11-01-02- Applied for our Passports
11-15-02- Passport arrived
11-20-02- Applied for INS
12-28-02- We got fingerprintted
01-21-03- WE GOT OUR REFERRAL OF JOHN THOMAS
02-07-03- Sent off Dossier #1
04-16-03- Received our traveling date for our first trip
05-16-03- Received our Visa's (Invitation to Russia)
05-28-03- First trip/returned on 06-01-03
06-02-03- Received an email stating we might leave on June 28th
06-05-03- Applied for Visas
06-12-03- Trip cancelled (of course, it was too good to be true)
06-19-03- Received a court date and we will be adopted John Thomas July 14th
We leave on 07-12-03 and return on 07-19-03
06-20-03- Purchased tickets.so we can bring home our son!!!!
07-12-03- Left to go pick up our son.
07-14-03- Adopted John Thomas Sharpe! It is official! ( We are now parents!)
07-16-03- Picked up John Thomas from the orphanage
07-19-03- Came home with our son!!
John and I left on Saturday July 12th, 2003. Channel 12 did a quick interview with us. Then I had several friends and family to see us off. It was such a special moment in our lives.. We finally made it to Russia and we were anxious to see Timur again. I couldn't wait. We arrived there on Sunday and got to stay at the same place we stayed the first time. (Praise God) Eugenia, Luda, and Sasha were still so helpful and I owe them my life.
Finally Monday rolled around and we got to see Timur. He was kinda shy but he did okay. We played with him and took pictures of his bed where he slept and his caretaker. John played with him on this car and took him for a walk while I talked to the doctor with Luda's help. Then afterwards, court was a few hours later. John and I were both scared to death. We went to court and Luda told us to count on it lasting around 1hour to 1 and half hours. When the judge walked in we both were nervous. Court only lasted about 20 minutes. Everyone couldn't believe how short it was. The judge looked at our album and that was all it took. She asked John a few questions then asked me about my adoption. Then she asked us to step out. We didn't get to sit down before they opened the doors and told us the decision had been made. The prosecuter usually ask a lot of questions but she had none to ask us which was unusual too. We entered back into the court room and they said we were granted the adoption and our son's new name is John Thomas Sharpe. All I can say is it was a very emotional moment for John and I. We both fell in each others arms and cried with excitement. Luda told me that with me being adopted played a lot in the role also. We had to wait til Wednesday because of some paperwork to be finished. I couldn't sleep at all. Finally Wednesday finally arrived and we went to get our son. He was eating lunch so we let him eat. They brought him to us and I wanted to cry so hard but I held it back. We brought him a stuff animal and a frog that sings. (toad) and his new clothes. My parents bought him a Tommy Hilfiger outfit to wear and a new pair of Nike's. Needless to say, John Thomas loved his outfit. He didn't even whimper one bit and he was quiet. He didn't say a word and John and I spoke softly. We left quietly and he fell alseep on the way back to the hotel. Once we got back to our hotel he had a ball. He was amazed. He loved everything. We fed him a snack and took him for a walk. He loved the outdoors. He was running and jumping and screaming. He was so excited just to be outdoors from the orphanage. He loved his bath and fell asleep real fast. As he was sleeping John and I cried with tears of joy. Our dream had finally came true. We got up the next day and left for Moscow to get his passport and other paperwork. We met Oleg there and he was a big help too. He took us sightseeing and made sure we got where we needed to go. I am so gratful for him too. We finally finished the paper work then we left to come home on Saturday. I was so excited to get him home. John and I were so excited to let everyone meet him. We finally arrived in Augusta and the stewardess said we had a lot of people out there. When I got off the plane tears of joy came rolling off my face. It was so emotional and I cannot believe this was happening to us. There were so many people out there I couldn't tell you how many were there. They played I'm Proud to be an American and it was just so sweet. Everyone greeted us with their American shirts on and flags and screams. It was just awesome. I will never forget this day in my life. It was so special. Since we have been home our son has been so much fun. He is very demanding and loves to get his way but I wouldn't trade that for nothing. He is a dream come true and I couldn't have had a prettier child if I tried. We owe this to God and I am so thankful that he allowed us to adopt him. He will always know that he was chosen for us and we will love him so much. The grandparents are excited as well. This is my parents first real grandchild and they have spoiled him rotten. They have seen him almost everyday except one day and they called 4 times that day. He is a dream come true for all of us. John has always wanted a son and now he has one. I cannot believe that I have John Thomas. Just believe in your heart and pray and God does answer prayers!! I owe this all to God and I want to thank him and give him the glory for making my dream come true!! I have added a few pictures to share with you.
Our Families
Megan Sharpe
Dana Raney
Kay Raney
Ellie and Ken McGahee
Annette Shipp
Danny & Christie Rangel
Janice Weatherford (helped with the paper work)
Christie Stephens
Kevin and Wendy Jones
We are now parents of John Thomas Sharpe!
Eugenia, Judge, Jill & John
