Venturing Out Onto the Yellow Brick Interstate

So, our journey is beginning. I mean, technically, it began about a month ago when we contacted an agency (Adoption Assistance in Danville, KY) to conduct our home study (a set of "interviews" designed to see if our home is suitable for placement of an adoptive child), but the rubber is really meeting the road now. We've gotten all of our documentation together for them and we'll have our first home study appointment on the 21st.

I keep reading about a lot of reluctant fathers who seem to dread the home study. I'm a little nervous about it, for sure, but I definitely don't dread it. I don't really mind answering questions about my life or my parenting style.

We also submitted a pre-application with Adoption Associates, Inc, and they have sent their formal application to us.

Wow. This thing is huge...

But that's okay. We realize that any time you're dealing with a government or two, some grunt work will be involved. I suppose we're a little different from the average adoptive couple, in that we aren't in a hurry to get through this process as soon as possible. I mean, don't get me wrong, we don't want anything to drag out any longer than is necessary, but we just don't have the "NOW! NOW! NOW!" feeling, as far as a child being placed in our arms.

But definitely don't mistake patience for a lack of motivation...

I (Adam) have been devouring anything I can get my hands on concerning Ethiopian/trans-racial adoption (did I mention in the last blog that we've chosen Ethiopia?). I've listen to podcasts, checked out books, read articles, perused blogs. And I know Amanda has done the same. We just want to feel as informed as possible going into this thing. (I was sorely disappointed by our local library branch yesterday when I couldn't find any travel books on Ethiopia.)

Looks like I'll be headed to Joseph Beth soon...