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#1
02-02-2009, 11:55 PM
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At very long last...
It took 2 lawyers, nearly fours years of waiting, 5 separate trips, 5 court hearings, just about all our money, and an unwavering belief that God would answer our prayers, and so with much joy, and relief, we want you all to know that almost 2 weeks ago, we were finally granted the adoption of Skip’s biological brother, Harry, from the Irkutsk region. We were the first American family to successfully adopt a child from this region since late fall of 2005 when a new judge was appointed. It was the most difficult 4 years of our lives, but we put our faith in God, and finally, IN HIS PERFECT TIMING, we are a family.
We are still waiting out our 10 days - it is NEVER waived - and hope to return home in about another 10 days. NOTHING about this region is quick or routine, so 10 more days is just an estimate. Our first court date was Sept. 2008 and it was continued after a full day before the judge. We returned to court 10 days later, and after 4 hours, she stopped the hearing pending interviews with the Russian families who Harry had been referred to. After 7 weeks here, we returned home to spend the holidays with our family, and await a new court date. We returned in early January, and had three more hearings, but finally our adoption was approved. This has been an incredibly painful journey, but it has also strengthened our family, and our relationship with God. Though exhausted emotionally & physically, we never lost sight of the fact that while this journey wasn’t as we had planned, His plan is what matters. I have not been active on this board since, quite honestly, it was too painful. Seeing everyone bring their kids home so quickly (relatively speaking that is) was difficult, and so we put focus elsewhere. Here are pictures of my boys – one for our first trip, and one very recent shot. Brothers separated by circumstances, but reunited forever:
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  *Blissfully Married* to my soulmate*Enjoying* a blended family w/6 grown kids       Skip Our beautiful son from Angarsk,  now 6 *AND FINALLY* Harry, 4 years old. http://lifeasonlyweknowit.blogspot.com/ Last edited by Waiting4Skip : 02-02-2009 at 11:57 PM. 
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Russia Adoption Information
Russia Websites
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#2
02-03-2009, 05:04 AM
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i am overwhelmed.
and i could not be happier for you, for skip, for harry. your story is nothing short of a miracle and i am just overcome with relief and joy for you. i really can't find the words to express my happiness. please know from the depths of my heart, how very thankful i am. and THANK YOU for letting us know! p.s. did you get a sense while you were there that perhaps there is hope for more irkutsk adoptions???
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"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things." Ecclesiastes 11:5
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#3
02-03-2009, 05:19 AM
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Congratulations, what a story of faith you will have to give these boys as they grow up together.
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Lorraine   Mom to: S- my 16 year old son -Aspergers, but doing great! W - my 14 year old son- caretaker to his siblings. P- My 10 year old Russian princess, two prosthetic legs, dancer extrodiaire Home June 2000 M- 9 No legs, one arm, fast wheels!Home November 2006 from Poland!  Dh - Often just another child, but mostly my best friend and a pretty understanding guy.A clean house is a sign of a broken computer Moderator http://momrainefamily.blogspot.com/
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#4
02-03-2009, 05:40 AM
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Hope for the Irkutsk Region
Yes there is definetely hope! As I had mentioned, no American families had been successful in adopting from this region since summer of 2005, and a week after our hearing, another American family - one we've come to know very well during this long journey - was also successful and have ended their nearly 4 year journey to bring their son home! The judge is now being very consistent in her requirements (demands) and now that we've cracked the code so to speak, we are VERY HOPEFUL that many more families will follow!
(Another picture of Harry) - I guess four year wait entitles me 
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*Blissfully Married* to my soulmate*Enjoying* a blended family w/6 grown kids Skip Our beautiful son from Angarsk, now 6 *AND FINALLY* Harry, 4 years old. http://lifeasonlyweknowit.blogspot.com/ Last edited by Waiting4Skip : 02-03-2009 at 05:57 AM.
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#5
02-03-2009, 05:53 AM
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Wow that is such an incredible story. Congratulations and I am so happy for you. The boys are beautiful and I bet after a while the thoughts of the hard times will go away. Enjoy your new family.
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I signed with my agency in November 2008 I started my homestudy in December 2008 I sent in my I-600A in January 2009 I started my dossier in the middle-end of January 2009 I had my last Homestudy Meeting February 9th 2009 I got fingerprints for I-600A done on February 10th 2009 I am done with my dossier paperwork. The only thing I am waiting for is my I-600A approval in the mail and then I am done! I handed in my dossier to my agency on June 17, 2009 but one thing had to be redone so it was officially complete on July 14, 2009. Let the waiting begin!
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#6
02-03-2009, 06:34 AM
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What an incredible tale of perseverance! I am so happy that this part of your journey is almost over and that legally you are now Harry's family!! I hope that the rest of the journey is easy and that you can get home and start enjoying your newly expanded family! SOoo happy for you!
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Jodi mom to 2 amazing kids from Russia
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#7
02-03-2009, 06:37 AM
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Congratulations!
That is an amazing journey!
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SAHM to Twin Boys  Our Journey E A C H "It's not about the Gene Pool...It's about being bathed in love." - J. Hawkins Signed Aug 03--->"The Call" Dec 03 --->One trip region Feb 04--->Home Mar 04 (age 8 mo)--->Re-Adoption Completed Aug 04 Talking and hearing as of April 2008 (age 5)!  DS-G, age appropriate level (end of 2008). DS-L, age appropriate level (Oct 2009).Moved from  and were Ex-Pats/3 yrs in  xfer to  came through late, move in progress back to
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#8
02-03-2009, 06:43 AM
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wow, your story is nothing short of amazing--congrats to you all! Your boys are absolutely gorgeous and their smiles are infectious!!
Wishing you a smooth journey home!!
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Kris Mom to Aleksandr (b. 3-2004, a. 8-2004 Kirov, Russia) and to Maks-Joseph (b. 10-05, a. 11-06 Murmansk, Russia) Our family is complete!!! www.hearttohome.blogspot.com
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#9
02-03-2009, 07:22 AM
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Rejoicing along with you! Wishing you all peace as you set forth on this new adventure. What a wonderful, wonderful thing!
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I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18 March 2006: signed with first agency March 2006-March 2008: many headaches and heartaches March 2008: signed with new agency May 2008: everything updated and ready to go July 2008: paperwork in region December 3, 2008: 1000 days in-process February 2009: Russian hs May 2009: referral! June 2009: trip one July 2009: visit September 2009: court & pick-up!
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#10
02-03-2009, 07:37 AM
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What a blessing that you have completed the very long process. I'm so happy that little brother will be home soon! Blessings to you as you begin the next chapter of your lives together.
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"When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. I have several stands." James Brady http://kretzklan.blogspot.com/
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#11
02-03-2009, 07:44 AM
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OH MY!!! HOW WONDERFUL!!! A TRUE MIRACLE!!!
I am so, so happy for you! Perhaps God used you and your family to reopen some closed doors in that region...but whatever His reasons...YAY!!! Your children are so blessed to have you are their parents. May you now live 'happily ever after'...
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Proud Mommy to two...who have taught me I can not change their pasts but I can change me and the way I parent them~ *Yaya~My Siberian Sweetie ~born in 2001~Home 2002~Now 8 and a 'Tween', and in 3rd grade. She's all girl!!!  *Bubbs~My Samaran Sunshine~born in 2003~Home 2004~now 6, in Kindy and such a sweet, silly & special boy! 'My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, your dreams stay big, and your worries stay small, You never need to carry more than you can hold, and while you're out there getting where you're getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, Yeah, this, is my wish.' ~"My Wish" by Rascal Flatts
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#12
02-03-2009, 08:24 AM
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YEAH!!!
I was so happy to log on this morning and see this wonderful news! The boys look great! Post as many pictures as you'd like (please!). Truly, this is just the very best news. Your adoption journeys were both so difficult and you persevered. How wonderful for your family! Have a great trip home! Christina
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Christina Big Boy (b. 9/1/01 a. 11/16/04) Buttercup (b. 6/8/04 a. 11/16/04) Vladivostok, Russia Every life event presents an opportunity, a gift. You just need to look closely to find it.
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#13
02-03-2009, 12:16 PM
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Congratulations!!!!!! I remember you from way back when. (We adopted in 05, I was active on this board back then.)
Wow, you've been through a lot. I really admire you for sticking with the process for soooo long. You are obviously very courageous and very faithful. Best wishes for a smooth trip home. Thanks for letting us all know the good news! Cindyc
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#14
02-03-2009, 12:41 PM
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That's awesome news! And God bless you for sticking it out. Your faith and perserverance are inspiring.
Dawn
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"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge." Psalms 18:2 Visit our blog: http://journeytomadelyn.blogspot.com/ 6/19/06 Application to Agency 1/20/07 Referral of Beautiful Baby Girl born on 1/3/07 12/18 Home Forever! 08/08 signed with agency for adoption #2 Look out Russia, here we come!
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#15
02-03-2009, 01:57 PM
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Yeah
Congratulations, what wonderful news, enjoy your complete family!
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March 04 Started the process Nov. 04 Dossier sent to Russia Jan. 05 Dossier to Region (Bryansk) July 05 Received Referral of 10 1/2 month old girl - yeah July 05 Trip one - met the love of our life May 06 Trip Two - Court officially named parents June 06 Trip Three bringing our baby home June 06 Home for Good with 21 month old little girl Waiting No More
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