I think we've found our agency!

[lizblue]

Hi all,

I had such an amazing experience last night, and I just wanted to share.  We went to an informational meeting at a local agency that specializes in open adoption, and it was like the universe just clicked and came together for us.  I could not have loved our social worker more, and I was blown away by the professional, intelligent, honest, informative and uplifting talk we had with her.  I came away feeling like this was not only possible for us, but probable, and in some ways - the way it was supposed to happen.  

I know we have a long road ahead of us, but I am hopeful and excited in a way that I have not been in a really long time - if ever.  I was grinning like an idiot all night last night and said to my husband, "I never looked this happy after our IVF appointments, did I?"

Don't get me wrong- IVF was the right decision for us at the time for us and I'm happy we did everything we could do with medical intervention.  But this feels like a brand new adventure - one that perhaps everything else was leading me to.  I have no illusions this is going to be easy, but I think my H and I are deeply thinking and loving people and we are ready to go down this road.

Thanks for listening y'all.  If there is any advice you may have for me right off the bat, please feel free to share it.  Even if it's cautionary -- I know that I'm in Pollyanna mode right now.

I'm pretty new to all of this (obvs) but look forward to talking a little more around here.

Liz

[shemarie82]

Yay! Congrats! I am glad that you found a place that you love! There are a lot of ups and downs to this process, so it is great if you have a place you can be comfortable!

[wishuponastar]

YAY!!! So excited for you! I love my agency and social worker too and it made the whole process so much better for us!

[jwinct]

That's wonderful! Good luck!!

[grannypantiesrock]

So are you thinking newborn adoption?

[lizblue]

Feb 18, 2015 14:44:46 GMT -5 grannypantiesrock said:

So are you thinking newborn adoption?

I am, grannypantiesrock.  The vast majority of my agency's placements involve the adoptive parents being involved from day one in the hospital.

[redandblue]

That is such great news! It is important to like your agency and makes it even better to have such a good connection with the SW. We have decided to go through our local CAS, so we really don't get a choice in any of it which can be frustrating. Fortunately for us, we love our SW who is doing our home study. The sucky part, is what happens next and the bouncing around and potential game playing we may have to do once we are approved to get to the matching stage (adoption workers, foster workers if we go the foster to adopt route, then adoption workers again). A friend works for the agency and already told me she will give whatever inside scoop on what game to play depending on the worker. Playing the game is definitely not my strong suit! But I guess I will do it.

Anyways, back to YOUR wonderful news!!! I am a firm believer in there is nothing wrong with a little polyanna in our lives! Yay for you and DH! I hope your silly grin stays right through your whole process until you have your LO in your arms!

[theatrepal]

Woo Hoo! What a big first step. We went out to celebrate choosing an agency. I highly suggest it. In fact, we've celebrated the completion of every step because lets be honest there isn't much to celebrate when you're having trouble trying to conceive.

My advice, go buy a bankers box and some folders. I used folders and still use them to keep all of our paperwork straightened out. Make sure you keep a copy of every piece of paper you give to the agency and get a receipt for any check that you drop off. You'll need the copies if you have to update your homestudy and the receipts for the adoption tax credit.

[badgergirl66]

Yay!!! I remember feeling relieved once we picked an agency. It's an awesome first step. Congrats!

[lizblue]

theatrepal, thank you for the great tips!

[packerfan4life]

Congrats on finding an agency!

[hootiemommytobe]

Yay!! Congrats on finding an agency!!