Warren family shares love with new addition

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nicole Walters
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  There's nothing like falling asleep with your daughter nestled on your chest -- especially if coming home meant traveling halfway across the world.

Capt. (Dr.) Randall Nett, 90th Medical Operations flight surgeon, and his wife, Michelle, know that feeling: they adopted a baby girl from Kazakhstan recently.

"Her name is Tatyana," Captain Nett said. "It was a long process and emotionally challenging, but definitely worth it."

The Netts had two young boys but dreamed of adding to the family by adoption. They chose Kazakhstan due to the provider to child ratio and the low rate of drug and alcohol abuse in the country.

The process began three years ago, and the Netts began the paperwork just under two years ago. The adoption costs are staggering- $30,000; however the Air Force provides a $2,000 grant to assist, and the government provides a $10,000 tax credit.

"Captain Nett is a wonderful doctor, and the Netts are an amazing family," stated Col. Brian Hayes, 90th Medical Group commander. "The love they show for this child is incredible. They are the quintessential Air Force family."

A deployment to Balad Air Base, Iraq, didn't stop the process; Mrs. Nett would e-mail paperwork to Captain Nett who would scan or fax the completed documents back to the states. The paperwork was finally completed in January 2006.

"That was the worst part," Captain Nett said. "We had to wait to find out."

In September 2006 the Netts received a call that their paperwork was approved and they were to travel to Kazakhstan. They spent most of October in Chimkent but were only able to see Tatyana for 30 minutes a day. They were told not to venture into the city at night, and Ramadan limited their restaurant options.

Tatyana, who was abandoned at birth, is now ten months old. The orphanage in Chimkent, Kazakhstan, had a large HIV and AIDS outbreak due to black market blood when the Netts visited. They were thankful Tatyana was one of the few children who tested negative.

"It wouldn't have mattered," Captain Nett said. "She's a beautiful girl and we loved her from the moment we saw her."

Thanksgiving 2006 was a special day for the Netts; they brought Tatyana home that day.

"It couldn't have been topped," Captain Nett said. "It was the best holiday ever."