Dear friends and family,
The welcome home was nothing short of emotional and tearful. The house was covered with balloons and posters from people near and far. It was wonderful to see everyone and the kids are adjusting great.
The flight was smooth, long and for the most part with sleeping kids or at least happy.
More coming soon, but we wanted to get something up quickly...thanks!! Colene
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yes, those are underpants on his head
The Timeline....
We contacted our agency last July, 2003
Our contract was signed and returned to the agency Sept. 03, 2003
Our dossier was sent for translation from English to Russian Dec. 2003
Confirmed translated dossier and shipment to the embassy in NY Jan. 27, 2004
Dossier shipped to Almaty at the end of March 2004
Dossier waits in Almaty for referral March 2004On June 28th the magical call came, referrals of an infant girl and boy!
Travel dates were provided on August 4thThey will be ready for us in Kaz the first week of September!!
Our Children and adventure to find them in Kazakhstan
McCale and Karleigh
spring 08
easter 08
yes, those are underpants on his head
June 2007
Referral Mc
Referral Photo
At the Ecik Babyhouse - We are going home.
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- The Belli Family
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Why Kazakhstan
Why Kazakhstan???
Kazakhstan is known for it's high standard in child care, and the baby houses are impressive in terms of cleanliness and genuine love for the children. The adult/child ratio in the baby house is 1:6. The children remain with their own age group (usually 10-12 children) and each group always has at least two caregivers. This stability in their environment facilitates their emotional development and ability to form attachments with their caregivers. The infants in the Maternity Hospital remain there until they are 6 months old, then they are transferred to a baby house.
In both the hospital and baby house, the children receive specialized care from the doctors and nurses. The baby houses are actually medical facilities that consist of a staff of Doctors, Nurses, and a diverse team of Specialists. These include Neurologists, Orthopedic Specialists, Speech Pathologists, Physical Therapists, and Teachers. The children are evaluated on a daily basis in terms of their medical health and overall development.
A common day in the baby house consists of music lessons, massage therapy, physical education, play therapy and speech therapy.
How does this come together?
It starts with piles and piles of paperwork, which has travelled to all of the appropriate people, has been blessed, signed, stamped, sealed and delivered (some of these things were even done twice!).Then comes the wait - while your paperwork and profile are magically matched with waiting child or children who are meant to be yours! It is at this time that the referral is provided and the details needed for us to make our decision. Can these children be OUR children? Once the decision has been made, travel dates can come anywhere from 10 days from referral acceptance to a few months.
Patience is a virtue during this period of time. Once the dates come for travel, there is alot of last minute prepration for visas, airline tickets, pet sitters, etc. We have been assured that there will be enough time to complete all of these tasks and make it to the airport!
When we arrive in Kazakhstan we will stop first at the financial capital, Almaty, meet with our lawyer and learn more about the children waiting for us. We will complete our financial transactions and sign more paperwork. Then it will be off to the city where our children are. We will be travelling to the city of Ecik, a very small village outside of the financial capital of Almaty.
There are many cities in Kazakhstan, all with phenominal care and wonderful children. The difference by city could mean a slightly longer or shorter trip.
We have been blessed with an estimated four week trip, Colene's mother will be joining us for the last week to help us prepare and bring the children home. While we are gone, our parents will be taking turns watching the pets and putting the final touches on the house getting it ready for the children to arrive! We will miss them all terribly. (the pets and parents!)
Although the process above can be explained in 5 short paragraphs, it does not begin to give insight on the emotional rollercoaster that we have been on for the past year. There have been wonderful highs and devastating lows. True tests of patience and endurance. This is a venture not for the feint of heart. We have learned about ourselves, our family and the great lengths we would travel again in a second to add a child to our family. This eye opening experience, although not a traditional labor or delivery - was certainly as rigorous and greuling in the most wonderful way.
Kazakhstan is known for it's high standard in child care, and the baby houses are impressive in terms of cleanliness and genuine love for the children. The adult/child ratio in the baby house is 1:6. The children remain with their own age group (usually 10-12 children) and each group always has at least two caregivers. This stability in their environment facilitates their emotional development and ability to form attachments with their caregivers. The infants in the Maternity Hospital remain there until they are 6 months old, then they are transferred to a baby house.
In both the hospital and baby house, the children receive specialized care from the doctors and nurses. The baby houses are actually medical facilities that consist of a staff of Doctors, Nurses, and a diverse team of Specialists. These include Neurologists, Orthopedic Specialists, Speech Pathologists, Physical Therapists, and Teachers. The children are evaluated on a daily basis in terms of their medical health and overall development.
A common day in the baby house consists of music lessons, massage therapy, physical education, play therapy and speech therapy.
How does this come together?
It starts with piles and piles of paperwork, which has travelled to all of the appropriate people, has been blessed, signed, stamped, sealed and delivered (some of these things were even done twice!).Then comes the wait - while your paperwork and profile are magically matched with waiting child or children who are meant to be yours! It is at this time that the referral is provided and the details needed for us to make our decision. Can these children be OUR children? Once the decision has been made, travel dates can come anywhere from 10 days from referral acceptance to a few months.
Patience is a virtue during this period of time. Once the dates come for travel, there is alot of last minute prepration for visas, airline tickets, pet sitters, etc. We have been assured that there will be enough time to complete all of these tasks and make it to the airport!
When we arrive in Kazakhstan we will stop first at the financial capital, Almaty, meet with our lawyer and learn more about the children waiting for us. We will complete our financial transactions and sign more paperwork. Then it will be off to the city where our children are. We will be travelling to the city of Ecik, a very small village outside of the financial capital of Almaty.
There are many cities in Kazakhstan, all with phenominal care and wonderful children. The difference by city could mean a slightly longer or shorter trip.
We have been blessed with an estimated four week trip, Colene's mother will be joining us for the last week to help us prepare and bring the children home. While we are gone, our parents will be taking turns watching the pets and putting the final touches on the house getting it ready for the children to arrive! We will miss them all terribly. (the pets and parents!)
Although the process above can be explained in 5 short paragraphs, it does not begin to give insight on the emotional rollercoaster that we have been on for the past year. There have been wonderful highs and devastating lows. True tests of patience and endurance. This is a venture not for the feint of heart. We have learned about ourselves, our family and the great lengths we would travel again in a second to add a child to our family. This eye opening experience, although not a traditional labor or delivery - was certainly as rigorous and greuling in the most wonderful way.
Timeline and how it works..
The Timeline....
We contacted our agency last July, 2003
Our contract was signed and returned to the agency Sept. 03, 2003
Our dossier was sent for translation from English to Russian Dec. 2003
Confirmed translated dossier and shipment to the embassy in NY Jan. 27, 2004
Dossier shipped to Almaty at the end of March 2004
Dossier waits in Almaty for referral March 2004On June 28th the magical call came, referrals of an infant girl and boy!
Travel dates were provided on August 4thThey will be ready for us in Kaz the first week of September!!
About Me
- Deciding to adopt
- Deciding to adopt... The decision to adopt was found deep within our hearts. A series of open and closed doors lead us down the path that we now know is right for us.
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