April 29, 2002

On Friday afternoon, April 26, I received an email that could very well be the beginning of the second greatest thing of my life...I received word that Laine has a 1 year old sister at Samara Orphanage #1...the same place he is from.

In a nutshell, this is how it happened (because I know you're wondering...)

I found a bunch of 12 and 18 month size sweatshirts on sale at WalMart about 2 months ago...I bought all of them in hopes of finding a family that would soon be going to Samara (I've made a huge effort to "stay in touch" with Laine's orphanage).  I found a family...Anita in Ohio offered to take the sweatshirts and a letter and pictures over for me.  In my past 2 letters to Samara, I've made a point of including a picture of Laine and his caregiver...taken in the orphanage (I also include his Russian name).  Well, as the story goes...Anita presented my things and they all looked at the pictures and letter and then the "lawyer" (as Anita refers to her...she's the one who obtains parental right termination) got a puzzled look on her face and they all started talking in Russian...then they took Anita to another baby room and pointed at a little girl in a walker and told her it was Laine's sister.  Natalia, the coordinator (was our coordinator, too) then instructed Anita to take pictures of her (I don't have them yet!) and told her to contact me with this information when she returned to the states.

So...as you can see we have virtually no details at this point.  Her health status is a major concern of ours...we know the mother would have been 42 when she was born...a huge risk factor in and of itself...not to mention the fact of no pre-natal care in Russia.

So...here we go again...the "waiting game" has begun once again...I'd almost forgotten how agonizing it can be.  Almost 2 years ago exactly, we were in "limbo" with Laine's adoption...I never imagined I'd be riding the emotional Russian adoption roller coaster so soon!  As most of you know, this is definitely NOT something we were pursuing.  We had made up our minds that if we ever adopted again, it wouldn't be until Laine was about 10.  Funny...you can make all the "plans" you want, but God always has a different "plan" in store for you.  And He caught us way off guard this time! :-)

Nothing is definite yet...the only thing we know for sure is that we will pursue the adoption of this little girl IF she's adoptable (parental rights have been terminated), IF she's healthy, and IF she is, without a doubt, Laine's biological sister.  We're trying hard not to get our hopes up...there are so many unanswered questions at this point.  But how amazing would it be, for Laine to grow up with his biological sister...both adopted at different times...from half way around the world...and share the same birth mother???!!!

As you can imagine, my phone has been ablaze...I've called everyone and anyone who I think can help us at this point.  The timing is bad...all of the people who would be able to provide information are in a convention in Moscow.  I was told just a few minutes ago by Katherine at World Child (the agency used for Laine's adoption) that she is doubtful we'll have any information this week!!!???  UGH..............

So many of you have already offered me so much encouragement and support...for that, I thank you...you'll never know how much your words of kindness in the past few days have lifted my spirits and given me strength.  For those of you who were so involved with our first adoption, get ready....cause here we go again...

I'll let all of you know something (good or bad) as soon as I know something...I pray it will be this week, but probably not.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers...

April 30, 2002

With a slightly heavy heart, but not in complete despair, I'm emailing to let you know that I have finally spoken to the coordinator, Natalia, of Samara.  After days of trying to contact her at home in Moscow, I finally was given her cell phone number...she answered on the first ring!

The news is not entirely bad... 

Apparently the little girl has been placed with a foster care family in Samara.  Samara is the only region of Russia with an active and successful foster care program.  From what I understand, the family came forward after Anita saw the little girl in the orphanage.

This does NOT mean that adopting her is off limits.  Natalia has contacted the Adoption Center of Samara (the central unit that governs all orphanhood in Samara) and has notified them of our possible desire to adopt Laine's sibling.  They will make contact with the foster family to determine their intentions.  Natalia did indicate that adoption of foster children is not the norm, but it does happen occasionally.  She also said that the judge of Samara is in favor of adoption and she is most definitely in favor of keeping siblings together.

Natalia did not have any information regarding the health of this little girl...she will work on obtaining that as well.  My assumption...and this is only an assumption, is that she must be relatively healthy.  With the economic crisis in Russia, not many families would have the resources to foster a child with severe handicaps and/or health related issues. 

May 1 and 2 are National holidays in Russia; therefore, Natalia feels as if it will take at least a week to obtain further information...it could take longer.

I found extreme comfort and peace in talking to Natalia directly.  She is a wonderful woman who truly cares about the children and wants only the best for them.  She is very special to James and I...we feel certain she will do all that she can for us.

I also find peace in knowing that Laine's sister is not at the orphanage.  Laine received wonderful care, but children thrive in a family environment...I'm hoping she's being cared for by a loving family.

So...this is all I know for now.  As I've said so many times today, I feel certain God will work this out for us...in whatever way he finds best.  I am hopeful for a happy ending. 

Above all, the most important thing is for this little girl to be loved...and if we're not given that opportunity, I pray her foster family will love her half as much as we would.

We still need your prayers...so does this little girl half way around the world...we'll continue to wait...and we'll keep you informed as we know more.

Thanks again for your encouraging words and support.

May 13, 2002

It's already been more than 2 weeks since we received word of Laine's sister...and we're still waiting...the name of the game with Russian Adoption! 

I've spoken with Natalya (the coordinator who lives in Moscow) 3 times total and each time she tells me it's going to be OK...I'm still not exactly sure what that means...she seems hopeful that this will all work out in our favor, but I'm trying not to get too excited.

Unfortunately, as I mentioned in my previous emails, the timing of all of this is horrible...Natalya mentioned that again this morning.  The beginning of May is bigger than their Christmas and New Years holidays combined.  Everyone is taking vacation and it's been next to impossible for Natalya to get any information.  The head of the adoption center in Samara returns to work on May 16th...she is the one that will go to the foster family and explain the situation...and, according to Natalya, will try to talk them into giving up the little girl so that she would be available for us to adopt.  Natalya said that the foster family does not live in Samara Oblast (county), but in a surrounding region...that means they have to coordinate transportation to go there, etc.  For those of you who haven't been to Russia, you're probably thinking...how hard is that...for those of you that have been to Russia...you're thinking...that's a task in and of itself!!! :-)

Natalya was able to tell me a few things this morning about her medical history...none of it seemed too alarming to me...of course, once we get the official medical documents, we'll have them analyzed appropriately. 

Here's the "WOW" news...she was born on January 18, 2001...that's right...less than 2 years between her and Laine!!!  (O Lord what am I getting myself into???).  And...her name is Tatyana...means fairy queen...and a Russian name I've always loved!  So, possibly, we'll have a queen to go along with the king of our house!  :-)

So...there's really not a whole lot to tell at this point...I just wanted to send an email to let you know that we're still waiting and will continue to wait...until we get word to start the paperwork or until we get word that this just wasn't meant to be.

Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement the past couple weeks...I am truly blessed to have friends and family like all of you!

May 23, 2002

I just wanted to let you know that I talked to Natalya, our coordinator, early this morning.  She just got back from Samara and had some encouraging news...

Natalya was able to speak to the woman who made the visit to the foster family's home.  They say that Laine's sister, Tatyana, is doing fine...she's a little small for her age, but we were expecting that!  Natalya also told me that the foster family was informed that she is going to be adopted and they didn't challenge the news!!! Yeah...one obstacle conquered! :-)

Now...where we go from here...

Unfortunately the mother didn't sign off her parental rights.  She abandoned Tatyana at the hospital just as she did Laine...fortunately in Laine's case, she was found a few days later and signed the papers.  The mother is nowhere to be found; therefore, a judge must terminate her parental rights.  Believe it or not, this is not entirely uncommon in Russia.  The paperwork has been filed for the judge to terminate the birthmother's rights...Natalya is not certain how long this will take, but does feel certain that the judge will terminate the rights without any problem. 

Once the mother's rights are terminated, Tatyana will be placed back in the orphanage...where she will wait.

Many of you are familiar with the "registry" system in Russia...a national database on which orphans must remain for 6 months after parental rights are terminated.  During those 6 months, the orphan must not have contact with any member of their biological family...if contact is made, the 6 month waiting period begins again.  This is for the protection of the adoptive parents...and a system I wholeheartedly support...even though it means we must wait longer.

Natalya has advised us to wait for the judge's decision before we begin all the paperwork on our end.  As I mentioned above, she feels certain the judge will terminate the mother's rights, but it really is in our best interest to be sure this happens...as there is a good amount of (non-refundable) money that has to be paid at the beginning stages of the process.

I found today's conversation with Natalya very encouraging and I feel as though we are one step closer to adding Laine's sister to our family!

As always, I will keep you posted...I am hopeful that the judge will make her ruling soon...but, "red tape" in Russia is no different than here in the US.  Please continue to keep us and Tatyana in your thoughts and prayers.       

June 19, 2002

I really don't have much to report...just a little update.

I spoke to Natalya a few minutes ago (she just returned to Moscow from being in Samara) and she informed me that all of the documents are finished and have been presented to the judge!!!  Now we wait for the judge to terminate the birthmother's rights.  Natalya also told me that she does not have "connections" with the judge who will be making the ruling.  Since it's a domestic matter, a "local" court hears the case.  Natalya only deals with the "regional" court who handles International adoption.

On a bright note...Natalya's exact words..."She (the judge) will MOST definitely terminate the mother's rights".  I am praying with all my heart and soul that she is right!!! :-)

Of course Natalya has no idea how long it will take for the judge to do this...we'll just wait it out!  And...I'll be sure to let you know when I get "the word"!

Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement.  This is such an amazing time in our lives...we're so glad you're sharing it with us!

June 28, 2002

Today is a GREAT day!!!

We have officially begun the paperwork to adopt Laine's sister!

Natalya, the coordinator, has advised us to get started...even though the judge has not yet terminated the birthmother's rights. She is so completely certain that this will happen and wants us to be "paper ready" when Tatyana is "ready".

And...we found out yesterday that Tatyana may be "ready" sooner than we originally thought! We were informed that the database registry is only 3 months now, instead of 6 months!!! Apparently, this is a fairly recent change in Russian law. Although Tatyana will only have to be on the registry for 3 months, it will probably still take us 5-6 months to complete the adoption...due to all of the paperwork and legalities involved. But, if you do the math, that means she COULD be "home" with us by Christmas!!! :-)

Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers...for everything to go as expected with the judge and for our paperwork stage to go smoothly!

July 17, 2002

Good Morning!

Actually it's better than good...

I spoke to Natalya this morning...she just returned from Samara and had wonderful news...

Tatyana is officially on the 3 month wait database (means all parental rights have been 100% terminated and she is now legally classified an "orphan") and will be ready for adoption by October!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's highly unlikely that we'll travel immediately once she's off the database, but it will probably be within a few weeks. So we expect the first trip (to meet her) to be in late October/early November and then the second trip (to finalize the adoption) will be sometime in late November/early December! We were hoping to have her home by Christmas...could possibly be by Thanksgiving! WOW! :-)

I don't think there will be many more "updates"...we'll be doing all the paperwork (which is pretty boring!) and Tatyana will just be waiting for us! So, this may be it until we get ready to share our travel plans with everyone!

This has been such an amazing 2 (almost 3!) months...thanks so much for sharing in our joy! We will have many wonderful stories to share with Bryne Tatyana as she gets older...she has already touched so many hearts and doesn't even know it!

Thanks again for your support and prayers...God has obviously been listening!

August 20, 2002

It's been awhile since my last update...most of you know we're just making our way through the paperwork and are still hopeful that we'll make the first trip to meet Bryne Tatyana in mid October and the second trip to bring her home by Thanksgiving!

Just a few moments ago I received an email from my friend, Donna, who is in Russia right now and has just returned from Samara where she met the little boy she'll be adopting.  Natalya, our most wonderful coordinator, took Donna to the orphanage where Tatyana is and Donna was able to spend a few minutes with our little girl!  It brings tears to my eyes all over again just thinking that someone I know has held my baby and has given her kisses...

See below for Donna's email...I'll be sending out the pictures on Friday! :-)

Got your photos!!! It was so rushed and I didn't know I was going until we were all loaded up heading to Samara #2. I grabbed your gift bag for your little girl and luckily had your camera in my purse. I took the entire roll. She is beautiful! I got to hold her, kiss her, hug her and tell her you all three love her and can't wait to get her home. I can't wait for you to get her home!!