Hey Everyone! I know many of you have been asking how the adoption is going. Well, we are still waiting! June 28th will be a year that we have been on the list with our agency. Unfortunately, a year is not a long time to be on an adoption wait list. Our agency does send us updates each time a baby has been adopted. So far this year, there have been six adoptions. While I am a little sad each time we get an email because it wasn't us who adopted the baby, I am happy to know that the agency is seeing a fairly steady flow of adoptions so far this year. It does give me hope that our time is coming!
Throughout the past year we have actually been contacted about four times with possible private adoption cases. Unfortunately, for different reasons in each case, none of those possibilities have panned out. However, we have learned some important things about how a private adoption would work.
One thing I want people to know when they are thinking of us for a possible private adoption situation: please find out if it is a foster care situation. If the child is all ready in DHR care, we are unable to pursue an adoption. DHR works strictly with those who are all ready licensed foster parents. While we were licensed at one point, we were not licensed through DHR.
Also, we definately appreciate everyone keeping an ear out for us, but please make sure that the woman (and man) are pretty well decided on adoption before you present them to us or vice versa. Remember: this is a very difficult situation for the birth families. We do not want to make anyone feel like we are being pushy. Most women do not make a final decision on adoption as the final choice until well into their pregnancy, so while it is nice to let them know that you know someone who is looking to adopt we don't expect anyone to make a decision within the first (probably) five months of the pregnancy. A thought might be to let the birth mother and father know that you know someone who is looking to adopt and then leave it at that. Then, once they have made a decision, they know they can contact you if they are interested in knowing more.
As always, we truly appreciate all your love, support, and prayers. Thank you for everything you do for us!
