Our adoption journey started in 2020 with a desire to expand our family through adoption. It has been a long, perilous, and emotionally draining road. Our journey started with a desire to adopt from Ukraine and included an initial referral trip to Zaproizhzhia, Mariupol, and Berdyans'k in eastern Ukraine, January 2022. Later in 2022, after it became clear that the war in Ukraine wasn't going to end quickly, we made the difficult decision to pivot away from Ukraine and pursue an adoption from India (thanks Chloe!). We have accepted a referral for a little girl from the southern part of India and are working hard to bring her home as quickly as possible.
Its hard to believe but Charissa and I have been with Alyssia for 6 weeks, and we've been home from India a month. We have loved getting to know Alyssia better. We are finding out more and more about her every day. She is changing so fast it is hard to keep up. Her hair is getting long, her teeth are coming in fast, and she is getting so much bigger (which is amazing to see but also hurts mommy and daddy's hearts). She is hitting all her developmental milestones and is on the growth and height charts. She knows her own name even though she can't say it yet. She is walking and loves music and sings to us almost every meal. Her older siblings love having a little sissy to play with (old toys are getting new use by everyone it seems) and sissy is trying hard to keep up. We are loving and savoring every minute of this very special time with all of us home together. Thank you for following along and your continued support, prayers, and love! We appreciate all of you.
It is hard to believe how much our perception of time warps and shifts. Time seemed to drag on and on while waiting for our return flight. A week ago we were pushing back from the terminal in Delhi on a flight bound for New Jersey. The last 7 days has been a blur, time has flown by. We have been having a ball! Alyssia is a very adaptable little kiddo; from getting used a new time, schedule, her older siblings, new foods, and even learning to like doggy licks, she has embraced every aspect of it. It hasn't been without some tears and frustration, but overall she has been a trouper, facing nearly every challenge with an easy smile (as long as she was rested and had a full tummy).
On a practical note, if anyone knows someone at United, I'd appreciate a connection. I changed our flight and w/in 24 hours of changing United reduced the rate to half of what I paid. I spoke to a rep. who said I could submit for a refund using screen shots of the reduced amount. I attempted this but customer support is saying the change fare was collected appropriately.
We are in the domestic United terminal grabbing breakfast while we wait for the last leg of our adoption journey. It has been a patience trying, faith building, exhausting, exciting and wonderful journey. Thank you all for following along, giving generously, and most of all praying fervently for us throughout this process. We appreciate all of you!
We landed in NJ almost an hour ahead of schedule.
Alyssia did great on the flight, slept most of it, thank you Julie!
Welcome home my little girl! Welcome home.
We made it to the airport, checked our bags, and had a small scare in immigration. The immigration officer saw Alyssia's Indian passport and had to call over his supervisor. The supervisor abruptly called us to follow him. We walked in front of almost every other window to the end of the customs and immigration area where we met with another concerned individual. I don't think they process many adoption cases. They finally called an individual from The FRRO office who took one look at our paperwork and started getting Alyssia to smile, we knew we were ok then! A long walk back in front of all the other people waiting for immigration, back to the original officers booth where he cleared us through to security. Security was uneventful and we found our gate where we are now waiting for boarding to begin in about an hour.
