Wednesday, February 16, 2011

A little secret......

Well, I have a little secret.....We're in Russia! To get Charlie! I know, I can't believe it either.....Let me explain. For no rhyme or reason, the Judge decided to hear our case. Well, we all know the rhyme and the reason, your prayers, thoughts, petitions and requests on our behalf. The time has finally come!
Our agency advised (more like demanded) that we keep this information off ALL public sites and our blog. We feared the Judge's motives (were we going to be the "example" closing the region to Amercia officially?) or would she change her mind if we became a burden?  So we decided that silence was the best answer. Trust us, we wanted to shout it from the roof tops!
After 25 loooong grueling days in Russia we are heading home tomorrow.....We couldn't be happier. At the orphanage, Charlie was very leery of us. After all, almost a whole year had past since he saw us last. He had gotten so big! We visited as many times as we could, but still not a lot of progress.
Court was on January 27th. Court session was brief, to our surprise. We throughly covered the Torry Hansen case and other abuse cases in our speech and it didn't come up again in the lines of questioning. After Chad gave a long speech and I, a shorter version, the questioning began. How would we raise our son? When would we return to work? How would we preserve his heritage? She went into chambers and 5 minutes later, returned with the verdict- "DA!"
Then the 10 day wait began. It actually wasn't as bad as we thought. Our host family planned almost daily outings for us- shopping, trips to the mall, site seeing, and of course trips to Idritsa....She even cooked and cleaned for us, so really it was like a long vacation.
On February 7th, we finally made it to the day we had been waiting for for so long! A-day! Charlie cried in the car for about 5 minutes, then took to looking around, followed promptly by a 2 hour nap back to Pskov. When he crossed the threshold to the house, he almost instantly transformed into a new kid. Laughing, playing, running. And he hasn't stopped. He is such a joy....
We took care of some details in Pskov, like getting his passport! And on the 10th took the overnight train to Moscow. It was o.k. Our mantra has been "survive". We were greeted in Moscow by record breaking cold and wind. It is crazy cold here! Our site-seeing has been almost null, and we have been enjoying being pampered- lovely fluffy beds, great (but CRAZY EXPENSIVE) food, and daily swims in the indoor pool. It's been like our first family vacation.
On Valentines Day we had our last big hurrah- our appointment with the US Embassy, where we got Charlie's visa to enter back into the states. Today, we sit and wait. One More Day. Then we start our lives together as a complete family!
Sorry for the double life we've been living....we hope you understand our situation and know that this was in Charlie's best interest. I hope you'll forever me if I give you a picture of our angel.....

42 comments:

  1. Fantastic! I was just thinking about your family this morning as I was dressing our new one. I was hoping that you would be doing the same soon, and here you are in Moscow as well! What a secret to keep, but so worth it. Whatever it takes, right? We are headed home on Thursday as well. On a Delta flight from SVO to Atlanta. Would love to say hi if you happen to be there also. trisha.tylick@gmail.com

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  2. Sarah....OMG!!! This e-mail brought tears to my eyes and absolutely made my day!!! I have been thinking about you all since I knew Americans were getting court dates in Pskov now. And it looks like you all may have been the first. Your family is beautiful and Charlie is adorable - I love his lips and eyes! God is so good!! Blessings to you for a safe trip home and an amazing, much deserved homecoming!!!

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  3. LAUGHING OUT LOUD!! That is too funny and absolutely the best secret I have heard in a long time!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!! HE IS PRECIOUS! CONGRATULATIONS!! Praise God!

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  4. That is like the best news ever....Oh my Gosh I am so incredibly happy for you whole family..Wow,wow,wow that"s like the only thing I can say. I was thinking of you every time I went to read blogs and I didn't see you post anything. Wow again sorry I am just so taken back.CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. CONGRATULATIONS! So, so happy for all three of you . . . what a true blessing! *big hugs*

    Charlie is adorable!

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  6. Congratulation's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I am so happy for you and Chad. I completely understand why you did not write any post's. Charlie is so adorable, you have walked through fire to get you son home, again congratulation's and god bless...

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  7. I'm crying for you!!!!! This is such great news! I'm kind of glad you made you us wait! This is so exciting! Charlie is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! PERFECT!!!!! Enjoy the journey home!

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  8. Absolutely AWESOME!!! God is good!!! So happy that you finally have your little boy!!! May all the waiting and be a distant memory and your life as a family of 3 be nothing but WONDERFUL!!! FINALLY!!!!!! =)

    CONGRATS!!!

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  9. Sara, God is so good! I know you've been waiting so long for this!!!!! Congratulations Mom and Dad!

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  10. How totally AWESOME! Congratulations on becoming a family with little Charlie! Have a great trip home!

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  11. Could not be more excited for you all! So so happy for you! I was wondering why we had not seen any posts lately but I truely understand now. Congrats to you all on becoming a family of three! Charlie is precious! Thank you for sharing his picture with us! He is very handsome! Again so very happy for all three of you! Can't wait to continue to read your updates after you get home!

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  12. WHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Tears are pouring down my face as I read this!!!!!!!!! I just can't believe it!!! I think of you guys ALL the time and thought your blog has been very quiet but just thought there was no news and nothing good to post about!!!! I am screaming from the roof tops here in Alabama for you!!!!!!!!!!!! I must have known something in the back of my mind as my Feb 1 post on my blog is hoping and praying to hear good news from you guys and HERE it is!!!!!!!!!!!! ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW..........And Charlie is absolutely beautiful!!!!!!!!! Enjoy your last day in Russia and safe travels as you travel home and begin your lifes together as a family of 3!!!!!!!

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  13. Oh my goodness, PRAISE THE LORD! I am so excited for you all! Congratulations family of three!!!!

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  14. I am crying for joy!! I am so happy for you guys!!

    Love, Megan D

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  15. I was just thinking about you guys yesterday and wondered what the latest was! This is even better than I had imagined. Thank you for sharing such good news with us. Congratulations!

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  16. Congratulations! I am so excited for you guys! I can wait till I get to meet Charlie!

    --Todd Handell

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  17. Praise the name of the LORD Most High!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, He is mighty to save! So Stinkin' excited that you guys have him and are almost home! Your patience and commitment have ended in the best way imaginable! So excited!!!!!

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  18. I am crying tears of joy right now. Even though we have never met I feel like I know you guys so well. I have prayed for this day time and time again. I am tickled to death over this. I wish you and your family so much happiness and love. What a fantastic way to begin 2011!!
    Melissa

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  19. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great way to start my day! If you gotta keep it on the Down Low, then that is just what you have to do! Congrats!!! He is a doll!!!

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  20. Wow, I could just jump for joy for you!!! Congratulations. Charlie is adorable! God is so good!

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  21. OH MY GOODNESS! All I have to say is: God is GOOD!!!!! SOOO happy for you all! :) Kacey

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  22. Love it! I'm sitting her in tears I'm so happy for your family. Such a wonderful surprise.

    And Charlie is such a handsome boy. Can't wait to hear more about your adventures as a family of three.

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  23. Praise the Lord! What wonderful news:) Iam SO happy for your guys, and OF COURSE all can forgive the secretiveness!! Can't wait to get more updates on your new life together as a family of 3!

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  24. OH MY GOSH!!! I am so excited for you!!!!!!!!!! I was just wondering the other day what had happened to you guys, I hadn't seen a post in a long time! Wahoo!!! He is adorable! Can't wait to hear more about your adventure.

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  25. I am so happy for you guys!!! I can't remember how I stumbled across your blog but I have been praying that Charlie would come home soon.

    We brought our son home from Moscow Region on March 6th and he is such a joy. Although our process was much quicker and easier than yours I promise it will be worth everything you went through :)

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  26. THANK GOD!!! We are so happy for you guys!!! We did hear a little rumor from Jen and Jesse that you were in Russia, so we have been praying for all of you. We are so happy that it all finally worked out for you guys. Charlie is adorable and we couldn't be happier for you. Your post brought back a lot of memories of our 25 days spent in Russia last summer as well. It is a long time, but so worth it as you already know. Wishing you all the best!!! :) Sabrina

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  27. This is the BEST news! God is GOOD and I'm so glad that you're all finally headed home together! Godspeed on your travels, and YAHOOOOOOOOO!

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  28. Congratulations! You finally got Charlie! Yea!! It is so good to hear from you. Now, keep posting, please.

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  29. I've been following your blog for awhile now. I believe your are in upstate SC somewhere and I am in Charlotte. So very happy for you to have your son. I know it has been a long journey but he is worth every minute you waited. Truly a blessing! I am waiting for my travel dates to meet my referral. Best of luck to you.

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  30. OMG!!! This made me cry!!! I have thought of both of you so often and wondered how you were able to remain so strong! I can't even imagine the pain you went through! But now he is FINALLY YOURS!!!! Congratulations! So very happy for you!!!

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  31. Chad and Sarah.....the BIGGEST CONGRATULATIONS TO NOT ONLY YOU TWO BUT ALSO TO CHARLIE! You are such an inspiration that you kept your faith in Charlie and the adoption process.

    Yes, Russia is CRAZY EXPENSIVE! And yes, you just have to survive over there - although it sounds like you had an amazing suport system with your host family.

    The embassy really surprised me...I thought that it would be much more GRAND for some reason...Ha!

    Cannot wait to follow your story once home. Safe travels to you all!

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  32. OH MY!!!!! I AM SO SO GLAD TO HEAR THIS WONDERFUL NEWS! I know you guys and Charlie have been on so many hearts for so long- and I am just in awe of our God- HE IS FAITHFUL!!! Many blessing for your little family! <3 <3 Summer & Lance Sims
    www.what-faith-can-do.blogspot.com

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  33. There are lots of words that could be said..congrats, YEAH, Good for you, etc, but I think it's best said with AMEN!!!
    Can't wait for more pics of Charlie and the trip!!

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  34. Congratulations!!!!! I can't believe it - I'm glad he is finally in your arms! Happy and safe travels home -

    Victoria

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  35. YAY!!!! He's BEAUTIFUL!!! This makes my day. <3

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  36. Congratulations! It is so wonderful to hear that you finally are able to bring Charlie home. I'm looking forward to more posts about your adventure as a family. Thank you for sharing!

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  37. YEA!!!!! I've been praying for you guys everynight before bedtime!! God is Good. ave a safe trip home and congrats! your new life as a family can start

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  38. I was JUST coming to check on you!!! knew something was up..you haven't blogged in FOREVER! OH MY GOODNESS!!! How happy I am for all 3 of you. HE IS BEAUTIFUL!!!

    Congratulations. God is GOOD, GREAT, AWESOME!!!
    Kristine

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  39. I am sooooo happy for your guys!! I have been following your blog for some time now...Blessings to your family=)
    Leigh Ann Cagle
    www.thecagles.blogspot.com

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  40. What a wonderful surprise !!! Our thoughts and prayers have been with you as you kept the faith and waited. SOO very thrilled for you to finally bring your sweet boy home !!! Congratulations !!!

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  41. God is so good..he has answered my prayers this year..welcome home charlie i cant wait to follow his life with you guys..

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  42. THRILLED for the 3 of you ~ what an incredible journey!!! 2011 is starting out with a bang! It's only February and so many prayers have been answered. Charlie deserves such awesome parents, and you deserve such an awesome son!

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