Gratitude - Sophie's Adoption Story

I am now joining my fellow blogging adoptive moms. I waited until the last day of Adoption Awareness Month to post our story not because I am notoriously late but because on November 30, 2004 Sophia Grace officially became our daughter. Let me back up a little so you get the full story. I will try to give only necessary details but you know me I tend to ramble so bare with me!! In the fall of 2002 we met with social worker extraordinaire Cindy. This was the beginning of our remarkable journey. After months of meetings, paperwork, and praying we thought we were all set to adopt a baby girl from the Republic of Georgia. By the spring we were given the the time frame for a referral of sometime between June and September of 2003. So we got her room ready and waited and waited. Well summer came and went and we still had no word - until the first week of September when Georgia decided to halt all international adoptions. Needless to say we were devastated however we remained hopeful. But by the beginning of 2004 we knew it was time to explore other options. So in late winter we decided on adopting from Russia. It was strange but I felt sure I was being led to my baby. We were told waiting on a girl would probably take a little while. So once again we were approaching the end of another summer. It was August and I literally wondered how much longer I could hang on. Life for me (and everyone around me) had gotten to be challenging. My sister was getting married and I was a bridesmaid and we all thought my little girl would be home and be a flower girl but she was not. I remember being at Allison's lovely reception and tearing up and Scott telling me it was coming to just be patient a little longer. So we got home that night and I was hungry so I ate, then I decided I needed to take a bath, then watch some TV before finally going to bed. I could tell all my piddling was driving Scott crazy as he kept asking when would I be finished. As soon as the light was out and my head hit the pillow he asked, "Do you want to go see your daughter?" We jumped up and he took me into her room and there in her beautiful crib that had been empty for so long was this picture of her sweet face. I really did not know what to say but I did know this was the baby God meant for me to have. She would turn 1 the next day and her name was Sophia. Just so you know Scott had not told me about her before because he had been working in Atlanta during the week when he received the referral and because of the wedding this was the first time he and I were alone and this was not something he wanted to tell me on the phone. The next few weeks were so exciting sharing this news with everyone who had gone through this with us. We did not travel to Russia until the middle of November - 2 plus years from that first meeting with Cindy. Once in Russia we met up with a great couple from Maine in the middle of Red Square and later boarded Siberian Airlines to head to Novokuznetsk in Central Siberia - did I ever in a million years think I would go to Siberia let alone go there to meet my child. I have to say that I am not afraid to fly but I was a little concerned about this flight. Other than traveling in an incredibly old and small plane we arrived 4 hours later with little drama. This is where we met up with our precious translators, Lena and Olga who in just a few hours later were taking us to meet our children. I can't even explain what the drive to the baby house was like. I had waited for this moment for so long now it was here. I would soon see my Sophie face to face after months of dreaming of her and looking at her sweet face I was now actually going to see her. As Sophie would now say in "real life". The baby home was surprising to me. I had expected a dismal place - gray, sad. But when we entered those doors we were greeted with yellow walls and a rainbow going up the stairs. Upon entering the playroom we saw toys everywhere and happy caregivers. And then there was my baby sitting at a table alone playing with a toy. I was very apprehensive about approaching her. When I sat down beside her and she looked at me she cried and she cried every time we were with her. I have to say this was very unsettling. Scott kept reminding me that while I knew her she did not know me. After 2 days of visits with our emotional child we had to say goodbye. It was not difficult for 2 reasons I was completely overwhelmed and we were lucky enough to be returning for our court date in less than 2 weeks. After being home for just 6 days we were back on the plane to Siberia. Once in Russia we met up with our new friends from Maine and a couple from Boston and a lady and her mother from Rhode Island. We were all set to go get our babies. I had hoped that Sophie would recognize us and not cry - well no such luck!! Once again every time we entered the room she cried. I was so worried. But we went to court and after a little while the judge granted our adoption. Praise God!!! On the morning we went back to the baby house to get Sophie I could hardly believe it was happening. But it was and she cried and so did I. But we were out the door so quickly I was unable to thank these people who had cared for my child during those months that she was not with us. I am eternally grateful to them.
We left Novokuznetsk and headed back to Moscow and completed everything and headed home. Did I mention that after the first 24 hours with us my child stopped crying and began smiling? J from ME said it was like she was a different child. We arrived home on December 7 with more than 50 people to greet us at the airport. It was such a joyful moment that I will savor forever. Something that was unexpected for me was the overwhelming support we received from our family and friends. I will always be grateful to these people and others who kept us in their hearts and prayers. After returning home Sophie had no problems except for hating the car seat. We had no major adjustment problems just some minor I'm in a new place kind of problems. I continue to marvel at my daughter's resilience. The funny thing about my crying baby was that when we got home and she was settled everyone talked about was her beautiful smile. See for yourself.


I will finish this very long post by summing up my thoughts on adoption. After the frustration of infertility and the long process to adopt I praise God daily for the gift of adoption and thank him numerous times throughout the day for Sophie, the experience, my friends and family and all the new friends I have gained through adoption. She is every prayer answered - she saved me when I thought I was too far gone. My Aunt Joyce asked me shortly after we returned home if I ever could have imagined loving someone so much. I said yes because I loved Sophie so much before I ever saw her face. But what I did not expect what the amount of gratitude that would feel. It overwhelms me. God knew all along what our path was and who my child was and how wonderful it was be. This is what I feel on this very special day for our family - grateful. This is what I hang on to as we wait for our Sam - who is in that very same baby house with those brightly colored walls and those happy caregivers. Adoption changed my life. It is a gift from God. God is so good and He has us in hands and I trust His wonderful plan!!!