The Point of No Return

The first month or two of this process we spent a lot of time in prayer while doing research and filling out preliminary applications.  We wanted to be sure it was God's direction for us before we made this leap of faith.  The adoption agency gave us a list of references and we talked to several families in Michigan who had adopted through CCAI, and the feedback we got was way beyond positive.  This agency is adored by their clients, and we have found them to be very friendly, personal, helpful, and quick to communicate.  So we continued working our way through the initial steps.  Our preliminary applications were approved and we began filling out formal apps.

Then we reached the point of no return- the first FEE was due.  Up until then it was easy to say, "Let's take the next step and see what happens, we don't have to commit yet."  But when the time comes to start writing checks, you have to decide if you're in or out!  Thankfully, we were both ALL IN!

The other BIG deal for me (Nikki) is the required medical exams and lab work.  If you know me, you know I have an insane phobia of needles.  It totally freaks me out and I get queasy just thinking about it.  I hate getting shots, and having blood drawn? ... forget about it.  When I was pregnant with both of our children I had blood drawn twice for each, and those were definitely in the "Top 10 Moments of My Life that I Would NEVER Want to Re-live"!  But, I told myself that I LOVED my babies (even though I hadn't met them yet) and it would be worth it!

I didn't realize that I would have to go through that again for adoption.  Seriously?!  But I told myself that I LOVE my baby (even though I haven't met her yet), and it will all be worth it!  We just got our blood work done, and it was horrible, but I survived. 

Now that we have forked over so much blood and money, there is NO TURNING BACK!  :-)  (sorry...that choice of words sounds a little gross.  LOL)