Ukraine Adoption Book

Well after over a year I am about a week away from publishing my book "76 Days on Mars - A Ukraine Adoption Tale". It's been a long time coming but will hopefully help many more children get adopted, and make the entire process understandable and simpler for families wishing to adopt.

Her is a little excerpt . I will try to add several more in the coming weeks -

After settling in, we ventured out to find water and food figuring that we would just eat something in the apartment and not try to figure out the restaurant system yet. We found a small local market and had to put all our valuables into a locker upon entering. We wandered the aisles looking at lots of food we didn’t recognize so decided to keep it simple. We bought yogurt, cheese, crackers, sardines, and water (which, by the way, is mostly carbonated, mineral water that tastes very strange to foreigners, so we recommend buying the “Bon Aqua” brand. The un-carbonated version has a light blue cap, I think.)

The weather in Kiev is pleasant in September with sunny skies and temperature reaching into the seventies, so we took endless walks through the beautiful parks and did some general exploring.

September 6th

Kiev, Ukraine

BLOG Entry – Well, today we took it easy and just walked, talked and shopped. The weather has been really beautiful. Hopefully, it will hold for another couple of days.

Also, went to McDonald’s instead of Starbucks (my hang at home ... no Starbucks here) at about 7 a.m. They have terrific coffee and it's cheap! Made cup-by-cup, fresh ground - sounds just like the way they make their food - huh?

Adoption Book

Hi All,

It has been a long time since I posted anything here. Just wanted to let you know that my book '76 Days on Mars' [ A Ukrainian Adoption tale] is nearing completion. It will be self published on LULU.com for the time being.

It is our story and will certainly be helpful for anyone contemplating adoption in Ukraine.

Please stay tuned - The proceeds will go to our orphanage in Melitopal , Ukraine and I am hoping you will help me pass the word on to others.

:)MR

76 Days on Mars -'A Ukraine Adoption Story'

I started this book at the beginning of our Ukraine adoption quest in September 2008. The finishing touches are almost complete, and I hope to have it published in the early summer this year.

The purpose of this book is to inform and educate prospective adoptive families. The proceeds of this book will go to our orphanage in Melitopal, Ukraine

Spread the word!

Michael

One Year later

Its almost one year since Julia and Nadya arrived home here in cleveland. I am thrilled to have Julia beating me at most activities... I am also almost done with my book "76 Days on Mars"

Please check back as I am back !!! and If you have questions about Ukrainian adoption please do not hesitate to ask... :)Michael

Ukraine Adoption Facilitator Warning!!

Hi Everybody,

We have been home for 2 1/2 months now and the girls are doing very well. I am closing in on finishing my book about our experience and thought I should share something with any family about to embark on the Ukraine adoption process. 

I won't go into detail here but if you contact me  I will be happy to tell you what happened to us. Additionally it will be in my book "76 Days on Mars" " A Ukraine Adoption Tale"

Konstatin Yakubenko - Please  do not hire this man as your facilitator. He is dishonest and misleading.( Documented by over 15 families I have talked to) He works both alone and through the International Family Services. He cost us 2 failed adoptions, and over $40,000. We contacted IFS and they said basically "Sorry, but even though Konstantin blew it that they would not refund one penny of our money and we would need to travel to Texas to file a compliant. 

IFS has a contract that allows for no legal action on your part even if they mishandle your adoption... so beware of both Konstatin Yakubenko and International Family Services

Redman Ukraine Adoption update

Hi all - Just wanted to give you a quick update -



Life in Cleveland with Julia and Nadya is interesting to say the least. Julia has adjusted very well and Nadya is having some issues. We found that she had been kidnapped by her mothers boyfriend just 2 years ago. We are working through it. They started full time school last week and seem to be doing fine despite the fact that they cannot speak English. They have lessons everyday and we have a tutor 3 times a week to help them out.




Our daughter Grace is having challenges as well. Being de-throned has not been easy for her but I think she sees the big picture and enjoys having sisters to play with.

Paula and I are well. Still reeling from all our journey and having an instant big family. All in all it is good and we feel God's presence helping us through.

I am still working on my book although with the economy and work progress has slowed a bit. I still plan to have it done by early summer. I have really enjoyed the writing and hope it will be helpful to families that are contemplating adoption in Ukraine.

More to come
Michael

Home at Last

For all of you who have been praying for us over the past months  - thank you ! We are home , the girls are doing fine, Grace is getting used to the idea of having sisters who get attention and I am writing my book.

Life is good except for the economy:)

Over the next couple of months I will be writing a book about this experience that we hope will inspire others to adopt in Ukraine, and enlighten them to the process. It will be accompanied by a DVD of our multiple trips. The working title is "76 days on Mars"

I would also like to include a few experiences of other families that may have worked through some of the hard issues in Ukraine, and humorous happenings on your journeys. If you know of families that may like to submit a story please have them contact me through this blog.

All the best,

 Michael Redman