We are coming home...

Ed and I have decided that it is in our best interest to come home. We will be home Monday evening.

We are sure that this is the right decision. We have no regrets about coming here, or coming home.

My only advice to families that are looking to adopt in the Ukraine: (this is JMO)
If you are looking for a specific age or gender, you may want to try a different country. We wanted a girl(or gilrs) under 7. We want to keep the bio order of our children, and we have two boys, so a girl is what we desire. It is very difficult to get exactly what you request. Older children are great, boys are great, but girl under 7, not so great. If you are flexible in your desire, than you will not be diappointed. However, if you are as limited as we are, than be careful. You may come home without a child. Also, be aware that the Ukraine has now set up a "foster care" system for Ukrainians to adopt more children- and they are. So this will also put a limit on who you might see. When we started this program 15 months ago, the Ukraine was a match for our request. I would say - it is no longer. We were told that the Ukrianian people like to and want to adopt younger, healthy girls. I did see stacks of boy files. We were not shown one healthy girl. Another thing that you have to keep in mind, is that if you read most of the blogs of families here now, they are getting older children, multiple children, special needs children or they have some sort of "goverment" delay(with court, passports...things like that). Be VERY prepared to stay here for some time to either get a second or third appt and to get thru their system of paperwork and such. Now this is JMO- and I do know of several families that have adopted children that were exactly what they requested. They are so blessed and lucky. I would say that is not the norm today. Maybe it will change again, it does seem to go in cycles here. If you are flexible, than you will do fine here. Just be careful, and sure that you prepare yourself for EVERY step of the journey. Be open, be prepared, be strong.

Ed and I are blessed with our two amazing boys waiting for us at home. It puts a lot into perspective for us, and helps ease the heart break a bit. If the Ukraine was my only hope for having a family, I am not sure that I would put all my eggs in their basket. Like I said, just be very careful. We followed all the rules, did what was asked of us, jumped through some hoops too, greased some hands but are still coming home without the little girl that we met and wanted to adopt so badly. The system that we were working with(and each "system" is different based off of the director, inspector, facilitator, translator, and region) was not in favor of the children. It was one that, JMO, was worried about quotas and jobs.

Yes, we could wait or come back in 3 weeks, but to be honest, we found the PERFECT child. They would not let us adopt her. I can not see staying here, or returning, when all they tell me is that they might have some girls by then. We want to get back to our boys. Right now, they are the most important things to us.

Thanks to everyone again, for all the love, support and prayers. We are a strong family and we know that, in time, we will all understand the meaning of this adventure.

I can't wait to snuggle those sweet boys of mine!!!

PS- Ed says "hello" to everyone. :)

Love, Kristina