Thirty-two hours from now we'll be waiting to board our first of three flights back to Cebu. Our time in the US is coming to a close. What a historical trip.
Our sweet girl is now officially a Sawchenko! She left the Philippines a citizen of that country, arrived in the US as an immigrant and will soon return to Asia an American citizen. We completed all we came to do. At times we weren't sure it was possible. We had an Alabama home study, Alabama background checks, retained a lawyer, met with our local adoption agency and appeared in court. We got the adoption court decree, Ella's Alabama birth certificate and US passport!!! We applied for her social security card. All that despite going back a week early! It's truly miraculous that we've accomplished this much in such a short amount of time.
I will share more details and lots of photos of our travels from the past eight weeks in subsequent posts but wanted to at least announce that we have made it this far and have essentially completed this process. In all the waiting and preparation I never imagined this part of the process and here we are, done. What a great feeling. We can just go on with life with OUR little girl. She was ours in our minds and hearts since before we met her but there is just something about her status as our daughter being officially recognized.
The best things about this trip have been:
Michella has continued to grow and develop and change and impress us and pretty much everyone else with her personality and skills. She is so deeply loved and we are extremely thankful for the blessing of being her parents.
Our sweet girl is now officially a Sawchenko! She left the Philippines a citizen of that country, arrived in the US as an immigrant and will soon return to Asia an American citizen. We completed all we came to do. At times we weren't sure it was possible. We had an Alabama home study, Alabama background checks, retained a lawyer, met with our local adoption agency and appeared in court. We got the adoption court decree, Ella's Alabama birth certificate and US passport!!! We applied for her social security card. All that despite going back a week early! It's truly miraculous that we've accomplished this much in such a short amount of time.
I will share more details and lots of photos of our travels from the past eight weeks in subsequent posts but wanted to at least announce that we have made it this far and have essentially completed this process. In all the waiting and preparation I never imagined this part of the process and here we are, done. What a great feeling. We can just go on with life with OUR little girl. She was ours in our minds and hearts since before we met her but there is just something about her status as our daughter being officially recognized.
The best things about this trip have been:
- Successful legal completion of Michella's adoption into our family (YAY YAY YAY!!!)
- The opportunity for Michella to build and deepen relationships with all four of her doting grandparents and to meet and get to know many of her aunts, uncles and cousins
- The growth in Michella's relationship with her Daddy. There have been some huge leaps and bounds in their relationship because of all the bonus time they've spent together on this trip. This would have occurred anyway but would have taken a lot longer had Andrey been going into the office every day.
- Working for an organization that allows us to do this.
Michella has continued to grow and develop and change and impress us and pretty much everyone else with her personality and skills. She is so deeply loved and we are extremely thankful for the blessing of being her parents.
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| We love you, Michella Harriet!!! |
7 comments:
So, so, so happy to read this (with tears running down my face!). Love where you guys are and I so look forward to meeting her in person. What an answer to prayer!!!
As one of the four "doting grandparents", I am overwhelmed with joy that this precious child has brought into our lives. God has truly answered all the prayers that have been prayed by many for years for this addition to Jen and Andrey's family. And I praise God for this wonderful gift, Michella Harriett!!
Yes...we have been deeply enriched and we are so thankful for the gift of Michella in our lives.
Blessings as you travel back to the Philippines with a new little American daughter.
Wonderful, wonderful news!!! I am so happy for all of you and it is great to hear that miss Michella is doing so well. I look forward to seeing LOTS of photos of your trip. Take care and enjoy your little girl!!!
Lovefest 2011!
Xo
Congratulations Sawchenko family!!!
SO wonderful Jen!! Can't wait to hear. Love you heaps. xx
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