A New Decision

So when Jon and I were on our Costa Rican getaway we spent a lot of time talking about our future family... We have been struggling with the LONG process of waiting with International Adoption and the idea of local adoption has been growing on us.  After much thought, research, reading, praying, etc. we are going to pursue the local adoption process - publicly (through CAS Hamilton).  We are still saving and planning on adopting internationally... The time line hardly changes at all.  We'd still be getting our Ghanian child/children in about 3 years.  But it would just mean they would already have a sibling.

After living in hamilton for 9 months, the city has continued to grow on us as we learn more about it.  We can't ignore the need in this city... And after working in social services since September I see the devastating effects of dysfunctional and abusive homes.  The more I think about it, the more I think that Jon and I will be able to provide a loving and stable environment for a child who needs a home.

Financially - it is brilliant.  You only have to take the PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development & Education) once and you only have to have a full home-study done once.  The home-study just has to be updated with any major life changes or every 2 years.  Both of those things will be done through our local adoption (and are free) and won't have to be completed a second time when adopting internationally.  That already saves us a few thousand dollars!

We are doing continual research on transracial adoption because we would still be pleased to have a african-american or biracial child.  And as we adopt internationally, then we would have 2 children that would be the same race.  Then everyone will have someone who looks like them!

I have a phone appointment with a case worker tomorrow morning.... 

So this journey begins!