Page 1 of 6 12345 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 89

Thread: The words we have been waiting to say...

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    SE PA - Central Bucks County
    Posts
    65,675

    The words we have been waiting to say...

    Alison and I are “more than proud” to announce that at about 11:10 this morning local time, the presiding judge in room 220 of the Tyumen courthouse named us parents of Anastasiya Evans Becker and Alesya Evans Becker. The 10-day Appeal period was also waived. This was actually a triple-wonderful occasion as our girls’ friend Zhena was also adopted by our fellow Bridge of Hope travellers, Heather and Rick. It was an honor to share the special moments with them!

    Court was an interesting experience in many ways, from the pre-session apprehension to the sensory effects of paying close eye contact with the judge and others while they spoke in Russian while the translator simulaniously streamed English into our minds. The judge was a very organized woman with a kind smile, who asked direct questions and expected direct answers. The procecutor, who is the advocate for both the children and the law, was equally direct and supportive. Both the representative from the orphanage and the official from the Ministry of Education and Science made clear recommendation that the adoption proceed. The “two Irinas” (facilitator & translator) did an incredible job preparing us all for the proceedings and clearly love what they do. Since she is 10, Anastasiya also had to appear briefly to answer some questions and agree to be adopted. Despite being nervous, she did a wonderful job and looked quite beautiful in her deep red, velvet dress and white tights.

    After court, we drove to the local MOE office to do some additional paperwork and then returned to the hotel for photos and a group meal in one of the hotel eateries. As I type this (twice, since the Russian keyboard, umm...did something that made the computer “forgetful”), the girls are in the hotel pool with Alison. We have the remainder of today and tonight free as well as most of tomorrow. At about 4p local time tomorrow, we will drive to obtain the girls’ and Zhenia’s passports an get ready for our early flight to Moscow on Thursday morning. Once in Moscow, we have an appointment at the American Clinic for the girls’ brief medical checkup and an appointment at the US Embassy on Friday to obtain their visas so we can return to the US on Saturday. Once the plane lands in Philadelphia, Anastasiya and Alesya will automatically become US Citizens. (Although they retain Russian citizenship until at least age 18 when they can choose to keep it or abandon it)
    -----

    To backtrack just a little, we arrived in Tyumen on Sunday night and had a brief meal with Rick and Heather before retiring to our rooms to re-arrange the baggage. We had to be ready to travel with our donations to the Internat early on Monday. We also learned on our ride from the airport that we would be getting early custody of the children to make for easier logistics today relative to court...a true blessing getting physical custody prior to being officially named parents! Our younger girl had some insecurities about everything, both because she is hyper-sensitive to change and because the children had only learned we were coming for them that morning not long before we arrived. (There are a number of reasons for this, but due to the unpredictable nature of adoption, probably the wisest course)

    After a two hour ride out to the boarding school, we spent three hours enjoying being reunited with the kids, meeting their friends, touring the facilties, enjoying a wonderful lunch prepared by the commissary staff and meeting their caretakers and the director. The caretakers, staff and teachers do a wonderful job with these kids...I can’t say enough how impressed we were with their efforts. We also had the opportunity to hand-deliver some letters to three other Bridge of Hope children who have familes waiting to travel as we have been doing. At the end of our visit, it was very sad saying goodbye to the close friends of the girls but wonderful to be on the road, united with “our kids” forever and moving forward to our court appearance today and beyond.

    I have no doubt I’ve missed some details, but there will be plenty of time to write later. Until then...just smile. We are!

    Speaking of smiles...see below. You can see a whole lot more at our photo site, now open for your viewing pleasure.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  2. #2

    Adorable, Precious........

    I can only imagine how wonderful you and Alison feel right now, they are absolutely adorable.

    Congratulations to all of you, the best times of your life are just beginning......

    And may I be the first to virtually say --- Welcome to the club, DADDY !

    Thanks for sharing this wonderful experience with us, Best Wishes, Tony.
    Tony

  3. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Becker
    Until then...just smile. We are!
    Congrats! What a wonderful story.
    Last edited by Glenn Clabo; 11-22-2005 at 8:22 AM.
    Glenn Clabo
    Michigan

  4. #4

    Smile

    Congratulations Jim! I know you'll make super parents.
    Keel McDonald ><>

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Water Park Capital of the World
    Posts
    2,219
    CONGRATULATIONS BECKER FAMILY!!
    I'm so glad I decided to check in before we head out this morning. I'm in King of Prussia and wish we could have met, Jim. However, under the circumstances, I can wait for another time. Safe trip home for all.

    Karl
    Creeker Visits. They're the best.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Lake Leelanau, MI
    Posts
    2,630
    Jim,

    Only a smile!! I can feel a "Creeker's Smile" stretching across several continents right now. This is a fabulous story and I can't wait to see your photo album. Congratulations!!

    John
    John Bailey
    Sawmill Creek is a member supported forum. Click here to donate.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Lewiston, Idaho
    Posts
    28,504
    Congratulations to the entire Becker Family! Went to the official photo site! Great pictures! Can't wait until we receive word from you that all the official paperwork is done and you are back home! Again....Congratulations! Life is extremely good!
    Ken

    So much to learn, so little time.....

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Vernon, Connecticut
    Posts
    510
    Words seem so inadequate right now- I'm so happy for you. I might add that the girls are very lucky to have such wonderful parents.

    God Bless,
    Bob

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    Laguna Beach , Ca.
    Posts
    7,201
    Mazel Tov! The pictures say it all.....This is one very happy family! Congradulations!
    "All great work starts with love .... then it is no longer work"

  10. Congratulations to you all! What cute little girls and how lucky they are to have you and Alison as parents. From all the ersatz grandparents here at Saw Mill Creek let me just say,


    CONGRATULATIONS AND LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL !!!!!!
    Big Mike

    I have done so much with so little for so long I am now qualified to do anything with nothing......

    P.S. If you are interested in plans for any project that I post, just put some money in an envelope and mail it to me and I will keep it.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Grand Marais, MN. A transplant from Minneapolis
    Posts
    5,513
    Congrats Alison and Jim,
    The new adventures and joys are worth all the efforts and scrifices you've made.

    Best wishes to you all.
    TJH
    Live Like You Mean It.



    http://www.northhouse.org/

  12. #12
    CONGRATULATIONS BECKER FAMILY!!!!

    And what an awesome collection of photos you've accumulated. Just wonderful!! It's nice to finally get to see pics of the girls. Congrats again from the Hart Family!
    ~john
    "There's nothing wrong with Quiet" ` Jeremiah Johnson

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Fort Worth, TX
    Posts
    805
    All my heartfelt congratulations, Jim. Now you're a papa! I saw those two sweet faces, and my eyes filled with tears. I am sure their lives have not been easy up to this point. But you can change all that. Fathers are SO important to how little girls grow up.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    Clermont County, OH
    Posts
    1,272
    Now make sure you up that life insurance....

  15. #15
    congratulations!!

Similar Threads

  1. Russian Workshop Words
    By Jim Becker in forum Off Topic Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-14-2005, 10:26 PM
  2. Words you don't here anymore...
    By Donnie Raines in forum Off Topic Forum
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 05-07-2005, 11:04 AM
  3. Need your words of wisdom!!
    By Royce Meritt in forum Off Topic Forum
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 10-15-2004, 12:44 PM
  4. New Lamp waiting for the LV Spokeshaves
    By Mark Singer in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 01-07-2004, 9:37 AM
  5. Thanks for your kind words.
    By Eddie Severt in forum General Woodworking and Power Tools
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-23-2003, 1:32 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •