| There was a place in my life where I was | | | | and drove down an icy road to a secluded |
| in deep thought about what I was doing | | | | Siberian building. It took over five |
| to change the world. My husband was | | | | hours to reach it. This was to be the |
| amazing and I had three beautiful boys, | | | | orphanage that our Alex stayed in with |
| a great home based business I enjoyed | | | | about sixty other children. The room we |
| and I still did not feel I was changing | | | | were escorted to was a bright green room |
| the world. I felt a strong necessity for | | | | with large chairs. As we were trying to |
| parents to come forward for kids did not | | | | be patient, the women that were there |
| have any. I made the decision to take in | | | | took off down the hall in a hurry. All |
| a child myself because after all, I was | | | | the excitement and travel had really |
| not a bad parent. We started on our | | | | started to creep upon us. It was |
| quest for an international child. Our | | | | eighteen hours later than it was at |
| choice was a Russian boy to add to our | | | | home. We still were amazed that we were |
| growing family of boys. The orphanages | | | | in this place. Finally, the door swung |
| are packed with males and sprinkled with | | | | open and a big Russian woman entered |
| a few girls. We received pictures of | | | | with a tiny little boy holding her hand. |
| boys around the ages of four to ten and | | | | He was not five as Alex was supposed to |
| we set out finding the one we wanted. We | | | | be but only about three years old. He |
| grew close to a young boy around the age | | | | was dressed in a shirt and shorts that |
| of five. His name was Alex. He came from | | | | did not fit him and was not clean at |
| the farthest corner of Russia and was | | | | all. This building was very hot and we |
| said to be a healthy little boy. We sent | | | | were dressed in winter apparel. This |
| the money for the fee out directly. | | | | tiny boy stole our hearts immediately. |
| Mounds of papers were sent for us to | | | | He said help in Russian. My husband |
| fill to perfection and have notarized. | | | | hugged him so tightly, they placed him |
| Some had to carry a seal that shows that | | | | on his lap, and in no time at all, Alex |
| the notary we used was legal. The papers | | | | was laughing aloud. For three days, we |
| were mailed back and more would come in. | | | | stayed in a very small hotel room with |
| The cycle would start all over again. | | | | almost nothing in it except for a bed |
| Blood tests were due every three months. | | | | and a chair. In addition, a bathtub did |
| Our fingerprints were taken and we had a | | | | not have clean water. The Russians that |
| background check done. A homestudy was | | | | were taking care of us asked if we could |
| also necessary. It was requires that we | | | | find someone to take their older sister |
| show proof of marriage, the money we | | | | at an orphanage here. We got as much |
| made, and we sent in all the forms they | | | | information as we could about her with |
| asked for. We got many different | | | | the desire to help her. It was soon time |
| emotions from those around us. One | | | | to leave our Alex and come home with |
| individual would be happy about it while | | | | only a few pictures of him. When we |
| another individual would think we were | | | | returned, the papers were piling up for |
| not doing the right thing. The photo | | | | us to sign and return. More blood tests |
| that was sent the first time was the | | | | were needed. We were waiting until the |
| only one we were allowed to have. It was | | | | time we could go back for the official |
| explained that the Russians thought we | | | | court. For more info see on adoption |
| were crazy and should appreciate what we | | | | photo. Of course, it was longer than the |
| were getting. This photo was now two | | | | three months. In that time, we made the |
| years old. More time went by and we did | | | | choice to adopt his older sister also. |
| not move for a vacation or even think | | | | This time, we visited in the scorching |
| about new jobs because we never knew | | | | summertime. Nothing seemed to go right |
| when we were leaving for Russia. | | | | for us. Not only did it take prayers |
| Finally, the telephone rang and the | | | | from all around by only God could help |
| agency we were using notified us of the | | | | us return with these children. It was |
| need for us to go to Russia within a | | | | something we were supposed to do. It was |
| week's time. This was the same week as | | | | not a simple thing to complete this |
| Christmas. Our travels would take us | | | | Russian adoption. God does not give us |
| away from our family and children to | | | | the option to have things made easy if |
| meet our new son for the first time. We | | | | they are gifted to us. |
| were skeptical about it because of not | | | | You can also find more info on baby |
| knowing if this was right or not. What | | | | adoption and foreign adoption |
| had we done? This child might bring | | | | brace.ChildAdoptionGuide.org is a |
| something to our family that we had not | | | | comprehensive resource to help couples |
| expected! It took us over twenty-five | | | | with the adoption process. |
| hours to arrive. We were put into a van | | | | |