International Adoption

As part of National Adoption Awareness Month, we're sharing local success stories with you.
Last week, you met The Georges, who couldn't be happier with the local open adoptions of their two children.
Tonight, you'll meet The Overtons, also of Mobile. They went international for their children.

The Overtons are a family of five. Beth and David have three children. Their firstborn is their biological child.
"Our oldest is Jamie, he's 16. Anastasia is 5..and Griffin is 2", says Beth.

When Jamie was 12, The Overtons traveled to Russia to get Anastasia. She was 2 at the time.
Anastasia is outgoing, the life of the party.
Griffin is a little more reserved. The Overtons brought him home from a Russian orphanage as well, just last December.
Learning English and adapting to American life has come very easily for both children.
Anastasia says her favorite TV show is Sponge Bob Square Pants.

"They're wonderful children. They have brought us joy everyday that since we've had them", says Beth.
Beth and David. both working professionals, wanted to avoid the newborn stage of overnight feedings.
Adopting children nearly potty trained seemed the perfect choice for them. So they worked through Children Of The World, a Fairhope agency to handpick their babies from orphanages a world away.
David says, "It's expensive going though it, but, once you get a child..it was nothing compared to what you get back".

The Overtons calls it love at first sight. They have no doubt they brought home the right children, "Well, I can't tell you except..you see them and you just know..you just know", says Beth.
David adds, "I think it's completed our family and I don't know. It would just really be an empty space if they weren't here".
And for other families considering adoption, Beth has this advice, "I feel like God's put that in your heart for a reason..and you should just do it".

Mostly because of travel expenses adopting from Russia cost The Overtons thirty thousand dollars a piece, but, they also received a 10 thousand dollar tax credit per child.
It can take 9 months to a year to go that route, but, The Overtons prefer this kind of closed adoption.
For more information on adoption...go to www.childrenoftheworld.com