Russia: The New Adventure Has Arrived.

A New Year, a New Adventure and one that will hopefully bring us a beautiful baby girl as a sister for Alexei and a daughter for us.

Our initial paperwork is almost in and we are preparing her room and gathering clothes and books together.
About 10 years ago, I had put a box aside and found little things, just in case one day I had a girl to give them too. Last night, I found the box while cleaning out my closet. I had forgotten what I had collected over the years and honestly did not think I would have a reason to open the box until now.

The box includes:
* A red short pleated, plaid skirt with black leather buckles.
* Barbie and Ken California Limited Edition dolls that are in surfer outfits and smell like sun tan lotion!
* The Mickey Mouse Limited Edition Barbie with Accessories.
* Soft Minnie and Daisy Duck onesie.
* Minnie Mouse Play Outfit.

And a bit more.
It is funny how things come around.

Ukraine Beginning...... Just Follow the Yellow Brick Road.

This week has been extremely emotional from "what if's" to "where?" and to "how?" while finalizing our decision to take the next step in adopting from Ukraine.

Ukraine is a beautiful country located in Eastern Europe that shares a Russian history, which was important to us as we have our son from Russia. As we embark on this next journey, the paper work begins to flood in from the home study to the first dossier. At the moment, the application will be our first order of business to the agency, then our application for the home study will follow and then the home study itself will begin with 4 interviews and home visits.

This is not unfamiliar territory for us, however reminds me of when we began our process for Russia 2.5 years ago. The process for Ukraine is much easier, yet varies greatly when it comes to children's ages for adoption and the referrals. We are hoping for a 2-3 year old, preferably a girl, however we have been told there are more boys available at this time. Once our home study is in, we will then wait for a dossier date from Ukraine, which will be the deadline for turning in our complete dossier.
A couple of months following our dossier, we will be invited to the country to look at referrals of children Ukraine has chosen for us to look at and then we decide which child to meet.

The entire process will most likely take a year to complete and as with any adoption time can vary a month or so in one direction or the other.

Do I wonder how we will endure this process and if we will take it in stride and enjoy the ride? Yes.
Do I wonder what and who lies at the end of this winding yellow brick road? Yes.
Am I anxious? Yes.
Does this occupy much of my daily thinking? Yes.
Do I wonder how this transition will go? Yes.

Lots of questions and plenty of waiting time to think of the possibilities.

...... Stay Tuned.

A Passion for Adoption- A Few Words

Adoption Awareness: For someone whose work is mainly online and spend a great deal of time reading adoption blogs and personal stories of struggles, it amazes me we do not have more to help children who are waiting for a life long home, many who if not adopted by age 12, end up on the streets, starving and sleeping in boxes.

Corporations give thousands upon thousands of dollars to causes each year as write offs, however adoption does not seem to be one of those causes in helping bring these children to their life long homes. Saving a child and giving parents the ability to raise a child in a loving home without going broke.

I'm not bashing Uncle Sam here, but I am saying, adoption is probably one of the most unselfish things to do in life and one that gives a child a second chance of an entire life time of good. The tax rebate is given after the adoption if finalized, however how do potential parents begin the process?I know we all donate to causes, sponsor things etc, however I was so surprised at how many fundraisers are out there for adoption for parents who have gone through IVF up to nine times, yup nine times and now they are hoping to bring home a child who otherwise may not have one. I wish there was a national charity where there was more help for those who want to help these parents, parents to be with bringing home a child in need of a home.

The average adoption can cost 20k dollars to 60k. Domestic can run higher if you are forced to start over a couple of times. The average parent to be must come up with the funds above within a year, cash out. On average sadly, many parents who have to prove financially capable, which many are on paper, then have to use credit cards to charge fees, empty their savings and hope for miles from the airplane accounts.

Alexei's doctor: 2 weeks ago became teary when she said I look at Alexei and see where he started and where he is now and it just makes me wonder where he would have been without being able to s...hine and become this incredible boy as he has so much potential. Catching us off guard because she was in tears, it was a very emotional meeting but the perfect example of why adoption is so important and how incredible it can be when just a few people make the choice for a life long commitment to an amazing child who waiting for them.

Heading into a New Adventure

Well, we are heading into a new adventure. At this time, we have not made a concrete decision as to where since there are incredible variables to each program.

Of course our dream of all dreams would be to return to Russia where there are many baby girls awaiting homes and that would be the ultimate of ultimate gifts to be able to give another child of our son's culture a home, brings me to tears to think about being back there. It made it that much harder after talking with the director and knowing this is how it is now and remembering the doctor in Russian telling us to come back for a girl.

Our hearts belong to Russia and will always be there. The second choice was to possibly go to Ukraine, a close second, however girls are not abundant at the moment and we would have to go with a child older then Alexei or the same age. Not too bad actually just wanted to go a bit younger and keep the age difference closer.

We are now looking into Korea as this may be our only choice that is easiest financially and yet will allow us to have a baby in 2 years. Yes, that's right, 2 years if I want a boy and 3 years if we could have our girl, however boy it is. 3 years is a huge length of time, however I know some endure the time.

We looked into Ethiopia and it also requires 2 trips and a very unfamiliar road through this adoption. I am still deciding and still gaining information.

I suppose the decision is so difficult and I often want to ask parents, how do you go to Russia multiple times with the costs so high. My only wish is that adoptive parents would have an easier time bringing a child home from any country without having to sacrifice all they have at home.

I might sound a bit angry and maybe going through the "Why can't we just get pregnant" stage once again as it seems like such a handful to get what seems so simple in life at such a large price.

I know so many of you know what I am referring too and it is most difficult to open my heart as I have, however I know that so many think it.

January will tell all in what we decide to do next.

I am wishing all adoptive parents out there right now happiness and a successful return if they are on trips. It is an amazing experience and you are never alone.

It has been awhile... trying to catch up on the writing.

My son had his first soccer class today. Entertaining as always. A drummer beating to his own drum. As the other children stood listening to the coach, my son was running around organizing the cones, putting the flag colors together and kicking the soccer ball all over the gym.
The coach continuously attempted to redirect my little guy without a huge success. I could not help but smile as although he was not quite to the point of wanting to listen, he was incredibly smart with the ability to organize and understand the overall kicking of the soccer ball and eventually making a goal.
I cannot wait to see what he has in store for the coach this weekend.

Gotch Day: One Day to the Year

GOTCHA DAY for The BOOTHS: What it means to us: For all parents out there, no matter what path taken, it's a huge job and for the adoptive parents out there who turned their world inside out, who spent days wondering if it would ever happen, every single minute is worth all of the steps to become parents.

Paper work for a year, driving to capitals, time after time waiting, physicals at the doctors, psychology reports from the psych docs, your financial details; basically before you are parents, your whole life is checked from the inside out, from your house, how u prepare, your finances, your medical and mental well being, in some cases twice to make sure things haven't changed in 2 months, 3 months, travels, court hearings in places you have never been and then for the next couple of years placement reports every 6 months, more drives to the capital. For some, all of this is often done after years of trying, years of fertility treatments, feeling like lab rats. I remember by the end before court, I knew I had given everything about us, who we were, who we are and who we were going to be and knew that it was worth us being stripped down naked so the officials knew our son was going to a good home.

By the time they asked me in court, "HunterAnn, how did you feel when you first saw your son?" I said, "How can anyone put that into words? I have no words for what I felt". Our court time was 15 minutes.

If someone asks me, "Why do it all over, go through all of this again?"
I say to them, "Because it brought me a son, who for the first year of his life was in a baby home and knew nothing of what a family could be or who a mama and papa were and what it was like to have his own room, his own toys, his own dog and the ability to feel and experience life for the first time, touching trees, grass and tasting different foods".
If I could give that to another little girl or boy who is sitting there hoping one day Mama or Papa will come pick them up, then I will go through all of the above and more. We only live once and to give that chance that I had growing up to another person, is worth any inconvenience. That is how I see "Gotcha Day"

I'm 2 Years Old and Lovin' It

May 14th was a special day this year as Alexei blew out a big "2" year old candle on top of a bowl of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. He has been quite busy attending the Sesame Street show and waving hello at Elmo to learning how to skate and jump on a trampoline.

His personality has blossomed recently into a very humorous silly little boy as you can see with his froggy hat, which he loves to wanting to kiss his Elmo doll each time it wakes up and begins to talk with him. Honestly, toys have come a long way since I was a child. This Elmo doll recognizes if Alexei has put him down for a nap and picked him back up, a bit disturbing if you ask me. But the best part about it is Alexei's surprise face (will post pic soon). His mouth drops wide open and his eye brows flicker up in a frozen state. Simply hilarious.

I was in the store two days ago and a favorite show of ours is "Gavin and Stacey". I really did not think Alexei paid much attention to the show when it is on as he is usually playing with his toys. The show is a British comedy with characters from Essex and Whales and there are particular lines used frequently. Alexei is in the grocery cart and I am searching for something or other on a shelf, suddenly I hear quite loudly "OY"! I stopped, looked over and thought nothing of it, maybe I didn't hear correctly. "OY!" came from the cart again so I turned around and looked at Alexei as he had his hand out trying to get my attention. He says quietly, "OY". I sat there for a few moments thinking what in the world, where did you ever hear that?! "Gavin and Stacey" came to mind and I couldn't help but start laughing out loud in the store. If you ever hear someone say it, you know what I mean. It was hilariously surprising coming from my two year old as if he had been saying it for ages.