In the course of having longer conversations with people, some questions have come up that people really want to know. Some I can answer, some I must refer to the website at the top of the page - Frank Adoption Center.

1. More than one person has asked about "payoffs." As in, are we going to have to grease the palms of the Russian government once we're over there?

No. Frank is accredited through the Russian gov't and everything is on the up-and-up. Our fees are generally paid to Frank, who then pays our bills in Russia such as the court costs, etc. We pay fees and tips to our guide, our driver, we pay our own hotel bill, etc. Everything adoption-paperwork-related is paid by us to Frank, who then pays Russia.

2. Do you have to pay anything to the orphanage?

No. What IS requested, instead of cash, is to bring items of need to supply the orphanage such as small toys, onesies, diapers, blankets, etc. for the children who remain. That is how the orphanages who deal with Frank keep their supplies coming, and it is also then guaranteed by Frank that the orphanage is not squandering money inappropriately.

3. What if "they" try to give you a child that you're not comfortable with?

We can pass on any referral. We were told from the beginning, "decide if you're forming your family, or saving a child." We are forming a family. For our first child, we will wait for the right one.

4. Will you be referred an actual child, or will they line them up and have you pick?

We know that some countries do that (Poland, Ukraine) and we have heard that in some areas of Russia, they entice you over with the picture of one child, but then offer you a variety to "choose" from. We will not do that. We will either accept the child originally referred to us, or wait for another direct referral. We will not "shop" for a child.

5. How do you KNOW you will travel in February?

We can control the paperwork a little bit. There is a form called the dossier, which is basically our application to Russia for a child. Once that is sent to Russia (through Frank) it takes approx. one month to translate. Once we are translated into Russian and "in the system", we begin receiving referrals immediately. So depending on when we send the dossier, depends on when we get a referral. We are planning to send it in close to the end of December.