God has designed our family from all around the world. It all started even before Andre and I ever knew each other. The first time I was in Ukraine in 2001. I didn't meet Andre. I was only in Kiev. It was around this time that Aljona, Andre's sister, and a man conceived Nikita. Nine months later Nikita was on the scene, and Andre became an uncle. I was still oblivious that anything was happening half way across the world.
Then in 2003, Andre and I met. We became friends. It was that summer, that I met Nikita for the first time as well. When I met him, there was an overwhelming feeling that I would someday be his mom. I told him that, too, but being 1 and Ukrainian, he didn't understand my English words.
After a year of friendship, Andre and I started to date (2004) and got married in 2005. God started to bring the pieces of our family puzzle together. In May of 2007, Andre finalized the adoption for Nikita, however, I was not on the papers, since it was through the Ukrainian system that he adopted Nikita. Our puzzle was starting to grow, with color and even more life brought to the amazing picture God was creating. Then in November of 2007, Noah's piece was added, and we were all excited to see the picture take more form, exhausted but excited. :)
Now, on June 18th, 2009, I can say that God has added more clarity and strenghted our picture. Nikita was granted his American visa! This moment, I will never forget. Why is it so important? Well, when Andre adopted Nikita, we were granted a new birth certificate with Andre as Nikita's father. However, I was not listed as Nikita's mother. Nikita took Andre's last name, Kravtsov. Now, after 2 years, he will take something of mine. My citizenship! He will be American! It makes me cry even now. I didn't realize how much it would mean to me, because he's been my son for 2+ years anyway, but there's just something about this process that makes the bond stronger.
Yesterday, while we were leaving the consulate, I was tearing up. Nikita asked me, "Mama, are you happy?" "Yes, Nikita, I'm very happy." "Me too."
Praise God for the family that He's creating!
Then in 2003, Andre and I met. We became friends. It was that summer, that I met Nikita for the first time as well. When I met him, there was an overwhelming feeling that I would someday be his mom. I told him that, too, but being 1 and Ukrainian, he didn't understand my English words.
After a year of friendship, Andre and I started to date (2004) and got married in 2005. God started to bring the pieces of our family puzzle together. In May of 2007, Andre finalized the adoption for Nikita, however, I was not on the papers, since it was through the Ukrainian system that he adopted Nikita. Our puzzle was starting to grow, with color and even more life brought to the amazing picture God was creating. Then in November of 2007, Noah's piece was added, and we were all excited to see the picture take more form, exhausted but excited. :)
Now, on June 18th, 2009, I can say that God has added more clarity and strenghted our picture. Nikita was granted his American visa! This moment, I will never forget. Why is it so important? Well, when Andre adopted Nikita, we were granted a new birth certificate with Andre as Nikita's father. However, I was not listed as Nikita's mother. Nikita took Andre's last name, Kravtsov. Now, after 2 years, he will take something of mine. My citizenship! He will be American! It makes me cry even now. I didn't realize how much it would mean to me, because he's been my son for 2+ years anyway, but there's just something about this process that makes the bond stronger.
Yesterday, while we were leaving the consulate, I was tearing up. Nikita asked me, "Mama, are you happy?" "Yes, Nikita, I'm very happy." "Me too."
Praise God for the family that He's creating!
