Tuesday, September 27, 2005


September 27, 2005
I guess we started this journey over 7 years ago when we were married. After 5 years we decided on adoption. Then we had to choose an agency, we tried several but didn't feel comfortable with them. Plus my husband wasn't 100% sure about the whole adoption thing. Ironically one day he heard a commercial on the radio for Bethany Christian Services he decided we should give them a call. We spoke to them and they invited us to attend meeting on international adoption on March 16 (my mom's birthday). We went and felt comfortable with what they had to say. Then we had to decide on a country. After a lot of reading we narrowed it down to Lithuania, Russia, or Ukraine. I should explain we decided against a domestic adoption because the birth parents can take the child back and I don't think we could survive the heartbreak. Our Social Worker helped us decide on Ukraine. Ukraine doesn't give referrals for children, you must travel there and pick one from binders in Kiev. Then go visit the child before committing to adopt. We started our homestudy which took us several months because we had to fill out pages and pages of essays, which Jeff was not happy about and neither was I. When our homestudy was about done we started work on our dossier, which is a collection of paperwork that is submitted to the National Adoption Center in Kiev, Ukriane. Also we applied for our I-171 which is paperwork for The United States Immigration. All of this was sent to Grand Rapids (head quarters for Bethany) in the beginning of April 2005. They shipped it to a translator who then shipped it to our Facilitators in Kiev. They were to submitt it in May. But there is no rhyme or reason to how the NAC accepts dossiers. So in August we had to update our documents because the notaries and apostilles on them were starting to expire. We waited for our Registration Letter to arrive-it never has. On September 21, the Ukrainian Government put a temporary moratorium on new dossiers-which means they are not accepting anymore. After several frantic calls to our SW we found out in an email that we did get registered before the moratorium. So we figured (according to everything we had heard and read) that we wouldn't be traveling to Ukraine until early spring of 2006. Surprisingly on September 26, Jeff received a phone call at work telling us we have an Oct 7, 2005 appointment. That gives us little time to get ready. Yikes! So that is where we are.

11 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Looks great! We are so excited for you. Keep us posted!
Elmer & Ellen

11:24 AM, September 30, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cara & Jeff,
Have a great trip!! I cannot wait to hear all about it.
have fun.
Love,
Neel, Shannon, & Anjali

11:43 AM, October 01, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Jeff and Cara,
Life chuckles along and seven years go by (has it really been 7 yrs?!) Then one day you get a phone call. Sure, you were wanting that call, but now it's all so scary and REAL. Slow down and enjoy it ALL. You've been chosen for a multi-dimensional journey of a lifetime. Stay in the now and seize the day. We are so thrilled for you that we have tummy butterflies! Can't wait to hear about your journey on your next posting. Can't wait to continue your journey with you when you all come home to our great land. Love from the Carrolls

5:35 PM, October 01, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Are you there yet? I hope your flight went well. We can't wait to hear from you!
Laura & Liz
P.S. We both did really well on our Nursing test this morning!

9:14 AM, October 06, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cara & Jeff,
Congratulations on your great news. You are having the adventure of a life time. Cherish every moment. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

The Erickson's

9:26 AM, October 06, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Laura was over here and showed me how to do this. I hope you found a place to stay and that everything goes very well for you tomorrow. love- MOM

3:18 PM, October 06, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hope all is well on your wonderful journey! You are in our thoughts and prayers - anxiously awaiting the arrival of your new family. Cara, I hope you are finding things that you can tolerate to eat (Good Luck)!

Wishing you our very best!
Love,
Todd,Deb & Jessica

3:03 PM, October 07, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sure glad it is nice there and you feel safe. Be careful just the same. Enjoy your weekend getting used to your surroundings and get plenty of rest. love- Mom & Dad

9:27 AM, October 08, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cara and Jeff,
We're so glad things are going well. keep the updates coming. we'd love to see some photos.
Love, Angie, Scott, Caleb & Ben

2:10 PM, October 09, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cara & Jeff- I wrote something earlier but it isnt here so I will try again. We hope you had a good weekend. Good luck tomorrow. Love- Mom & Dad

3:10 PM, October 09, 2005  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Could you give me an idea about expenses in Ukraine? We're setting aside money hoping for a trip later this year to go adopt in Ukraine. Our lodging and travel expenses in country will be covered, but beyond that we need separate money. Thanks!
hsmomforHim@msn.com

11:34 AM, March 08, 2006  

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