The meeting...

So yesterday was the day we met with our adoption agency about the switch to special needs...it was a good day!!!

I haven't slept much in the last week we've had a lot going on in our family and there has been a lot of research to be done. Learning about different special needs and having many discussions about what we would accept and what we wouldn't. My Mom had a heart catherization last Wednesday and it ended up being more serious than we all thought, she had 2 stents put in and a balloon. So we were at the hospital 2 days last week, and have been checking in on her since the and making some meals, and she's fine now, but I think we all stood up and took notice about how serious the condition really was. So thank goodness she had the procedure, and is now recovering.

We met with another family from around here last Friday that have been home going on 7 weeks from China. They adopted a little boy with special needs and we met with the to ask questions and meet Isaac and what a nice family. They were so open and warm, and answered all of our questions and shared pictures from their trip. They have 4 adopted children. We actually met them 2 1/2 years ago when we had just started the adoption process, they had 2 children then, and have adopted 2 more since then. A great family and great dinner, we really enjoyed re-meeting them, and meeting all their children, they have adopted now 2 times from China. They were a wealth of information.

So yesterday we met with our adoption agent, Pat. We talked about the switch to special needs and really how easy it was going to be, and what paperwork we have to fill out, and she is going to send us the rest of our paperwork that needs to be updated. There were a couple OMG moments during our conversation.

1. The switch can be done relatively quick, and then we will be privy to the special needs list that comes out about every 5-7 weeks.

2. Pat sends all the information on every child, medical,background as much as know, pictures, etc. She sends it in the first email so you can look at everything right away, and take the file to a doctor to have it reviewed. There is no waiting list at our agency. If you are interested in a child you tell them and they block that child and that's it. As long as no one else has blocked that child before you from the agency. Once your paperwork is in, and the letter of intent is sent you wait for confirmation from China. We can't share any information with any part of our family while we review children or wait for confirmation from China-HARD!!

3. Once we have all our paperwork in, and the new paperwork in, and the deposit(OMG), this could happen really quickly...really quickly(OMG)!!!!


4. The fee(deposit) they require at our agency for the special needs program is quite steep, but doable, but quite steep and we will need to get a lot of money together in a very short, and I mean short period of time-OMG!!!

5. Plus, if we travel soon we would need to get the welfare donation, and travel money together really quick also-OMG!!

So, there it is!! It was a very exciting, and hopeful meeting. We have a lot to do, and a lot to get ready for...but 2010 seems like it will be our year!! Finally!!!

Wish us luck as we get ready for the arrival of our little girl...Avery Lin, hopefully here in the next couple of months...yes, I said months-cross your fingers and pray for us!!!


Love to all,
~Alli & Gary