what's next?

I keep hearing excited voices asking "so...what's next?!" So - I thought I'd update you. Last weekend we went to our final meeting with an Adoption Agency before we were going to make our decision. So....*drumroll please* we have chose ADOPTION MN! We are so excited to have made this tough decision. Think about it - what if you had to decide the place where you will receive your CHILD from. No pressure, right? Ha. Well, lucky for us - we knew right away. It just felt right. The atmosphere was calm, inviting and judgement free. Can you believe that some adoption agencies turn people away for having certain diseases, for being homosexual, or for being overweight? That made me sick to my stomach. We wanted to find a place that we knew we'd be accepted - but also one that accepted people from all walks of life. Going through this process has made me realize that Adoption has an amazing, supportive, wonderful community of people. They are going to be my people. Amazing! Going off on a total tangent - who has seen the Southwest Airlines commercial with the expecting parents running through the store and then going to get their baby through adoption? Incredible. I absolutely love it. 

Moving on...yes, we have chosen our agency. So - what's next? Well, next, we have to make sure we have the money. As I've been talking to family and friends recently, people are amazed at the cost of Adoption. As you know, I'm an open book - so - let me share. Adopting a domestic infant is anywhere from $25-60k. You read that right! The average cost of having a baby naturally, with insurance, is about $11k. I'm not going to be that person that complains about it because this process is going to bring us a baby - and give a baby a home. But...whew! So - we are in the process of working with our bank on getting the funding to pay for this adoption as many costs are due upon application. Once we have our financing figured out, we will officially apply to Adoption Minnesota. From there, the home study process starts....more to come on that.

I hope this finds you happy, healthy and thankful for all the good in the world. As always, I am so thankful for my amazing husband who helps me through the tough phases and celebrates me in our joyous moments. Merry Christmas!