An Online Journal of Our Adoption Journey

Waiting

On July 23 we received a bill from Holt for the next step in the adoption process, the Home Study.  The amount we were charged is on a sliding scale based on the family's income level.  It was our first big chunk of change, $1,970.  Our 90-day CD was just coming to its renewal period so we pulled that into savings and checking, and on July 28th we sent a check to Holt.

Next, I emailed our local rep, the one who would be doing our Home Study, and let her know that we were eager to begin.  I received a call from her on Tuesday, July 31.  She was delighted to hear of our progress and wanted to know if we could go to a class that very night -- and a required one at that!  Apparently, a new policy of Holt's that hasn't yet reached the booklets requires that prospective parents attend a four-session class about Adopted Children.  She would be holding the class again in October, so it was now or wait two months... needless to say we said sure!

The class met in the evening four times and there was only one other couple.  Most of the time was spent talking about the problems adopted children have to deal with throughout their lives -- on top of all the problems that we all have to go through.  It was insightful and mentally stimulating.  Growing up in a transracial family environment causes many concerns to be aware of, including the local community, the extended family, and friends and co-workers.  How will all of these groups behave towards the transracially adopted family?  Accepting?  Tolerant?  Hostile?  And how, as a family, will you, the parent, deal with these problems?  These were just some of the issues brought up during the class.

We went to the FCC-SD picnic on August 4th.  It was wonderful to see all the little Chinese girls and their parents.  We brought our dog, Marlowe, along and he was a great ice-breaker.  Many of the little girls came over to pet the dog and ask us questions about him. 

We spent a good amount of the time talking with a few families about their experiences in China, the problems, and how things worked out.  Surprisingly, out of the 30 or so families there, two had little boys, and one had twin girls!  A good turnout all in all.

As we left the picnic our heartstrings were pulled taunt.  A whole year, at least, still awaits us!  Now the wait really hangs on us. 

Spend List So Far