Adoption Update:

Trying to adopt through Child Protective Services (CPS) has been a slow process. But we finally found an agency that will represent us. We're using Lutheran Social Services. From the beginning (once I figured out that an agency was a MUST) they were my 2nd choice. I hesitated to follow up with them, though, because of my experience with my 1st choice agency. Here's that story: I called an agency that was recommended to me and they sounded great on the phone. She kept saying that they were a Christian organization, which I thought sounded good. She said we had to be active in our home church. I said, "Great! We're very active." Then she said that she had to ask what denomination we were. When I said "Mormon" she basically said no can do. They don't work with that religion. I was really hurt, but didn't say anything and just got off the phone. So I was afraid to be rejected like that from the Lutheran org.

Let me interupt this brilliant story with a Soap Box - I completely understand birth parents who indicate that their child will be adopted by a certain religion and not by other religions. They get to make that choice. But these are children that have been taken from their homes and from parents that lost their parental rights. I would think that an agency would be looking for good homes for these children, not just homes that believe a certain way.

Okay, so back to the story. This last Saturday Gabby and I (Bill was taking a final exam) went to an informational meeting regarding adoption and foster care. After the meeting we were able to speak with a variety of agencies that had set up booths. We met with two women that were wonderful. The first one answered my religious question by saying, "I'm not even Lutheran. I'm Baptist!" I clarified by saying, "Okay, but can I be Mormon?" She said, "Yes!" Long story short, they match our criteria perfectly and I'm so excited to have this step over with. We took a picture with Tameka, who is a different lady we spoke with. I loved her so much we hugged before I left!

Side Note: I just told Bill what I was doing and he said, "So instead of filling out paper work you're talking about it." ...I can't help it - this is more fun!