[Skyflower]

Hello all,
My dh and I are just getting started and are SO overwhelmed already. We think we have narrowed down the countries we're interested in to Poland, Vietnam, Bulgaria and Ethiopia (in no particular order).
Any advice on agencies, home studies, etc. would be GREATLY apprecieted. It's so hard to decide which way to go.

I'm also concerned that some financial problems we had last year may cause us to be rejected. When we were first married (almost 9 years ago) we bought a 100 year old Victorian home that we thought we'd renovate. It might have worked except that I got pregnant (after being told numerous times I couldn't get pregnant) and I had to spend 6 months in bed. Very Sophia Loren but I wasn't paid for the time off and wound up losing my job over it. (Of course dd was totally worth it!!) We tried to make things work (dd is now 8) but last year we gave in and declared bankruptcy and since no one wanted to buy a house with $800 a month gas bills we wound up having to do a deed in lieu of foreclosure to get it out of our lives. Currently we live in a gorgeous townhouse apartment in an upscale suburb with one of the best school districts in our state but I'm afraid that it may keep us from adopting (both the bad credit marks and the fact that we rent a town house rather than owning our own home). We have no debt at all now other than student loans and a car payment and we have a couple thousand in the bank.
Other factors: dh is 45 (I'm 32) and he was married once before with two bios from that marriage (dd 17 and ds 15) who usually spend the weekends with us (2 truly fantatic kids btw).
I'm sorry for being so long winded but I desperately want to adopt and I'm really scared we won't be able to. Thanks in advance for any replies!
Kim

[sak9645]

The fact that you are almost debt free and have some savings is very positive. And plenty of renters adopt. Also, plenty of adoptive parents have kids by a previous relationship. As to your age, you are both young by international adoption standards. (I adopted at 51).

The only thing that could possibly hurt you is the fact that you had a recent bankruptcy. But it sounds as if you have discharged your obligations and are managing expenses in a reasonable manner.

Your best bet is to call some homestudy agencies and placement agencies to see how they would perceive you.

Sharon

[caestes]

Skyflower,

I agree with Sharon - just call some agencies & ask their perspective and advice for overcoming some of your concerns. It may be that they are not as concerned as you are! I would imagine your current incomes and job situations will be important factors. But what do I know?

You also might ask yourselves what your adoption constraints are - desired age, timeline of adoption, cost considerations, how you both feel about being a trans-racial family, etc.. It will help you think through the pros and cons of the countries you are interested in (all very different countries, I might add!)

I will PM you about some agencies to consider for some of those countries.

Blessings!

[Skyflower]

I don't know how anyone got through the adoption process before the internet! Thanks again!

[devildogwife]

I have not come across any issue at all regarding renting instead of owning-being in the military and having to move frequently, we don't really have that option. BTW, we're adopting from Vietnam.

[bluedaisy]

Kim, I can't speak to other countries, but Ethiopia is pretty flexible in its requirements--nothing you said sounds like it'd keep you from adopting from there, as far as I know.

And I love the Ethiopia program. The kids are beautiful and resilient.