4 years ago . . . a Forever Family!

Today is "Adoption Day" & Tomorrow is "Gotcha Day"!

I can't believe it has been 4 years since I walked into a court room in Kemerovo City, Kemerovo Region, Russia (south central Siberia) and said "da" (yes) to being Mama to Artyom Victorovich/Nicholas Ivan, the most amazing, perfect child!!!!

I can still remember every single minute of that court hearing . . .
. . . the coordinator calling my name, the quick "this is it" joyful smile & glance to my cousin (Dalend, my rock!), the "I know" nod of his head & smile, the pounding of my heart, the click-click of my heels on the hallway floor - - And then, finally, walking into the court room.
. . . the prosecutor seated behind the desk, shuffling papers.
. . . the state guardian's smile as I stood in front of everyone.
. . . the kind eyes of my translator trying to make it as comfortable as possible (she stood next to me & one step behind me) ready to help me understand in any way she could.
and . . . of course . . . the Judge. Her stern look and steady questions, one after the other, never showing the slightest hint of emotion until after the verdict. Once the decision was made, she smiled & congratulated me; and stated I should bring Nicholas back to Russia one day to visit his homeland. She called him by his new name, Nicholas. It was the 1st time anyone on the Russian side of these proceedings called him by his new name. The way she said it still rings in my memory.

I was prepared for tough questions - - my single parenthood choice, my age, etc. And, as my translator, Gwyena, and I had practiced and prepared the day before . . . at least a 1-2 hour duration of tough questions to be answered as best I could, remembering all the "politically correct" terminology. But . . . it was relatively painless, lasting only 30 minutes. In hindsight, I believe, God's hand was upon that court hearing. He understood my naive mother's heart and honored my passionate spirit to become a parent.

What a defining, precious moment in time! I close my eyes and the memories of those 2 precious days come flooding back. Some memories remain as vivid today as the moment they occurred. Those memories are locked in time. I still can hear the judge pronounce her decision - - I was the mother of Artyom, of Nicholas - - I had a SON. Beautiful words . . . never to be forgotten!

The next morning, 9/17/04, endlessly waiting to return to Baby House #2 to FINALLY hold my baby boy forever, FOREVER! It was so bittersweet for his wonderful caregivers. At such a young age - the end of one chapter of life - beginning a new one! I remember him innocently toddling hand-in-hand, down the broken sidewalk between mama and the coordinator . . . unaware of the significance of the moment . . . walking out of the baby house . . . holding his future by one hand (mama) and his past with the other hand (coordinator) . . . America on one side, Russia on the other.

I just take a moment and stop today, reliving the memories of that special, precious time. 4 years later, the memories and feelings are just the same. I now look at my 5 yo little boy sleeping . . . and I remember the 20 mo, baby boy placed in my arms.

Beautiful little baby boy, Tyoma!

I have tried to find the perfect picture that shares my feelings for these 2 special days . . . I think the below series of pictures depicts it best . . . that "moment" when Nicholas was placed in my arms, FOREVER!

Enjoy the memories . . . !



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