Assigned a Social Worker

My social worker just called and she sounds wonderfully pleasant! :) She gave me a run down of what to expect and we scheduled our first meeting on July 3 at my home. She told me not to worry that the "house inspection" will come later. I asked if there was anything I could start on before then and she gave me some ideas. I'll need copies of my passport, drivers license, insurance card, and a photo of me. The last three years of my tax return. A medical letter from my doctor after completing a physical. And yesterday I got a packet from IAN with other information. I've already mailed my background check in and my initial questionnaire for my SW today. And I also got my fingerprints done today and have them sitting in my mailbox with a money order for $39.50 awaiting tomorrow's mail. I am wanting to get my three letters of reference done but worry they have to be in a specific format so I'll wait to get the answers at my first meeting. I bought a divided expanded file case and have labeled five of the pockets already! My birth certificate and my divorce decree should be on their way soon as I ordered one by phone and one by fax. Hopefully we'll see them soon in the mail! :) Count down begins on the fingerprint clearance! Whoo hoo!

This is like telling people I'm pregnant!

I just realized after two years of fertility treatments and trying to get pregnant that when I tell people that I have chosen an agency and they say I could have a baby in 6 months...it's like FINALLY telling people I am pregnant. I always wondered how soon I'd tell people if it actually happened, you know, you are always supposed to wait for the first trimester or whatever to make sure that the pregnancy really takes. But now I KNOW it will happen. It could be as early as 6 months, but it's OK if it takes a year. The important thing about this is that I will have a child soon. I will finally be a mommy. And the best part is that I will be helping a child in need, that wants me as much as I want them. :)

It has begun

After much thinking and a great email response from Shawn R who brought home a beautiful baby girl this year through IAN I have made my choice. I submitted my application TODAY and I am beginning this journey. I haven't told anyone yet... my parents are out of town. But I am excited to begin the process. Today I ordered new official copies of my birth certificate and my divorce decree. They should be here within a month. I will begin the home study process in July. Talking with Aneata at IAN she said the last three families brought their baby girls home in 6 months. WOW! It could be as fast as 6 months. I got so excited about which room will become my BABY'S room! Finally... I can't believe this is beginning. : )

So many choices

This trek now begins... I have been researching adoption for about two years, specifically Ethiopian adoption for one year. One of my student's families adopted two beautiful boys from Ethiopia two years ago. I am a single woman who married my high school sweetheart at 22 and divorced at 26. I've been dedicated to my career since but have always desperately wanted a family. I have tried insemination off and on for two years with no luck. And although I'd like to experience having a child myself, I have now come to realize that there are so many children in this world who need a mother, why try to create a child? Seeing the photos of the beautiful children in Ethiopia was all I needed to finalize that choice.

The most difficult part of this process so far has been choosing an agency and knowing what questions to ask. Em (my student's mom) tells me that the most important thing is to interview potential agencies and find the one that feels right. I'm just unsure about what questions to ask in my interview. I am a trusting soul and I fear that this trust may get me in trouble in this process. We will see.

Online I liked Wide Horizons a lot, however they are not local. I am beginning to really like International Adoption Net that's based here in Colorado. They are in their second year and have their 31st family that they are helping bring babies home. I have filled out the application and am just waiting to send it off. Hmmm.... not sure what I am waiting for?