Ready

So after reviewing agencies for the past week (I've been reviewing and researching agencies for months but had already narrowed it down based on age requirements and qualifications, location, etc), we narrowed it down to two agencies in Georgia. I asked my dad look over both agencies extensiveley since he's really good with legal documents and right away he nixed one. One that we were considering sounded good but what I had failed to notice right there in front of my eyes is for part of their fees they said you had to pay a non-refundable $10,000 up front from the get-go. Um, YIKES. I don't know how I didn't even catch that...maybe because there were so many figures on the page that my eyes were not drawn to that. I'm so thankful he caught that because he saved us time and possible even money. So I am happy and nervous to say that we have one agency we will be going with if all goes well at the free orientation meeting. I'm happy because it makes life easier to just have one for consideration and they are also the largest adoption agency in the country. On the other hand, it makes me nervous because I wish I had at least two to pick from.

I'm also happy to say that my husband and I have definitely decided on what kind of baby we want. We are open to either a caucasian infant or a bi-racial infant. I don't know why but I am leaning more towards a bi-racial baby and I think Kyle is, too. At first we were considering a bi-racial baby with a couple of different agencies because of cost. I know that is not a very good reason to want a specific type of child but honestly when it comes down to it money is important. The agency that we are (more than likely) going with does not have a price difference between caucasian and bi-racial...and what's really funny is we are still kind of hoping we get a bi-racial child.

I am just ready to start the home study process. Once the home study is completed we can start applying for grants and scholarships. My family is really on board with us adopting and my parents are really excited. It just thrills my heart! I feel like I walk a little quicker now and smile a little more. What really makes my heart want to burst with happiness is how on board my husband is with it. It makes me so happy we are finally on the same page with adoption. He even wanted to start pricing cribs yesterday. He also gave his beloved UFC professional punching bag/stand away to my brother to make room for our future (totally his idea).

I know we are in for a long process and I just hope this orientation calms any nervousness and fears we may have. I have read many reviews on this organization and they are mostly negative. It is true that people with negative comments are more likely to review a place.