A Bicycle Built for Three

We received our home study renewal materials and are already hard at work.  The good news is that the renewal process really isn't that bad, compared to the initial work we put in a year ago.  A lot of the information is the same as last year, and many things that haven't changed don't have to be done again.  We were easily able to get an appointment with the doctor to complete our medical forms, and we will have no problem getting everything turned in with plenty of time to spare. I've started teaching a two-week online course, which puts me on my computer a lot more.  While that also means I've been checking social media a lot more, the groups have been fairly quiet.  However, there have been a few interesting moments.  An obvious scammer made an appearance in several groups, claiming he adopted from Africa with what he called a "reputable" group.  The group doesn't, surprisingly, have any information available on it at all.  While it seemed m...

On the three year anniversary of us trying to start a family, I was overwhelmed by a Facebook posts on behalf of an expectant mother in our state.  I spent all day gutted by the enormity of it all. Imagine my surprise two days later when I received a Facebook message from that very same expectant mother -- somehow, amidst all the comments on the post, she said ours stood out to her and she wanted to get to know us.  To say I was shocked was an understatement.  I showed the message to Husband and he couldn't believe it; he immediately grabbed me in a hug with tears in his eyes.  We carefully considered how to respond, held our breath, and hit "reply". Throughout the day we messaged back and forth.  We learned a bit about her and about the pregnancy.  We learned she lived right outside of our city.  Each time we responded to a message we thought carefully about what to say.  We didn't want to overwhelm her, but we wanted our interest in getting ...

Three years ago today we started trying to have a baby.  I already knew today would be hard, but I had no idea.  Today we had to notify our agency that we intend to renew our home study.  Realistically I knew we wouldn't match quickly and would need to anyways, but a small part of me hoped I was wrong.  I was already feeling low when one of the Facebook groups posted a situation with a expectant family right here in our state.  Perfect, right?  I added a comment, then watched the list of comments grow...and grow...and grow.  In half an hour there were over 200 other hopeful adoptive parents, including several from our state; after an hour, that number jumped to over 300.  I feel like it's over before it's even begun. What a horribly defeatist attitude, I know.  I have to be strong and optimistic, but truth be told I don't know if I can.  I knew going into this journey it would be hard, but nothing prepares you for the reality.  I'...