Well, after an entire year of waiting we are home at last!!! We arrived on Saturday and Andrei is loving Australia.
The Australian High Commission spent the past year trying to stop us from bringing Andrei home. They were not happy as Andrei was adopted privately rather than from an orphanage. In January they declined our visa application, telling us to place Andrei in an orphanage, apply to adopt him and hope we get lucky. Can you believe that??
At that point I started planning a whole new life in Europe, as I didn't believe we could come home and there was no way I'd put my son in an orphanage, nor let anybody take him away from me.
But my husband flew to Cambodia to sort things out. As it happens, what the High Commission knew but didn't tell us, is that all we needed was one letter of permission from the Cambodian government for Andrei to migrate to Australia. Robert (DH) found this out after contacting a lawyer.
When he told the High Commission told us they knew that he only needed this one letter, but never told us as we never asked them. Which is crazy, how can we ask about something we didn't even know about.
Anyway, Robert got the letter and returned to Malaysia, where we reapplied for the visa. A couple of weeks later they granted the visa. Andrei now has PR in Australia and qualifies for citizenship in 2 years.
Andrei loves Australia and has such a wonderful week, he patted his first dog and now wants one! hehe He has made heaps of new friends already and is the happiest I've ever seen him. As for us, we just feel so lucky to be back in Australia, as a few weeks ago I thought I'd never be back again.
Thanks to everyone for all of your wonderful support and messages!
It is great to have you back home again on Terra Firma Jeanette, with gorgeous Andrei Grrr to the high comission for not telling you exactly what you needed to get back into the country !!! You will definitely be a wealth of information if anyone else in the forums adopt a child.
OMG OMG!!!!!!!!! WELCOME HOME! I am sooooooooo happy to see you back amongst us! Welcome to Australia Andrei, I bet your mummy & daddy have so much to show you!
I can't believe the HC did that how bloody rude!
Glad you are home, can't wait to hear more about your beautiful boy! And hopefully we'll see you guys at our next meet Don't forget to check out our restaurant club
Welcome back Jeanette!!! I'm so happy to hear that you are back home with little Andrei in your arms He sounds amazing, I can't wait to hear all about him!
Congratulations Jeanette on your successful adoption. It sounds like you, DH and DS are having a great time and enjoying Australia!
I know how difficult adoption can be, as I've done a few at work (I'm a family lawyer). I admire your strength and courage to do what you've done. You're a wonderful parent. Congratulations again.
Jeanette - that is great news that you and your family can finally come home! Is such a shame what you had to go through to get where you are - but is a testament to your love for Andrei and Im sure he'll know just how loved he is always.
YAY! WE ARE HOME!!
Registered User
Don't forget to check out our restaurant club
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks