On July 24th we would find out Jennifer Press, with PfA, would be let go early from her position prior to her resignation. Adam and I were shocked to say the least. We felt we had truly developed a relationship with Jenn and she was the pilot of the Ghana Placement program. Our hearts were saddened and worried. Jenn was the sole person I had contact with and knew our journey up to this point. Were we going to have to start over? What would happen from here? After a few weeks of discussion and working out details, PfA decided to transfer their Ghana program placements to an agency known as Hopscotch Adoptions. Since Hopscotch was originally partnering with PfA in the Ghana program ... it only seemed natural and assuring. I have gladly been introduced to the Hopscotch staff and have had great feedback from their Founder and Exec. Director, Robin Sizemore. She is a breath of fresh air, an encourager, and has expressed sincere excitement for our journey. We sincerely look forward to working and traveling with her. Our Homestudy will remain with PfA and we thank Diana for making the best choice for our file and our children. Our Placement will now continue with Hopscotch Adoptions in North Carolina.

We anxiously awaited for any info on "Anna" and "Max." Upon our retainer agreement being signed and payment received by PfA, the Ghana agency would be notified and little "Anna" and "Max" would get complete physicals and their social work would be requested. We would hear back ... and we did!
The first joy of international communication ... our little ones were not 4 and 2, they are actually 5 1/2 and 3! Did this change our mind? Um, NO. They still need a home. They still need a chance. They had already become a part of our hearts.
"Anna's" given name is Anita. She is 5 1/2. Long legs, shy eyes, and a smile that often is hidden in her pictures but comes out every now and then. Anita loves singing and dancing.
"Max's" given name is Maxwell. He is 3. With a smile that radiates mischievousness and laughter, his social work states he enjoys playing with toys and football.
They are healthy and passed their physicals with flying colors. We would find out their Grandmother has been their guardian and she has relinquished her rights due to not being able to provide for them. This truly breaks our hearts. The loss she must feel. And the confusion Anita and Maxwell don't even know how to process ... we have our work cut out for us. And we gladly accept the challenge. And once again ... we want to hug them, we want to hear their voices, we want to meet our little ones ... in due time.

It started a year ago, or should I say ... "it was alway there." "It" being the desire to adopt. Our bodies weren't granting us pregnancy. The journey of life was throwing curveballs. Nothing we couldn't and wouldn't handle but definitely large speed bumps in the road. A 60 minutes special opened our eyes to children abroad who were in need of loving, caring homes. On August 19th, 2008 Adam and I signed and sent off our application to adopt through "Partners for Adoption." It would begin an unknown journey to being parents. Parents to who or whom? We were not sure. One child? Two children? Siblings? Boy? Girl? Boys and Girls? Baby? Toddler? Elementary? Haiti? Ghana? Africa? Mexico? China? Could we afford it? How do you put a price on a child? How are we going to afford it? Will I be a good mom? Am I ready for this? The questions flooded upon us. The thoughts which crossed our mind were many. The questions we asked ourselves and our agency seemed so trivial ... yet, we had no idea where to start. As our journey started and as time passed, our hearts were not settled with a country. During the months which passed PfA told us about their new partner program with Ghana. The children would be older. They wouldn't be babies. Perhaps it was something we would consider. And consider we did. As much as adopting an older child or children unnerved us, our hearts were captured by a little a girl and boy.

And so ... conception has taken place ... not physcially ... but within our hearts and within our minds ... we are going to be parents!!!