Decision to Adopt Baby Number 2!

     We decided that we are ready to adopt again! We had to have our home study renewed because it was due to expire in February 2010.  The process was extremely easy, and not that costly. We knew we wanted to adopt again at some point. At that point- in February- we weren't quite ready yet to begin the process.  We did decide to give them the okay to start searching for baby number two in July.  We sent them an email and told them. Several weeks passed and we didn't hear much. It was finally October and we contacted them to make sure they had everything they needed. Turned out they had the wrong checklist somehow. This is what they need to use to search for us.  They had the one that we FIRST filled out with the agency we adopted Allisynn from. Since then, we had changed it at least once- maybe twice. We were frustrated, but filled it out again and figured that it was all ready this time. We know- with out a shadow of a doubt that God's timing is perfect, and this little baby will enter our family at exactly the right time. We trust whole heartedly in God's plan and timing.
      We hadn't told our families at this point that we were choosing to adopt again... mainly because we wanted to surprise them with big news- such as being chosen by a birth mom.  However, we did decide to finally tell them all at Christmas time.  That is when we told told them we were adopting Allisynn.  Of course everyone was excited for us! :)  At this point, we still hadn't heard anything from the agency- with regards to situations of birth moms.   We figured by telling our families, they could start praying for us and our next match too.
      We contacted our agency again in January. This time they said that they were really working on trying to enlarge their infant program and trying to reach more birth moms. They asked if they could show our profile  book to a couple who was due later in the year. They said that it was REALLY EARLY in the game for this couple to make a decision, and they were wanting to show several books to this couple from other families too. We agreed. Our social worker didn't sound like it was anything to get too excited about because it was so early.  She also said that several of their clients use other networking people to help find matches. We didn't know what this meant or where to start with this. We started researching online. We found one that we were interested in, and checked it out very extensively. We got the paperwork ready to send, and low and behold we got a call from our agency about a birth mom situation.  We were tickled.  We felt like this was a situation we should go ahead and "try" for.  Turns out the birth mom picked another family.  We made plans to go ahead and send our paperwork to the other networking agency. Again, we got a phone call just about a week after hearing we weren't chosen for the first situation. Another possibility. We waited and prayed. Again, we found out that the couple chose another family.  We decided to sit tight a little with the networking agency paperwork and wait and see what would happen. A couple weeks later, we got an email from our social worker again, asking for more detailed information for the couple that they asked to show our book to way back in the beginning.  We agreed and prepared a detailed letter. We were hopeful. We waited a few weeks for them to decide- and again, the door was closed.  Through each of the three closed doors, we were disappointed, but also know that God is closing those doors for a reason. These babies weren't ours - and weren't meant to be. That gives peace to keep on going.  Again, several weeks passed, and we decided to just go ahead and send the stuff to the other networking agency.  This is where we are now. They are searching for us (actually just got our stuff this week- so maybe not officially searching yet) and so is our agency.   It is exciting to think that God has something exciting around the corner for our little family.  We have seen Him working all along and know that He is in control!!!  Even if we are meant to be a family of three- we know that God is with us through this process, and has something to teach us.  
     This is why Allie girl gets to move to a Big Girl room... the nursery will stay a nursery... it will be neat to see what happens next.  :) We'll keep you posted! :)