[fastaff]

Aloha.....Am I the only one here?? I live in Hawaii and am looking to adopt locally/domestic, I'm also working with an agency with an office here and in CA. I'm looking to adopt a AA or BR baby, we're an AA couple. We have just started the process and have an information session today at our home with a social worker, looking forward to getting this process started but kinda overwhelmed with the costs involved. Would LOVE to 'chat'' with someone, please share your experiences or tips you would like to share.

Jackie

[fastaff]

I guess there is no-one here but me??

[ReneeD]

We are just starting the process. So it helps to see your time line. Are you going local domestic (HI state) private or state? or international?

Renee

[ReneeD]

Hi Jackie,
looks like you are at the same place we are. We also just began the process. We have done our preapp. But we are going through the state for an older child, not a private adoption for infant. We are working on our application now. Now that is overwhelming.......
There is a National Adoption Day at the Court House on Punchbowl Street from 11-3 on Nov 17th, check out the DHS website for more information.

Renee

[Suebie]

Aloha you guys. I just found this site today looking for support group. We adopted our first daughter 11, through the state but used a private agency who trained us. We were actually one of the families who participated at the National Adoption Day by finalizing. Glad to hear you were aware of the event! We are huge proponents of adopting the difficult to adopt children. We will pursue another daughter in a year or so. Glad to hear you guys are out there. Would love to "chat."
Take care,
Sue

[ReneeD]

Welcome Sue,
Celine and I have been chatting privately. Guess we should all start our own thread as it seems others are finding us now. My husband and I were at the National Adoption day it was great. Congratulations on your adoption. would love to hear all about your experience.

Renee

[Suebie]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. Wonderful that you were at the National Adoption Day. Wasn't it fun?
I am sorry I don't know enough about these message boards to say whether we need a new thread or how to do it. Nor do I know how to message privately.
Are you chatting with the Celine with adopted twins? It would be too much of a small world if you are.

[Celesyee]

Aloha Sue! I'm the Celina that Renee was referring to, but I have not adopted twins. My husband and I just experienced a failed adoption (domestic infant adoption-but we are trying to stay local), which happened on National Adoption Day. Anyways, we are now currently waiting to hear from our agency about a new local situation.

Have you learned how to send private messages yet? Just click on our names and a menu should scroll down giving you that option.

Celina

[ReneeD]

Hi ladies,
Celine sorry to hear about what happened. Keep the faith, I believe more than ever that there is someone special out there just waiting for you.

Application is going well, just got our family pictures back and have just a couple of things left to do on the big list....

Spoke with agency and they are planning to have the classes in late Jan. That just leaves the home study sometime in Jan. We hope to be fully qualified by early to mid Feb.

We are going to the Holiday party on the 22nd to help out. Are you folks going?

Sue, how long after you qualified did it take to find a child?

Renee

[Suebie]

Celine, I am sorry too. Hang in there.
Renee, I think our case was unusual. We had our homestudy on Monday and got called on Tuesday. We still hadn't finished a few things in our application and had to hustle before going to pick our daughter up. We didn't get to meet her before hand because she was with a military family in NC. But, you don't get to meet your birth children until they're yours, either. It has all worked out very well.
I am getting confused, are you looking to adopt an older child?
Sue

[Celesyee]

Renee--Glad to hear that things are moving along for you. We're hoping to hear soon if we're picked for a local baby girl due in just a few weeks; if we're not picked, I may volunteer at FFP's Holiday Party.

Sue--Wow! Things really went fast for you!!! How are things settling in?

[Celesyee]

Sue--I just realized you've already adopted...are you and your family going to the Holiday Party as guests? It's really a fun event for foster/former foster children and their families.

[Suebie]

Hi Celina,
We don't live on Oahu and aren't generally included in events. We do try to join in on our agent's events when we can.
Renee-yes, very fast delivery...done without an epidural....= ) Our dauther is mildly RAD and is settling in as best she can so far. She's very sweet and motivated but she just hasn't accepted that we provide everything she needs.
Sue

[Celesyee]

Sue--Sorry, I didn't know that you're not on Oahu. Do you mind me asking what island you're on? I'm glad to hear that your dtr is settling in and I hope that things get better. How excited you folks must be to spend your 1st Christmas together!