Around Alpharetta/Milton/Windward

Adoption is a large part of life for Ron and Cristi as they persevere through the process recently begun this past August. Despite the stack of paperwork involved, they are delighted with the prospect of another little one entering their home. Bereft of her sister at the tender age of fourteen, Cristi is especially eager to introduce a sibling into her son Davis's life. Having experienced the joy of a sibling as well as the loneliness without one, Cristi desires the same camaraderie for Davis — the companionship of a brother or sister. When they decided on the adoption option, Ron and Cristi partnered with a Christian adoption agency to pursue domestic adoption for a boy or girl between the ages of one and three. However, as they continued to obtain information, they perceived that the majority of people involved in domestic adoption were childless couples desiring infants to raise as their own. Having Davis allowed them the experience of infant bliss, from which they did not want to deprive other couples. Many children worldwide need loving homes, so Ron and Cristi opted to continue their search internationally, specifically in Russia. "A lot of people ask me, 'Why Russia?'" Cristi remarked. "Russia is the most complicated and most expensive country from which to adopt, so many people are deterred from Russian adoption. It's a lot harder for Russian children to be placed in a home."

Ron and Cristi have completed the initial paperwork and hope to have a referral from the adoption agency in January. Once they have a referral, they will travel to Russia to spend a week with the child, and to ascertain whether the child will fit into and be happy with their family. Then they wait. They will wait approximately three months after their initial visit for the court date set by the Russian adoption system, during which time they will consult with a pediatrician concerning any health-related issues the child may have. In many cases, the children's health has suffered and requires medical attention, from minor illnesses to extensive surgeries. In general, the necessary medical attention is not severe; but, after the substantial adoption fees, many couples struggle to pay the medical bills incurred for the necessary but costly medical assistance. Cristi, a dentist in the East Cobb area, is sensitive to these issues and offers her services to other adoptive families with children in need of dental work. "Many people can afford the adoption fees and the cost of raising a child, but so many medical bills at once can be daunting. This is a way I can help those families," Cristi explains. For more information on Cristi's dental practice, please visit her web site at www.cheekdental.com.