Answers To The Questions Your Dying To Ask

I realize my announcement yesterday most likely came as a shock to many people so I will address the questions that some of you have or are afraid to ask.

Isn't this a little spontaneous???
No, I planned to adopt from China first. I started my paperwork for China in December, 2006. I finished it in March of 2007 and realized I had a long wait ahead of me for a baby. I had requested a baby girl, age 0-12 months. At that point the wait was 3 years, now some estimate it to be 4-5 years. Once I turned in my paperwork for China I immediately began to think about adopting from Vietnam which had a much shorter wait time. The question then was do I just switch all of my immigration paperwork from China to Vietnam or do I start over? So it was in April of 2007, about the time I was offically logged into China (LID 4/7/07), that I made my decision to pursue two adoptions or at the very least keep the China adoption option open. As with all things I left it up to God. I felt like that was what He wanted me to do so I just tried to follow His will.

Isn't it alittle soon after adopting Emma?
Perhaps it is but it feels like the right time and the right child. Some people are worried that Emma is still a baby and both Emma and our new child will suffer from my lack of enough attention to both. My new son will be 2 1/2 years old when I get him. Most 2 year olds don't want to sit around on Mommy's lap all day. And by that time I fully expect Emma to be mobile so I am more worried about dropping dead from exhaustion chasing a 2 year old and 1 year old around. And not to worry, there's plenty of hugs, cuddles and kisses to go around. Not to mention older brothers and sisters to give bonus kisses and hugs.

Are you crazy or just addicted to adopting?
Maybe I am crazy. But someone tell me what's wrong with loving kids and wanting to have a home full of love? This works for our family. It might not work for your's and that's ok.

How many more are you going to adopt?
I plan on this being my last child but if God has other plans for me, of course I will be open to them.

Why special needs? And can you afford a child who needs medical care?

I actually wanted to go special needs in December, 2006 but both my social worker and my China adoption agency wanted me to apply for tradional adoption and then switch later if I still wanted to do so.

Cleft lip and cleft palate is non-life threatening condition. My new son will be taken care of by a team of consultants. This is called a cleff team. At this time I plan to take him Shriners Hospital in Chicago. They will provide all of his care without charge. He will most likely need speech therapy and my new school district will provide this without charge. He will need orthodontics but so does his 10 year old soon-to-be sister. Kids and braces are part of life. I'll deal with it.

You're a single mom, how can you handle 6 kids????

My oldest is in college and although he loves me dearly (he's always sure to point out to his younger brother and sisters that he loved me FIRST) 20 year olds don't hang out with mom. I'm there when he needs me, which isn't that often anymore.

My second oldest son is going to be a senior in high school. Ditto the oldest son.

My ten year old and 5 year old daughters are so excited to be getting a little brother. Emma has no idea what's going on.

I will be honest and say that I am worried about adding another child to the mix if only because it has been my goal to make sure that EACH child gets what they need from me, that I am there for them. I seem to be achieving this goal.

I hope I've answered all of your questions but all you have to do is look at this little face.

There is a little boy living on the other side of world who needs a family. We are a family who wants to give him lots of love. What more needs to be said?