Adoption Questions I've been asked lately...

Why don't you try donor egg/sperm for IVF?
While this IS something that our RE said would give me a HIGH success rate for achieving pregnancy, it is not something we desire.  To me, being pregnant is not the desire of my heart.  Raising a baby as my own is.  Yes, I could easily become pregnant(according to my RE) in this way, but that would be the same, to us, as adoption.  I have talked to many women who have used donor egg or sperm and they are so happy they did.  What a wonderful choice for them.  It all goes back to the couple and what they want.

Are you doing a private adoption through a lawyer or using an agency?
While we are currently actively pursuing adoption thru an agency, we still have ears and eyes open(as do others around us) for a special birth mom/dad looking to place their baby.  We already have a lawyer who is knowledgeable in this area and would be more than happy to go this route.  If any of you reading this know of anyone giving up a baby, keep us in mind!

Are you open to a baby outside of your race?
Ha!  Every time I answer this question, I get the craziest responses from people.  I won't mention what people have said, but you can imagine.  Yes, yes, and yes again.  Our application listed every race that might come available.  We checked every. single. one. of. them.  Some of my friends seem a little uncomfortable with this, but again, everyone is different.  And that's ok.  We know that there will be special challenges if a baby that looks different from us is placed with us.  But guess what?  God's in control of the baby HE wants us to have.  Red, yellow, black and white...HE loves them all.  And so will we.

How long do you anticipate this process to last?
We have been told by the two agencies that we have pre apps in for, that it will be up to a year(possibly less)before we will be placed with a baby, once we choose our agency.  We are in that process right now.  In fact, this week we meet with agency #1 and are also attending an adoption conference this Saturday.  SO EXCITED!

Are you doing international or domestic adoption?
While our hearts have always longed for a baby girl from China(even before we knew we were for sure going to adopt), that wait is currently in the 3+ year time frame.  Since we have struggled with infertility for the last 4 years, we are ready now.  So, we are pursuing domestic adoption.

Are you bitter towards Chuck's first wife?
Well, I'd be lying if I said no, but I keep that 'in check' because it's really not worth it.  Yes, she had difficult pregnancies with Maddi and Mason because of some irresponsible choices she was making.  Yes, Chuck had to take care of those problems by having a vasectomy.  Yes, she had multiple affairs and left he and the kids without a mommy and a wife, going on to have two more precious children with other men.  Yes, there were much lies and secrecy on her part...we find out more and more every year it seems, as people step up and tell us things that Chuck never knew were going on. Yes, a lot of bad happened because of her choices.  And sometimes, I don't understand why God allows people who seemingly don't want or don't deserve to have children to have them, while others of us who want them with all our heart, cannot.
But here's the deal...we HAVE to trust His Word on this one because it says:
 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

God knew all this was going to happen.  He allowed it.  He will cause good to come from it.  And that makes me excited!  I know His plans are WAY better than mine...

Any other questions????  Hahahahaha!