Family Anxiously Waiting For Adopted Haitian Children

WATERTOWN, SD - Considering the halt facing adoptions from Haiti, a Watertown couple is very thankful that their entire family, including two Haitian orphans, will all be home under one roof.

It’s been 18 months in the works. And the days leading up to this one didn't come without worry.

Since they started the process of adopting two Haitian children, the Hudson family has felt a void.

"That hole's finally going to be filled. Our family will finally feel complete," Andrew Hudson said.

Andrew Hudson was at home with three of his kids Thursday, waiting for his wife Susie to come back after picking up his newest sons, three-year-old Peterson and five-year-old Juvenson.

The boys have presents waiting for them when they get home. For the Hudsons, the gift is just getting the boys home considering all the scares they faced.

"Pretty stressful, not knowing from one minute to the next," Hudson said.

First there was the earthquake. The Hudsons had no idea if the boys were safe. Then the family was excited to learn not only were they safe, they were on their way to America earlier than expected.

"Ad then Susie gets to the airport, both boys are presented and one of them is not Peterson," Hudson said.

The three-year-old had been sent back to the orphanage by mistake.

"Right after he was sent back, the Haitian prime minister put a moratorium on kids leaving the country," Hudson said.

So as Andrew and the kids waited at home, they wondered if they'd ever see Peterson. The Hudsons contacted congressional delegation. And Susie waited in Florida 12 days before finally heading back to Watertown with both boys.

"It was an emotional roller coaster for the 12 days she's been gone and thankfully it's coming to an end," Hudson said.

They should be pulling into their new driveway early Friday morning.

Peterson flew to Florida Wednesday night. He was united with his new mom Thursday.