[lovemybulldog]

Ashman,

Sorry for the long post, but I feel like this thread could help others in the newbie/research mode.

My husband and I are in the same boat as you. As you can see from my signature, we have had our hearts set on Russia, but several factors made us start to look at other countries.

First of all, Russia seems to be putting the US under a microscope lately, with abuse allegations. Our chosen agency, which is one of the longest accredited with Russia, is on their supposed watch list and that makes me nervous.

Secondly, as I read through the dates chronicled on signatures, the wait times from application to final trip to Russia don't seem to be any quicker than some other countries. Those who start and finish in the same calendar year seem to be the exception, not the norm, so we've gotten the idea out of our heads that this will happen in a snap. We're settling into the mindset that we could be looking at a 18 month + process.

Also, I've noticed in my research, that the Russia process seems to be full of gifts, donations, and what I consider, almost bribes. I know that any country includes donations and gifts. I think it's proper. But, what I didn't like from reading blogs, stories, and accounts of trips to Russia, is that it seems like the system in general is a little shady. I guess I'm thinking about Russian mafia (too much Sopranos!) and their poor economic state.... China just seems more grateful and honorable in terms of how the approach americans and adoption of their children. Maybe I'm naive, but I just get a better feeling from countries like China, Korea and Guatamala (the others I've researched).

We have cousins who recently adopted from Korea and recent time spent with him helped us get over a little bit of an interracial mental block we had. We were set on keeping our Czech/Polish heritage by adopting eastern European, but after spending time with our little cousin, we realized that it didn't matter at all.

We also didn't like the 2-3 trip thing...along with the fact that long term fall out from FAE and institutionalization seem to be a consistent theme on the Russia board. While I would love the child no matter what, and know that I am not guaranteed a problem free child from China, it doesn't seem to be as rampant. The unknowns seem to be fewer.

On top of that, China just seems to be more stable and looking past the wait times, it sounds like boys are available, eventhough many people claim they are not.

Good luck in you quest for information! I'm right there with you!