[sarah16]

I agree. I'm soooo ready to start my home study. I want to call them every week and see if they are ready! Ha!

[chickycran]

My DH and I are starting the research process for domestic infant adoption. We just purchased a couple of books that were recommended on this thread. This is so overwhelming but so was IF in the beginning and now I feel like an expert. We are in Florida so please let me know about any good recommendations in Florida or Alabama. We still haven't figured out if we are going to go through an agency or attorney. I've already started spreading the word to friends and family that we are looking to adopt. My youngest brother was adopted this way and it worked out great. My sister and nephew were both adopted through agencies in NJ and that worked out well too. We just need to figure out what is right for us on our very tight budget. This forum is great - thanks for all the good information ladies!

[sarah16]

Michelle adopted with an attorney through Florida. If you PM her she will give you details.

[rhart]

Just an update...

We went last week to another seminar for an agency in Houston. It frustrates me so bad that you tell them ahead of time that you are interested in a couple of their programs and all they talk about (for 3 hours) is the open infant adoption program. We have to set up an appointment to talk to them about the programs we want to enter. I already had to take off an entire day of work to go talk to them one time. I wish they would have just listened to me the first time and put us in a group for what we are interested in.

[J*e*n*_78]

Rose- How frustrating!!! Especially to take off a whole day and listen to 3 hours on something you may not be interested in !! Sorry that had to happen to you! Maybe there are some other agencies you can check out just in case??

Jen

[Kari]

I haven't visited this forum for a while. I tried the sister forum - but it's not as active and supportive as this one.

I wish you all the best of luck on your journeys. I never thought we would have to make so many important decisions before even becoming parents.

I kind of enjoyed all of the paperwork and creating the adoption portfolio because I felt like I was doing something to reach our goal. Now it's hard just waiting....

[rebecca0130]

Hey, what a great thread.
Check out Angel Adoption - that's who we used - you don't have to live in Illinois, they work all over the country. Angel Adoption Inc. Affordable Adoption Services

No one needs to worry about "losing" your child in a year, the laws were changed quite a while ago to make sure that won't happen. That is why the birthparents have a mandatory waiting period before signing the surrender papers. Unfortunately the extremely FEW adoption cases that go bad are hyped up with the media and if you listen closely to the circumstances, it was not with a legit agency, lawyer, etc.

And the cost - well that tax refund is wonderful - and you don't get that with fertility treatments. It is over $10,000 now.
I am a changed woman since we adopted our son - my life could not be better - EVEN in the middle of fertility treatments

for adoption!!!

[malloned10]

Hello everyone,

My husband and I adopted our son from Russia in 2006. We made 3 trips to Russia and finally brought our son home when he was 21 months old. It was quite an adventure and the cost was staggering!! I second the comment about the Federal adoption tax credit of $10,960.00 - thank goodness!! Just a quick note about the credit - when adopting internationally you cannot get the credit until the adoption is complete, but domestically you can use the credit BEFORE the adoption is complete. Whatever adoption expenses you have put out for that year (this can be spread out through a couple years) you can claim until the $10,960.00 is exhausted. Just FYI.

[sarah16]

Good to know! Thanks!

[Dakotabluebaby]

Just wanted to add my two cents. I am in the begining of foster adopt. EVERYTHING is done EXCEPT the homestudy. I have to wait until hubby puts the wall back up in the kitchen. I am so so so excited!!!!!

[sarah16]

How exciting! I'm still waiting for my homestudy too.

[parker john]

Hi girls ... just checking in ... we have one more class to take to finish up our home study and then my DH has his one on one meeting with our counselor to go over his autobiography and then she comes to the house



we are waiting to see which Korean agency will accept us ... my DH had open heart surgery a year ago and Korea prefers the surgery to be 5 plus years ago so we got a letter from his surgeon to explain his situation ...

we are crossing our fingers!

good luck to everyone with their journeys

[jf5505]

Its great to see this thread b/c I agree the other sister site is not as active.

I am in the research mode, I am looking at Adoptions from the Heart, Gladney and Adoption associates.

I am really scared about the 30 day law in PA, but hey, what can we do, try and try again...right.

For those who are in the Home Study process, hows it going? and for those who are waiting, did they give you any idea how long you will wait? I was told usually the longest is around 18mo.

Any advice for someone NEW to all of this, oh we are doing domestic infant adoption...

[rebecca0130]

jf5505 - hi there! I assume you live in PA since you mentioned the 30 day wait.
May I recommed that you do everything in your power to work with a state that has less of a waiting period.
When we adopted our son, our agency suggested strongly that we not even consider working with a state with a waiting period longer than 1 week. From personal experience, I can say, absolutely this was a wise piece of advice.
The wait follows the laws of where the birthmother lives (maybe even where the baby is born).
our first connection to a birthmother was in New Mexico (i believe that was 3 days) - that connection fell through after a short time. Our son's birthmother lives in Illinois (where we live) and that waiting period is also 3 days. Trust me, when I say you do not want to wait more than a week for the final decision and surrenders to be signed.
after everything we have all been through, it is good to be in control of this choice.
Congrats for adopting - you will be rewarded more than you can imagine!

[parker john]

I live in Illinois too!

The homestudy is going well ... we started in mid. December and we should be finished soon. One more class which is not until March 22nd and the house visit and my DH has his one on one apt with our counselor