From the day we decided to adopt a child, we knew Russia would be the place we
would go. I am second generation Russian and my husband, Steve, travels to Russia for
business and has many Russian friends here in the U.S. After attending a Cradle of Hope
information meeting in May 1994, and being very impressed with their professionalism and
knowledge, we started the home study and began a journey that would change our lives
forever.
Our son, Zack, was
four-and-a-half years old when we traveled to Moscow to bring home our then two-year-old
little boy who we called Ian. When we told Cradle that we wanted to travel with Zack, they
were very supportive and never questioned our decision. They found us a host family with a
large apartment, and helped us prepare him for the journey ahead. Bringing him along was
the best decision we could have made. He tried new foods, was comfortable with strangers,
he sat happily for long periods of time and dazzled our host family and the orphanage
director. He bonded immediately with his new little brother and returned after
two-and-a-half weeks with gifts and stories for all of his nursery school friends.
We could not have been happier with Cradle and our beautiful new son. Although
initially concerned with Ian’s medicals, our hearts told us that this little boy was
meant to be a part of our family. We feel extremely lucky and Ian is a healthy, happy and
active little boy. We were very happy with our first adoption experience, so happy that in
May of 1996, after updating our paperwork, my husband traveled back to Russia (Kurgan this
time) to bring home our beautiful, then 13-month-old princess, Sydney. She was a very
healthy, chubby, strawberry blond with piercing green eyes. The Russian doctor we spoke to
said that her medical was one of the best she had seen so far. Steve’s trip took only
10 days and considering he traveled alone, Cradle again made sure that the adoption went
smoothly. They made sure that he had lots of support from the coordinators and host
families that he dealt with in Russia.
Cradle has provided us with constant support and friendship throughout the years. We
are great supporters of their programs in every way. We now have three beautiful and
intelligent children (do I sound like a mother?) age eight, five and a half, and three.
Our children are typical siblings in every way. Our house is always filled with noise and
our lives have changed in a way we never thought possible.
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