Daughter Adopted from Russia

The Wells Family

I traveled to Kemerovo in central Siberia, Russia last December to meet little Lacey. After filing papers in the local courts, I returned home and waited for a court date. In mid-March I got the call that my court hearing would be April 4th I flew back to Kemerovo with enough luggage for myself and a baby. I was nervous and excited and could not wait to see Lacey again. On April 3rd I arrived in Kemerovo and went to Lacey's baby home for a visit. She had grown so much in just three months! The next day, in a tiny little overheated office, the hearing took place. I was granted complete adoption effective immediately. I was so happy, I burst into tears... I arrived at the baby home the next morning, and Lacey was brought to me in a hallway dressed in one of their fanciest dresses. She and I went to a playroom where I undressed her and put her in the clothing I had brought for her and we were on our way home. Of course several papers had to be filed with the embassy and the medical clinic in Moscow, but she was my daughter. She did wonderfully on the nearly 30 hour trip to get home. Although Lacey had never heard English until 8 months ago, she could basically understand nearly everything from the beginning. I had learned some Russian and it truly helped me soothe her little fears. We bonded instantly and I know she is the baby God meant for me to have. Lacey talks all the time and unless you knew her story, you would not know she was Russian. Like most mothers, I am madly in love with my child. She is 2 years now and I cannot imagine life without her. Every day is a new word, new sentence, new skill. Thank you to so many of you.