I wasn't prepared for the five page checklist we were given to look through and choose what we are willing to accept, not accept or willing to consider in a child or birth parent. Everything from medical issues, drugs, ethnicity and all sorts of things in between. We need to spend sometime going through that. I've heard the amount of paperwork is overwhelming and if this is any indication I can't imagine. This is just the beginning....and not really the beginning.
I was quite nervous before the meeting, which is so unlike me. Barry even commented that I was acting like a freak and I guess I was. This is just a really big deal and I wanted to make sure and ask everything I could. I had a list of course and I referenced it several times as well as asking new questions as they popped up. The director was very patient and answered all the questions. She even stayed after to talk to us a little more. If any of you have any questions you think I should ask, please feel free to share them. I need all the help I can get.
We will check into the other agencies and make a decision sometime soon. We are not taking this decision lightly. Although we really like this agency and it's the same agency our good friends adopted through, we want to make the right decision for us. So, we will pray and we will investigate. We appreciate all your prayers and good thoughts during this time. I'm actually starting to get really excited. It's starting to seem real!
25 comments:
Yeaaa! So glad you went and they answered your questions. The list of things you will/won't accept is amazing, seriously, things you would never even really consider! I'm interested to hear more about it. It's so different than the route we went, and I would like to learn more about it.
Praying for discernment for y'all as you make your decisions!! Keep me posted. I'm soooo excited for you both!
Yay! I'm sooo happy for you! I'm glad things are going well and you're happy with the agency. :)
I am so glad to hear that you're liking this agency! I think that sitting down with your husband and really taking the time to go over the questionnaire is a good idea. Good luck with everything, and I'll be keeping you in my prayers :)
I'm so glad the meeting went well for you! Praying that God will guide you clearly to the agency that will match you with your little one!
You are certainly in my prayers! I cannot wait to hear about all of your experiences through your adoption journey. But most of all, the day you finally get to bring your child home!
I'm so happy for you and your husband that it went so well! Quick seems to be a good thing after waiting so much with ttc. I'm sure it'll slow down when you get closer go placement of YOUR child!
How exciting, glad this first step went so well! So eager to hear more as this new journey of yours unfolds. Thinking of you!
That seems pretty quick to me too! But I only have experience going through the state - and they don't do anything quickly! Ha! I'm so excited for you all!!! Can't wait to hear more!
I'm glad it went well, finding an agency you like is a BIG first step!
That is wonderful news and I'm glad they actually took time out to answer all your questions. That's an important trait! :) Hopefully the others go just as well and you find "your" agency soon!
Jennifer, it sounds like you had a pretty good meeting. Yay! A month does not seem that quick to me. I am so happy that you are going to be moving forward with this, it is so exciting. And I love that your husband is being so supportive.
I'm so glad to hear that everything went well at the meeting!!
Yay! I'm so glad that your meeting went well. I'll be praying that God guides you and your husband with picking the perfect agency. :-)
I can't even imagine how much your head must be spinning right now. I know mine would be. It is great that you are getting answers as well as getting to a point where you feel comfortable and ready to move forward.
I don't know if you have seen Leah's blog before, but she recently went through all of the paperwork and is now on the waiting list. Her blog is awesome, and she is so down to earth. If you want to check it out, here is a link: http://life-according-to-leah.blogspot.com/
*hugs*
Each agency with their time frames are different...but you are on the right track by going to meetings and doing your research! Ask as many questions as you need to to find the agency that is right for you. It's a big decision but you are well on your way!!! :)
Wow, how exciting!!! It must feel great to be moving forward, even though it is scary, too. Congratulations!
Jennifer,
So happy that you are moving forward and have a friend who has adopted through this agency. Having someone at your side who has walked this road makes it easier to travel.
As for all the questions, notes and freaking out a bit...that's what Mother's do :) You will be amazing parents!
Good luck to you and know that I will be praying for you both.
HUGS
I am a big believer in thinking with your gut on these matters. I knew in 10 minutes that we wanted to use our agency, and I never regretted it. So trust yourself--when it feels right, it is. And vice-versa.
Our homestudy process took 3 months, but it's different for international because you're waiting for various things to be processed by the government. The interviews and home visit were the quick parts! :)
So exciting :) :) Glad the meeting went well. My hearbeat sped up because I was so excited reading your post haha You must be so happy to get things rollin'! Even with the mounds of paperwork. Just think with every checklist you go through and question you answer, you are one step closer to having your lil baby in your arms! :)
I would say their process sounds pretty standard, and pretty easy and quick (compared to others I've seen). I remember those lists -what will you accept? What won't you? Uggghhh, we picked through those for awhile. The paperwork is bad, but not AS bad as I thought it would be. You'll breeze through it I'm sure:). I'm glad you at least have a good contender in this agency! Good luck on making your decision!
wow that sounds exciting! I don't blame you for being nervous, it is a big decision, but it sounds like you are considering everything and really educating yourself so I have no doubt that whatever choice you make will be the right one :)
ICLW #134
Excellent news that the meeting went so well! I'm so glad. I think it's smart of you to keep a list of your questions and even to keep your options open after a successful meeting. Wishing you the best!!!
That's great that you had off of your questions answered. When we applied and went through the process of becoming foster/adopt parents...there were more checklists than I could count. So, that seems pretty normal. The timeline seems a little fast, but that's probably a good thing. Good luck with your journey.
Sorry I am just now catching up with you. So excited to hear that the meeting went well! There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking lots of questions, it is a BIG decision you are making. One month sounds super quick to get through the home study process, but there is nothing wrong with that!
Take all the time you need with the special needs checklist and keep in mind that most agencies will let you make adjustments to it further along in the process if you change your mind about something.
I am guessing you probably already asked this, but I would ask them about the wait time, how many children they have placed, and if you are adopting domestically how many failed adoptions they have had (too high means they are not screening well enough, but none is also suspect).
Very excited to see how the Lord leads you all!
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