I just saw this post as I was getting ready to leave, so I only have a minute to type. We've adopted internationally from India 3 times.
My 'quick' advice is to not be afraid of international adoption if that's where your heart is. Do your research, find local and online groups, and really look at different agencies before deciding on one. I really, really recommend thinking about a waiting child adoption. Our Reid was a waiting child adoption and I can not imagine him not being a part of our family. His adoption was quicker and our agency (WACAP - we had a great experience with them) reduced his fees a good bit to insure he found a home. International adoption is not always as expensive as most people think. We are far, far, far from wealthy and we managed to do it 3 times.
There is an organization in Liberia that we are possibly thinking about. They are very, very open to large families and the costs are very reasonable. They also have a sliding scale for their adoption fee. Travel to Liberia is not required. The website is http://www.acresofhope.org/aboutacres.htm
Location: if this were the wrong decision you'd already know it
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You know, I think it's awesome to hear how many families have and are in the process of adopting - even considering adoption.
And it's especially nice to hear about the points of view from other moms who have adopted, especially the information they come across. There is SO much information out there and it's nice to see/hear that there are even still untapped resources and unfamiliar country regulations. What a great way to spread the word - this thread is just wonderful!!!
I just loved reading the grants on Affording Adoption (linked previously in this thread by me). They have websites on there that have grants attached to individual waiting children and they so desperately need good homes. Some have been up there for more than a year (at least - that's when we started looking)
I just saw this post as I was getting ready to leave, so I only have a minute to type. We've adopted internationally from India 3 times.
My 'quick' advice is to not be afraid of international adoption if that's where your heart is. Do your research, find local and online groups, and really look at different agencies before deciding on one. I really, really recommend thinking about a waiting child adoption. Our Reid was a waiting child adoption and I can not imagine him not being a part of our family. His adoption was quicker and our agency (WACAP - we had a great experience with them) reduced his fees a good bit to insure he found a home. International adoption is not always as expensive as most people think. We are far, far, far from wealthy and we managed to do it 3 times.
WACAP comes highly recommended by two friends of mine too!
This was pretty recent, since we just started the path last year. But, maybe if it's been since then, the negative press was enough to get them to switch.
It was just a few weeks ago when we talked about it and that's what my friend said, that the negative press did the trick. I hope it's true!
I know people that have used Bethany too and love them.
You know, I think it's awesome to hear how many families have and are in the process of adopting - even considering adoption.
And it's especially nice to hear about the points of view from other moms who have adopted, especially the information they come across. There is SO much information out there and it's nice to see/hear that there are even still untapped resources and unfamiliar country regulations. What a great way to spread the word - this thread is just wonderful!!!
I just loved reading the grants on Affording Adoption (linked previously in this thread by me). They have websites on there that have grants attached to individual waiting children and they so desperately need good homes. Some have been up there for more than a year (at least - that's when we started looking)
I know it's silly, but I feel an instant bond to all of you on this thread. I agree how it is wonderful to hear everyone's stories and points of view. I love learning new things on adopting. I am probably obnoxious on the subject, but it's a passion of mine. I just feel so blessed that my dream since childhood has come true (and God led us down JUST the path to get there). All things work together for *good*.
Location: You did what you knew how to do, and when you knew better, you did better. ~ Maya Angelou
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChasingChe
We were told that by the Illinois company who works with primarily AA children - umm something -link? And the local Catholic Charities office who said that we wouldn't qualify for any healthy infant, that we would only be referred children who were *significantly* disabled, and that we should be prepared to wait a LONG time because "none of their moms" would choose a family with four caucasian biological children since it would just be a hard fit.
Nice, huh?
Adoption LInk told you that??? Well, there is someone from here who's partner had 5 bio (caucasion) kids and was able to adopt through Adoption Link.....
That was a while ago, so perhaps they have changed. Anyhow, I thought they always tried to be open to bigger families. Sorry they told you that.
Wow, I am getting really excited about this now. Kirstin really, really wants to adopt a baby from India so we may go that route, but Guatemala looks great too. I have to admit, though, I feel *incredibly* overwhelmed with all of the information. Yikes, lots to soak in my brain in such a short time.
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Cher ~ Mama to Taylor (13), Kirstin (12), Meghan (10), Kate (8), Ella (6), Jack (4) and Evan (1)
“I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out.” ~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Wow, I am getting really excited about this now. Kirstin really, really wants to adopt a baby from India so we may go that route, but Guatemala looks great too. I have to admit, though, I feel *incredibly* overwhelmed with all of the information. Yikes, lots to soak in my brain in such a short time.
Location: if this were the wrong decision you'd already know it
Posts: 40,909
It is a lot to soak in. Our (adoptive parents) relatives gave us great advice. Request, request, request - sign up at every agency's website and request an info packet. It is CRUCIAL to really get the feelers out there and especially to inform yourselves as much as possible. We sat down and just read packet after packet (they're all free) and started narrowing down country choices. We were DEAD SET on South Korea. But then we started finding obstacles in our way and felt led down a path toward a country we hadn't really considered an option from the beginning. It was quite the learning experience and a long path.
Can you adopt through the state without doing foster care first?
I've heard good things about Acres of Hope, Jen, as well as the other agency working in Liberia.
Having a large family limits your choices but there are still a handful of countries to choose from. Ethiopia, Liberia, Guatemala, Kazakstan come to mind.
There is an organization in Liberia that we are possibly thinking about. They are very, very open to large families and the costs are very reasonable. They also have a sliding scale for their adoption fee. Travel to Liberia is not required. The website is http://www.acresofhope.org/aboutacres.htm
Thank you so much for this. We have decided to pursue this full force.
Meg - did you find any GA agencies specializing in AA adoptions that *didn't* require a statement of faith? Or just the one that did?
Does this mean we'll get to be mommies together?
I wish, Christy..but for us at least not now..maybe in another year I will have the financial resources..!
Anyway, the agency I'm talking about is just the one requiring a statement of faith..I don't know about others because I only looked at that one..I was so darned impressed that once you went through the process you could get your baby so quickly. They also handle foreign adoptions. The agency I looked at was www.opendooradoption.com
I didn't get any further than that when I was struck by baby lust and had to call Tom..he said..wait a year.
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Meg
Mama to Alexis, 22; Jacob, 19; and Elijah 11/20/02 and Sophia Jane, 11/20/04
Elijah allows me to dress him nicely and take a picture!
I just feel so blessed that my dream since childhood has come true (and God led us down JUST the path to get there). All things work together for *good*.
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