A Ukraine journal for those interested:traveling tomorrow

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

I don't know this couple, they are not in my group (I don't think) but it was passed to me...
They leave tomorrow and have an appt on Wednesday so it won't get juicy till Wednesday I suspect.
But I know several here enjoy watching the journey of the adoptions and seeing how the process works there ...
So here is another...
http://www.tntsjourney.net/
Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

I think their appt is Monday or Tuesday...
http://www.gossfamily.org/

It will be interesting to compare the two experiences. The first couple is using an agency, this second couple is going INDY via Oleg like we are :)

Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

Pics and all on the site!!!
Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[Kimberly H]

What a cutie!

[Melanie]

Their story is going wonderfully! Beautiful little girl, too.

Interesting that the agency family almost seems "lost." I would think that they ought to have more hand-holding since they are with an agency, no?

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

It is interesting...
Keep in mind that agencies hire the same facilitators that we INDY folks hire...so the process over there is only as good as the facilitator...this story leads me to beleive that their agency didn't hire a good one.
Just my take, I could be wrong!!!
I'm guessing, and assuming :)
Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[smkinc]

My sister's neighbor (the one I referred to in the older child thread) had a horrible experience with an agency they started working with for their Ukranian adoption and actually switched to an independent facilitator once they travelled. Things went fairly smoothly once they got to the Ukraine.

They thought that the agency would have a lot more knowledge and do more of the legwork for the adoption vs independent, but this agency was basically completely incompetent when it came to the Ukraine and they ended up having to do most of the legwork by themselves, plus having to deal with incompetent agency people (and paying them for it) just to get the adoption moving along. I know it was very frustrating for them. So, I think if you're halfway organized, going independent in the Ukraine seems to me the best way to go.

BTW, Neve, I saw your post on your homestudy in the lounge last week I don't post on the days I work and we've had guests this weekend, so I didn't have a chance to reply--did you follow-up with the social worker re:number of children that you get approved for?

Mary and Jeremiah 2/4/03

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

We haven't discussed it further with them since our homestudy involves 3 visits...the second is Monday and then we have one more at our home. I thought I should give her the opportuntity to really get to know us before I ambush her with quetions etc...

I do know if they don't approve us for what we request I will hold them accountable with clear decisions as to why vs "we've never done that before"...

I hope it works out...glad to hear about the neighbors situation and that it all worked out in the end...
Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

They got a cute little girl!!!!

Neve
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan
AKA "mama2be"-forgot password
and Baby Boy Tristan born @UNC
Feb 25, 2003
Brother to 3 pups "gees" and 2 kitties

[Melanie]

She is beautiful!