Our family went to Ukraine in 2005. We had two boys at home, and wanted a girl. It was a wild ride, and when we got there we were told there were no girls available. Long story short.....there was one girl, but we were told she had a brother ONE brother. Then a few days later we were told actually it was two brothers. The older one was not available per Ukrainian law to be adopted....or that was what we were told. They asked us to promise to come back for the brother, which we did promise. They also said at that time we would not have to jump through the million and one hoops again......but that changed later too. So a little while after we had been home, I started inquiring about this brother. Our facilitator told us we actually would have to start the process ALL over again. That meant a whole new dossier. Since we were still adjusting to life with a double sized family, we didn't take action. When we brought Ekaterina Moskalenko and Olexander Moskalendo home he was 18 months old, and she was 3 1/2. It drove me crazy that another boy was hanging out over there still, but we were in no position to start again with a dossier, or to travel for a month. So....I contacted a church group that travelled to Kerch every four months. They e-mailed me a photo a month or so after I had contacted them. Now I had a face.....and he looked JUST like his siblings. There was no doubt in my mind, this was in fact, their brother. I was beside myself.....I am a do-er, and I could DO nothing to bring this boy to us. We were struggling to manage with our four. Still.....he was there, and I felt this weight on my shoulders that he was still in an orphanage. At the end of 2007, my friend Irka travelled to Kerch again. She spent time with Alexi. She took photos. She told me he was terribly shy, but a sweet, sweet boy. So....we starting filling out papers, and thought we would try and rescue him so he could be with his brothers and sisters. Things were running pretty slow, and then..... I got pregnant....with twins. So, our plans were once again delayed. The reality of trying to reunite this group seemed to be fading into the distance. Then at the end of 2008 the economy crashed, and it seemed that all hope was lost. Meanwhile, in 2009, Irka returned to Kyiv once more. She called Kerch to check on Alexei. She found out that on October 6, 2009, Alexei was adopted by another family. I was so very happy for him, and yet sad that his siblings may never get to see him again. As much as I wanted to free him, in my heart I knew that he would be better served in a family where he would be the focus. We were really never in a position to return. Our first trip took everything we had....emotionally, financially. It is hard to admit that, but it is true. Now we only hope that somehow, some way, these siblings can find each other. We only hope for some communication. Alexei knows he has two siblings. He knows that they are in the U.S. We would like to share our lives, and hope that his new family might want to share as well. In addition, if any of the children were ever to fall ill (God forbid), it would be helpful for everyone. The problem is, the Ukrainian orphanage would not share any information about the new family. So.....we are putting ourselves out there in hopes someone can help us in our search for Alexei, and his new forever parents.