Second Trip to Russia

Monday January 18th I received an email that our court date had been set for January 28th, 2010. YAY!!!!!  So we franticly started our travel arrangements and sent off for our Visas.  We took off on the 25th towards our destination......St Petersburg, Russia. 

Travel was not as smooth as our first trip.  Because of the short travel notice we had to take what flights were available.  We left Atlanta, flew to Chicago and then on to Munich.  Upon arrival in Munich we had to circle for a while until we could land due to snowy weather.  Almost certain we would miss our connecting flight, we ran off the plane and on to the flight board to find our next gate.....no such luck, flight was CANCELLED:(  After standing in a line for about an hour to see what could be done, we were rebooked on another airline to fly to Moscow and then another flight to St Pete. After a lengthy walk to another terminal, we boarded our next flight.  Once on this plane we sat at the gate for about an hour waiting to take off which guaranteed we would miss our last flight to St Pete. By this time I'm losing my religion!  Not sure what time it is in Atlanta at this time but pretty sure I had been awake for well over 24 hours.  On top of that, I realize my mom is getting worried about why I have not called yet.  We had a world phone, but due to operator error we could not make the calls go through.  By the time we arrived in Moscow, after nearly 30 hours of traveling, no phone service to call home to a worrying family, noone who speaks English, a missed flight and -11 degrees...I was a wreck!  We finally got our flight rescheduled and were on a shuttle bus to a different terminal and I had had it!!!  I finally just said in a rather loud voice across the bus, "Does ANYBODY speak English" and praise the Lord a kind man from Norway said "What do you need?"  Awww, English....music to my ears.  He explained why we were not able to make phone calls on our phone and so then I dialed my parents.....Well, being the daddy's girl that I am, as soon as I heard his voice I started crying. Daddy's know just what to say to their little girls (usually)...He said "what is wrong with you? You are stronger than this and you need to suck it up".  haha...well, I did:)

We finally arrived in St Petersburg 7 hours late. Sergei picked us up, dropped us off at our Hotel and I popped a benedryl and enjoyed 8 glorious hours of sleep. 

The next morning we headed to the orphanage to see Sasha.  On the way to the orphanage we were surprised with a great treat.  Nina asked if we would like to bring Sasha back to our hotel to spend the night and ride with us to court the next day.....I was like DA DA DA!!!! That's Yes in Russian:)

Sasha was so excited to see us and since he knew we were coming, he had a little suit and tie on for the occasion.....what a cutie pie!

I'm not sure who was more excited about him coming with us to the hotel.  It was great day and God knew I needed some good news after the day before.

Poor little Sasha couldn't wait to get to the room.  The first thing he wanted to do was take a nice hot bath. (he only gets one a week at the orphanage).  After that we went down to the hotel restaurant and had dinner.  He was an eating machine!!

So we had a sweet time with our boy and a restless night of sleep for all because of all the excitement.

Thursday morning we headed off for our court hearing....nervous, hungry(too nervous to eat), tired and hoping for the best. 

Court was good....not anything like you would expect of a courthouse or courtroom. In fact, we were the last case to be heard in that particular location because the building is in such bad shape they are afraid it may collapse soon...I'm glad they didn't tell us that before court:)

After all was said and done we were granted permission to adopt and told we could take custody on Feb. 9th, 2010.

Despite the 7 flights and 49 hours of flying and only 2 days actually in St Pete it all became worth while in that very moment that I heard I get to be Sasha's mama.  

Kevin will leave on Monday the 8th to return to bring our boy home.  The trip will be long due to acquiring passports and exit interviews at the US Embassy in Moscow. We decided for just one of us to go back due to the expense of traveling.

Looking forward to an incredible reunion on Friday night, the 19th!

Comments

[jennifer taylor]

Angie,

I am so happy for you guys!! Sasha sounds incredible! What a trip you had... it sounds so worth it though! He is seriously one lucky boy to have you for his mom!! I am so glad it all worked out!! I'll be thinking and praying for you... I hope Kevin has a great trip! I know you'll be anxious to have your boys home for good! Congratulations!!
love,
Jennifer Taylor

[Jeannie]

CONGRATULATIONS!!
GOD BLESS YOU GUYS!

KISS YOUR BOY EXTRA FOR ME;)