THE BEDZYK FAMILY

Like other couples drawn to adoption, Mike and I were unable to conceive a child. We had a couple of heartbreaking domestic adoptions where our birthmother had changed her mind, so we decided to focus all our efforts abroad. Several families that I know through work had adopted in Russia through Adopt-A-Child, and all successfully. Late 2003, with great trepidation, we contacted Laura at AAC. We were so afraid of having our hearts broken again.

Eight months later, we brought Nicholas home. One year later, in June of 2005, we brought Anna home. They were both from Moscow and each about 13 months old when we adopted them. There were small, and underweight for their age, but overall healthy. Our pediatrician, who had several patients that were adopted internationally, was astounded with how healthy they both were. Within months of being home with us, they started to catch up.

They are the loves of our lives. Both have adjusted extremely well. They are beautiful, intelligent, and loving children who remind us every day that God has a plan for each of us. Nicholas is very curious and a quick learner. He isn't quite four and count to 40, speak in Spanish and can write his name. Anna loves bugs! She is especially fond of spiders (which freaks me out) and already has her bug catching kit ready for spring. They're both little tow-heads who get very blonde in the summer and love vacations at the beach.

What can I tell you about AAC? The process AAC outlines is pretty much exactly how everything happened for us. I'm not a patient person and so at times I wanted to try to accelerate things (I want my baby now!), but it really is a well planned journey with everything happening in the right order. The result? No worries. We were guided through every step of the way, both here in the U.S., and in Russia.

Every night when I check in on the kids before going to bed and look at their sweet, innocent faces, I wonder what I did to be blessed with these two wonderful children. I can't imagine my life without them, and I can't remember much before them. Everyone always tells us how blessed these kids are that we adopted them from Russia, and I have to laugh. We are the blessed ones. They have enriched our lives in so many ways we didn't even know was possible.

They're now almost three and four. Nicholas tells everyone that he was born in Russia- and in Mommy's heart. It just doesn't get any better than that. Thanks Adopt-A-Child, and to everyone there who helped make our dreams come true.

Sincerely,

Kim and Mike Bedzyk

Mbedzyk2006@yahoo.com