THE CHILDREN

When you adopt from overseas, remember that most of these orphanages do the best they can with the money and the personnel they have available. The orphanages receive only 24 cents per day per child to cover a child's food, clothing and medical expenses. But some orphanages, particularly those close to Moscow, receive extra financial support and clothing from adoptive parents, churches and businesses.

Since the orphanages have so many children and so few helpers, they don't have the time or resources to spend much individual time with each child, but they do try. The workers face monumental tasks each day just feeding, diapering and meeting the children's basic needs and keeping the orphanage clean.

"When we first met our son, Conner, in June, he cried a good bit and was withdrawn," Kate Hudson says. "He'd spent his life in a crib without much one-on-one attention. However, since we've had him for several months now, his personality has really developed. He's become an extremely happy and inquisitive little boy who now says about 30 English words at age 17 months, loves to be read to, enjoys playing and likes teddy bears to hug in any size.

"Our daughter, Cameron, always has been more outgoing and developmentally ahead of Conner in the physical arena. Although she doesn't say as many words as Conner, she runs, climbs, jumps off anything and already loves dolls, pretty ribbons, clothes and shoes. Both children have blossomed and are so healthy, loving and sweet. We are so blessed."