Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Little brother

I have an update from this post. Keith's younger brother is named Andrey. He is 3 years old and up until 3 months ago, he was living with his mom. Now he's in the orphanage in Artemovsk. It's sad to think that he arrived in the orphanage just shortly after we took Keith out of it. I've been told that he is healthy. He is not, however, available for adoption at this time. This means that his mom still has her rights over him. Of course I want for all mothers to be able to keep their children and I'm very pleased with Keith's mom for hanging onto Andrey these past 3 years. But I am concerned about his future. I wish that I could adopt him and allow Andrey to grow up with his biological sibling, Keith, which I wasn't able to do with his twin. This is a tricky thought, though, since we're still paying off our adoption loans (and will be paying off on them for a while) and yet we would rather adopt him younger and not wait until he's 4 or 5 years old. Ultimately, is Andrey supposed to be a part of our family? We shall see. As for now, I like to imagine another little Keithy around my home. That brings a smile to my face.

8 comments:

markus&alek4everfamily said...

jill- we have followed your adoption for quite sometime now.our family shall pray that God works everything out for you all.

Melisa said...

That is a lot to digest. How long until he is available?

Sarah C said...

I think it would be really special if you could reunite Keith with his brother. You are a great mom. Andrey would be blessed to join your family.

nicole said...

Wow. That would be so amazing to welcome his biological brother as part of your family. I hope that works out for you guys, if that is God's plan for your family. That little Keithy of yours is simply too cute for words!!! Love that picture of him!!

Tami said...

We'll be praying with you about it. What a wonderful thing it would be to be able to bring him home too! :)

Diana said...

He is such a cutie!

Oh, gosh...whatdaya do about the brother, though? Pray A LOT about it, I guess. Nobody told us about all these grief filled loopholes (pot holes) when we signed up for this journey, did they?

Much of how things ultimatly shake out depends on the reasons he was placed in the orphanage. If the mom put him there voluntarily and still has rights and/or comes to visit even only once every few months, he won't ever be available for adoption. If this turns out to be the case, is there a way to sponsor him, maybe, so at least the two can know about each other as they grow up??

Unfortunately, the officials can't even begin the process of registering him for adoption until parental rights have been terminated either voluntarily or by the courts. The b-mom's current life situation and attitude towards the child would be a big determining factor in whether or not that happens. If lifestyle is questionable and he was removed from the home by authorities, the courts can terminate rights and get things moving in the direction of adoption within a few months if they choose to do so.

But then there's the waiting period before any child is available for IA. As we all know, anything can happen during that time. It's Ukraine, after all! Supposedly preference is to be given to keeping bio siblings together, but...well...I needn't go there. From what I understand, they also changed things again just after you brought your kids home and pretty much aren't allowing any kids under 7 or without special needs to be adopted internatationally. Those stats change on a dime, and who knows where they'll ultimately end up.

If it's suppose to be, though, God WILL open the way. I am certain you will also be given the resourcs and strength to fight a good fight with the orphanage and SDA and entire system. Many prayers and blessings to you, my friend!!

p.s. nearly 2 years later, we're also still paying on our adoption loan and probably will be for at least another year or so. :-)

Leah said...

First of all, I cannot get over Keith's picture! You know, those early pictures of him he looked so frail and...well...tired! And now, he is absolutely GLOWING! He is the picture of health! When my husband comes home tonight I want to show him the before/after pictures. As for his sibling, I will pray for God to give you guidance on that issue. It's a lot to swallow financially, but where there's God, there's a way, right?

Missy said...

Wow, that's big news...!! But what I really want to say is, WHAT A PRECIOUS PICTURE OF KEITH!!!!