It’s hard to believe that just over one week ago, I arrived home with our new son from . We flew into Moscow for our second trip – the all-important court date! After enjoying beautiful spring days in Moscow, touring around and enjoying the sites, we headed to court on Tuesday, April 17th. We were told the judge in Moscow was kind and pro-adoption. Our facilitators suggested that we be natural, answer all questions in court with one or two sentences, and to relax! We did the best we could, but knowing this judge had such an important decision to make regarding our lives, and Kia’s life, we were naturally nervous. At the back of our minds were questions about how she would view our large (7 children) family! Schedules at court were running behind on Tuesday, so we waited about an hour before it was our turn. Upon entering the courtroom, we became even more nervous, particularly because it looked so official! The prosecutor sat to the left of the judge (where a jury would sit in an American court room) in a uniform. On the opposite side of the courtroom were three young women who apparently were recorders. We sat on the left, along with our translator, Philip. On the right, the orphanage social worker, and city official were seated. The judge entered, we rose, and our hearing began. After preliminaries, I was called first to the witness stand. You know how when you get nervous, you forget silly things? Well, I barely tweaked out my name and age, but then slowly did better with each question. I was asked probably 10-15 questions, mostly in regards to our adopted children from , and their adjustment to life in our family. The judge smiled, seemed genuinely interested, and her questions were highly appropriate. When their questioning was done, it was John’s turn to take the witness stand. Apparently the court recorders thought John funny, as they were smirking and joking throughout his entire testimony. John was only asked about 5 questions. After that, the social worker and city worker both testified in the case. Interestingly enough, our concerns about family size were turned into something positive by the orphanage social worker and prosecutor! With so many children, we were obviously well able to provide Kia the needed guidance and support and love! Now, why didn’t we think of that?!! The judge exited to prepare her statement, and within five minutes, returned with her decision. Kia was ours, and we were his! The entire process lasted 20-25 minutes, and actually wasn’t as nerve wracking as the waiting and anticipation had been. And so our 10-day waiting period began. The actual decision wouldn’t become official until that 10-day period was up. We knew about this, and so boarded the plane the next day and headed home. In a little over a week, I boarded a plane again, this time with my mother-in-law, eager to finish up the details of our whirlwind adoption!We arrived in Moscow in the early morning of Monday, April 30th. Kia was officially our son as of Saturday the 28th, but we quickly found out that Monday the 30th and Tuesday the 1st were holidays – meaning no one “official” would be at the orphanage to sign papers, and release him to us. We filled the days by catching up on sleep, enjoying a boat cruise onMoscowRiver, enjoying Arbat Street, visiting Kia at the orphanage and more. Wednesday finally came, and we were eager to head to the orphanage to pick up Kia. Kia was sick when we left Moscow after our court date, and was still sick on Monday when we visited. On Wednesday he still had a fever and a congested cough. The orphanage director informed me that Kia wasn’t well enough to be released that day – to come back the next day, as he would have had ore of his antibiotic by then. At first I was compliant. I was thankful the orphanage was serious about his illness, and was obviously so concerned about his health. However, after a few moments of quiet consideration, I resolved that I was taking MY SON that day. After all, I could have picked him up on Saturday, and here it was Wednesday afternoon already. I assured the doctor that I was quite capable of administering his antibiotic and cough syrup myself – after all, with seven children, I had done it numerous times before! I didn’t hear, nor understand, any negotiations and discussions that took place after my resolute declaration. However, eventually the doctor came upstairs with the medicine, explained the dosing schedules, and I was given permission to get him dressed. As we were getting ready to depart, the caregiver declared it was mealtime, and Kia was whisked into his room for his last supper, so to speak! In less than 4 minutes he was returned, fed and washed up, and finally ready to go.
, visiting Kia at the orphanage and more. Wednesday finally came, and we were eager to head to the orphanage to pick up Kia. Kia was sick when we left Moscow after our court date, and was still sick on Monday when we visited. On Wednesday he still had a fever and a congested cough. The orphanage director informed me that Kia wasn’t well enough to be released that day – to come back the next day, as he would have had ore of his antibiotic by then. At first I was compliant. I was thankful the orphanage was serious about his illness, and was obviously so concerned about his health. However, after a few moments of quiet consideration, I resolved that I was taking MY SON that day. After all, I could have picked him up on Saturday, and here it was Wednesday afternoon already. I assured the doctor that I was quite capable of administering his antibiotic and cough syrup myself – after all, with seven children, I had done it numerous times before! I didn’t hear, nor understand, any negotiations and discussions that took place after my resolute declaration. However, eventually the doctor came upstairs with the medicine, explained the dosing schedules, and I was given permission to get him dressed. As we were getting ready to depart, the caregiver declared it was mealtime, and Kia was whisked into his room for his last supper, so to speak! In less than 4 minutes he was returned, fed and washed up, and finally ready to go.
It was onto the medical clinic for his medical appointment, something required by the US Embassy. We had been warned that it was really a waste of $80, and to not expect a lot from it. That was pretty much true, although we learned that Kia has rickets. This didn’t come as a big surprise. After all, he had spent his entire life in the orphanage, after being born premature at 33 weeks. While we believe the orphanage was really quite good, and there were always good smells meeting us every time we visited, his diet was not really balanced, he didn’t receive vitamins, had very limited milk (only is his tea with milk and honey!), and rarely went outside; all indicators and predictors of rickets.
Our first night home with Kia went well. He ate the baby food we had purchased, wanted to be held by me, got his haircut (VERY much needed – I cut off 2 ½ inches!), and fell asleep fairly easily as I rocked him.
Thursday required a little more paperwork chasing, and then Friday arrived. The big day at the Embassy! We had been warned that it had been very long (weeks, maybe months!) since the Embassy had been able to produce visas in the same day. Apparently they had been having computer problems. We learned this upon arriving back on Monday, and had our church and family praying that all would work out to receive the visas the same day. We picked up passports first thing in the morning, our facilitators filed our paperwork, and then we returned at 1:30 for our interview. After paying our fee, we were called to a window and given some official paperwork. They didn’t really interview us, more than just answered questions, and explained procedures for Kia becoming an American citizen. The wonderful lady then told me to wait, and his visa would be ready in 20-25 minutes! Oh, what glorious words! Tears came to my eyes, and I thanked God for such a wonderful answer to prayer. I pray that His answer will be an amazing testimony to someone – prayers of people are indeed powerful!
Saturday, our day of departure, seemed to come all too soon. I loved Moscow. I was learning more and more of the language with each visit. The Metro was easier to get around on than figuring out signage at any American airport! I loved heading down to the local market and buying the food for that day, and maybe the next. The women who worked at the market were even recognizing me, and complimenting me on my Russian. As much as I was ready to head home, and begin life together as a family, I was saddened to say goodbye to this wonderful country. Given a chance to live in, I seriously think John and I would honestly and definitely contemplate it!
After packing, and cleaning up the apartment, we had enough time to head to Arbat Streetone more time. It wasn’t so much that Arbat Streetwas a favorite place to go (I found it actually somewhat disappointing, especially compared to Izmaylova Market). But, when adopting our four children from , we had their portraits done by a street artist inKiev. We wanted to do the same for Kia, and Arbat Streetseemed the best place to do so. We quickly found an artist to draw, with charcoal, Kia’s portrait. He began, and for a few moments, Kia was happy, quiet, and still (as much as an 18-month-old sits still!). But then Kia began crying. I was able to comfort him, and the artist continued to sketch Kia, while he was in the Ergo Baby Carrier. Again Kia began crying, and this time I couldn’t console him. It was windy and cold. It was naptime. And I think Kia was becoming overwhelmed with everything, and everyone, new in his life. With our flight leaving in just a few hours, this was our last chance to get this sentimentally important task accomplished. At right about the same time, the artist and I both thought of him drawing from a picture on my camera. Thankfully I had taken several good pictures of Kia, and was able to find one that the artist could look at. Throughout the waiting period, we had shared with the artist that I had adopted Kia, and we were heading to that night. Although he had been born in , Kia was Tajik, as both his birthparents were from . As it turned out, so was the artist. Touched by the story, the artist spent an amazing amount of time preparing Kia’s portrait. It turned out beautifully, and will always be a special memento from our trips. Another special memento is the oil painting we commissioned an artist to paint of Kia’s orphanage. We had discovered this artist at the outdoor art market, a wonderfully huge market filled with thousands of excellent artworks. On our first and second trips we had purchased oil paintings from her ofRed Square(a winter scene from our first trip in February/March) and Petrovsky Bulvar (a spring scene from our second trip). John thought it would be neat to have her paint the orphanage as well…
one more time. It wasn’t so much that was a favorite place to go (I found it actually somewhat disappointing, especially compared to Izmaylova Market). But, when adopting our four children from , we had their portraits done by a street artist inKiev. We wanted to do the same for Kia, and seemed the best place to do so. We quickly found an artist to draw, with charcoal, Kia’s portrait. He began, and for a few moments, Kia was happy, quiet, and still (as much as an 18-month-old sits still!). But then Kia began crying. I was able to comfort him, and the artist continued to sketch Kia, while he was in the Ergo Baby Carrier. Again Kia began crying, and this time I couldn’t console him. It was windy and cold. It was naptime. And I think Kia was becoming overwhelmed with everything, and everyone, new in his life. With our flight leaving in just a few hours, this was our last chance to get this sentimentally important task accomplished. At right about the same time, the artist and I both thought of him drawing from a picture on my camera. Thankfully I had taken several good pictures of Kia, and was able to find one that the artist could look at. Throughout the waiting period, we had shared with the artist that I had adopted Kia, and we were heading to that night. Although he had been born in , Kia was Tajik, as both his birthparents were from . As it turned out, so was the artist. Touched by the story, the artist spent an amazing amount of time preparing Kia’s portrait. It turned out beautifully, and will always be a special memento from our trips. Another special memento is the oil painting we commissioned an artist to paint of Kia’s orphanage. We had discovered this artist at the outdoor art market, a wonderfully huge market filled with thousands of excellent artworks. On our first and second trips we had purchased oil paintings from her ofRed Square(a winter scene from our first trip in February/March) and Petrovsky Bulvar (a spring scene from our second trip). John thought it would be neat to have her paint the orphanage as well…
Saturday night came, and it was time to leave Not knowing when we’d be back, or when Kia would be back, it was a bittersweet departure. Our first flight from Moscow to London was nearly empty, and all the flight attendants oohed and aahed over Kia, and our story. After spending the night in London, we boarded our next flight, bound for LA. With Kia only sleeping 1 ½ hours out of the 10 ½ hour flight, it was long and frustrating at times. But we all survived, and Kia was a great traveler, despite being exhausted. On our final two flights (LA to Seattle, and Seattle to Bozeman), he thankfully slept, giving both of us much needed relaxation. Arriving into Bozeman, even though it was 11 PM, the rest of our family was excitedly waiting. Kia handled meeting his family, including seven brothers and sisters, well. They were so excited to see him, and although he hung onto me pretty tightly, he seemed genuinely interested in all the other kids he was suddenly surrounded by! The one hour drive home to Big Sky went smoothly, although Kia cried and struggled to crawl out of his car seat. We had to remind our Ukrainian children that they too greatly (even more greatly than Kia!) protested seatbelts, and it would take him awhile to get used to it.
Tucking everyone into bed that night (early morning) felt wonderful. All the beds were full – two children in each bedroom. Our family, for the time being, was complete and together under one roof. Of course we still didn’t have Viergine and Florencia home from – but we knew that would be a long while yet (unfortunately!). Exhausted from a very long trip, I fell asleep peaceful and relieved to be altogether! The first week home flew by, and with each activity, we reminded ourselves that this was Kia’s first time at _______ (shopping, riding in a shopping cart, going in a stroller, drinking from a sippy cup, going swimming, etc.). He has been such a trooper! The orphanage workers kept telling us how Kia was a low-key, happy, content little guy who mixed into things quite nicely. We hadn’t really seen that at the orphanage, as he was uncomfortable (unfamiliar) with us holding, kissing, playing with, talking to him. But over the past week we have seen how the workers’ assessments of Kia have been so right. Everyday we see a little more of his personality blossom. He plays peek-a-boo, laughs, smiles (particularly when he sees me and Anabella), says “Mama”, “Dada” and “ball”, signs “more”, “all done” and is learning “please”. He is beginning to explore around the house, always checking back in with me. He comes to me when he is upset. He and Josiah have begun playing together, in particular saying “night night” at nap and bedtimes (they share a room). It is fun to see our “twins” (six weeks apart) begin to act like brothers and enjoy each other more and more everyday. Of course that relationship is also developing into mischievous acts together – but that’s all in the fun! Kia will now drink milk on his own from a sippy cup, and has even ventured outside with older siblings to play. He loves bath time (usually shared with Josiah, Anabella and sometimes Lillia!), and sleeps well. On Mother’s day, we were blessed to have him dedicated at church, with friends and family gathered around. These are the highlights that come to mind right now. I will share pictures with you all shortly! Warmly, Kristen
Mom to 8 Blessings (18 mos. - 14 yrs.)
Adopting Viergine (5 yrs.) and Florencia (7 yrs.) from
