Yet another learning experience.....

Today we met with another couple that adopted domestically through HOPE.  It was kind of funny because She is a CPA and He is a teacher, so naturally we hit it off with them! :)  They were really nice, and they brought their 4 month old little boy... so adorable!  They shared their journey with us, which included 3 (yes I said 3) attempts at adopting.  The first time, they received a call two days after they were put "in the book."  They were one of two couples, and the birth mother chose the other couple.  The second time, they were chosen, and on the last possible day to terminate the parental rights, the birth father came forward and said he wanted to keep the child.  Finally, they got a call saying a birth mother had just given birth, and chose them to give the baby to.  They had less than a day, to prepare for the baby before they had to leave for the hospital.
She said that she wasn't really prepared for such an emotional roller coaster; she just assumed that the process would be quick and smooth.  It really opened our eyes, because we were thinking the same thing!  Unfortunately, this is something that we have to be prepared for.
Overall, it took them over a year to be matched with a birth family.  We are hoping that it won't be quite so long for us, because they don't have as many families in their pool waiting to adopt domestically right now.  Also, HOPE has been doing a lot more advertising at local hospitals and schools.  Unfortunately, there is absolutely no way of knowing how long it will take.  It just depends on how many women are looking for adoptive families for their babies, and choose us.

Also today, although a little premature :), we bought a car seat! Thanks Mom and Dad! I wanted to buy it before I ended up spending the money on something else.  But the couple did tell us today that they think it's a good idea to get the nursery ready and put a picture of it in our profile.  It shows the prospective birth mothers that we are ready at any moment for a baby!  It's hard though because I want to know if it's going to be a boy or a girl.... perhaps I need to let go of that and make it gender neutral???

Thanks again everyone for the amazing support!  It really means a lot to us!
If you haven't done so already, please pass along the link to others that I did not have emails for.  We don't mean to leave anyone out of "the loop" :)

Love,
Ryan and Christa