News from our house

[dawn]

We are adopting! We'll be working with an agency and adopting internationally. It's been a long time coming, and I wish it could happen today!

Hopefully within 18 months we'll have another little one.

[SerenaWelsh]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

This is wonderful news!
What country? Do you know boy or girl? Will you have to visit first?

I'm so happy for you!

[jmonte]

Dawn,

That's wonderful! I have a friend who is in the final stage of their adoption from Guatemala. I'm eager to hear where you are adopting - what an awesome experience!! Julie

[mikeyandBellesmommy]

Congratulations from ME as well, Please keep us updated on the process if you ahve time.. I am sure there are quite a few girls on here that would love to know..

Mike and I are considering it maybe in the future so I am very interested..

[Yvonne]

Congratulations, this is very good news. Please keep us posted.

[dawn]

Thanks, everyone!

We are hoping for China, possibly Guatemala. I have researched both extensively, and spoken with adoptive parents from all over the country about their experiences. We finally selected an agency, which happens to have an office in our town. Some agencies allow you to specify gender, this one we chose does not. They are child-centered, and do lots of charity work in the countries where they place children.

We were just "pre-approved" for China. Obviously, we'd get a girl from there. Believe it or not, my heart has been an issue. Each country views looks at medical records for possible adoptive parents, and we all know that if you see "cardiomyopathy" there, pronosis is generally not good. Not to mention, ours also had to list two kidney transplants and Hep C for John. AND Lily's heart defect. Man, we are such a mess on paper! We have to get detailed letters from our docs saying that we are not likely to check out anytime soon (because of those issues, anyway)

We now start our home study. 4 visits with the social worker. We already did one little questionnaire "to determine whether we are ready to be parents". LOL! It is so much paperwork. Everything in triple and all notarized. Then we get to work with what used to be Immigration and Naturalization. Now it's part of the Homeland Security office, and we are doing lots more paperwork to bring an orphan home. Fingerprints, background checks, everything in triplicate. Passports, visas, blah, blah, blah.

Once we have the Home Study and CIS paperwork in place, they will match us with a kid. Depending on the country, we'll travel a few weeks or months after to pick her up. Some countries require two trips.

It is very exciting. We are including Lily in all the big decisions. She really wants a sister, and to name her "Lily".

I'll let you all know as things happen. I'd be happy to chat with anyone who's considering this option, too.

Thanks for all your enthusiasm! My family hasn't expressed any happiness about this, and we haven't shared it with John's family yet. It's sorta like being in your first trimester with a pregnancy. So many ways it could go still.

[carriep]

Its wonderful news for you guys! You must be so excited.
I think about adopting, even if we plan another pg....so many children need loving families.
Congrats!

[Anny311]

Ohh, I'm so excited for you! We've talked about adopting in the past, as I had a bit o' trouble conceiving, but I think it is not an option for us now. I do love hearing adoption stories though. I'll be thinking of you--please keep us "in the loop"

Anny311

[Carnation]

Congratulations on your decision to adopt! This must be such a wonderful and exciting time for you!! Good luck with everything, I hope the time just flies by! :)

[Lisa V]

This is so exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you...................We had looked into China adoption and we decided against it since the agency we were speaking with told us we had to go to China for 2 weeks and once we got there it could be alot longer. We just we not comfortable with leaving Julia behind for that long period of time. I wish you nothing but good luck.............We are going to be one busy beaver in the next couple of months. I hope your family comes around and see that this is a wonderful thing that you and your husband are doing.

[dawn]

Thanks! We are very busy. Looks like we're pursuing China. Our daughter Lily will be travelling with us. If all goes well, we'll be matched with a child in November or December. I'll give you all an update soon!

The homestudy is looong.

[momofthree]

Hi. We adopted a baby boy from Japan while we lived there. His name is Eli Osamu (his given first name) and he is a joy in our lives. He is our middle child now that we have a 6 month old. Congratulations. Oh what a joy you will experience. We love him so much. Have any questions ... just let me know. Alison