We began our adoption process in February, 2005. Little did we know that we went about the process without researching and identifying an agency. Luckily for us, I came to find out that Adoption Ark is well thought of by most of its clients. We completed our dossier by the end of June, 2005 and it was quickly translated and registered in the region.
I completed all of the paperwork for both trip 1 and 2 which I do not recommend as we probably could have traveled sooner and avoided the costs associated with repeated medical exams and criminal check reports. Our case manager had us complete two dossiers. I did not realize that we were completing an extra dossier but it was lucky for us that we did. After several months of waiting, I began to get emails from our case manager telling us that she would be happy to register us in another region. I contacted her and found out that the region we were registered in was not processing adoptions very quickly. I researched the situation by contacting other agencies working in that region as well as adoptive parents who were also waiting in that region. Unfortunately, this region indeed was processing adoptions very slowly due to quotas and political fallout after the death of a boy from that region that was adopted in the states. After several weeks, we decided to register in the other region.
This occurred in October and we traveled soon. Our visit was exciting, tiring and ultimately rewarding. Our little girl was perfect for us in every way. She even strongly resembled my husband which everyone in the orphanage commented on, going as far as suggesting that my husband was in Siberia 5 years ago. : ) During our wait, I read several books and articles about older child adoption noting sections for my husband to read. With great relief, our transition from a couple to a family with one child has been relatively easy.
She sleeps and eats well, seems very attached to her mama and papa, and has a bright sunny disposition. However, in another 10 years, I expect that things may be different : ) We are grateful to Adoption Ark for bringing us together and wish future adoptive parents every happiness that comes with raising a child.