Family Welcomes Home New Daughter from Russia

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- A Lowcountry family is happy to have their daughter home, after she arrived from Russia.

News 3 first talked to the Cummings family in July, when they first met Veronika, 6. The little girl didn't know then that the Cummings would become her family.

The Cummings said in July that they had always wanted a fourth child, and when the chance to adopt Veronika came up the Cummings said it was pretty clear what they should do. Now their dream of adopting the little girl has come true.

On Wednesday evening, an excited group of friends and family surrounded Wendy Cummings as she waited for her husband, son, and new daughter to arrive.

After months of waiting, the entire family was reunited at last as little Veronika, or Nika, jumped into her mother's arms.

"We went over {to Russia}, and we actually thought we were going to be bringing her home, but there was a little wait period, and we couldn't stay. So we came back home and that's when my husband and oldest son went back, and I stayed with the other two," said Wendy.

"Glad the journey's over. Look forward to the new adventures now with our daughter and having our family complete," said Scott.

The Cummings planned to adopt Veronika when she came on a cultural and educational exchange trip in July. The little girl didn't speak English, but the family says Veronika has taught them a lot of Russian.

"We haven't had any problems communicating. It's been amazing," said Wendy.

Veronika never had clothes or toys of her own at her orphanage in Russia. Now the family has a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

"Introducing her to what Thanksgiving is because she doesn't know. They've never experienced that," said Scott.

"Simple things in life that she never had the privilege to have, now she will. But most important she'll have a mommy and a daddy," said Wendy.

The cummings adopted Veronika through a program called International Guardian Angels Outreach. Veronika was part of a group of 10 orphans who stayed with families on Hilton Head over the summer for a 3 week cultural and educational trip. About half of the children who visited were adopted by American families.