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Originally Posted By Holly

Both my husband and myself, just turned 41.
We've recently moved to a larger house than before, and after 20 yrs of working for a bank, we decided it was okay for me to stay home.
So we have this nice big house and no child to run up and down the stairs and fill our home with laughter.
We would love to adopt a child, sex unimportant, not necessarily and infant either. All children need loving homes and ours is full.
How hard will it be for us? Where do we find out what we need?

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Originally Posted By Twyla

Hi, Holly!

Take a deep breath, you have a long, trying path ahead of you. But if this is something you feel called to do, God will lead you every step of the way as He has my husband (48) and me (47). If money is not an issue, there are many agencies out there, local and internet, that will be able to assist you in getting a homestudy completed to fulfill your state's requirements for adoptive parents. If, like us, money is not plentiful, then you may want to explore what non-profit agencies are in your area that allow you to adopt on a sliding scale according to your income. We are working with Bethany Christian Services. We also had our homestudy done by Tennessee Department of Children's Services as we wanted to foster while we were waiting for a birthmother to choose us. If you have a Bethany office in your area, they are an excellent place to start to gather information as I'm sure they would be happy to share about all the resources in your area. You should be able to find them in the white pages of your phone book if they are in your area. Good luck and may God bless your efforts.

PS. If you are concerned about your ages, don't be. I've had birthmothers tell me they actually chose the adoptive parents because they were older and more experienced.

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Originally Posted By Holly

Twyla
Thanks for the beautiful response and the info.

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Originally Posted By Twyla

You're quite welcome, Holly. I would love to have an e-mail pal that is close to our type of situation. If you feel the same, e-mail me at twyla@my.tupperware.com

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Originally Posted By Linny

Holly:
Adoption does NOT have to be so very hard. We've adopted six times. Overseas (we lived there), state system (a true nightmare---and I would advise no one to try it...unless they have nerves of steel and want only older children with ongoing problems), agency and attorney. We've adopted older and infant children.
By far, this most recent adoption was the easiest, least stressful, most educated and least risky of any of the adoptions we have ever had.
We went with an attorney who is a member of the Amercian Academy of Adoption Attorneys. They have a website where you can find members in your state.
Some may charge a huge fee.....MANY do not. We conducted our entire adoption for well under $8,000. Had we gone 'strictly through the attorney' .....the cost would have been under $5,000. Our attorney networked with other attorneys and agencies (with our permission), told us of risks and all costs 'up front'. There were no surprises.
We did not want a caucasian baby. Our wait was only four months and the baby was one day old at placement. We have already submitted for the next baby and are told the wait should be only around 4-12 months. We would never, ever adopt any other way again!
I'm not an attorney, don't work for one and I'm not a caseworker. Just wish someone would have given us this info long, long ago. It would have made our lives much simpler!
BTW.......both of us are 45yrs old.

Sincerely,

Linny