UKEADOPT
2003
Pre-Adoption Process
In January of 2002, we started researching adoption agencies on the internet. We came across Cathy Harris' website Ukrainian Angels. We learned so much from this site and the Ukrainian Embassy site. Cathy has been so helpful. She had some of the families that had already gone through the process email us with their stories. Some of those people sent their phone numbers and we were able to talk with them and get their suggestions.
In October, we had our social worker up-date our home study. Dan was fingerprinted for INS in late January, Connie had cuts on her fingers and INS refused to fingerprint her with cuts. We could only go on the weekends as we both work full time jobs. Finally on February 1st, Connie was printed. Our dossier was completed in early May, authenticated by mid-May and received in Ukraine by our translator a few days later. We chose to expedite authentication by the Ukrainian Embassy in Chicago and the package we sent to our translator went FedEx. Our translated dossier was delivered to the National Adoption Center in Kyiv the first week of June. We received an email from our translator the first week of August, on our 12th wedding anniversary. It said we had been approved by the NAC to come to Ukraine to adopt. We were so happy.
All through August and September, we waited to hear from our translator, to see if our requested date would be given to us. She said her staff was working very hard to get us an October appointment date. Then she told us we would not be able to get an appointment until December. Just when we were ready to make plans for December, we received an email that we had been given an appointment on October 23, 2003. We were so thrilled.
We have packed our bags and made arrangements for Ben to be cared for. We are ready to go.