[jrvikngfan]

Hi. First of all I want to thank all of you who have provided so much insight and support over the last year or so. I came to this forum first, when doing research regarding adoption, then international adoption... specifically Russia and then with choosing an agency and all the steps that followed.

As you may recall, my husband and I wanted to adopt two children, preferably boys, but were later asked if we would consider a little girl, 7 mos old at the time... we cannot travel to meet her until she comes off the registry. Our paperwork was due to expire and although, compared to many of the people on this board...we hadn't waited long, well it seemed like forever for us, as we had started the process to have children many years before... and suffered two late term pregnancy losses along the way. We have received other referrals (one set of twins who was determined to be very high risk by two IA docs and children that were completely outside of the age ranges we had asked for). I don't blame our agency, I think they were just trying to make the offer and let us be the ones to decide.

Now, we have agreed to see a blind referral, the little girl mentioned above in Kirov... but are still hoping we might receive a 2nd referral of a little boy (either before we leave or while we are there). I have spoken with a couple of people who have adopted two children and I know it is possible, but these were couples who had received 2 referrals before they traveled. Has anyone received an additional referral for an unrelated child while in Russia?

We have looked at all the pros and cons and prayed and prayed about this. We know this could be a blessing in disguise, bringing them home one at a time, but to be completely honest... we are afraid we won't be able to afford to go back (and since we are older, don't know if we will have caregivers to watch the child we have to leave behind... and I don't know that my job will allow for another unpredictable leave like this). This is all so overwhelming.

We have known of our referral for several weeks now, but have no travel info. We hope to go in March sometime... any advice you could give on receiving an additional referral, travel, reviewing blind referrals, or Kirov in general would be greatly appreciated. I think we are just getting a little nuttier than usual with getting so close and now being in limbo. I am sure there are many on this board who have been through that...

Thank you all for your continued support. We are thrilled to be so close to finally having a child and know that girl or boy, one or two, it will be perfect... if we are supposed to do this one at at time, God will provide for us somehow... we're just nervous since the two children (pref boys) under 30 months we went into this for has turned out so differently (the blind referral process hasn't helped our nerves much).

[votemom]

adoption is such a roller-coast experience. you have clearly been through so much - i am very sorry for the loss of your children.

i don't really have any advice, but i wish you clarity as you travel and decide if your referral is the little girl for you.

[Sally26]

Kirov is a great region to adopt from and is usually quick moving.

I'm praying for a boy referral and good medical info on the infant girl for you!

[Kasey]

Feel free to email me on Kirov, we were there in 2004 and aside from the blind aspect, the trip remains the same, I can provide you pics of the orphanage, train, etc...
Kevkrisharkataoldotcom

Congrats and best wishes!!!!

[adopt_one_more]

Hi,
We've adopted 3 times from Kirov - twice in 2002 and then again in 2005.

We had good experiences all three times.
It is usually a very fast moving & busy region. There were usually 4-5 other couples with us on each trip. Be sure to ask every question you can think of - they do tend to only give out what is asked for. You will need to "go with the flow" but try not to let them rush you into any decisions.

None of our referrals were blind but a couple we were with in 2005 went with 1 referral and got one while there. Unfortunatly there were too many medical issues with the blind referral so they did turn her down.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or to get my # if you would like to chat by phone.
Pmorelock @ aol . com