Our long journey has come to an end and we arrived (safely) home last evening. The drive to the Moscow airport was uneventful. Getting to our departure gate, however, took some time. There were multiple security checks, one of which included an open search of everyone’s bags. We were happy to see that Victoria maintained her excitement about flying right up to boarding for our flight. Unfortunately, that’s about where her excitement ended. She clearly likes the concept of flying much more than the reality of it.
There was a slight bump during take off and it set her off for what was a very stressful flight home (for all three of us…and likely a number of folks around us). Of the 10 hour and 20 minute flight, she was crying for at least 5 hours. Everyone around us (including the flight attendants, as well as our friends Chris and Daniela), were very nice in helping…but, nothing seemed to do the trick. We all endured and the flight was otherwise uneventful.
As we landed, the clock showed 2:14pm and Victoria officially became a US citizen. We worked our way through immigration (completing her immigration paperwork), baggage claim and finally passed customs. With hugs, we parted ways our friends Chris, Daniela and Sasha. Exhausted, we then turned to our left and exited the terminal where we were met by a number of our family members. Smiles, hugs, kisses, and presents….relief…we were finally home and Victoria had a chance to meet some of the family members that we have been talking with her about.
At about 8pm, our little girl finally arrived at her home…our home. As we walked her through the house, she finally saw the house that we showed her pictures of. We saved her bedroom for last….her giggles and smile were priceless. She could not believe that this was really her room, her bed, her bathroom, her toys, her home…
There are so many people to thank for their continued support, prayers, kind words, assistance. While words simply do not seem sufficient, we want to thank each and everyone from the bottom of our hearts. While this closes one more chapter in the book of our lives, the rest of the book is about to unfold before our very eyes…
There was a slight bump during take off and it set her off for what was a very stressful flight home (for all three of us…and likely a number of folks around us). Of the 10 hour and 20 minute flight, she was crying for at least 5 hours. Everyone around us (including the flight attendants, as well as our friends Chris and Daniela), were very nice in helping…but, nothing seemed to do the trick. We all endured and the flight was otherwise uneventful.
As we landed, the clock showed 2:14pm and Victoria officially became a US citizen. We worked our way through immigration (completing her immigration paperwork), baggage claim and finally passed customs. With hugs, we parted ways our friends Chris, Daniela and Sasha. Exhausted, we then turned to our left and exited the terminal where we were met by a number of our family members. Smiles, hugs, kisses, and presents….relief…we were finally home and Victoria had a chance to meet some of the family members that we have been talking with her about.
At about 8pm, our little girl finally arrived at her home…our home. As we walked her through the house, she finally saw the house that we showed her pictures of. We saved her bedroom for last….her giggles and smile were priceless. She could not believe that this was really her room, her bed, her bathroom, her toys, her home…
There are so many people to thank for their continued support, prayers, kind words, assistance. While words simply do not seem sufficient, we want to thank each and everyone from the bottom of our hearts. While this closes one more chapter in the book of our lives, the rest of the book is about to unfold before our very eyes…
Steve,
ReplyDeleteChris here, I am glad to here that you all made it home and that Victoria is adjusting well. We miss you guys and our friends have noticed that just about every story that we have contains at least a reference to at least one of you guys. Keep posting pictures so that we can see her progress.
Love you guys and you will always have a special place in our hearts because you were there with us to share this amazing experience.
Yaaayy! Welcome back home! I can't wait to meet Vika. She sounds so sweet. I can't even imagine what it's like for her to come home and find out that she has her own room, bed, bathroom, etc. She must be tickled pink!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and welcome home - I'm so happy for all three of you. Thanks for the blog - it definately helped all of us to feel a part of your journey. Claire Smith
ReplyDeleteHooray, Welcome Home to ALL of you!! It was very nice to catchup on your saga and now we know that your relaxing near home through the weekend with your new daughter (citizen!) Victoria. Your sure to have loads of fun now showing her your world in USA with much more familiar things for you to share. Her unique views will be wonderful addition as she is getting to know her expanded family now. Whew, Congratulations!! -DS
ReplyDeleteCongrats again!!! Thanks God, the trip is over and you're back home safe and happy. One thing to share with you - my daughter became a US citizen at the age of 8 (she automatically became a citizen once we became citizens in 1995); once she turned 18, we got a formal paper certificate for her from the INS. It makes us feel secure. --Irene
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