We finally received the information packet from our newly selected adoption agency. How exciting! Actually, how completely and utterly ovewhelming! We had more than 20 pages of essay style questions for me and Mr. J to answer. Questions like, describe your relationship with your husband. Describe any marital issues you have? Describe your relationship with children. Describe your discipline philsophy. How will you tell your child he/she is adopted. What kind of child would you like? black, white, asian, hispanic, newborn, older, drugs no drugs, alcohol no alcohol, insurance, no insurance? It was so much to take but we took it baby step by baby step. One of the things that has become somewhat of a concern is the emphasis on faith. There were several questions devoted to describing our relationship with Jesus and our religious practices, our involvement in church and many more. Now don't get me wrong, we are proud to call ourselves Christians but on paper, it may not be as evident. We checked out the agencies website. Most of the waiting couples are ministers or youth ministers or amish. Everyones favorite book is the Bible and they all love Christian rock. We like Eminem and my favorite book? Well, was Sex & the City ever a book? I think so.
Besides Mr. J and I answering every question under the sun, we had to find 3 willing particpants to answer though provoking questions about us. They got off a little easier, but not much. We had to ask a family member, a friend and a pastor. This was not going to be easy. We have only told one friend so that was pretty easy. My whole family is crazy except my sister so that was pretty easy. And a pastor? Good thing we just joined a church. I'd like to send a BIG SHOUT OUT (do people still do that??) to Sarah, Kathleen and Pastor Barry. Thanks guys! You are the best! Oh, and don't worry, if we don't get approved, we won't blame you. for long. Actually, having those references completed meant so much to us. They were not easy. They had to describe our marriage, our difficulties and our religion. And a lot more. But they were troopers and we are forever grateful!

So here we are waiting. again. They say it takes 2 weeks of an approval process before you have an answer 2 weeks will be tomorrow, Monday. We were told they would call with any questions or if we are, by some miracle, approved, we will get an invitation in the mail to attend an adoption seminar in OKC on June 1st and 2nd. Keep your fingers crossed. I know we are.

p.s. We also had to include pics of our family and of our house. Here is the picture of our family - who could turn down these adorable faces???