What we need....a new agency!

The past few months David and I have been reviewing and researching possible new adoption agencies. Now don't get me wrong I don't feel Harmony (our current agency) has done anything wrong, but they are a small small agency. Last year they placed only 1 infant and the most they have ever placed in a year is 6. Of course they only have approximately 10 waiting families, so you have to factor that in as well. But I don't like not knowing anything. We have only heard from them once and that was because I initiated contact. I already feel out of the loop and not hearing from them makes it harder.

So I narrowed it down between Bethany Christian Services (local office in Knoxville) and Adoption Center of Choice in Utah.

We began filling out paperwork for Bethany and let me tell you the stack of stuff we filled out over an inch thick. Plus we were going to have to redo the home study, medical stuff, and fingerprints. Not horrible, but time consuming and costly. I still didn't feel that comfortable about something and I don't know what. But they were coming to speak at Rotary this month, so that was a sign.

On an online group I am a member of a gentleman named Dave (who doesn't love a Dave?) worked for ACC as an outreach specialist (high risk, minority babies with rapidly approaching due dates). We had talked some in general and I had him send me applications for his agency. We wouldn't work with him, but another domestic adoption specialist. He promptly sent me the materials I needed, and we were able to use the home study we have and all other records. Still an agency I can't see, in UT, and that large amount of money...a little unsure.

Then comes Lindsey...my angel for the month of November! She is friends with Margo (my lovely tall blonde friend with great hair, cool husband, and adorable little boy). I had met Lindsey before and knew she had adopted. Well Margo gave me her number so I could call her. She was the one person I needed most at that time and even right now. She not only has adopted but knows what it is like to undergo fertility treatments that didn't work and the feelings only an infertile and adoptive parent can feel. We talked for a while and she highly recommended the agency she used, raved about them, how great they were, yada yada yada...well guess which agency she used? Adoption Center of Choice! Goosebumps is all I can say.

I trashed my Bethany stuff and went to work on a new profile book for ACC. I know this is the right move for us!

ACC places approximately 1 baby per day, and averages 6 or so caucasian infants a month. Pretty good. They advertise nationally, but most birth moms deliver in Utah. So we hopefully will one day soon be flying to UT and flying home with a 7-10 day old infant!!!!

Updates to come....