It's wonderful when a miracle happens. You're going along one day, thinking it's just another ordinary day, not knowing that everything, and I mean everything is about to change. Miracles can often start as a mistake, at least that's the way it seems at first. Really, greater powers are at work. My Aunt Regina had just died, and I was very upset because we were close. She was a world traveler and about to take one more journey with me. But she hadn't left me. She wasn't going anywhere until she knew I was okay. They say when God closes one door He opens another. My husband and I were about to have a door opened.

When we first started our adoption journey, we went through the standard application and home study process. I had spoken to a woman who had adopted a baby from Russia. She suggested that we have all our paperwork done for one or more children. Even if we eventually only brought one child home we would be prepared if something else came up. So I did just that; our application for visas, home study, and even our application to Frank Adoption Agency, then Victoria Adoption Agency; indicated that we wanted to adopt two children, preferably siblings. Well, sometime after that, my husband and I had a heart-to-heart talk and decided that perhaps we were biting off more than we could chew. I called the agency with a heavy heart and told our caseworker that we'd changed our minds and now only wanted to adopt one child, she said, "no problem." It's not unusual for couples to change their minds during the process.

We finally got our dossier put together and sent it to Victoria who informed us that they'd start the referral process immediately with a possible travel date in early June. Again we found this difficult because my husband Bert, a schoolteacher, was not able to travel until after the school year had ended in mid-June. So our caseworker said she'd have to put off referrals until we were ready to travel at least within two weeks. As I prepared myself for a month's wait, I got a call from Victoria saying they wanted to send a referral of twin boys. Well, I was shocked . . . I told the person from Victoria that we didn't expect this for several more weeks, and that we'd changed our minds about two children. She told me that my regular caseworker was off on vacation and that she had received the video of the twins and went through the applications on file and saw that we had requested siblings. She asked if we wanted to see the medical information and the video. She assured us we did not have to accept the referral, and we could send it back after we saw the video if we felt it was not right for us.

We received the video, and all I can say is that's all it took. One look at these two beautiful twin boys, both so completely different in coloring and build, we knew we wanted these children. My husband and I watched that video probably 20 times that night, but it was never with a question as to whether or not we should adopt them, but how beautiful our two new sons were. I called Victoria the next day and let them know we wanted those boys. Victoria informed up we'd have to be able to travel in one week. My husband said there was no way he could get off from work but said, what the heck, he'd ask. No problem - everyone at his work and mine were overjoyed for us and more than supportive. That hurdle was crossed.

Now the reality . . . we knew we could get the funds together for one and had been preparing for just that, but now the cost escalated, and we were struggling to get the funds together. We wanted these children so much that I was willing to even try cash advances from credit cards if we had to. But I realized that would put us, and our new family, on pretty shaky financial ground. I convinced myself that it was too much of a burden to place on us at a time when so much was going to be changing. So in tears I called Victoria to say that we probably would have to pass on the twins. It was then that Jody Scortino at Victoria suggested A Child Waits Foundation. She gave me the number of Randy and Cynthia and told me about their program, and it sounded like the answer for us. If there was ever a doubt, I knew that God was truly at work now.

Randy and Cynthia were great. They sent me the application, and we were able to get together the information in a few days and sent it back. We were approved, and I immediately let the Victoria agency know they could finalize the referral. What a blessing! What a huge relief! What an incredible culmination of past events!

The rest of our story reads much like others who have made the adoption journey to Russia. I can't say too much about the wonderful people in Russia. They were nothing but kind, courteous, friendly, and helpful. They will be in my prayers forever, and I thank them for taking such wonderful care of our children. So our physical journey began:

June 4, 1998: We are packing and sorting and repacking and resorting for the big trip to Moscow. The amount of stuff necessary to make this trip is incredible. Mostly baby stuff; my husband and I pack the bare minimum for ourselves. We are so excited that everything has come together to make this happen but we still have not really had the chance to let it sink in. We had less than a week to really seriously prepare. Probably just as well since I'd probably have been a basket case if I'd had too much time to think about it.

Friday, June 5, 1998: We leave from Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., for our connecting flight on Delta at JFK in New York City. Something told me to try and get a lot of rest on this flight because we may not have the opportunity again for some time.

Saturday, June 6: We arrive in Moscow and now the real fun begins. We go through initial clearance showing our passports and visas. Our plane has arrived very early in the morning so luckily there are no lines. We then wait for our baggage. I'd heard you're lucky if all your luggage makes it, so I guess we were . . . all seven bags! Yes, certainly greater powers are at work. Next stop, customs. No problem there either, even though it seemed we were declaring a large sum of money, this did not seem to matter, and they did not ask to open our luggage. Finally we're through the customs gate and try to locate our coordinator from Frank Foundation. No one. As our adrenaline begins to increase we begin to notice other couples like us sticking out in the crowd of natives. We approach and "yes, American," and as luck would have it also waiting for the Frank Foundation coordinator. Well, I immediately felt relief . . . something about safety in numbers? We knew we hadn't missed our connection . . . just about another half hour, and the Frank coordinator arrived. We all packed into a van and off on a hair-raising ride through downtown Moscow. For our first look, the city seems like just about any other large American city . . . lots of traffic!

It was spring, and a tree similar to a cottonwood was in bloom, and the streets were filled with a down-like substance floating in the air. It gave you the sensation of snow in 80-degree weather. The van took us to Jean, our hostess for our stay in Moscow, and we couldn't have been more pleased. Jean spoke a little English which made it easier for us. Also on that first day she took us on a two-hour walking tour of Moscow, which not only wore us out but gave us time to see a little of the city before being parents. Probably the last real time we spent together before becoming parents. Let me say that the food we were served in Russia was always very delicious and prepared very well. Jean in her small apartment was very accommodating, and I'd like to think we became friends while there. This was also our first experience with the Russian "White Nights" light until about midnight, then 4 hours of dark, and light again about 4:30 in the morning. Needless to say, this messed up our inner clocks.

Sunday, June 7: Yuri, our Moscow coordinator, picked us all up, about six other couples for a flight to Ekatrinburg, Siberia, Russia in the Ural Mountains. The plane we were on seemed pretty old, but we made it safely, and the group was separated and taken to host families for what would be our journey to Nezhiny-Tagil the next day. We again stayed with a very nice family. Olga and her son were extremely nice to us, especially Olga without whom I'd probably not have made it. Thank God for Olga!

          

Monday, June 8: When arriving in Ekatrinburg, we were all assigned our coordinators, translators, and drivers for the duration of our stay in the area. Well, we had just met the three nicest guys in the world who would prove to be our guardian angels for our trip into the Urals.

Tuesday, June 9: Bert and I are excited. We are up at 4:00 in the morning, can't wait to get on the road for a 2½ hour ride to Nishney-Tagil and our sons. This was the day so long in coming. This was the big day . . . we meet our boys for the first time and finalize the adoption. So here we are: me, Bert, Yuri our driver, Eugene our coordinator, and Slava our translator in one, very small car. We are all in high spirits. Driving into the country, Slava and I strike up a conversation about the topology of the region and our mutual interest in geography. Slava gave me some agates that he and his wife had found in the area, and I really appreciated it with my love of stones. Bert knows I collect rocks and found one for my collection during a stopover on our journey into Asia through the Urals. We also stopped at a coffee shop that sold liquor (not in Kansas anymore) we had a couple coffees and Salvia bought a bottle of Vodka as a welcome gift. It was made in Nizhney-Tagil and we'll save it for the boys 21st birthday and have a grand time!

So finally, Nizhney-Tagil and the orphanage. I was very apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. As we drove through the gates of the orphanage, we saw a group of children probably ages 3 to 4 looking at a cow that was grazing just outside the gate. They surrounded our car and waved; they were hurried away by the lady watching them, and they were really the only other children we saw while there. We were escorted into the orphanage director's office where we had a chance to ask questions of the orphanage physician and director about the boys. Not much more information than what we had already known. She did tell us a little about the current health of the twins. Al had a mild case of the rickets, and Bill was currently in good health.

Then one of the attendants brought in the boys. Well it was like seeing two little angels that were being placed in our arms. The sense of relief, then joy, then an overwhelming sense of protectiveness, and yes, even destiny. We stayed with the boys for about 45 minutes alone in the Director's office getting acquainted. When they returned, they asked if we still intended to adopt. Bert and I answered in unison, a" YES!"

That was it. They said that now we would go to court and finalize the adoption, then return for lunch, and return to Ekatrinburg that afternoon. Overwhelming, very! So we all piled back into Yuri's car and drove to the courthouse. We waited there only a short while. Eugene, our coordinator, had worked his magic and got the 10-day waiting period waived. The court proceeding was fairly informal. There was a woman who was the prosecutor, the judge, and a woman representing the orphanage. While the proceeding went on, Slava quietly translated for us. Bert spoke to the judge about our desire to adopt and I could tell he was getting a bit choked up. The judge agreed to the adoption, and Bert and I could no longer hold back our tears. Next thing we knew, Bert, Yuri, Salva, Eugene, and I were all crying and hugging each other for joy. They are ours legally now!

 
   

Albert Joseph William Thomas

We got the adoption papers and its back to the orphanage to pick up the babies. But first, at the adoption offices, we were given a gift of a hand-painted black Toll-type of tray to remember the day. Off to the orphanage and everyone there was very happy for us. The orphanage director took a special liking to Bert. They were very interested in Bert's experience as a professional football player and the Director asked to keep a picture that he had with him of himself in uniform. The picture was a keepsake for Bert because it had been autographed by Joe Gibbs, but Bert handed it over somewhat reluctantly but happy to leave it behind as a show of gratitude for taking such good care of our boys until we could come and get them. These people are very loving and take wonderful care of the children. They are very dedicated, and they will always be in my prayers. As we left they all waved goodbye and hugged the boys. So the seven of us all got back into Yuri' s car for the drive back to Ekatrinburg.

Wednesday, June 10, the first night was a little rough. Olga was great. Billy had a hard time adjusting, and neither of them seemed to like the formula we brought. Olga was able to get them to eat with a little sweetened milk and yogurt. That day we had to get the boys' passport pictures taken, and we had to go buy some warmer outfits for the boys because the orphanage people thought we had not brought warm enough clothes. We had to return the ones they gave us. Interestingly enough it's about 75-80 degrees out, but these people are a little funny about keeping the babies very warm. I guess I can understand why. So that was our last day in Ekatrinburg. We set out for the airport and our flight to Moscow. Once in the airport we met up with the other couples in our group. All had their children. All extremely happy; talking at once, sharing their experiences. We had begun our journey home, but the rough part was not yet over. The flight back to Moscow was uneventful. The plane was much more comfortable and modern than the one we arrived on. We arrived back at Jean's flat with two very tired little tykes.

Thursday, June 11: Yes, this was the roughest day we had during the whole journey. First, it was off to the medical examiners for the boys to have physicals. This is a mandatory procedure, and the Frank coordinators had us there first thing in the morning. They really know how to expedite all these procedures. One part of their strategy is to be the first group at every destination. The boys checked out okay, and the physician complimented us on our healthy handsome sons. Then off to the American Embassy to get the boys' visas to enter the United States. This was odd to me, being American citizens, yet in some way treated as if we weren't. Not really, but it did seem a little odd. Very hot. That is the most vivid memory of the day. No air conditioning except in the areas open only to employees. Actually they did open up a room for the Americans who were adopting children so that they did not get too over-agitated. The whole procedure took about 4 hours, but seemed forever. Many, many forms to fill out. Wait for your name to be called. Then they interview you and finally are satisfied. However, they don't issue the visas until that afternoon, and Yuri the Moscow coordinator, went back after 5:00 to pick up everyone's visas and then brought them to us that evening. Yuri informed the group that once we had these visas we could leave the country the next day. This startled us because we had not booked a flight out until Saturday. Some of the couples had booked on Aeroflot through the Frank foundation travel agency. Those couples were able to change their flights but not those who had booked on another airline, and that was us. We couldn't rearrange our flight out on Delta so we stayed the extra day. At first I was very disappointed, almost in tears. I was becoming very tired and wanted to get home, to my family, as soon as possible. But it was not to be, and as it turned out, probably for the best.

Friday, June 12: The day the Russians celebrate their independence. That was why it was impossible to change our flight because everyone was leaving town for the holiday. Frank Foundation had arranged for a driver to take the remaining couples on a little sightseeing tour of Moscow. They took us to Red Square but because of the holiday the Kremlin was closed. We took lots of pictures. We had the babies in snugly carriers and everywhere we went people seemed to be interested in our little babies and were taking pictures and videos of us. We wondered if we were going to be on the 6 o'clock news. After a little sightseeing, we went to buy some souvenirs, and we had a couple beers. After that we said farewell to our new group of friends. Exchanging addresses and promising to stay in touch.

Saturday, June 13: The day we go home. I'm relieved but apprehensive. A 12 hour flight with two infants who were not eating very well nor sleeping very well. I just kept telling myself . . . all we need to do is get them home, and everything would be all right. That morning Jean, Bert, the boys, and I walk down to the local Church. I said a prayer for a safe trip home, and we bought some religious icons to take home as gifts and mementos. Then our driver came, and it was tearful farewells to Jean. Hope she is still doing well. She was a wonderful woman, as was everyone we met in Russia, wonderful. It was a place I'll never forget. To the airport, and finally on the plane after a slight wait. The plane ride was rough. The boys cried a lot, slept a little. But when we landed at JFK it was great to be back in America and finally on our last leg home. There were tornadoes that day in Washington, D. C. . . . really! Reagan airport was closed and Delta was going to put us up in a hotel that night. I burst into tears and started praying. I wanted to go home! We sat in that plane for at least an hour. Finally we got the word the airport was reopened and we took off. We landed home and were met by our family, and I was never so happy to see them.

So that's our story. I thank God for our miracle. For making all the pieces come together and continuing to do so. Our boys are healthy and growing like weeds. We had their first birthday in December and I know that they are completely in our hearts and we in theirs in every way. Thanks to our families for supporting our decision and our journey every step of the way. Thanks to Holy Cross Child Placement Services for preparing our home study and steering us in the direction of Victoria/Frank Foundation. Thanks to the Frank Foundation who brought our sons to us. Thanks to A Child Waits Foundation for making it financially possible. Thanks to the wonderful people of Russia and especially the loving people who took care of our sons for the first six months of their lives. We are a family. We believe in miracles.

Billy and Al at 2 years old.