For those with International Adoptions

Denise, You and I post a lot on Indian adoption don't we...it is a great statement as to how happy we are with our Indian children. All three of my daughters are from Coimbatore. Where is your son? Special needs adoption our of India is such a wonderful thing to check into. The children are so well cared for. The Indian people love the children and treat them so kindly and lovingly. Bonding issues have never come up for me. I truly believe that is why. Congratulations on your wonderful daughter and I pray your son comes home as soon as possible. Most people do not consider India because there are so many Indian government agencies involved and the rules are more strict...but it is all there for the good of the children. I adopted three toddlers younger than I imagined I would have been able to in the United States. I am not putting down domestic adoption at all.. I beat my head against the wall for three years trying to get someone in PA to give us a chance as a family. India was our God Send. There is no doubt in my mind that we were directed there. If anyone would like more info on Indian adoption...go to [url]www.ichild.org[/url] or check out the message board on this forum concerning Indian adoption. The children are most definately worth the wait. Denise...are you traveling to get your son? I can not wait to go back! I loved South India and was very welcomed there. I felt as if among great friends. Take care and prayers are with your little one. Karen

My husband and I adopted our son from Russian last year in 2002. We had a wonderful experience. The whole process took us 9 months. We made two trips to Russia. Our son was 13 months when he came home and we have had no attachment issues wiht him. He is a kind, loving, very intelligenet child. We are truly blessed with this gift from God. Ashley

We adopted our younger son from Guatemala and brought him home in January (2003) at the age of 32 months (his 3rd bithday is tomorrow, as a matter of fact!) We have had no troubles with bonding (that we've recognized as such, anyway)--he is extremely affectionate and giving; shares well with his older brother and the neighborhood children; loves to play with everyone and has become attached to the neighbor girl who babysits for us on occasion as well. He goes to her without hesitation! Our experience overall has been nothing but positive! As others have mentioned, the cost of adoption is an obstacle. However, once I sat down and figured out how much it would have cost in daycare, insurance, etc--to raise Aaron from birth--it pretty much evened out. So in many ways I think we will be ultimately "paying" less to have adopted a toddler. The trip to Guatemala was wonderful--we were well cared for by the folks at Aaron's hogar (orphanage) and our hotel (the Clarion Suites in Guatemala City)--I would do it all over again in a heartbeat!!

Hey Holly - good to see you back on the list. How are your kids doing? Is Arianna getting big? I adopted my daughter from Russia in 1998 when she was 12 months old. It was a never-to-be-forgotten experience to adopt from Russia, but I can't see myself ever going back for another child. Mariah's adoption took 9 months from start to finish and required two trips of about 7 days each. This time around we are adopting from Guatemala and have been very pleased with the monthly medical updates, pictures and great foster care. Aidan is heathy and happy and I have found the Guatemala process to be a lot less stressful. Next time...who knows? My husband says Korea or China, so we'll wait and see where the good Lord leads us! Here is a picture of my little one that was taken about two weeks ago when he was in for a check-up. Renee

Renee-- What a beautiful little boy! Someone told me once that the "Guatie boys" have the most expressive eyes and I have to agree. You are so blessed, and so is Aidan!

Thank you Crathke - I am sort of partial to his beautiful eyes as well! And they are actually dark charcoal grey instead of black like they look in the pictures. He already knows how to charm the ladies too, so we'll be in trouble when he gets older! Renee

Thanks everyone for your replies! Keep em posting! I'm learning a lot. The grant idea is a very awesome idea! Renee, how's your adoption coming along with Adian? How'd you get his picture posted for us to see? See ya, Holly

Hey Holly - thanks for picking back up on this thread! It reminded me of that adorable picture of Aidan I posted. (I PM's you with the latest info on that situation.) To add a picture, just click on the browse button, next to "Attach File", and then search through your drives and files until you find the picture you want to include with your post. Doubleclick on the file and there it goes! You'll see the title of your picture (attachment) show up in the white box. Do you have pictures of your sweeties? I'd love to see them. Renee

Our daughter was delivered to our arms on Mother's Day this year two days shy of turning 18 months old. The whole process of adopting from India took about 18 months, which was much longer than we had been led to believe. India is very bureaucratic to begin with and adoptions slowed down just as we were getting in the pipeline. Children had been being referred at 6 months, but now they are being held back from international adoption for even longer. Our daughter was 10 months when we got the referral and it took another 8 to bring her home. So it took longer and we had a child who was 6 months older than we had thought she'd be when we started. That being said, we've had absolutely no attachment problems. It's obvious to us that she was VERY well cared for. She is exactly at age level, chattering up a storm, coordinated, loving, cheerful, healthy. She's a wonderful little girl. We loved India and its people and can't wait until she's older so we can go back and properly see the country. She was worth the wait, but, of course, while we were suffering through the delays, I didn't know she would be. I thought every day she wasn't home was a day she'd be delayed. I'm so glad I was wrong. Would I adopt another child from India. I doubt it, given the growing hostility in the government (the likelyhood of us adopting from anywhere again is almost nil) But am I glad I chose India to begin with? Yes, absolutely. Knowing the result, I'd do it again.

If this works, you should see a picture of Anthony and Arianna taken in June, on our way to see their birthmom...

Alright...just one more. :D Arianna in her summer bathing suit...

They are so cute Holly! You must be so proud of them. They look like they have the same nose and eyes....or am I just looking for similarities because I know they are blood-related? Ha Ha! Anyway, they are beautiful and look very healthy and happy. You must be a great mom to them! How is your continued relationship with their **? (I'm glad you were able to figure out my directions on how to post.) Renee

your link is to a moving company-I googled Williams International Adoptions, although I found reference to this agency, I could not find a website.

My original post was from 2002. Williams International Adoptions went out of business in 2006, I think. I'm sure someone else has since purchased the URL. Sorry.

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