Family Day/Gotcha Day is the day adoptive families officially become a family. We have three days to choose from - March 14th- court day and when were officially declared Livi’s parents. March 21st the day we were able to pick her up from the orphanage and March 30th the day we came home. All three days are equally special but I tend to focus on the day we came home for some reason. Maybe its because John would say that he would breathe easy once our plane landed in the good ole USA and that we were all safely home. To me March 30th... more

I can’t believe it’s been almost a year now since coming home. I know I say that every month that goes by but it really does go by so fast. Our girl has grown up so much. She gained 10 lbs and grew six inches since coming home. She went from a little girl who was not so steady on her feet to a girl who climbs, runs and jumps with the greatest of ease. The transformation has been incredible. It’s amazing what love & a healthy environment can do. Her entire look has changed, she is no longer a pale baby and no longer even resembles a... more

We have a date!

After three years of waiting, we’ve finally been given a court date to finalize the adoptions of our littlest sibling group of five. Later this month, if all works out, we’ll be standing before a judge.

And then we want to celebrate!

Share your celebration ideas and experiences!

We have adopted several times in the past and have developed a sort of “traditional day” already. But I’m wondering if we could add or change something to make this one a little different, just... more

Realizing today that our foster days are numbered got me thinking about the very first days of our fostering experience…

I remember our first call asking if we would consider two children, siblings. (We were licensed for 2, ages 0-5 then.) The oldest was a boy, 3.5yrs old. His little sister was 20mos. The children were in a very large, very nice, children’s shelter. They had been in this shelter for 3mos and this worker was searching for a home that would take them both together. We were told that the boy was hyperactive and aggressive, that he... more

Today was weird. Our foster care licensing worker came over. We had our final home visit for foster care. No more foster care for us. We are done. 100 months from our first month to our last month.

We will finalize adoptions next month for our last foster children. Our adoption certification has been approved by the judge. A big stack of paperwork has been submitted. We have a finalization date. Until then, they officially remain foster children. Once they officially become... more

Where does the time go? Really this past year has gone by so fast. Today is our first Metcha day Anniversary.It’s been an exciting year full of changes and adjustments. I remember fondly being in Siberia this time last year. We had just sleepy eyed departed a plane in the middle of the coldest weather in recent Siberian history. We walked down the plane stairs and across the frigid snowy airfield and into the old terminal (If you could call it that). We waited for our translator who arrived a little late and made us very nervous. We were told that within a... more

While washing dishes, I overheard a few of the girls playing Barbies. One was the “Mother Barbie”. I heard “Mother” yell out to the younger Barbies: “Everyone hurry and help clean up!!! The caseworker is coming!”

To hear my daughter state “me” so plainly was enlightening. I did yell that out to the kids every time we had a home visit. We all rushed about cleaning every normal thing and a bunch of less-normal things as well. I had tons of anxiety!

I don’t know that the “pre-caseworker cleaning anxiety”... more

A social worker made yet another visit to our home this morning.

We are in the process of finalizing the adoption of a wonderful little group of five siblings. When they were originally placed with us, the children were in foster care placed with a plan to reunify with the birthmother. Six months later, the birthmom chose to relinquish her parental rights and we were asked to adopt. We agreed. That was 2.5 years ago – and we are STILL in the process of adopting these kids! Sometimes I wonder if it will EVER be over?!? Glad to have previous... more

It doesn’t need to cost a lot of money to adopt a child. Money is a tricky topic among adoptive families. Yet, it is a reality for all of us. It isn’t “better” if your child’s adoption costs a lot; it isn’t “better” if your child’s adoption was less expensive.

However, I often run across families who feel they can not afford to adopt. These families should know that it doesn’t need to cost a lot of money. There are some methods of adoption that are less expensive. Don’t let the financial aspect alone deter you from adopting... more

It’s that time again, time for our second post placement visit. When we adopted four post placement visits were required. I know that this is an ever-changing requirement with many international countries. This is something very important to follow through on. Russia has halted adoptions all together in regions because of parents not turning in post placement reports. I believe that Ukraine also closed its doors all together because of this. Its just one of those things you need to do. Yes it’s a pain. Because our adoption agency... more