My adoption story sounds like many others, but for me it was a life changing experience that gave me the two most wonderful people in the world (Natasha and Alek). I started my international adoption by researching agencies and attending seminars. Finally, I signed up with a group and tried to adopt from the Ukraine. I started my paperwork in March ’04, completed my dossiers in August ’04 and sent everything to my coordinator. By October ’04 I still had not heard from my coordinator and became very nervous. As I waited I surfed the web for everything that I could find on international adoptions, and then I found the Adoption Ark website.
My adoption process was not a smooth ride, and after my first attempt I was really nervous, but I spoke with Elina often. Big difference from the first agency, all I had to do was call her and she was there. Finally I had all my paperwork done and approved. So off we went, during the trip I had several panic attacks, and called Elina. Like always she was there, and the Adoption Ark contacts that we worked with in Russia were phenomenal. The only bad part of the whole trip was my nerves.
Finally the day came when I got to meet my children for the first time. What can I say, after I met the two most perfect, healthy, smart, and beautiful little children in the world, I knew everything was going to be all right. I spent the next three days visiting with them. I was sad to leave them at the end of the first trip, but the orphanage had a warm and caring environment, not at all like what I had expected.
In April ’05 I was invited to return. And this time the wait was easy. I knew I was going to be returning to pick up my kids. My court date was April 22nd and I was fully prepared. The coordinator had everything handled; she even prepared me for the type of questions asked. Court went off without a problem, but I did not get the ten day stay waived. At first this was a little disappointing, but then I got to spent time with my children every day. We got to know each other before I picked them up from the orphanage, and the time made the change easier for them. During our wait time our coordinator arranged tourist trips around the area for us. Money was never an issue, it never changed and we were never pressured about it. The time went quicker then I could imagine and suddenly we were all on our way home. My whole adoption process with Adoption Ark took about 6 months. After I returned home the first group contacted me to explain international adoption were tough but finally they had gotten my dossier accepted and I might be able to travel by the fall of ’05. This after a 10 month waits just to hear from my Ukraine coordinator. Needless to say I told them not to bother, and while I lost the money I spent with the first group I am glad I didn’t let them handle my adoption.
At the time I arrived home my kids (now named Natasha and Alek) were 3 and 4. We have been home almost 5 months and both have had a birthday and Alek started kindergarten. I can’t think of a hard time or any adjustment issues. The orphanage prepared the kids for the trip. They explained exactly how many airplane trips we would have before getting home, and with the pictures I supplied they explained to the kids that we had horses, dogs, and cats. I was Mama from day one. In 5 month both Alek and Tasha speak understandable English that improves everyday. They both know their ABC and can count up to 20. They are learning at an amazing rate. I know Russia classifies orphans as learning delayed, but my kids are advanced in many ways compared to my friends American born children the same age. To say that I am happy and would recommend Adoption Ark is an understatement. There are not words to express my gratitude.
Stephanie, Alek, and Tasha….
New Smyrna Beach, Florida