Another Big Step Today

Well, I finally spoke with an adoption agency today that helps with both international and domestic adoptions. It was quite informative and the person with whom I spoke was lovely in every respect. She was honest, intelligent and very understanding.

Here's what I learned:

Things can change on a dime from country-to-country in terms of rules and restrictions. While the Ukraine would've been a good option for John and I to consider about a month or so ago, as of two weeks or so ago, it isn't.

That said, if we do adopt, we're certainly going to have to be fairly open-minded and flexible.

China's out by the way - definitively. Even if we were 100% sure as of today that we absolutely want to have a child, there would be a MINIMUM 5 year wait there.

Anyway, sounds like there are viable options for us, which is good. Let's just hope it stays that way.

Today's conversation with the agency was also great in that it eliminated many of my top concerns respecting whether or not anyone would even ALLOW John and I to adopt - namely that we destroyed our credit while trying to keep the house and then short selling it - and the fact that we live in a two-bedroom apartment. Well, evidently, it doesn't matter. So long as we have a safe home and can demonstrate that we can afford to have a child, we're good-to-go.

We also spoke about private domestic adoption. I had never even given this thought. Unfortunately, it's probably not an option for us, because the birth mother chooses the parents-to-be, and you don't get to select your child's gender. Plus, she will probably have some role in the child's life - even if it is just an annual letter from us letting her know we haven't killed it yet. Pretty sure I'm not okay with that - and I'm almost 100% positive John wouldn't be either.

So, today was a good step... in the right direction? Well, that I can't necessarily say... yet. I have to admit I had fun speaking with them. Kind of made the prospect much more real.

As for the pic - I really couldn't find anything else fitting. Having happened upon it though, kinda makes me think I should be reading something like it.