Prior to signing up with our current agency, I called and asked them about the timeline for our adoption. We were told 18-24 months. Wow. Longer than we thought. We had thought 12-18 months, but we knew we'd be as quick with the paperwork as possible so, we'd be on the 18 months side of things.
Fast forward a week, a bunch of paperwork and a significant payment. I called to talk about the process since we had not spoken to anyone or received information about the actual process (of course, we already knew the process from research and others blogs, but I wanted to hear them walk me through it). The woman on the phone, who seems rushed and in a hurry to get off the phone me, let me know that from the time the paperwork is submitted, it would take 18-24 months of waiting to be matched! Then, another 8 months to bring our baby home.
Basically, we'd be adopting 2 - 2 1/2 years from now.
I'm all about "let go and let God" but that was such a huge difference from the 1 - 1 1/2 years to bring our baby home. I fretted about it all weekend and Chris and I decided to call another agency first thing Monday morning. Sure enough, they are processing in the 12-18 month range because they work with 5 orphanages instead of 1. They were also much more friendly.
That was it. I called the other agency and we'll be pulling out from there and starting with this new agency today!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Shoes!
With my mind constantly on Ethiopia lately, I couldn't help by grab up these flip flops from the clearance rack on Michael's today. They were only $.40 each pair. Surely, we could afford a few pair of shoes for orphans at $.40 each! If you're so inclined, you could run to your Michael's and do the same. I'll be happy to take them with us on our trip or mail them along with mine to children in need.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
First payment
We made our first payment (other than the application fee) today to cover our homestudy and the agency's fees. There's no going back now!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
FAQs
Although we haven't shared our news with many people, we do already have a list of some frequently asked questions. Why not just answer them here?
So, you've given up on having biological children?
No. We will likely try again at some point to have a biological child, but this is the path that we feel is right for us.
How long will it take to get your baby?
This is variable depending on the age and sex of the child we are looking for, how quickly we get our paperwork completed and any delays in paperwork caused by the government or anyone else.. We are hoping to have our baby within 12-18 months from now.
Did you request a girl?!
Nope. We decided that God decided if we were getting a boy or girl last time so, He should decide this time as well.
How old will be the baby be?
We requested a child 0-6 months of age. What this means is, at the time we are matched with a child, he/she will be 0-6 month of age. From the time we are matched, it could take up to 6 months to bring him/her home so, we think that our baby will be 12 months old at the oldest upon returning home, but we really think we'll likely have a 7-10 month old when it is all said and done.
Do you have to go to Ethiopia?
Yes, we get to go to Ethiopia at least once for our court date after we have been matched with a child. We will very likely return again a month or so later to bring our baby home. You can have the agency bring them, but the only reason to do that is to save money so, we'll just see what our piggy bank looks like at that time since we'd really like to be able to bring our baby home ourselves.
Will Carter go with you?
No. The trip will take roughly 30 hours which would not be enjoyable for any of us AND, Carter will be 2 by the time we travel so, we'd have to buy him a seat as well which make the trip more costly. Instead, he'll get to spend the week playing carefree with relatives.
Why International?
We met with an agency and talked about domestic adoption. It sounded like we were good candidates and would be selected by a birthmother quickly, but it would be an open adoption. While we think open adoption is a great situation for many people, having 4 visits a year with a birthmother made us uncomfortable when we thought about our family dynamics. How would Carter respond when it was time for his brother or sister to see their "other family"?
With an international program, we may still have contact with the birth family if they are available, but day-to-day, it would just be our little family together which we feel will help us form the bond they we all already have together.
Also, we feel that the children in the U.S. have more resources available than those in Ethiopia. The foster care programs may not be great, but they are often better than an orphan living along on the street.
Why Ethiopia?
In the beginning there wasn't much of a reason.. I researched and read a lot of blogs of families who had adopted who had a smooth process. The agency we are using works directly with the orphanage which takes exceptional care of the children due to the resources that the agency is able to provide. We liked knowing that our baby is safe and in loving arms while we wait to be able to get him/her.
Since then, I've done even more research and have started reading some books. Wow. Just looks at the statistics on our sidebar. Why not Ethiopia?
So, you've given up on having biological children?
No. We will likely try again at some point to have a biological child, but this is the path that we feel is right for us.
How long will it take to get your baby?
This is variable depending on the age and sex of the child we are looking for, how quickly we get our paperwork completed and any delays in paperwork caused by the government or anyone else.. We are hoping to have our baby within 12-18 months from now.
Did you request a girl?!
Nope. We decided that God decided if we were getting a boy or girl last time so, He should decide this time as well.
How old will be the baby be?
We requested a child 0-6 months of age. What this means is, at the time we are matched with a child, he/she will be 0-6 month of age. From the time we are matched, it could take up to 6 months to bring him/her home so, we think that our baby will be 12 months old at the oldest upon returning home, but we really think we'll likely have a 7-10 month old when it is all said and done.
Do you have to go to Ethiopia?
Yes, we get to go to Ethiopia at least once for our court date after we have been matched with a child. We will very likely return again a month or so later to bring our baby home. You can have the agency bring them, but the only reason to do that is to save money so, we'll just see what our piggy bank looks like at that time since we'd really like to be able to bring our baby home ourselves.
Will Carter go with you?
No. The trip will take roughly 30 hours which would not be enjoyable for any of us AND, Carter will be 2 by the time we travel so, we'd have to buy him a seat as well which make the trip more costly. Instead, he'll get to spend the week playing carefree with relatives.
Why International?
We met with an agency and talked about domestic adoption. It sounded like we were good candidates and would be selected by a birthmother quickly, but it would be an open adoption. While we think open adoption is a great situation for many people, having 4 visits a year with a birthmother made us uncomfortable when we thought about our family dynamics. How would Carter respond when it was time for his brother or sister to see their "other family"?
With an international program, we may still have contact with the birth family if they are available, but day-to-day, it would just be our little family together which we feel will help us form the bond they we all already have together.
Also, we feel that the children in the U.S. have more resources available than those in Ethiopia. The foster care programs may not be great, but they are often better than an orphan living along on the street.
Why Ethiopia?
In the beginning there wasn't much of a reason.. I researched and read a lot of blogs of families who had adopted who had a smooth process. The agency we are using works directly with the orphanage which takes exceptional care of the children due to the resources that the agency is able to provide. We liked knowing that our baby is safe and in loving arms while we wait to be able to get him/her.
Since then, I've done even more research and have started reading some books. Wow. Just looks at the statistics on our sidebar. Why not Ethiopia?
A delivery!!!
I've heard that the adoption waiting game can get crazy, but so soon, really? Since I found out that our references were contacted on Friday, I was really hoping to get our own packet in the mail Saturday, but no. Monday, I went to the mailbox to check and sure enough, there it was! So, it arrived very quickly, but it was all I could think about all weekend!!!
Chris and I dove right in and went through the whole packet. We'll be mailing off most of it today and have scheduled a doctor's appointment for Friday when we'll mail the remaining information.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Moving right along!
We've told all the "need-to-knows"and the reference requests have already been sent out by the agency and received by our 4 references. We definitely chose the right people! They all got it on Friday and have already started working on it!
I'm having a hard time waiting so, I did a little research and found out that we'll need some certified copies of our birth certificates and marriage certificate so... in the mail the forms will go tomorrow! I'm also sending in the paperwork for my new passport since I never bothed to do it when I changed my name.
We're just so excited! We can't wait to get the next packet in the mail!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
DAY One: Application
Today we put our application in the mail to the adoption agency! We are so excited to get moving forward. We've decided to only tell the bare minimum people - need-to-know-basis. So, this blog will remain private until we decide to let EVERYONE know. For the time being, it's just a private space for Chris and I to log our thoughts and feelings during this process.
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