A lot has happened since our last post. Two weeks ago at this time, I was at my wit's end researching adoption agencies, facilitators, and consultants. I guess we didn't do much research when we adopted Avery - we found something we liked, it sounded great, and everything did work out amazingly smooth. This time around we wanted to see what else was out there. Every time I started researching a place I would find things I liked, things that sounded great and then something I didn't like. I had found one place I really liked but then found out that they don't accept outside homestudies and that we would have to start the process all over again. I was about in tears and decided to call the company we used to adopt Avery. Within minutes I was talking to an adoption counselor we had talked to before and she answered several questions I had and then told me about some new programs and features they have that are new in the last 5 years. She addressed several of our fears and after talking to her for 20 minutes, I felt like things were starting to look up. We scheduled a phone conference for Monday night so Shawn could be in on the conversation. Even though we worked with them before she talked to us together about everything in the adoption process and answered even more questions that we had come up with. We scheduled another meeting for Thursday night with the owner of the company - that was a really encouraging meeting as well!
We had a fun afternoon at the beach of Lake Lanier.
Friday, we received lots of exciting news! We found out that our homestudy was approved! We never really had any doubt that it would be, but it's still a huge relief! We also found out later in the day that our application for Adoption Network Law Center was approved! Shawn was on a field trip to Chattanooga, TN so we were exchanging joyful text messages. So, now, we're really making progress!
Celebrating Mother's Day - Avery made me a book called "Why I <3 Mom"
Yesterday was Birthmother's Day and today being Mother's Day has caused me to think a lot about Avery's birthmother and how thankful I am for the choice she made. I am so grateful she chose me to be Avery's mommy! We sent her a card earlier this week and Avery drew some pictures for her. She sent me a text first thing this morning, wishing me Happy Mother's Day and said to go out and enjoy this special day. Very touching!
Avery's photography skills!
We will sign all of our paperwork and make everything official with ANLC this Friday so as of Saturday we could get a call at any time saying we have been matched with a birthmother or that our baby has been born. We are prepared for a long wait but of course, we hope things happen quickly. Tonight we went to Baby's R Us and Buy Buy Baby, just to window shop! We sold and gave away a lot of baby stuff when we moved from NC to GA so we're pretty much starting from scratch. This week my goal is to make a list of everything we NEED and then get together a diaper bag just in case we get a call sooner rather than later.
We went to an arts festival and Avery made a paper flower and slime and got her face painted for the first time.
Thanks for all of your thoughts, prayers, and encouraging words along this journey!
