I just felt that the Lord was laying this on my heart to share..... I would like to encourage everyone thinking of adopting to consider adopting through the Department of Human (or Family) Services. There are so many children out there in the system that need homes, need families, need love most of all. These are children who have been taken from their homes due to abuse, neglect, etc. and may never have known a loving home before. No, you probably won't get a newborn, and yes, you will probably have to help the child deal with emotional trauma of their past, but let me tell you, it is worth it. To give a child love, family and shelter is a wonderful thing. Some if not most of these children have never experienced such things. Another plus is that is costs very little. Our total cost for our adoption was less than $100 -- $30 for birth certificates, and $40 for CPR classes. I am an adoptive mother of two beautiful little girls that were placed for adoption by the DHS after they were horribly neglected. I won't go into details, but suffice to say that it was a bad situation. When I got them, they were 2 and 3 years old, and both of them wore size 6-9 mo. in pants and a 12 mo. in tops. They were so pitifully tiny. They are now 4 and 5, and they are still small for their age, but they have grown so much! Now they wear a 3T in pants and a 5/6 top. Just a little example of what a little love and devotion can do. I love these girls as much as if they were born to me, and I can't remember a time without them. They are such a blessing to me. To anyone considering adoption, I just ask that you give this some thought before spending thousands of dollars on a "perfect" child.

Hi Eileen! I agree you should wait until after you move to start. Home studies have to be redone every time you move. I was never able to get pregnant because of multiple fibroids, but I'm sure they would not have gotten so big if I hadn't been so overweight. Good luck. Whatever child you get, biological or adopted, will be the one you were meant to have. Lisa

I agree haveing a child must be easier then adoption..Im a 30 yr old that has had a 6yr old little girl(Dakoda)that i have had since shes was 5 1/2 months. My cousin had her and i was only suposed to have her for a yr cause my cousins was going through army training,but she ended up pregant almost when that yr was over and couldnt take her right then i dont know i cant explain her action on this,but after two yrs when shes had the baby i took Dakoda to her,but Dakoda wouldnt have anything to do with her and its not that i wanted to give her up my caousin said dont get attached im takeing her back,and i stayed with her for a couple days and when Dakoda cried everytime my cousin touched her my cousins knew that things were about to get hard.The father is in the army thats were my cousin was on a base.He beat my cousin alot ,so she got rid of him,and i took Dakoda up there a couple times to visit him,but he didnt want nuttin do to with her.My cousin told me take her home and she would let me adopt her,and i new it was right cause one day when i was going to the store,and i left Dakoda with my cousin, Dakoda came crying out mommy for the first time(tears)i knew the battle i would be going though to have her,but it was ok(smile).The father went out seas ,and a yr,and 1/2 he has been back in his home town of PA , and im in IL and my cousins in NC.He has just signed the papers and im waiting on my cousin to sign and them im done or close to it(I hope)The father may have signed the papers ,but he still thinks he should have rights you know the dead beat dad that just wants to do all the things with the child ,but dont wanna pay or give her insurance.. sorry,i dont know much about the process i let my lawyer take care of that If i could do it all over again i would,but i would like one of my own some day too

So happy for you.. I feel it is Gods will to have me adopt children.. and not just 1 or 2 but many.. from different religons, ethnics, races, countries.. anything that he has me do.. Im willing.. Just waiting for the husband to come into my life yet.

i have just now found this site-congratulations! i will be 50 this month and was adopted at 4 mos old- God Bless your family!