![]() Gotcha Day And Merry Christmasby bill - 2021-12-27 01:45:28 ( in family, adoption, holmes) [php version] rebuild (2368)Today we were finally able to celebrate "Gotcha Day" with our now-16-year-old daughter, Elizabeth. She and I both forgot on the actual day, December 10th. Her mom, Tara, remembered but Elizabeth was working late, Tara knew it would not work out, so said nothing. Elizabeth called that night from work, saying "No big deal, but we forgot my Gotcha Day!" Tara and I were driving somewhere when she called, so we were on speaker phone. I immediately apologized, and Elizabeth admitted she had completely forgotten, too. With our conflicting schedules, we had trouble finding a good make-up date. A meal out is usually the extent of our celebration now. We tried to go to breakfast yesterday at this new place not far away called Big Bad Breakfast. Tara had to finish some last minute things that morning for work, though, so it was 11 by the time we got to the restaurant. There was a line out the door, and none of us likes to wait, so we agreed to forget it, and went home. I'm purposely leaving out all the drama that went along with that decision. But, enough about me. Ha-ha. Today after breakfast while heading back home -- happily, this time -- Tara pointed out it was fourteen years ago to the day, December 24, that we got home from Russia with our then-2-year-old Elizabeth. So, in a way, today might be considered the real Gotcha Day because we were back on home soil, with no chance of government authorities changing their minds and taking our daughter from us. We had wanted to return home the minute the Russian Family Court said Elizabeth was ours, but their laws required a ten-day waiting period. We were at least able to leave Astrakhan for Moscow for those last few days in-country. When we called Delta Airlines at the time to see about leaving a couple days early -- because we were done with Russia by that point -- they wanted another $800 for each existing $1200 ticket. Even at that price, we were tempted but instead toughed it out those last couple of days in Moscow, almost never leaving our hotel because... well, it was late December in Russia! It would've been slightly warmer in Astrakhan (southwest part of the country), but we had to be in Moscow to finalize Elizabeth's American paperwork at the U.S. Consulate, anyway. Our flight home was on the 23rd but, by the time we landed in Atlanta, it was the 24th. Even though we gained 8 or 9 hours by flying west, it was an 11-hour non-stop flight, so it was the next morning upon touchdown. We must've left Moscow late at night, I don't remember. Talking about that this morning on our drive home, Elizabeth asked, "Did we celebrate Christmas at all that year?" "No," I said. "We just slept... and recovered." Now, we await the arrival of Tara's family (sisters, mother and step-father) for the traditional Christmas Eve gathering. Elizabeth has to work a few hours this afternoon and is taking a power nap as I type this. I had woken her and Tara up this morning much earlier than their bodies wanted. They both stay up much later than I do, but we wanted to get to breakfast at a more normal time, not 11-ish. We had to wait 20 minutes for a table, but it was worth it. We were all getting along -- a major feat these days -- and the food was good. As usual, after eating my omelette, I finished off most of their food, though Elizabeth did want a to-go box for the rest of her toast and bacon. I couldn't finish all of Tara's chocolate-chip pancakes because I just don't like a lot of chocolate. Not for breakfast, anyway. Elizabeth's next adventure is to fly across the country. Alone. Tara's freaking out, I'm sure, but trying not to show it. Same with Elizabeth, I think, but she's also very excited which acts as a good counter-balance to anxiety. The only part I'm worried about is the change of planes along the way, but Elizabeth says she's got it under control. Her cousin Natalia -- who flew to Europe by herself at 16 a few years ago -- will pick her up from the airport. The plan is to go skiing the following day, weather permitting. Jeannie will then take Elizabeth back to her place for a week. Here's hoping everything works out and everyone has fun, and Merry Christmas! similar posts here ... and elsewhere
Comments (We enjoy free speech. Try not to offend, but feel free to be offended.)Leave your own comment:Here is the complete blog of the adoption experience in paperback form, Russian Adoption: From Nashville to Astrakhan and Back (PDF). And here is the fictionalized, future "homeland tour" (action adventure) version in various forms: on Kindle, various electronic formats, and in paperback.This time next week.... Preparation The day before Travel day In the air We're in Moscow Moscow Check out time We're in Astrakhan It's only Monday? What a day... Tuesday (2007-10-02) It's a girl! It's a girl! Wednesday Thursday Great visit Sights of Astrakhan Another great visit Last visit for a while Atlanta! We're home! (10/06) Round two Skora mweh tam boojum Internet access Elizabeth's room Mweh yeddum v aeroport eta ootra In the air again Back in Moscow (11/26) Tuesday (2007-11-26) Back in Astrakhan Russian adoption consultant Comments welcome Showtime! And the judge says...... Success! The day after Saturday morning Much better visit today Beet salad Went for a walk ... Its going to be a good week She's warming up to us Light at the end of the tunnel Picture of us before court More pictures She's ours! The first hours of parenthood Bowel movement Sleep, what a concept Update Nothing much to update about 51-1/2 hours Just another week to go Pictures of our life in Astrakhan Back in Moscow (12/18) Moscow update continued Update to the update's update To the embassy Can't leave early Still in Moscow Riding the Metro Riding the Metro, part deux We're home! (12/23) A few pictures Airport arrival Stay tuned More pics Summary Doctors say she's normal Adoption video Holmes Russian adoption videos Adoption videos updated Our Russian adoption story edit || rebuild || hide || reset image || add images to list |