Local Family with Russian Child Weighs in on Adoption Ban
By: Rebecca Jeffrey
Updated: January 12, 2013
With many families waiting to hear what will happen with their adoptions, one family in Northwest Arkansas successfully adopted a child from Russia four years ago.
Even when there wasn't an adoption ban the Hester family from Cave Springs said the process was strenuous but well worth it.
"Nik's our son and he's part of our family and we wouldn't be complete without him." Bart Hester, Senator Elect and father said.
Four years ago Bart and Ashley Hester brought home their 2-year-old son Nik from Russia.
"It has been just a dream come true experience for us, he adjusted to beautifully, and has just fit in so well," Ashley Hester, Nik's mother said.
Even before the adoption was complete a bond had been made.
"For us, we had prepared a room, our girls were calling him their little brother, they were talking to other kids at their pre-schools about him, and things like that. So they are really a part of your family even though they're not living with you yet," Ashley said.
The Hester family is feeling for those waiting to hear the fate of their adoption.
"When you have a child in the womb, it's your child, and you're preparing and it's part of your family, and that's the same way for us and to lose that and to lose that hope it's effectively a loss of a child," Bart said.
Bart doesn't want to see Russian orphans suffer the loss of a loving family.
"America by far and away adopts the majority of the special needs children from Russia, and there is no doubt in my mind those are the real losers here and it's really a shame that Vladimir Putin is using children for political propaganda," Bart said.
But the Hesters are still grateful for the country that gave them their son.
"Even though all these things are going on with them trying to shut down adoption, we still have fond memories from Russia and a love for Russia and we hope that it can all be worked out," Ashley said.
"For us I think it's completed our family or helped us come closer to a completed family and we just feel like Nik was always been, supposed to be a part of our family," Bart said.
The Hesters are are supporters of adoption whether locally or across the world. They are now foster parents in Benton County.
Even when there wasn't an adoption ban the Hester family from Cave Springs said the process was strenuous but well worth it.
"Nik's our son and he's part of our family and we wouldn't be complete without him." Bart Hester, Senator Elect and father said.
Four years ago Bart and Ashley Hester brought home their 2-year-old son Nik from Russia.
"It has been just a dream come true experience for us, he adjusted to beautifully, and has just fit in so well," Ashley Hester, Nik's mother said.
Even before the adoption was complete a bond had been made.
"For us, we had prepared a room, our girls were calling him their little brother, they were talking to other kids at their pre-schools about him, and things like that. So they are really a part of your family even though they're not living with you yet," Ashley said.
The Hester family is feeling for those waiting to hear the fate of their adoption.
"When you have a child in the womb, it's your child, and you're preparing and it's part of your family, and that's the same way for us and to lose that and to lose that hope it's effectively a loss of a child," Bart said.
Bart doesn't want to see Russian orphans suffer the loss of a loving family.
"America by far and away adopts the majority of the special needs children from Russia, and there is no doubt in my mind those are the real losers here and it's really a shame that Vladimir Putin is using children for political propaganda," Bart said.
But the Hesters are still grateful for the country that gave them their son.
"Even though all these things are going on with them trying to shut down adoption, we still have fond memories from Russia and a love for Russia and we hope that it can all be worked out," Ashley said.
"For us I think it's completed our family or helped us come closer to a completed family and we just feel like Nik was always been, supposed to be a part of our family," Bart said.
The Hesters are are supporters of adoption whether locally or across the world. They are now foster parents in Benton County.
