Thursday, April 15, 2010

We Are The Truth

Last week, a 33 year old single mom from TN had her mother send her 8 year old adopted son back to Russia because of behavioral problems. This sounded like a made up story when I first heard it and I couldn't believe this actually happened. There are many better options here in the US that this mother could have taken that would have been better for the child and the many families that are in process of adopting from Russia. Now, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Child's Rights Ombudsmen have called for a suspension on adoptions from Russia to U.S. citizens. I can't imagine having this happen during our process with Vera. Even harder to imagine is how the families who have taken their first trip and met their child feel. The wait between the 2 trips is hard enough, I can't even imagine.

Today is Adoption Blogger Day - part of the Joint Council on International Children's Services Call to Action - We Are The Truth. We want the world to know that the thousands of successful adoptions in the U.S. far exceed the few horror stories that you hear about in the news. Here is our story...

I AM THE PROUD PARENT OF AN ADOPTED CHILD FROM RUSSIA!

I didn't grow up always knowing that I would adopt a child. But, when my husband and I had troubles getting pregnant with child #2, I started looking into adoption. That is all it took. After that, we knew we were called to adopt a child. So, the goal was no longer to get pregnant, but to dive into the adoption paperwork.

Our plan was to adopt a child from Uzbekistan, but God's plan for us was to adopt a little strawberry blonde girl from Moscow, Russia. We started our adoption process in January 2007, Vera was not even born yet. The process was not easy in any way, but God taught me a lot along the way.

Ryan and I traveled to Moscow in November 2008 to meet our daughter. We were expecting to meet a child that had darker features since this is the type of child we had expected from Uzbekistan. Thinking this type of child might be harder to place and this is the type of child we intended to adopt, that is what we expected. We were shocked when the 4 women at the MOE office showed us a little black and white picture of a girl and said she had red hair! After going to her orphanage and learning all about her, we finally got to meet her later in the day at a Russian hospital. I will never forget that experience of seeing this tiny 13 month old strawberry blonde girl for the first time.

On December 12, 2008, a Russian judge declared Ryan and I the parents of Vera Marie Wolland. Ryan, Kiara, and I spent 10 days waiting for Vera to join us when the decree would be final. Traveling by foot and Metro to and from the orphanage to visit with her are times our family will never forget. Vera became a US citizen when our plane touched down in Chicago on December 30, 2008.

So much has changed for Vera since joining our family. She was described by the doctor at her orphanage as a watcher and a quiet child. She is basically 180 degrees from that now! She is loud, loves to be part of the action, and is a comedian. She has learned to walk, talk, and be a part of a family. She has a sister that loves her more that anything.

It isn't all easy. She is a very strong willed child, that tests her parents every day! But, we love her more than we could ever imagine. God also provided me with extra proof that Vera was always meant to be a part of our family. Strangers will comment on how much she looks just like me!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

She does look just like you Nikki and we are so glad she's part of our family - safe and sound!!!!
Aunt Susie

Marc, Julia, and Cole said...

So happy that you were able to bring Vera home:) I remember following your journey like it was yesterday! And now I get to enjoy watching her grow...

Kathi said...

So glad you shared this, your family has been so much in mind since the news story broke the other day. I'm glad you can share about your little blessing with the rest of the world. :)

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how God works, he had this all planned and you and Ryan did nothing but trust and hope in Him. I am so glad to have Vera in my family! Abby Laible

Amy said...

She does look like you! Just like you -- I have thought that for so long.

Wonderful story!

Dani said...

Oh my gosh, I'm crying! I think I am imagining not having Vera with us. I don't think I should've let my mind go there! This makes me realize that even though I may only get to see you guys a few times a year (and that REALLY bothers me sometimes), that is sooo much better than not having her with us!

I am...... said...

she really does look exactly like you! i love it. cant wait for another girls night! you crack me up!

Nichole said...

Thanks, all!!

I AM...who are you????

Anonymous said...

As I am sure you know, Vera means Faith in Russian. What a beautiful name to describe a beautiful journey! Thanks for sharing your adoption story.

Not a regular reader, just browsing through as I am reading about different experiences adopting from Russian given the circumstance from earlier this month.