Okay...I have discovered that this adoption process involves a TON of decisions. I knew it would be complicated, but I thought some of these decisions would be A LOT simpler. Instead, I am left with a whole new list of questions.
First of all, we do know a few things. We know we want to adopt a newborn domestically. We know that for our first adoption we would like a Caucasian baby (we are thinking that we may adopt internationally for subsequent adoptions). Most likely we will use an agency of some sort. We also know that we are only willing to be so "open" with our adoption (willing to send pictures and letters/e-mails, not so willing to have the birthmother/family stop by or attend family gatherings).
Our largest question right now is the agency. Which is the right agency? Is there one in Toledo or will we need to travel to find one? What questions should we ask to make sure the agency is right for us?
I am so confused. I began reading books today to help answer some of these questions but, like the internet sites I've been reading, they are only presenting more questions.
Please keep Jeromy and I in your prayers as we move through this process. It is very complicated and overwhelming.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
Pictures from Vacation
Above: Me Standing on the Catamaran in Grand Cayman. Below: Jeromy and me enjoying the stingrays on the sandbar.
Below: Jeromy standing in front of the Pee Pee Station. A store in Cozumel where our jeep tour stopped.
Above: Me laying on the bed of our stateroom with one of the "towel animals" that our cabin steward made.
A Great Vacation!
Jeromy had the great idea while on vacation that I should write down some things that I could post on this blog when I got home. I thought it was a great idea, so here it goes...
It is currently Friday (April 13), the final day of our cruise aboard the M/S Inspiration. It has been a marvelous trip. We left on Monday (April 9) from Tampa, FL. The weather was troublesome. It was cold, windy, and rainy.
That all changed on Tuesday. It was a day at sea and BEAUTIFUL weather! We enjoyed a time of relaxation and some of the activities on board ship. Unfortunately, Jeromy started to feel ill by lunch time (we're not sure what was wrong, but his stomach hurt). That night was formal night for dinner. We did get all dressed up and managed to get our picture taken. But, by the time we arrived at the dinner, Jeromy was very sick. We wended up not staying for dinner, Jeromy was very sick. We ended up not staying for dinner. We went back to our room to change and then he went right to sleep. I went up to the informal buffet to get something to eat. Not much was going on around the ship (at least nothing I wanted to do by myself), so I returned to the room to read and watch a little t.v.
Thankfully, on Wednesday morning Jeromy was feeling better! This was our first port day at Grand Cayman. In our nerdy way, we were even more excited to be there when we learned it was originally called Tortuga (any Pirates of the Caribbean fans?). Anyways, we went on a Catamaran tour to a sandbar where we were able to swim with stingrays. I was a bit nervous about the whole thing. This was such a great day! The water was blue and clear, very beautiful. One thing did almost ruin our day...when we returned to the pier there was a very long line waiting to take the tender back to the ship. It seems the waves were remarkably bad and they were having difficulties docking the tenders to the ship. They ended up moving the ship to use the other ships to help block the wind and waves (this freaked out a lot of people who thought the ship was leaving. Pretty funny to see!). We ended up waiting 2 1/2 hours in the hot Caribbean sun for a tender. Needless to say we were burnt! (Yes, we used sunscreen!) Once we returned we got dressed and went to grab a snack from the buffet. We then took a nap (we were exhausted from the sun and not feeling well). Not much happened after that. We went to the show (a magician and comedian) and to dinner. Once again, we retired early (the sun had really done us in).
On Thursday, we found ourselves in Cozumel, Mexico. We had an awesome shore excursion where we "jeeped" around the island, snorkeled, shopped, spent time at the beach, and enjoyed a wonderful Mexican buffet. It was beautiful weather and very enjoyable! We returned tot he ship via tender (no issues this time) and showered and dressed. We enjoyed some on board ship activities (Battle of the Sexes and Country Line Dancing Lessons) and attended the Talent Show. We played some cards and went to bed some time after midnight.
This brings us to today, Friday. We are simply relaxing and enjoying ourselves around the ship. We are not going to lay out because we are both fried from Grand Cayman. We are sad that today will be our last day. It is actually quite depressing. I can't believe Spring Break is almost over! I have not thought about school all week. It has been refreshing! This is one vacation where you can actually say you are relaxed when you return!
It is currently Friday (April 13), the final day of our cruise aboard the M/S Inspiration. It has been a marvelous trip. We left on Monday (April 9) from Tampa, FL. The weather was troublesome. It was cold, windy, and rainy.
That all changed on Tuesday. It was a day at sea and BEAUTIFUL weather! We enjoyed a time of relaxation and some of the activities on board ship. Unfortunately, Jeromy started to feel ill by lunch time (we're not sure what was wrong, but his stomach hurt). That night was formal night for dinner. We did get all dressed up and managed to get our picture taken. But, by the time we arrived at the dinner, Jeromy was very sick. We wended up not staying for dinner, Jeromy was very sick. We ended up not staying for dinner. We went back to our room to change and then he went right to sleep. I went up to the informal buffet to get something to eat. Not much was going on around the ship (at least nothing I wanted to do by myself), so I returned to the room to read and watch a little t.v.
Thankfully, on Wednesday morning Jeromy was feeling better! This was our first port day at Grand Cayman. In our nerdy way, we were even more excited to be there when we learned it was originally called Tortuga (any Pirates of the Caribbean fans?). Anyways, we went on a Catamaran tour to a sandbar where we were able to swim with stingrays. I was a bit nervous about the whole thing. This was such a great day! The water was blue and clear, very beautiful. One thing did almost ruin our day...when we returned to the pier there was a very long line waiting to take the tender back to the ship. It seems the waves were remarkably bad and they were having difficulties docking the tenders to the ship. They ended up moving the ship to use the other ships to help block the wind and waves (this freaked out a lot of people who thought the ship was leaving. Pretty funny to see!). We ended up waiting 2 1/2 hours in the hot Caribbean sun for a tender. Needless to say we were burnt! (Yes, we used sunscreen!) Once we returned we got dressed and went to grab a snack from the buffet. We then took a nap (we were exhausted from the sun and not feeling well). Not much happened after that. We went to the show (a magician and comedian) and to dinner. Once again, we retired early (the sun had really done us in).
On Thursday, we found ourselves in Cozumel, Mexico. We had an awesome shore excursion where we "jeeped" around the island, snorkeled, shopped, spent time at the beach, and enjoyed a wonderful Mexican buffet. It was beautiful weather and very enjoyable! We returned tot he ship via tender (no issues this time) and showered and dressed. We enjoyed some on board ship activities (Battle of the Sexes and Country Line Dancing Lessons) and attended the Talent Show. We played some cards and went to bed some time after midnight.
This brings us to today, Friday. We are simply relaxing and enjoying ourselves around the ship. We are not going to lay out because we are both fried from Grand Cayman. We are sad that today will be our last day. It is actually quite depressing. I can't believe Spring Break is almost over! I have not thought about school all week. It has been refreshing! This is one vacation where you can actually say you are relaxed when you return!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
A Big Decision...
Jeromy and I made a huge decision last night. We are going to begin looking into adoption. We have decided that we are going to stop the infertility treatments. Before you ask why we are stopping treatment, I will tell you. We can not save money for an adoption (which, if you don't know, is very expensive) if we are spending over $600 a month on fertility medications.
We have both spent a considerable amount of time praying about this and feel this is what God wants us to do. I have been hesitate to admit it because I feel as if I am giving up. But, Jeromy says that he never believed that we needed the medication to get pregnant. He says that if God wants us to get pregnant He can make it possible. Jeromy's main reason is that he doesn't like to see me cry (which, most of you know, happens a lot).
I guess our prayer will now need to change to one for guidance as we look into what our next step will be.
One last thing...(I know the question is coming)...we are planning on a domestic adoption at this time. We are hoping to adopt from a birthmother where we will be able to take the baby home directly from the hospital. So, I guess we need to start looking into agencies.
Please keep us in your prayers.
We have both spent a considerable amount of time praying about this and feel this is what God wants us to do. I have been hesitate to admit it because I feel as if I am giving up. But, Jeromy says that he never believed that we needed the medication to get pregnant. He says that if God wants us to get pregnant He can make it possible. Jeromy's main reason is that he doesn't like to see me cry (which, most of you know, happens a lot).
I guess our prayer will now need to change to one for guidance as we look into what our next step will be.
One last thing...(I know the question is coming)...we are planning on a domestic adoption at this time. We are hoping to adopt from a birthmother where we will be able to take the baby home directly from the hospital. So, I guess we need to start looking into agencies.
Please keep us in your prayers.
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