Choosing Homestudy Agency - Application sent 1/3

I've always wanted to have both biological children, and adopt. I sorta feel 4 kids are too many (growing up as 1 of 4 kids). Time and resources are divided too many ways. I always thought 3 was a nice number...not too many, but still a nice sized family. A family with a presence. I've had 2 bio children, and they are wonderfully perfect. I was blessed with a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery x2. So, the third child...is to be adopted.

Although I've been thinking about adoption for years and years....I knew I wanted biological children first. I was well aware of the advantages reproducing at maximal fertility - as designed by Nature. I knew that being pregnant at 40 is not only a bit more risky (for both mom and fetus), but would be less pleasant physically.

Now, that I'm all done with growing parasites in my body that, takes over and zaps all your energy, and just generally wreck havoc being pregnant, I can focus on other things. Adoption being one of 'em.

Ian is 2...and now my "baby" is a little boy. When Haley was this age, I decided to "go for it one more time" and get pregnant with Ian. I'll bet it by design that pregnancy and births are typically 2-3 years apart in families. If so, it's no wonder why I feel ready for another baby.

So last summer I purchased an Adoption book. And last fall I purchased an International Adoption Book. In October I spoke with our hospital/ER social worker about agencies and the process. He directed me to another social worker whom I contacted a few weeks later. I contacted other people who may have some valuable information on adoptions. I did preliminary reading.

Then after Christmas, I was ready to proceed. I started investigating the requirement of various countries, reading adoption news, and researching agencies. I spoke with a few...but wasn't quite ready. I had a few (well, more than a few) "what if" scenarios that paralysed me. I expressed some of my 'worries' with a friend of mine...who assured me that I was being crazy, and my what-if scenarios are highly unlikely.

I read as much as I could online about homestudy agencies, adoptions agencies, the process, etc. I learned that I had to have an agency that was licensed by the State to do homestudies in my city/county. That limited the number to choose from. I decided I wanted an agency that was close to our home...and really hate going over to San Francisco (except for occasional outings), so a couple of agencies were eliminated based on that alone. I didn't want to travel over the bridge for my meetings, educations courses, classes, etc.

Then, I needed an agency that is knowledgeable about international adoption in general (and Ethiopia in particular would be nice). One that was reasonably priced, with a good reputation. We found one...in Walnut Creek.

Now - some decisions have been made: international over domestic. Ethiopia over Latin America. Walnut Creek agency for homestudy. Leaning towards Americans for African Adoptions as the placement agency. That's pretty much all the information you need to get started.


"Mail the damn thing already" my friend instructed when I shared with her my reluctance to send the homestudy adoption agency the application (plus fee).

I finally mailed it on January 3rd.