Bennett and Celia are famous! The world is blessed to catch a glimpse of our beautful babies, but that could just be their Mama talking.
Check us out on CNN and MSNBC in addition to our local NBC station, WSMV!
Showing posts with label In the News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label In the News. Show all posts
Monday, January 3, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
In a week and a half's time, our children experienced all three modes of transportation mentioned in the post title for the very first time. I doubt many can say that!
We woke up at 1:15 in the morning in Moscow to get ready to begin our loooooooong journey home. The morning of our flight home from the second trip was much different. Though we set our alarm, we slept past the buzzing and nearly missed being picked up by our driver at 3:30 in the morning. We rushed to get ready in 20 minutes and were out the door. With this last trip and with three checked luggage items (clothes for four for more than a week!), two children and all the food, snacks, toys and diapers that go along with them, we were sure we were up and not rushed. So, after about two and a half hours of sleep, our driver picked the four of us up and we are on our way home!
He drove us past Red Square. It was absolutely GORGEOUS in the winter night, all lit up. The Kremlin was very impressive and St. Basil's has a beauty the likes of which are not easy to come by. Unfortunately we don't have any photos from Moscow, but we'll make it back. Hopefully our kiddos will be better sleepers at that time and we can go stomach virus-free.
The Moscow airport is HUGE! Being originally from Chicago and having flown out of 'Hare countless times, I was expecting it to be large, but it surpassed even my imagination.
Our first leg was to Munich. Both kids were asleep for their first take-off, which eased my nerves a bit as I was worried about the change in air pressure giving them problems. Or second flight was the longest. Munich to D.C. The seats which we were originally assigned had us split up. Derek asked the wonderful Lufthansa (oh how I wish they flew domestic in the US!) employees and they worked their magic. Not only were we able to all sit together (D and B in the two seats by the window and me with C on my lap across the aisle), but they bumped us up to economy plus seating, which offers more leg room. Nice! Celia was particularly taken with the Ukrainian man sitting next to us. I think it was his mustache... Both kiddos slept about four of the eight hour flight. Mama and Papa were able to snooze a bit too. Using the changing "table" in the lavatories wasn't as much of a nightmare as I expected. I'd say the only negative part of the flight was when C spilled an entire can of ginger ale on me. Things could have been much worse, wouldn't you say? Sure, they both cried a little, but it didn't last long. They were great.
In D.C. we went through immigration, where our babies officially became US citizens! We handed over our sealed (but perhaps a tad bit chewed on by our teething little angel) envelope to the officer and she stamped away. We all cheered when the final stamps were made on their US Visas in their Russian passports, making it official. Yay!
Several security check points and elevator rides later, we were getting ready to finally board our plane home! Unfortunately, the service on this flight (United) was by far the worst. I actually wanted to file a complaint on our stewardess, but overheard her refuse to give her name to someone else who asked for it. The physically handicapped passenger who conversed with her later told me he was asking so that he could file a complaint as well. Oh well. I let the comments and her attitude get to me for a few minutes, calmly expressed my disappointment, and then focused on the excitement that was to come.
Our homecoming was truly amazing! Our most supportive friends and family were waiting at the airport with signs, smiles, cheers and hugs. My heart welled up even more than I thought it could. To sample just part of the love and excitement, check out our story that was featured on our local news station. My brother- and father-in-law I believe were behind getting the station there. Though I wasn't looking forward to being on TV after a 26 hour journey, I'm so glad we'll have this to share with our kiddos when they get older. I need to burn a CD!
I was also just informed that our beautiful story was featured on HLN and CNN. If anyone catches it, will you please let us know? The Hunters made national news!
Okay, so I'm a few days behind in blogging. I hope to catch up tomorrow or the next day. Our first day home was tiring but oh-so-wonderful. Today was tough. I suppose any day that includes a trip the emergency room isn't a day in the park...
More to come!
We woke up at 1:15 in the morning in Moscow to get ready to begin our loooooooong journey home. The morning of our flight home from the second trip was much different. Though we set our alarm, we slept past the buzzing and nearly missed being picked up by our driver at 3:30 in the morning. We rushed to get ready in 20 minutes and were out the door. With this last trip and with three checked luggage items (clothes for four for more than a week!), two children and all the food, snacks, toys and diapers that go along with them, we were sure we were up and not rushed. So, after about two and a half hours of sleep, our driver picked the four of us up and we are on our way home!
He drove us past Red Square. It was absolutely GORGEOUS in the winter night, all lit up. The Kremlin was very impressive and St. Basil's has a beauty the likes of which are not easy to come by. Unfortunately we don't have any photos from Moscow, but we'll make it back. Hopefully our kiddos will be better sleepers at that time and we can go stomach virus-free.
The Moscow airport is HUGE! Being originally from Chicago and having flown out of 'Hare countless times, I was expecting it to be large, but it surpassed even my imagination.
Our first leg was to Munich. Both kids were asleep for their first take-off, which eased my nerves a bit as I was worried about the change in air pressure giving them problems. Or second flight was the longest. Munich to D.C. The seats which we were originally assigned had us split up. Derek asked the wonderful Lufthansa (oh how I wish they flew domestic in the US!) employees and they worked their magic. Not only were we able to all sit together (D and B in the two seats by the window and me with C on my lap across the aisle), but they bumped us up to economy plus seating, which offers more leg room. Nice! Celia was particularly taken with the Ukrainian man sitting next to us. I think it was his mustache... Both kiddos slept about four of the eight hour flight. Mama and Papa were able to snooze a bit too. Using the changing "table" in the lavatories wasn't as much of a nightmare as I expected. I'd say the only negative part of the flight was when C spilled an entire can of ginger ale on me. Things could have been much worse, wouldn't you say? Sure, they both cried a little, but it didn't last long. They were great.
In D.C. we went through immigration, where our babies officially became US citizens! We handed over our sealed (but perhaps a tad bit chewed on by our teething little angel) envelope to the officer and she stamped away. We all cheered when the final stamps were made on their US Visas in their Russian passports, making it official. Yay!
Several security check points and elevator rides later, we were getting ready to finally board our plane home! Unfortunately, the service on this flight (United) was by far the worst. I actually wanted to file a complaint on our stewardess, but overheard her refuse to give her name to someone else who asked for it. The physically handicapped passenger who conversed with her later told me he was asking so that he could file a complaint as well. Oh well. I let the comments and her attitude get to me for a few minutes, calmly expressed my disappointment, and then focused on the excitement that was to come.
Our homecoming was truly amazing! Our most supportive friends and family were waiting at the airport with signs, smiles, cheers and hugs. My heart welled up even more than I thought it could. To sample just part of the love and excitement, check out our story that was featured on our local news station. My brother- and father-in-law I believe were behind getting the station there. Though I wasn't looking forward to being on TV after a 26 hour journey, I'm so glad we'll have this to share with our kiddos when they get older. I need to burn a CD!
I was also just informed that our beautiful story was featured on HLN and CNN. If anyone catches it, will you please let us know? The Hunters made national news!
Okay, so I'm a few days behind in blogging. I hope to catch up tomorrow or the next day. Our first day home was tiring but oh-so-wonderful. Today was tough. I suppose any day that includes a trip the emergency room isn't a day in the park...
More to come!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Adoption Awareness Month
Happy November!
In 1995, President Clinton proclaimed November as National Adoption Month. National Adoption Month is a time to celebrate family and to bring about awareness that there are hundreds of thousands of parentless children in orphanages and foster care throughout the world. It is a reminder that every child deserves a forever family.
Our family was recently asked to be featured in a online magazine called Six Seeds in honor of Adoption/Orphan Awareness Month. During the month, our story will be online to help generate adoption awareness. Readers, I am petitioning you to please visit the site and leave a comment. For each comment made, Six Seeds will donate $2 towards our adoption. The comment can be anything at all.
http://sixseeds.tv/s/content/adoption/663-adoption_the_hunter_family
If you feel comfortable doing so, PLEASE share my request with your friends, family, blog readers, twitter followers, etc. This is an easy and very quick way to make a HUGE difference for our family.
Thank you so very much!
In 1995, President Clinton proclaimed November as National Adoption Month. National Adoption Month is a time to celebrate family and to bring about awareness that there are hundreds of thousands of parentless children in orphanages and foster care throughout the world. It is a reminder that every child deserves a forever family.
Our family was recently asked to be featured in a online magazine called Six Seeds in honor of Adoption/Orphan Awareness Month. During the month, our story will be online to help generate adoption awareness. Readers, I am petitioning you to please visit the site and leave a comment. For each comment made, Six Seeds will donate $2 towards our adoption. The comment can be anything at all.
http://sixseeds.tv/s/content/adoption/663-adoption_the_hunter_family
If you feel comfortable doing so, PLEASE share my request with your friends, family, blog readers, twitter followers, etc. This is an easy and very quick way to make a HUGE difference for our family.
Thank you so very much!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
HELLO? hello...? (hello........?)
Yes, that's an echo. And yes, I've been MIA (missing in... adoption?). I could spew out all of the lame valid excuses I have, but after months of such a hiatus, I hate to bore you now. Let's just say Satan knows Derek and I are up to something good.
So, let's get on with it shall we?
We have made SO MUCH progress! Our interview with our placement agency went well, despite learning of such despicable news less than 30 minutes after our arrival. Meeting with the staff really made us even more confident with our decision to use them. I can't imagine being in better hands. While media has reported otherwise, adoption in Russia has yet to cease—at least not in the regions we may adopt from (Moscow and St. Petersburg). Our agency continues to help families receive referrals and court dates, so we're still moving full steam ahead!
I've created a new section of my blog: Milestones (see panel at right). It contains the important... well... milestones... ;-) in our journey thus far. While there is much that has been done and much that has been received that is not listed, these dates give you an idea of what we've been up to concerning the adoption.
Now that I'm getting back into the swing of things with my blog once again, I plan to recap some of the high- (and LOW!) lights of the hoops we've had to jump. Stay tuned... And, seriously, if I slack on blogging again, someone please get on my case! ;-)
CHECKLIST:
• Psychologist administered MMPI
• Compiled dossier documents (including, but not limited to):
Notarized home study letters, licenses, etc.
Personality/psycho-analysis results
Financial statements
Letters of employement
Property ownership letter
Certified marriage certificates
Passport & family photos
Medical letters
• Fingerprinted/biometrics
• Received I-171H
So, let's get on with it shall we?
We have made SO MUCH progress! Our interview with our placement agency went well, despite learning of such despicable news less than 30 minutes after our arrival. Meeting with the staff really made us even more confident with our decision to use them. I can't imagine being in better hands. While media has reported otherwise, adoption in Russia has yet to cease—at least not in the regions we may adopt from (Moscow and St. Petersburg). Our agency continues to help families receive referrals and court dates, so we're still moving full steam ahead!
I've created a new section of my blog: Milestones (see panel at right). It contains the important... well... milestones... ;-) in our journey thus far. While there is much that has been done and much that has been received that is not listed, these dates give you an idea of what we've been up to concerning the adoption.
Now that I'm getting back into the swing of things with my blog once again, I plan to recap some of the high- (and LOW!) lights of the hoops we've had to jump. Stay tuned... And, seriously, if I slack on blogging again, someone please get on my case! ;-)
CHECKLIST:
• Psychologist administered MMPI
• Compiled dossier documents (including, but not limited to):
Notarized home study letters, licenses, etc.
Personality/psycho-analysis results
Financial statements
Letters of employement
Property ownership letter
Certified marriage certificates
Passport & family photos
Medical letters
• Fingerprinted/biometrics
• Received I-171H
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Horrible, Just Horrible
I recently came upon an article from Russia about a child abuse case here in the US. Allegedly, a married couple who had adopted twins from Russia beat their son so badly, he tragically passed away.
The Moscow Times article linked to above states:
U.S. police have arrested the adoptive parents of a 7-year-old Russian boy for homicide after an autopsy found more than 80 external injuries on his malnourished body, Channel One state television reported Tuesday.
The case reignited Russian anger over U.S. adoptions, a delicate issue in U.S.-Russian relations in recent years, and could tangle efforts by U.S. President Barack Obama to "reset" ties that deteriorated under the previous administration.
Complicating matters, the boy died in August, and the Education and Science Ministry, which oversees adoptions, accused U.S. authorities of failing to notify their Russians counterparts within the time frame required by international law.
Sickening. Absolutely sickening.
The article goes on to say:
Foreign Ministry spokesman Igor Lyakin-Frolov said cases of Russian children dying in adoptive U.S. families "have become systematic recently," Interfax reported Wednesday.
From 1996 to March, at least 15 Russian children appear to have died at the hands of their adoptive foreign parents, including 14 in the United States and one in Canada, a spokesman for the Education and Science Ministry said by telephone Wednesday.
There are thousands of US families that would make wonderful parents to lonely Russian orphans—giving them a life infinitely better than one spent institutionalized. And the children would, in turn, make these families' lives infinitely better and more complete.
Unfortunately, however, there are parents like the ones in the article. And sadly, situations like these make it much more difficult for couples like us to be a “forever family” to these orphans.
Take an excerpt from this other Russian article for example, headlined “Another adopted Russian boy beaten to death in US”:
In response to (the boy’s) death a Russian senator has forwarded a proposal to introduce a temporary moratorium on American parents adopting Russian orphans, information agency RIA-Novosti reported.
Valentina Petrenko, the Head of the Parliament’s Committee on Social Policies, said that the situation should be discussed with the US Department of State, but for the time being, no Russian children should be adopted by American couples.
I pray for everyone in that family, particularly the twin sister left now without her brother and—undoubtedly—without parents yet again. I also pray for the loving and hopeful prospective adoptive parents (PAPs), that our journeys will not be hindered by such evil.
The Moscow Times article linked to above states:
U.S. police have arrested the adoptive parents of a 7-year-old Russian boy for homicide after an autopsy found more than 80 external injuries on his malnourished body, Channel One state television reported Tuesday.
The case reignited Russian anger over U.S. adoptions, a delicate issue in U.S.-Russian relations in recent years, and could tangle efforts by U.S. President Barack Obama to "reset" ties that deteriorated under the previous administration.
Complicating matters, the boy died in August, and the Education and Science Ministry, which oversees adoptions, accused U.S. authorities of failing to notify their Russians counterparts within the time frame required by international law.
Sickening. Absolutely sickening.
The article goes on to say:
Foreign Ministry spokesman Igor Lyakin-Frolov said cases of Russian children dying in adoptive U.S. families "have become systematic recently," Interfax reported Wednesday.
From 1996 to March, at least 15 Russian children appear to have died at the hands of their adoptive foreign parents, including 14 in the United States and one in Canada, a spokesman for the Education and Science Ministry said by telephone Wednesday.
There are thousands of US families that would make wonderful parents to lonely Russian orphans—giving them a life infinitely better than one spent institutionalized. And the children would, in turn, make these families' lives infinitely better and more complete.
Unfortunately, however, there are parents like the ones in the article. And sadly, situations like these make it much more difficult for couples like us to be a “forever family” to these orphans.
Take an excerpt from this other Russian article for example, headlined “Another adopted Russian boy beaten to death in US”:
In response to (the boy’s) death a Russian senator has forwarded a proposal to introduce a temporary moratorium on American parents adopting Russian orphans, information agency RIA-Novosti reported.
Valentina Petrenko, the Head of the Parliament’s Committee on Social Policies, said that the situation should be discussed with the US Department of State, but for the time being, no Russian children should be adopted by American couples.
I pray for everyone in that family, particularly the twin sister left now without her brother and—undoubtedly—without parents yet again. I also pray for the loving and hopeful prospective adoptive parents (PAPs), that our journeys will not be hindered by such evil.
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