Uh how much?

Last night we met with our first adoption agency, Bethany Christian Services.  It was a little hectic because J was working at the academy and was trying to make it home in time. I was rushing to pick up Wrigley in enough time to get home and feed the dogs.  Thankfully the counselor from BCS was very easy going and didn't mind our crazy night at the house. 

Last night was very informative.  The counselor walked us through all the steps in the process. She gave estimated timelines and of course delved into costs. It is crazy how much adoption costs.  I think both J & I had a bit of "sticker shock" when she started to go over the costs.  We both know it's not cheap but at the same time we are thinking, "How in the world do people pay for this?"  BCS did say they were one of the highest priced agencies in our area and they explained why.  They do a lot of counseling for the birth mother and that cost rolls into our fees.  

I felt really good after the meeting.  The internet is a crazy place and all the information out there was extremely overwhelming.  It was nice to talk with someone face to face and be able to ask questions.  J & I have a lot to think about.  We need to sit down and talk about what risk factors we are willing to accept.  Is it okay if the birth mother has drank some during the pregnancy? What about drug use?  What level of comfort do we have with these?  This definitely isn't a process that you just jump into.

I am waiting for another agency to get back to me so we can meet with them.  I'm sure they will have a similar process as BCS, just different fees.  The counselor with BCS was really nice and told us we need to go with an agency we feel comfortable with.  This agency is going to be a major part of our lives and I agree with her.  I think the hardest part is picking the agency.

Head exploding in 3...2...

In the past couple of weeks I've probably scoured 30 websites, read numerous articles and sent off 20 emails for more information.  I'm seriously on information overload for the adoption process.  I would really like to go with a local agency.  Someone we can go and talk face to face with, instead of over the phone.  I found 2 different agencies that I'd like to work with.  Catholic Community Services asked that you and your husband fill out a brief questionnaire and either fax, mail or email it.  I went ahead and emailed it.  After a week I didn't hear anything so I faxed it along with a note.  A week later, still nothing.  I called and left a voicemail.  Are you sensing a pattern here?  I finally got a hold of someone.  Turns out the gal that does the intake process has been sick.  She got a little cold in the beginning of the year that turned in to pneumonia.  Poor thing!  She's back to work as of last week so she should be in contact with us shortly.

The 2nd agency I got in contact with local is Bethany Christian Services.  We actually have a meeting with them.  So far they have been pretty good at communicating with us. They have informational meetings twice a month.  We couldn't make the one that was closest to us because J was working.  The other one is about 45 minutes away, on a Tuesday.  That was just not going to work for us so the gal said she'd come to our house and talk.  I'm glad we'll have a 1x1 session.  She's going to come over Tuesday night.  

I hope that after talking with the gal from BCS we'll have a good idea of next steps.  There is so much information online that it's overwhelming.  So many different agencies and lawyers you can go with.  I want to make sure we are going with a highly reputable agency.  I think that's one of the most important things when it comes to adoption.  I know some agencies have ridiculously high fees and it makes you wonder, where do those fees go?

Other than that, life is chugging along for us.  I can't believe it's almost the end of January.  Christmas seems like so far away and it was only a month ago.  We have a cruise to the Carribean planned for next January so I guess it's good that time is going by a little fast.  J is getting excited because March is coming up and of course that means Spring Training.  This year we are planning on going down to Arizona for 8 days.  We are still playing around with the costs.  A lot of it depends on what our tax return looks like.  J would go down for the entire month of March if he could.  

St Theresa's Prayer

May today there be peace within.  

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.  

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing you are a child of God.

Let this presence into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

New year...new outlook

Wow...2012 has flown by!  It's like I blinked and it's over. For the holidays we drove down to San Diego.  It was great spending the holidays with my family. I can't believe how big my niece and nephews are getting!  The youngest one, Ryan, is walking and pretty soon he's going to be talking as well.  Sean is seriously adorable.  I love that kid so much.  My Mom had everyone over for my birthday and he came running to me, "It's your birthday!"  How he said it made my heart melt.  My niece Oly is getting so big.  We took her to Knotts Berry Farm for her big gift.  It was fun seeing the amusement park through a child's eyes.

J & I have made a big decision and this blog is going to take a slightly different turn.  We have decided to look into adoption.  Hanging out with Oly made J want a family that much more.  So when we got home I started looking online to figure out how you get started on the process.  Let me tell you it has been extremely overwhelming.  I cannot believe all the information that is out there!  We both know this is going to be a long process but hopefully, in the end, it will all be worth it.

I sent off our first questionnaire today to get more information.  Catholic Community Services asks that you complete a questionnaire prior to going through orientation with them.  It was a simple one page document but it felt good to email that off to the contact.  It was like I finally felt like we made our second step with this process.  The first step of course was simply making the decision to adopt.  I look forward to meeting with the contact and hopefully getting a lot of our questions answered.  

I'm going to try to make 2013 the year of the positive.  I'm trying to have a better outlook on things and simply just improve my attitude in general, not let little things get to me.  I know it's not going to be easy but the end goal will be well worth it.