We started discussing adoption with each other during the summer of 1998. We decided to attend the ARNI conference in November. At the conference, we were initially overwhelmed with information and choices. However, by lunch, fate had brought us to the Frank Foundation and eventually to our three beautiful children.
We had many questions at the time. How could we afford to do this? Would these kids want to be adopted? Would they be traumatized by their past? Would they have attachment disorders? Would they like us? Would we like them? Would be be a happy family?
Even with our reservations, we believed we were meant to adopt. The first question regarding finances was easily answered. A CHILD WAITS FOUNDA TION , and the Frank Adoption Agency were both willing to help financially. We just hoped that the rest would fall into place as well.
We met our children on April 26th. We had completed the paperwork, and flew to Russia. Now, the excitement and anxiety were tremendous. Our children - Sasha, Deana and Vova walked into the room holding hands and they looked so precious. After awkward "hellos", Sasha asked (through the interpreter) if we wanted all three of them. When we said "yes", the awkwardness evaporated, smiles lit their faces, and they jumped into our arms for warm embraces. The answer to our second question stood before us - Yes! - our children wanted to be adopted!
The rest of the trip was a blur - driving, paperwork, courts, playing with the kids, and virtually no sleep. Despite this, we had never been happier. We spent only two hours at the orphanage. It was much better than we had expected. The kids (we saw many) were happy, well behaved and beautiful. The caretakers, nurses, teachers, and orphanage directors were warm and loving. It was evident that they all truly loved the children in their care.
I believe it is because of this love and discipline that our children are not traumatized by their past. They do not have attachment disorders and they are mentally and physically healthy. We will be forever indebted to the orphanage's caretakers for providing this quality of care.
Our other questions (and doubts) have all been answered positively as well. Despite all of us loving each other, we also like each other and have become a very happy family. We feel that we are blessed, and are very grateful to the Frank Adoption Agency, A CHILD WAITS FOUNDA TION , the Borovichi orphanage, and the children's biological parents. All of these entities have made it so we now have a family.
