The Beginning

After several years of discussing adoption, we finally decided to go for it on July 4, 2003. We don't have children. We have tried for years, 7 miscarriages, including 2 after invitro. I am done with the infertility nightmare, it is too painful and there are thousands of children who need a Mommy and Daddy.
So this will be the story of our journey to adopt two little girls. We have decided to adopt from another country because the adoption in this country is too unpredictable. After much research we decided on Russia because the time frame seemed reasonable. We contacted several agencies for information; the agency we decided to use, Tedi Bear Adoptions. But just before we were going to sign up with them, they were investigated for unethical practices in in Vietnam, and the state of Florida revoked their license.
The research continued. We were astonished at the cost for adoption. With an agency, the total cost for 2 children could run between $25,000 and $40,000. I requested each agency give me a breakdown of how the $6,000-$20,000 they were charging for their services was used. None of the agency would give out this info.
So we began considering independent adoption. With independent adoption, you set everything up yourself-find facilitators, translators, drivers, complete all paperwork and deliver it to Russia. But since we had never completed an adoption before how could we be sure that we were doing every thing right? So we kept looking.
In the meantime we completed application for INS approval and looked for social worker for homestudy. In Russian language class I met Stephanie who referred me to her social worker, Lori Phass of Adoption Support Services of Florida. (http://adoptionsupportservices.com/) In December of 2003 we completed our homestudy.
After continued research, I came across a web site for 'Tears of Joy'. (http://www.tearsofjoy.net/). Brenda Yonker and Cheri Battjie, both adoptive moms, offer another alternative to agencies, they assist with independent adoption by helping you with all contacts in Russia and advising you with your paperwork. Compared with agencies, the cost is much more reasonable. In Feb. 2004 we signed a contract with 'Tears of Joy'.