[waitingonVandS]

I just heard of the news of Russia temporarily putting a hold on all adoptions. I confirmed it with my facilitator. Guys, I am in the middle of an anxiety attack! What if I never get my 2 precious children that I love so much? I can't imagine my life without Vadim and Svetlana. My God I'm freaking out!

Believe me, I am an optimist. I just can't get that thought out of my head of politics messing this whole thing up. We have come so far!

So does anyone think that there is any possibility that Russia is finished with their adoptions? I know their is a lot of anti foreign adoption sentiment, and I felt it from the older caregivers in the orphanage. Russia is losing their population and maybe they view foreign adoption as just one more way that they are losing their people.

I'm talking stupid right now. Please forgive me. I'm just going nuts. Time for a martini...

[calikismet]

Hi -- I think that if you look back at the history of Russian adoptions, there have been many blips on the proverbial radar, and prob several of these temporary holds over the years that no one now remembers. I think that it is pretty common that foreign governments shift around and re-arrange their requirements and demands, and that seems to be what is happening. But I find it next to impossible that the entire system would just stop, permanently -- the Russian system is far too settled and predictable for that, and has been going on for far too many years. Do I think that changes are in the works? Yes.. we seemed to "sense" it when we were in Russia in October -- a lot more than we had felt it when we were in Russia in early 2003 for our son's adoption. But change is not always bad, and I think we all have to take a wait and see approach.

I know that NONE of this is easy to handle and I truly do pray for those in the waiting process that this current hold is another tiny blip that will quickly fade away as well.

[stephw3boys]

I too am drinking right now... My agency said the databank closed in May foe 3 weeks also. THese things happen. Russia can not afford to close to adoptions. THe orphanages would really suffer. What will happen, we will see.

Let's drink to a reopening and speeding up of the process!!

[kimtenn]

<clink>

(DH and I bellying up to the bar of waiting parents) :-(

I am just numb now. I found out at about 4:30 and confirmed it with my agency. They insist Russia is not closing, though. But prior to this, they insisted that the databank wouldn't close either.

Hopefully, like someone said, it's just a blip on the radar screen. Let's all pray for this blip to go away so we can get our babies home!! God can move mountains.

[waitingonVandS]

Cheers and may God answer our prayers!

[sickmeig]

one thing i noticed being over there in april 04 - russia's courts are behind in technology. perhaps they are closing over the holidays because of a backlog of paperwork, etc. HANG IN THERE!!! i had setbacks and almost gave up - but after 12 months and only one week between trip one and two - i now have katya home and she had her first birthday party last night (she turned 4 yrs). even if the child is older than you first wanted when you get him/her, they will always be your baby. i don't think about the time i missed with katya, i'm just grateful she was well taken care of and that i have her now. i can't imagine that russia would stop adoptions because it is such a financial strain for them to care for these children and they gain so much economically from americans making two trips to their country. i really felt like i was on a rescue mission when i got katya. even with these strained political times - hang in there. i often thought of our soldiers who face daily life threatening events and this gave me strength. if they could risk their life for us - i could persevere to save a child.