FAQ's

1. When did you start this process? We have barely put our toe in the water!   We have just now started this process.  We are deciding between agencies right now. 
2. Do you want a specific gender? Yes!  We want a boy.  Luckily, boys have a lesser wait time.
3. When will you get him? The timeline of the adoption process varies.  From the time we submit the application, it's be between 20 -29 months until he is home with us.
4. How old will he be? Children in Russia do not become available for adoption until 9 months of age.  We'll bring him home when he's about 12-15 months old.
5. Why Russia? Because that's where God has led us.  Here are some heart wrenching statistics about Russian orphans I have found:  There are more than 750,000 orphans are living in Russian institutions (about 2,000 of them).  Among another estimated 2 million to 4 million homeless orphans living on the streets.  The annual number of children left without parental care has more than doubled over the last 10 years despite falling birth rates.  Some 10,000 young people graduate from the state-run orphanages every year.  And at least 40% of these graduates eventually end up in prisons or in prostitution while one in ten will commit suicide, not to mention the 40% that become addicted to drugs/alcohol. And then this statistic I read on another Russian adoption blog...13 out of every 100 children adopted by Russians are eventually returned to the orphanage.  How awful is that ???
6. Where in Russia? We're not sure yet.  There are many regions in Russia.
7. How long will you be there? We have to take two trips.  The first trip is about a week long (we'll go within a month of accepting our referral), and the second trip (2-4 months later) is about 3-4 weeks.  We could split the second trip into two, but most likely we will take one long trip. 
8. How far apart in age will the kiddos be?  Depending on how long it takes, probably a minimum of 9 months.

The Beginning of our Journey.....

Hi and welcome to our blog!!  Caleb, Hannah and I are so excited to announce that we are adding a new addition to our family!!  After much prayer, research, thought, and consideration, we have decided to to adopt our second child. 

Why, you ask?  Short story....Because Caleb and I have always wanted to adopt a child who needs a warm, happy home. God has blessed us with the most beautiful baby girl on earth ; ) and we now want to add a little brother for Hannah!  When thinking about having a second child, our thoughts immediately went to adoption.

Where, you ask?  RUSSIA!  After researching domestic and international adoption, we decided to on international and somehow we ended up in Russia!  We feel that God has led us to this point, and will continue to guide us throughout the rest of our adventure that will lead us to the son he had made for us! We are so excited about this journey we are about to embark on and all we ask from you are prayers for an easy, smooth process!

I will update this blog every time we have a change in the process...the first 6-8 months is mostly paperwork and all the red tape we have to get through....I'll explain more on the next post of FAQ's...

Enjoy reading about our journey and keep us in your prayers!