Take 2

I have mentioned a few times that Jim and I have been actively, privately, seeking a second adoption since our son was officially finalized late last year.  While in the grand scheme of things we haven't been waiting that long, after many minor panic attacks about the things that could go wrong with private adoption (and the fact that we don't have a lot of contacts that could lead to a potential match), this past week we decided to join a second national adoption agency.  We are super excited, super nervous and ready to go on this roller coaster ride one more time!

Coming into this a second time, we have the same fears and concerns we had the first time.  We also have the same excitement and expectation.  Since we chronicled the first adoption, I will continue to document this adoption journey with more details this time on the process itself (partially as a distraction for myself as we start the waiting period again).

Our new agency is less expensive than our first, but more labor intensive. We will design our own profile and create our own video profile, as well as printing them, etc.  This cuts down their cost.  Unfortunately, agency adoptions aren't cheap, even when some of the fees are cut.  God provided during our first adoption through generous donations from friends and family, fundraising, penny saving and repayment of some of the fees, we were able to leave our first adoption without significant debt.  We are starting over again, but we trust God to provide again. 
We chose this agency instead of returning to our first not because the first wasn't good-- we had a good experience with them for sure.  We chose this one because they have a Christian background, are less expensive and you have more freedom and control in your adoption journey by being more involved in the profile process.

Now that we have experienced the joy of being parents, the second adoption is a little scarier than the first.  Now that we know how incredibly in love you can become with a newborn in an instant, realizing that could be taken away by a change of heart (please note; it is a birth mothers right to change her mind and we would never fault a woman for choosing to parent her child) is horrifying and heartbreaking.

We also will experience new challenges (though, I admit, I'm a little excited about these challenges and they aren't "bad" challenges to have) in having a child already in the mix to plan for once we are chosen.  When Josiah was born, we packed a couple of back packs and got on a plane.  We skipped baggage claim and went straight to our rental car and to the hospital so we could get to the hospital on time.  This time, we will have to pack Josiah related items, a car seat, and make a plan for him while at least one of us is at the hospital.  Since we are always in prayer that we will be able to witness the birth of our second child, we will have to figure out a way to make Josiah safe and comfortable while also welcoming a new family member.

Another challenge will be welcoming a second birth family into our lives while still maintaining a relationship with Josiah's birth family.  I continue to foster the relationship we have with S, and I keep her update on our second adoption progress as well as continually remind her that she remains an important part of our lives.


Over the next few months, be expecting blog posts from me to be about the process of infant domestic adoption, how the process works (in more detail than the first go around) and updates on our own personal journey.  And of course, updates and pictures of the cutest little curly haired boy.  We appreciate your prayers as we start this journey again and look forward to sharing our second adoption journey with you!