[waitinginnj]

The words below were posted on this forum almost 5 years ago. Tomorrow is the 5th Anniversary of my court date in Tver, Russia. Caroline just turned 7 last week. She is budding gymnast, she gets excellent grades in first grade, her hair streams down her back in lovely brown curls, she can be too fresh sometimes, she loves to play and ride scooters . . . and she is a wonderfully typical 7 year old. Tomorrow night we will go do McDonalds for a fundraiser for her school to celebrate Family Day. On the 17th we will share Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner - the same meal we had after two weeks or Russian food and a long trek from JFK to our home on the Jersey Shore.

Some of you responded to this initial posting way back when. Some of you don't realize that I still lurk around here from time to time - some of you are in process and I look forward to reading about your homecomings and anniversary celebrations.

The process is a burden. Parenting can be a challenge. But, in the end you, will be a family and it will be one of the sweetest memories of your life.

Thank you for indulging my walk down memory lane.


"Dear Friends - I wanted to share that I am home with my beautiful new daughter from Russia. My beautiful Caroline is asleep in the other room.

We just arrived last night. We were greeted at the airport by a small contingent of family and had to face the trek from JFK to NJ, but we made it!

Caroline is wonderful. She turned 2 on October 2. I just missed getting her home for her birthday. (That will be her last birthday by herself. )

She was was shy when I received the referral and during my initial visits, but once I got custody of her, she continues to break out of her shell daily. She is really only uncomfortable around new people, but comes around within a few minutes. She sat with her Gram last night and interacted well with her new cousins, and she was exhausted at the time. She is still not sure about my dog, but is very interested, so I believe that this will be worked out within a few days.

She has a wonderful smile and a great giggle. She is the definition of flirt. She has begun to pick up some english. She can say baby, hi, bye - bye, she said Mommy once! (usually it's Mama). She points to herself when you ask her who is Caroline, points to me when you say where's Mommy and points to her Aunt when you say her name too. She points to her mouth and her nose too. (A truly talented child)


The trip to Russia was long, but very exciting. We are certainly sick of some of the food and drank entirely too much Coca Cola Light and bottled water. Luckily her region was only a couple of hours outside of Moscow, so it wasn't too difficult to access and the hotel accommodations were nice too.

I wanted to share this wonderful news with you all. You have been a source of great support for me during the last few months of this process. We can't always share everything in such a public forum during the process either - but this is just the first of many great homecoming stories in the next few months!"

[ddahl]

CONGRATS! You came home just as we were begining. Wishing you all the best!

[angelkisses0102]

Congrats...it's amazing how quickly that five years went. I remember when you first brought her home!!

[mcanvasback]

How very sweet. How about some before and after pics!

[MamaChinch]

How trully wonderful !! Beautifully said, too....lucky little girl to have so much love! And lucky Mama!!
Congrats on Five great years! And, I said it before, HAPPY B-DAY C !!!!!!

[mikiment]

Lovely words celebrating a special family anniversary. Congratulations and best wishes as you continue your family life together.

[GCS]

Wonderful update! Thanks so much for sharing!

[skiboo]

So hard to believe that 5 years has gone by. I remember so well the arrival of your Sweet Caroline.

Soon it will be 5 years since the infamous meeting of the Jersey Girls... which means 5 years of friendship, fun, support, laughter and much, much more.

I can't imagine my world without you and Caroline in it. I am so glad that your becoming a family also meant us becoming close friends.

[Drazil]

Congratulations! So nice to hear from you! Your words are beautiful and it does go by so very, very fast!

[heikewould]

Rock on! I remember that post exactly. Congrats. It sounds as if family life is excellent!

[amyfk]

I think I congratulated you on the other board(but dont know... my mind is going.....). But Congratulations on such a special occasion!
Amy K, NJ

[TweetyMom04]

Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!

[Jessi_76]

Congratulations!!!! Your story is wonderful and brought tears to my eyes...