My Karina
My story begins in the spring of 2007. It was May and I had just spent the first three weeks of the month researching International Adoption and adoption agencies. After a lot of time scrutinizing different agencies using information I could garner on the Internet, I came to the conclusion that I would sign an adoption contract with Adoption Ark. I did this after reading over two dozen blogs on the web written by clients of Adoption Ark. In all that reading, I found that Adoption Ark’s clients had had very positive adoption experiences. I felt good about my decision as I dropped my contract through the mail slot of Adoption Ark’s office late on the 21st of May. As much as I wanted to be a Mom, and as much as I thought I knew how much I would value the experience of being a Mom, I had no idea, that day, of how my life would change over the course of the next year.
I spent months gathering, copying and organizing my adoption paperwork. The information provided to me from Adoption Ark regarding what I needed was very clear. Every once in a while, I would have a question and Alla, my adoption caseworker was always available to me via the phone or by email. Not one single time did I feel that I was on my own. I always felt that Adoption Ark was fully invested in my adoption and were doing everything possible to make my adoption a reality. Over the months, I gained such a strong trust of Alla, my caseworker, and the ladies at Adoption Ark that I was actually able to relax during the long months of document preparation and even longer months of waiting. This was because I knew that if there was a problem or an issue or some news regarding my adoption progress that I would immediately be informed by Alla. When you don’t have good communication with your adoption agency you wonder for months and months where you stand and what is going on. When you have good communication and trust you can rest assured that everything that can be done on your behalf is being done.
Eventually, the waiting came to an end and it was my turn to travel. As usual, Alla was right on top of every detail making sure I had the information I needed to have a smooth and uneventful trip. I knew from the beginning that I had made the right choice going with Adoption Ark but as each step of the process unfolded I had that confidence reaffirmed as I saw how flawlessly each step was handled. It was easy to see just how experienced Alla and the ladies at Adoption Ark were regarding adoptions in Kazakhstan. You could tell that they have the process down to a science and really know precisely what they are doing and what you need to do. This clarity took away so much stress that I was able to really concentrate on my adoption experience.
The day I met my daughter was a day that I had been imagining about for so long. The experience was so amazing that it is almost not possible to convey in words how incredible it was. I sat at a table in the baby house Director’s office. Across from me a couple (also Adoption Ark clients) was being introduced to their baby girl. I was kind of in a daze from the jet lag and the anxiety. It was as if I was standing outside of myself watching the whole scene unfold, when out of the corner of my right eye I saw a woman walk into the Director’s office holding the hand of a beautiful cherubic little girl. I remember thinking, “Oh my, what a beautiful child.” And then I remember thinking right after that … “Oh my goodness, she is here for me.” I remember being in shock and feeling like I couldn’t actually believe that I was really at the point of becoming a parent. I had wanted it for so long and even though I consciously knew that I had taken all the steps to become a parent…I guess part of my brain really thought that it would never happen. It wasn’t until that little girl walked through the doorway with the giant bow in her hair that I was able to acknowledge that my dream was going to become a reality.
Karina, who is four years old, has been at home with me now for four months. She has me wrapped around her little finger. She has so much personality and is so smart and resilient. Her smile is genuine, huge and seen often throughout the day. Her laughter is so sweet and contagious. She finds joy in the smallest things and when I look into her eyes I see the soul of an incredible person. I am in awe of how much she has forever changed my life. Don’t get me wrong, there are days when there is crying, and whining, and time outs. She is after all a totally normal four year old little girl. But the majority of our time together is absolutely positively wonderful. I am totally enamored of this little girl and can’t wait to see who she becomes as she grows up. I am very excited about being able to help nurture this wonderful spirit whose care has been entrusted to me.
If you are considering adoption, please don’t rule out the possibility of adopting an older child. Karina and all the children in her group at the baby house were wonderful, inquisitive, healthy, and loving. In the few months that she has been home, Karina has formed a strong attachment to me, as I to her. The amount of affection in this little girl is amazing. When my little girl wraps her sweet baby arms around my neck, clasps her hands together, giggles with a twinkle in her beautiful eyes, leans forward and plants a dozen kisses on my cheeks, I know that the best thing to ever happen to me is in my arms.
Amy Sharify, IL