April 4, 2008-April 4, 2009

We woke up, a year ago, to the knowledge that we would be bringing our son home with us today. Home. To our hotel in Krasnoyarsk. We got up; packed our suitcases, repacked the backpack for our pick up to include his special outfit, winter coat, snow pants, boots, hat and gloves; moved into the new suite that had two rooms and a crib; unpacked; and then waited for the next 5 hours for our pick up at the hotel to go back to the orphanage for the last time.

We were picked up at 4:30 in the afternoon and we arrived at the orphanage about a quarter after 5:00. . .we put on our booties over our shoes, as usual, handed over the clothes for Aidan that he was to wear "home" and then we waited until we were asked to accompany Galina and another lady to a room where we were shown where Aidan had been raised up to that point. It was a pleasant room, but there were an awful lot of cribs in the sleeping area!




We walked up our usual stairs and then, we walked down the hallway to the music room. Half way there, we were able to see into the room. . .there he was. . . in the clothes we had given over to put on him! He was standing there with Ellie with a look on his face as if to say, "What's going on?? Why are we here now?"

We walked in and put the rest of his clothes on him- snow pants, boots, coat, hat. And then we picked him up and headed outside. There, we stopped to say "goodbye" to Galina and the orphanage.



And then we said our good byes-with one of the caretakers running after us crying!
(a little disturbing, to say the least!), got in the car and Serge drove us back to the hotel where we began the process of becoming a family. . .



And now, today, that marks one year ago!

Today, we got up and I made a special breakfast of pancakes, bacon and fruit. Aidan enjoyed it!



Then, after nap, we all (us as well as Grandma and Grandpa) went to Lightfoot for dinner. . . and it was really nice! We celebrated Aidan's Gotcha Day as well and Mom and Dad's 60th Anniversary. . .it was really really special. . .








Then, we came home to have dessert. . .cupcakes with sprinkles, per Aidan's request (he loves cupcakes with sprinkles! I think it's because of a certain book- If you give a Cat a cupcake. . .







And so, now we are a family. . .