Chris and Julie McCauley
Lake Dallas, Texas
Adoption completed in October 28, 2004 in Sakhalin

   fp1.centurytel.net/mccauleyfive

   Our adoption journey began in January of 2004, when we decided to go forward with our much discussed plans to adopt. We knew we wanted to go through Russia, so we started our process by searching around the internet for agencies that worked there. We requested information from about 10 agencies, and by the end of February, we had it down to a short list of 3 agencies. As we narrowed down our focus on these 3 agencies, one thing popped out at us during our research.
We never found anyone that anything bad to say about Alaskan International Adoptions (AIA) or any of their people, we could only find people that were happy/satisfied customers. This moved AIA to our final 2, and we contacted them on the internet and asked to be contacted.

   Natalia called us the next day and spent almost 2 hours on the phone with us. She was very patient with all of our questions and very thorough in telling us what to expect and how the process would work, and by the time we hung up the phone with her, we both knew that we would be an AIA family! We slept on the decision and we called Natalia the next morning to let her know that she would soon be receiving our registration information.

   Now, with one of the hardest decisions behind us, and not having ANY second thoughts, we were able to concentrate on the mountain of paperwork in front of us. Natalia supplied us with all of the forms and thorough instructions.... When I had additional questions, I would email her and she would normally get back to me the same day and occasionally she would call with the answer, if the answer to my question was not easily given in email.

   By the beginning of June, we had supplied Natalia with all of our initial paperwork. By the first of August, we received our referral for our son Stefan. After receiving a good evaluation from a couple of International Adoption specialist doctors, we accepted. Natalia then supplied us with the stack of documents required for the Court Dossier. Again, we worked our way through the pile with Natalia's patient help.

   The end of October finally came and we were leaving on our journey to get our son. We arrived in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, where Olga and Larissa met us at the airport. We were in Sakhalin for 5 days, and Olga and Larissa went our of their way to make our stay there as comfortable as possible. Olga did a masterful job translating documents and interpreting the entire court proceedings for us. Larissa was very helpful, taking us to the store, the library, to the bank, and helping us to complete all of the steps required before we could head to Moscow. We were glad to see that the care givers at the baby home seemed generally interested in the well being of the children there. Stefan was clearly well cared for and he's adjusting well now thanks to the hard work of the people at the baby home.

   We headed to Moscow where Natalia had put us in touch with Michael. Michael and his people drove us to/from the airport and the embassy, they helped us with the embassy paperwork, and the doctor's evaluation for Stefan. AIA has affiliated with a great resource in Moscow that really helped us get through that stage.

   After 3 days in Moscow, we finally headed home! We've been home for a month now and things are going extremely well. Stefan is adapting to his new environment very well and our family is bonding wonderfully!!!

   Like most adoption journeys, we had our ups and downs, like a few documents that had to be reworked, and waiting on government beaucracy to move us through the system. None of our issues were due to AIA or any of their people, and in fact, Natalia was very sympathetic and made sure that we understand what was happening with each step. We are so thankful that we chose to work with AIA and especially for Natalia. She always kept us informed and responded to our many questions quickly and honestly with clear and concise answers . I always felt that she was acting in our best interest and Stefan 's best interest. I'm sure we'll remain in touch with Natalia on a personal level for many years to come!

Thanks,

Chris & Julie McCauley
129 Shasta Drive
Lake Dallas, TX 75065
acesfull@centurytel.net

Margaret Johnson
Alaska
Adoption completed on November 11, 2004
in Magadan

   Ivan (18 months old) was adopted in Magadan Russia through Alaska International Adoption Agency. My coordinator for the adoption here in Anchorage has been Natalia Kokaurova, with assistance in Magadan with Zoya.

   My court hearing was Nov. 11th, which is when my adoption was finalized. I felt my team here in Alaska and in Russia exceeded my expectations, and was always professional, timely and concerned about my needs while traveling and transitioning with my son Ivan.
The orphanage staff was delightful and loving to all the children, and the Children's house was immaculate. The director of the orphanage encouraged my sister and I to have "transition time" over the course of four days, having my son during the day and having him sleep at the orphanage at night.

   Now that we are home and have recovered from jet lag and are surrounded by the love of family and friends, Ivan and I are delighted to have found each other - what a wonderful journey to motherhood!!

Margaret R. Johnson

Kevin and Maria E.
Rockford, Illinois
mke65@juno.com
Adopted from Komsomolsk
Completed September 13, 2004

   Our adoption "journey" began in September of 2003 when I knew that even though we already had 4 biological children, that we were to adopt a girl from Russia. Through the fall I looked into various accredited agencies and e-mailed countless people who had used those agencies asking the pressing question..."if you were to adopt again would you use the same agency". One by one I eliminated agencies either feeling their costs were too high or that their clients (although happy to have their children) weren't satisfied with their agency experience. I heard negative comments about every agency I investigated....except for Alaska International. In January 2004 I called Alaska International and spoke with Olga Byrnes. I was impressed by her professionalism, honesty and genuine concern for children from the very beginning. On January 20 we signed the contract with AIA and got BUSY completing our home study. In mid-April we flew to Komsomolsk to meet our 2-1/2 year old girl. Her medical report was excellent and after meeting her we felt confident that she was the child for us. We hoped to have a court date in July, but the judge took a 7 week vacation so we re-did our medicals and waited anxiously for her return! The first week of August we learned our court date would be September 13! Through the on line chat we already "knew" the couple we would be traveling with--what a blessing to have others along with you who are sharing the same exciting adventure! Our court date and waiting period in Khabarovsk went smoothly and we returned home September 29, 2004.

   If someone were to ask me today if I would use Alaska International again, I would say, "ABSOLUTELY!" Olga knows what the courts want and she made sure our paperwork was perfect. Every thing happened to us (aside from the judge's vacation!) exactly when and as she told us it would. There were NO surprises and NO unexpected expenses. Phone calls and e-mails were returned promptly and questions were always answered thoroughly. The AIA team of Olga here in the states and Irina (and Lena and Yana) in Khabarovsk and Andre in Moscow are smooth, efficient and much respected. We are so grateful for all their time and efforts to bring our daughter home. If you are considering adopting from Russia, we would highly recommend Alaska International Adoption Agency.