ADOPTION IS A ROLLER COASTER, AND I AM TAKING THIS RIDE!

With international adoption, you have to expect the unexpected and know it is all part of the process. We initially began looking into adopting from India, only to find out many programs are on hold due to recent international adoption laws changing there any many adoption agencies are uncertain about the future of their India programs. So, we got excited about Ethiopia to find out that laws are also changing there and that the Ethiopia Ministry of Women's, Children's, and Youth's Affairs wants to cut international adoption by 90% this month. So then, I got discouraged--REALLY discouraged...we hadn't even STARTED the paperwork and difficulties were arising. Then I got a text from my dad that helped me get the right perspective again. It said, "Hang in there, you got to know that the adoption process is, whether here or overseas, an emotional and trying time. It will no doubt test you in ways you have never known before. Love you."

So, this got me thinking. Part of adventure that makes it an adventure is the anticipation of the unknown. Well, that makes adoption an adventure, and I need to look at it like one. It's also a roller coaster. There are lots of ups and downs, and we knew there would be BEFORE we started the process. So, instead of feeling sad and gloomy when we seem to take the downturns,
I'M NOT GOING TO CRY. I AM GOING TO CRY, "WHEE!" AND HOLD ON FOR THE RIDE. In the end, we will have a wonderful kid in our arms.

As things stand now, we are looking at Ethiopia, South Korea, and Uganda. It is interesting how this adoption process has already taken a life of its own, and we haven't even started any paperwork (that will start in July after Mike finishes his last and roughest months of second year residency).

Adoption drama already!

India is almost off the list at this point. We were hoping to adopt from Ethiopia, but Ethiopia may get REALLY difficult to adopt from soon (so I'm bummed about that). However, there is some reason to hold onto hope after hearing back from our adoption agency we plan to use. Still holding out hope for Ethiopia for now. And, we decided we could check into Vietnam and Uganda too. So, we'll still adopt one way or another, just might be the typical adoption drama. I was hoping I could somehow bypass that, BUT it seems that won't be the case.

MY CHILD

It's possible--likely--that my son or daughter is already born, already alive, walking this earth somewhere. I am so anxious to know more about him/her. I can't wait to meet them and get to know him/her. I hope that their life is as happy as can be for as long as possible before our lives intersect. I hope he/she has food in their belly tonight. I hope they are in the loving embrace of a mother, father, or other family member right now, completely oblivious to the twists and turns their life will have to take before we are together and learn to be a family. I know that Mike and I will not be plan A for this child. International adoption is a necessity because of the wounded, broken world we live in, but I hope that plan B will make his/her life story the best it can possibly be.