Deaconess Pregnancy & Adoption Services

We turned in our application and paid $75 and in turn received some disappointing news.  What we were told was after turning in our application, the next step is to attend a 12 hour seminar ($300), THEN start work on a home study.  The disappointing part (besides the $300 for a seminar?), is that the seminar won't take place until February 6th, 2010.  That's a LONG time to wait just to begin a home study.  The adoption process itself could take anywhere from 1 week to 18 months.  We really don't want wait another 3 months just to start the process.  So, next we make an appointment with the attorney that referred us to ask some questions and her opinion on certain things.

Until next time....

No more "just talking about it"

Today Joel and I meet with Deaconess Pregnancy & Adoption Services.  It's a big step... we'll actually be writing them a check for our application fee.  Enter, ANXIETY.  There are a lot of things to go over and the application is pretty extensive.  All we can do is be honest and hope for the best.  If this doesn't work out, there are other options.  That's what we need to remember.  It's in God's hands and we have faith in that.  Things happen for a reason... there is a Grand plan that we don't know about, so if it doesn't work with Deaconess then we move on and we won't give up.

Reconnecting

Joel and I feel strongly that belonging to a church is a very important part of a child's upbringing.  We plan on returning to Piedmont to worship at the 1st United Methodist Church this coming Sunday.  Tonight was the annual chili cook-off and although Joel wasn't able to attend, I had a great time seeing so many people I hadn't seen in a long time.  Everyone was warm and welcoming, just like always.  I can't wait until we start attending church regularly and reconnecting with everyone.

I shouldn't be surprised...

I knew that everyone would have different reactions to adoption, but I didn't realize I would already be running into the negative reactions.  I felt a little deflated after sharing our good news today.  I guess I was expecting everyone to be nothing but excited for us.  We are not going into this process with our eyes closed.  I know first-hand about the struggles that people face during adoption...my parents faced some of those before finding me.  Joel and I fully expect feelings of anxiety, frustration and fear.  We don't need to be warned of difficulties that we might face.  Joel and I have faced the most difficult thing I think anyone could go through... the unexpected and tragic loss of our first child.  We survived it and I honestly believe that as individuals and as a couple, we are stronger for it.  If we can survive that, we can certainly survive something that, in the end, will bring us so much joy and love.

That being said, it is the end result that we're focusing on and whatever lies ahead of us getting there is just another building block to stregnthen our family.

The process has begun

Adoption has been in the back of my mind (and Joel's) for a while now, but until recently was not something that I just obessessed about.  That has definitely changed.  And yes, it is accurate to say that this is my new obessession.  Maybe passion is a better word.

I have researched so much that I think I'm running out of resources.  After searching the internet, talking to friends and family that have recently gone through adopting and having my parents reach out to friends/contacts, it is now time to move on to the next step.

It is time for us to meet with some agencies and attorneys to decide what would be the better option for us.  We have set up and appointment with the Executive Director of Deaconess Pregnancy and Adoption Services next Monday, 11/23/09.  We were referred to her by the daughter of a family friend who is an attorney that represents the agency.  I'm a little apprehensive about using an agency.  They are very stringent with their rules and regulations, not to mention the numerous and costly fees there are when dealing with an agency.  I guess we'll see what they have to say when we meet with them.  Joel and I had dinner with a couple who adopted at the beginning of the year.  They provided a lot of insight and seemed very enthusiastic about the availability of babies to be adopted.  It was really good to talk with them.  Thank you Kortny and Matt!

So for now, this is where we are on our journey.  It is just beginning and I'm not sure how long it will take for us to welcome a new child into our lives, but we're both very excited for the upcoming addition to our family.