American Embassy

Max and Phillip showed up to pick us up right around 1:00pm- 1300 for you military time folks. We sat up front this time and I kept Eli's attention out the front of the van. We were all prepared- bib tied on, plastic bag ready, prayers in place. The trip was pretty short (Thank you, God!!) and no puking on this trip~ He did fall asleep.

When we pulled up, Phillip said we could take nothing with batteries in it. No cameras, no flashlights, no toys with batteries, etc. So we pulled out the camera and little pen light I carry to amuse Eli and got ready to go in. How sad. I wanted to take a photograph- guess I'll just have to paint it with words......

As we approached the building, there was a long line of people already there. We walked to a side entrance and Phillip greeted the security guard. He gave him our passports and a paper that had our invitation on it and we were ushered forward. Eli slept through all this, cradled in my arms as an infant.

The security guards waved their hand held scanner/wands over us and looked through our bags and we entered this nondescript building. We had been looking for an American flag, or some other symbol of America- just a metal door in a concrete building. We had been looking forward to seeing the flag out front.

The room we entered was all white, with high vaulted very plain ceilings in which you could see the ductwork and not much in it (the room). It seemed almost like a converted factory- like you'd see in the movies. A guard desk and the scanning equipment, the "doorway" you walk through to scan for metal. The guard asked if we had anything with batteries in it. We didn't. Then we had to remove our jackets and place them along with my purse and the diaper bag on the belt. Tim had to take off his belt since it set off the metal detector. He helped me remove my jacket while holding Eli and they said we did not need to take off Eli's jacket. This was great since he was still asleep in my arms.

Phillip came through with us and went over to the machine (looked like a parking garage ticket dispenser) and got some tickets from it. We then headed down the hallway. There was a large "holding tank" of people waiting there. They suddenly all got up and surged forward. Oh boy, I thought, we'll be here forever. But Phillip lead us straight past them and off to the left. Come to find out later, these people were waiting to get U.S. visas. Adoptive parents, once again, must get special treatment. Thank you God!

There was a smaller room here. We all sat down. We tried to take Eli's jacket off carefully, but he woke up :( We had hoped for a longer nap, but were content with the 1/2 hour he did get. Tim went up to the first window and paid for the visa. Phillip told us to wait for a little bit and someone would come up to the window #6 and we would need to give them our receipt and # slip he had gotten for us. Once we dropped off that info at desk #6 (actually a window- like at a movie theater- or for those of us in Ohio- like going to the Secretary of State's office), we would need to wait about half and hour and they would flash our number, or call our name at the windows on the other side of the room.

By the time our name was called there were about 8 or 10 other families there. The children that had been adopted were all different ages. Some were the same age as our son- about 2- but many were older- maybe 6-10 or 12 even. It was so wonderful to see the older children finding families!!

We had our "interview" with the agent. Is all info correct? Are we aware of all health concerns? Tim signed a couple more papers- Will you make sure child gets all vaccinations required once in US? Is the spelling of his name correct? Apply for American passport when back in states. He must be aware that he could be conscripted to serve in the army once 18 if he comes over with his Russian passport. He gave us a stack of papers. Be sure not to lose these- keep in carryon- we need them to prove he is our son and to get an American Passport. If they are lost or misplaced, we would have to come back to Russia to get another copy.

After about another 20 minutes, there was a mass rush to the other window. All the families were apparently finished at the same time. Tim went over and got in line and they handed him a manilla envelope. THE manilla envelope. The one that everyone is supposedly going to want to open, but the seal must remain intact until we reach immigration in the Good Ol USA.

The agent had been very nice. He explained during our interview that in Atlanta we take Eli through the domestic line and they will direct us where to go once we get there. We hand over the info- they break the seal and it may be a few minutes, it may be a few hours depending on staffing and how many other families are there ahead of us. When we step foot outside the door, Eli is a US citizen. How cool is that?

Well, we got jackets back on, went down the steps, to the left and out the turnstyle to the outside. We came out right next to the parking lot (to the left) and saw Phillip, Max and of course, our constant travel companions- the Dini family. How great to have this last outing behind us.

We came back to the hotel- again- no barfing. Thank you, God~! Thank you to all who were praying for us!! Phillip talked to us for a little bit in the lobby. He's going to the Russian consulate, so he took our son's passport and info (not the manilla envelope- the other info) and he'll register us. He's coming back to meet us on Wed around 4 or so.

We have been amazed at how well taken care of we are with our agencies. Our facilitators have taken over the Paperwork maze that we have had for so long. It seems all we've had to do since coming over here has been sign here, sign there. What a relief. Though the lack of control in not knowing our schedule more than a day in advance has been a bit challenging, now that we are caring for our son, it is so nice to not have to worry about any of the details.

So, we got back to the room and Eli's pretty tired. Almost 4:30- and we were starving- so, we got the stroller, Eli and all our cold gear and headed on out to the KFC. It was just right around the corner. And sooooo cool. It was all set up as a train- there was a big train- the door was the toilet entrance, the tracks were what you followed to lead up to the ordering area. MMMMM- good and fast.

We stopped at the grocery store on the way back- need more diapers. Go figure! I think Eli is regressing a little. He doesn't want to sit on the potty at all now. So, we aren't forcing it. Hopefully we can pick it back up once we get settled in at home :)

Tomorrow is yet another free day. Whhoooo HHHooo. It's also Babuska Mamaw's birthday. Happy B-day Mamaw! The Dini's are leaving tomorrow- please keep them in your prayers. They've had a family emergency and need to get home as quickly as possible. Oh- I did realize today that tomorrow will be the 5th Tuesday we've been in Russia. Amazing, isn't it? Unbelievable!

Who knows, we may try out Arbat st tomorrow. It's only about a 4 mile round trip. Keeps the shopping down, knowing that we'll have to carry all that we buy back to the hotel. And, Tim says, pack it. Hey, we have an extra bag;0)

Don't think we'll buy internet tomorrow. It's pretty expensive- so we may have to wait until we get home to post again...... we'll see.

No flashbacks now- this post is already too long.