Retainer fee finally sent out

I wanted to wait to make sure the home study went well before I sent out my retainer fee to the adoption agency, so yesterday we sent it out to Imagine adoption, as well as we booked our spots for the PRIDE training in August. I was speaking to Joann from Imagine Adoption yesterday and she said we would probably be waiting longer since we are being more specific in terms of age and sexe (0-9mth boy at time of placement), which made me think, oh oh, but she said I would be probably waiting approx. 6mths from the time our dossier hits Ethiopia, which would mean a referral by June of next year, therefor hopefully home by Christmas 09, here's hoping anyways.



I have also asked two of our dear friends to write our reference letters, and I know have to get to writing mine. I'm not sure where to begin with it, but i'm suppose to receive a package with some guidelines. I think that is about all we will need to get from our end. The agency will be providing the rest....I think.


I saw this picture and it may me smile, I thought I should share.

1st Home Study Visit Completed

We finally had our 1st home study visit this past weekend (june 21) and it was great. I was so nervous. I figured she would come in and tell me everything wrong with my home that will prevent me from having a child and she did nothing of the sort. She simply sat down with us, discussed our reason for adoption, our history, our personal information and did a quick tour of the home. She was so down to earth and comfortable to be around. Once the visit was done I felt so confident about the situation. I now have no worries at all about the process and feel very confident that it will all happen. We have chosen a new name for our boy, Kaysen, so far that is staying. I really find it fits well and it feels right. We requested 0-9 months at time of placement but we also requested as young as possible, so who nows. Our final home study visit will be Sept 6th, so if all goes well our dossier should be sent out to the agency and ministry by the second week in Sept. I can't wait.

I did have my first mini melt down last week, which allowed me to really evaluate what we are doing and if we were doing the right thing and after many days of crying, questioning our decision, and discussions with Chris, I feel much better and know that we are doing the right thing. I'm sure it won't be my last freak out, but i think it's normal to feel the way I feel. As Judy (our adoption practionner) said, it's hard not to feel that way when you have absolutely no control as to the future of your family. But i now feel even better. Well enough about that. Life is good and I can't wait till Sept....

Quick note

6 days and counting for my home study, i'm nervous and excited all in one. I can't wait to get it over with and move on to the next step. Once it's done I will fell much better about sending my retainer fee and getting the rest of the process going. Chris and I have both received our new passports and are waiting for our fingerprint clearance to come back. That's about it for an update. Look for news of the home study to come.