Decisions, Decisions .......

So we've completed all the Information Sessions we signed up for.  Now we need to choose an agency and a country.  We didn't anticipate this part being so difficult.  Choosing an agency is not too hard.  We've compared the pros and cons and we're pretty close to making that decision.

Choosing a country on the other hand, is a completely different story.  There are so many factors to consider ..... how long it takes, how much it costs, age of the available children, gender of the available children, predictability/stability of the country's adoption program, how the children are cared for, special needs .... just to name a few.  So we are praying, thinking, and talking about all our options.  I think we're getting close to making a decision, it's just harder than we thought it would be!

We're still very excited about the process and I think we'd both like for it to move quicker than it does!  The entire process will take a couple of years.  We can see 2 major benefits to this. 

1.  Luke will be older and he'll be able to participate in the process more and understand it more.  He is definitely our first priority and we think it would be great if he was able to understand what was happening.

2.  Money.  I've mentioned this before, but it's a big deal to us.  Mainly because we don't have much!  I (Sherry) will be looking for a full time job soon.  The longer the process takes, the more likely it is that we'll have no problem raising however much we need to raise.  This is actually a relief.  It's stressful to wonder how you're going to come up with $20,000 (or more, depending on the country) when you have nowhere near that in savings.  But knowing that I could work for a year or two and then we could pay for the adoption and replenish our savings account is a good thing.  We can probably also start college savings accounts for both kids with that money.  Then, when we bring our next little one home, I could go back to working part time so I could be home with both kids part time!

So anyway, that's our update for now!  Hopefully we'll be posting soon that we've chosen a country!!!!

Sherry, Aaron, & Luke

Webinar

We participated in a Webinar last night with an agency in NC.  Luke was alternating between crawling around, wanting to type on the computer, and being tired, so it was an interesting evening!  We got some good information, though.

Our next information meeting is next week and this one is one where we actually go to the office and meet there.  That one is with a larger agency, so that should be interesting.

Sherry

Our First Adoption Agency Meeting

We met with a social worker from a local agency last week.  She was great and she answered all of our questions.

 This agency deals with China, Vietnam, Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.  They also deal with India, but we'd have to have some Indian heritage, so that one is out for us.  We have to choose a country before we send in our initial application.

 We really feel that international adoption is the right thing for us to do.  Our plan now is to go to a couple of other information meetings before the end of the year.  We also have to work out a plan to save up some money.  Thankfully, the money is due in increments throughout the process  But we still have a lot of money to save.  We're trying to think of some creative ways we can add to our adoption account. 

I (Sherry) will probably end up going back to work full time at some point.  I've already committed to teaching at the community college part time for the Spring semester.  So I'm thinking I would hopefully start something full time in the summer or fall.

November 8

We couldn't make one of the Info Meetings at an agency here in town, so we scheduled an appointment with a social worker for November 8th.  And then we'll participate in a webinar on November 13th about International Adoption.

The Journey Begins ......

We are in the information gathering stage of adoption.  We're thinking we'll go with an international adoption.  We are researching a couple of different agencies and getting all of their information.   There's so much to learn!

The biggest obstacle will be money.  Adoption is really expensive.  But so are infertility treatments.  At least with adoption, you are guaranteed to be parents at some point.  With infertility treatments, there is no guarantee.  We are so fortunate to have Luke as a result of infertility treatments.  We feel that adoption is a great choice for us and we're really excited about it.

I may have to go to work full time to save up the money we need.  Currently, I'm working part time teaching at a community college.  I've already committed to teaching in the Spring, so if I need to find something full time, it will probably be next summer or fall.

 So we'll see where this takes us.  It's going to be a long journey, but we're excited about it!  We can't wait for Luke to have a little brother or sister!

Hmmmmm....

Let's see how long this lasts.  I am notorious for not keeping up with these types of things.