Beginnings

After several years of discussing adoption, we finally decided to go for it on July 4, 2002. This is the story of our journey to adopt two little girls. After much research we decided on Russia because the time frame seemed reasonable. More about that later. Next we contacted several agencies for information; the agency we decided to use, Tedi Bear Adoptions, were investigated for unethical practices in Oct. 2002 and consequently we decided not to use them.
The research continued. We were astonished at the cost for adoption. With an agency, the total cost for 2 children could run between $25,000 and $40,000. I requested each agency give me a breakdown of how the $6000-$10000 they were charging was used. None of them could do this.
So we began considering independent adoption. With independent adoption, you set everything up yourself-find facilitators, tranlslators, drivers, complete all paperwork and deliver it to Russia. But since we had never completed an adoption before how could we be sure that we were doing every thing right? So we kept looking.
In the meantime we completed application for INS approval and looked for social worker for homestudy. In Russian language class I met Stephanie who referred me to her social worker, Lori Phass of Adoption Support Services of Florida. (http://adoptionsupportservices.com/) In December of 2003 we completed our homestudy.
After continued reseach, I came across a web site for 'Tears of Joy'. (http://www.tearsofjoy.net/). Brenda Yonker and Cheri Battjie, both adoptive moms, offer another alternative to agencies and independent adoption. They help you setting up all contacts in Russia and advising you with your paperwork. Compared with agencies, their fee is minimal. In Feb. 2004 we signed a contract with 'Tears of Joy'.