

As I'm typing this, my eyes are filled with tears of anticipation and joy.

Will is absolutely beautiful!

Please keep us updated!

Thanks again!
Jill