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We adopted from Bulgaria in 1998, got our daughter in 1999. We had the most amazing experience. She is the best child we could ever have hoped for. She is smart, athletic, artistic, kind, caring, loved by everyone she meets, even-tempered, logical, and absolutely gorgeous. Our experience was perfect. There wasn't one glitch. We began our adoption journey in 1993. It was our goal to adopt a child and then give birth to one (how arrogant were we in our then young age?). We had discussed adoption from the onset of our marriage. We knew we wanted to go international and planned to go the Russian route. Then in mid-93 there was a moratorium on Russian adoptions. We inquired into Chinese adoptions, Uraguay, Brazil, Cambodian --- nothing seemed right. Either the political situation in the country was wrong at the particular time or there were corrupt things going on with an agency. Then in 1997 we settled on Russian adoption as those adoption possibilities were becoming available again. This time things had changed dramatically. Fetal alcohol syndrome issues were surfacing and with a vengence. We would also be required to make two trips. Some of them were unbearingly difficult - to Syberia, for example. By that point, we decided to give up. We weren't getting much younger and figured we had to forget about adoption. Then my husband met a woman who had adopted a little boy from Bulgaria and had a wonderful experience. That was on a Saturday. That day we called the attorney she used (Bulgarian himself) and we met him that Monday. This was mid April 1998. We expedited our home study. He told us that the courts close in Bulgaria every summer in July and August, so not to expect anything until about September. We were fine with that. The in mid-June, while spending a weekend in Atlantic City, we received a phone call from the attorney --- a little girl was identified for us. We had five days to get on a plane to Bulgaria. You have never seen people pack and bolt out of a town as quickly as we did. Our luggage had clothes hanging out everywhere. The guests at the Tropicana looked at us as though we were either insane or criminals the way we left the hotel. Five days later we met our daughter and the paperwork was initiated. We were so impressed by the orphanage. Our attorney instructed us to only come when the orphanage allowed us to and leave when asked. As luck would have it, they told us we could stay as long as we wanted. In fact, if we wanted to stay in Bulgaria until it was time to take her for good, they would have permitted us to come from sunup to sundown. (Don't think I didn't entertain the idea although it would have been cost prohibitive). The children were so well cared for and the place was clean. The worst thing that I had to do was fall in love with her instantly and then leave her. June and July were standstills because the courts were closed. She was supposed to be with us in December. Then the war ravaged Kosovo causing some tickle down effects in the surrounding countries, including Bulgaria, which pushed up the date. Our attorney actually ended up getting her for us. She arrived on May 17, 1999. She traveled beautifully, arrived at immigration at Dulles Airport, took one look at us and said "Mama and Papa." They had shown her pictures of us for months and explained to her who we were . Although she was only one year old, she understood. She laughed with us all the way home and came into our home like she had been there since birth. And of course our lab mix gave her a huge wet lick in the face and she loved it as she said "puppy" in Bulgarski. Two days later we had a pediatrican examine her to have a glowing "perfect" report. Within 24 hours she clearing understood most of what we said. Since then, life with her has been outstanding. I won't bore you anymore, because you are probably asleep by now. I hope things have not changed in Bulgaria, because it was a great place to adopt from. By the way, as for learning delays and such concerns --- forget about it. Our daughter was accepted into the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth. That means she scored in the top 3% in the National Second Grade standardized testing. This group of names was sent to Hopkins, who sent us an invitation for her to test for their program. She passed that test and is now in the group. This enables her to attend accelerated camp programs through the university and she can take SATS when in Middle School. Of course, since she is so laid back, she has prefered outdoor camps to the Hopkins camp, but at least she has that option. It is also a confirmation of how intelligent she is. We have her enrolled in an all-girls accelerated college prep school where she is at the top of her game. Okay now you must be really bored. Anything else you want to know --- just holler. Susan, mother to the greatest little girl in the world, for real.

Susan, I just have to say what a wonderful, heartwarming story to read! Makes me want to pack my bags and get on a plane to adopt again(though my husband isnt interested). Enjoy your blessed child. Amy K, NJ

You should contact Carolina Adoption - they are just beginning to open up this program and are a very good agency. Located in Greensboro. I am not sure if I am allowed to say the agency in the blog.

My husband wasn't either but after 4 years he has come around once again. All I need now is some mmmooonnneeeyyyy!!!!! bulrusmama

Thank you for your kind words. My daughter will be 11 in July. She is an absolute dream. I adore the ground she walks on. She literally lights up the lives of everyone she touches. Just the other day I was picking her up from school and as we walked the halls, everyone said goodbye to her. The kindergarten girls always run up to her for "Big hugs" because she always has kindergarten duty and the girls loooooooooovvvvvve her. My daughter is amazing with animals and children - Kind, gentle and loving. Could I ask for anything better? I count my blessings hourly. Yes, you do want to jump on a plane. Susan

Susan, what a wonderful story! I am from NJ so I can so relate to being at the Tropicana when you got the phone call. Too funny. We are still looking into Bulgaria but everything seems so wishy washy at present. It seems Bulgaria is going ot start making changes, but when is the question.