Pelley Family Blog

Tonight at dinner, the decision was made to actively pursue adoption - not sure where - but at least get the ball rolling!  Excited!  Scared!

We began investigating international adoption.  We found that we could get quite a bit in tax credits for adopting - both in federal and state taxes.  Mike reminded me that we had to spend the money, then be reimbursed in the year(s) after the adoption.  Add Rockwell’s adoption incentive, and it covers the biggest portion!

We then began investigating countries. For some countries, we really were too old.  We could get into China’s program if we took an older or special needs child  Most special needs were correctable, and hey - don’t we know the special needs world?  The Chinese government says we’re too old for an infant, and, as Mike said, "I think they are right!"

Joanna is plugging for Ethiopia - but they don’t let you have as much say in the choice.  Neat thing here is that most of the kids are AIDS orphans, and sometimes you can actually meet the parents.  The parent’s last act of parental love is to get the child to an orphanage where he/she can be adopted.

The girls had a Bible Quiz today.  I had emailed a good friend of ours, telling her about our discussions and desiring her input.  I knew she would be at the quiz, and I was hoping we could talk.   I also knew that they had a very bad experience with a domestic adoption, and I wanted to hear about it.  We spent much time together today, talking.  She related some of their experiences, and told me that she could give me the names of 11 other families with similar experiences.  At the end of our discussion, her husband said, simply,  ”Go international.”  Another seed planted.

Little did I know I would soon meet another woman (at the home school skate)  who adopted domestically.  She had a very similar experience and advised extreme caution.