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August 10, 2008

The Packet Arrived

Finally, Saturday afternoon our packet from Gladney arrived to let us know what to expect when we arrive at the orientation on August 15, 2008. I can barely contain my excitement. Here's our orientation agenda:

- 8:45 am Pastries, coffee, juice
- 9:00 am Introduction
- 9:15 am Domestic Program Workshop (the steps to complete the adoption)
- 11:45 am Lunch
- 12:30 pm Financial Overview
- 12:40 pm Hallmark Video - "Megan's Story"
- 1:00 pm Birth Parent Panel (Real-life stories from young women who are making an adoption plan for their children.)
- 1:20 pm Break
- 1:30 pm Family Services (Info. re: educational programs and family support svcs.)
- 1:40 pm Adoptive Parent Panel (Hear from people who have experienced Gladney adoption and oppty. to ask questions.)
- 2:00 pm Adoption Security (Legal Aspects)
- 2:45 pm Break and Campus Tour
- 3:00 pm Closing Remarks and Checklist

NEW INFORMATION - SCOT AND I HAVE ALSO DECIDED TO SUBMIT A PRE-APPLICATION TO AMERICAN ADOPTIONS TO SEE WHAT PROGRAMS THEY HAVE AVAILABLE FOR US AS WELL. LOVE YOU ALL!!>

August 5, 2008

Gladney Called Today

The call came today from Gladney. Woo hoo!! A wonderful lady called to let us know that they reviewed our pre-application and we could be possible adoptive parents in their ABC program. ABC stands for African-American and Bi-racial Children. She did let me know that there was no availability in their Agency Assisted Program which refers to children that are full Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic, or Native American. I explained to her that Scot and I just want the opportunity to be parents and that race is not an issue.

So on August 15, 2008 from 8:45 to 3:30 we will be attending the adoption orientation in Fort Worth. She told me that I should be receiving our packet regarding the orientation in a few days. Once we attend the orientation then the ball is in our court as to whether we want to officially apply to adopt a child from the ABC program.

Once we submit our application and pay 25% of the adoptive fee then we will begin the home study process which takes 3-6 months.

There are no words to express my excitement at this point. I'm overwhelmed with emotions because I truly believe that next year Scot and I will be the parents of a beautiful child that we can call our own.