Adoption - Vienna,VA

Good for you! I guess this really depends on what kind of adoption you are planning on going through. International adoption can be extremely expensive and a very long process, but private local adoption can be quicker. I am a foster parent through my county, and adoption through them is free, however there are a lot of other issues to deal with if you go that route. Are you thinking of adopting an infant or an older child? Infants are wonderful, and don't come with any issues (usually), but you may have to wait longer for one to become available. Older children are out there and ready to adopt, but may have baggage. I wouldn't trade my experiences as a foster parent for the world! Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

It sounds like you are doing this for all the right reasons and that is always a plus. I suggest you throw out the "biological/adopted" phrase and just think of them all as "your kids".

My cousin is adopted and after having 2 biological kids with her hubby, they adopted a little boy 3 years ago. There is absolutely no difference in the way they treat their kids, nor do any other family members treat him differently. I think it is really possible to bond equally and for all the children to be equally secure.

My 2nd grade teacher and his wife have 6 biological kids, and 4 adopted, of various racial backgrounds. They are one of the happiest families I know.

We have been home with our daughter from Ukraine for one month now. We have two biological children ages 8 and 5, and our daughter is 3. There is an adjustment period, getting used to each other. But that happens if you have a newborn baby too, everyone has to get used to the new routine, the new life. For her its been a big adjustment, going from an orphanage to a family at age 3. She's doing wonderfully. For our boys its going from only boys to having another girl besides mom in the house. For me its getting three kids ready for mornings we have to take kids to school. :) After a month i can say its going really well. Everyone is adjusting and her rules are the same as the boys', and she gets disciplined just like the boys. There is no different treatment for her because she is adopted. She is our child, she is part of our family. :)

We adopted our daughter from Ukraine, she was a waiting child because she has mild CP. www.reecesrainbow.org and look at the waiting children from other countries. These kids languish in orphanages and then get sent to mental institutions when they reach age 4. :( Its horrifying, but they can be adopted before they ever set foot into an institution! reeces Rainbow is a downs syndrome orphan ministry, but you can click 'other angels' for other diagnosis, some as minor as missing fingers and major as severe CP and spina bifida.

Good luck in your journey! We found our daughter in April 2010, committed to her in May and had our paperwork in her country by June, traveled the entire month of October and have been home for a month! :) Its a beautiful, stressful, awesome journey and its worth every paper signed, every minute traveled, and every penny spent!

Oh, and don't hope to choose on disposition.... lol We have two boys that are polar opposites, and our daughter was described as 'easy going, pleasant' and she is a spitfire! She has her mind set and she is determined no matter what! Its good though, she needs that attitude to get where she wants to go! :)

Soooo glad you're thinking about adoption! Adoption is an incredible experience in itself and you end up with an adorable child to love and nurture! In the meantime, you grow by leaps and bounds in every way.
We have a 9 year old biological daughter and a 21-month old adopted son. I had the same fears you had... will I be able to love an adopted child as much as I love my biological daughter? The best thing to do about that is pray about it and talk to adoptive parents and adoption counselors. And you are doing just that! We adopted our son domestically through a Christian adoption agency and brought him home when he was only 12 days old. I can honestly say that I love him no differently than I love our daughter. We just can't imagine him being with any other family. He is our son and it was God's plan to place him with our family, just like it was His plan to place our daughter with our family. We view them as gifts from God and we really didn't have anything to do with His decision to give us these precious gifts. We are just forever grateful that He did.
From experience, I might encourage you to prepare yourself for the ups and downs of domestic adoption. We waited about 3 years before we were given the gift of our son. During that time we met with or shared letters/phone calls with several birth mothers and that was a tremendous blessing, but not without heartache. There is an opportunity for growth and encouragement for everyone involved in these situations. So never lose sight... adoption is a journey, and the opportunities that are presented to you may not end up as opportunities for you to adopt that child, but rather opportunities for you to support someone during a difficult time. One of those opportunities will be there to provide you with a new addition to your family, though!
Above all, enjoy the domestic adoption journey. Each and every opportunity is a blessing for you and for the birth families with which you come in contact. It's a joy that you'll experience like no other.

I think you have received some great answers. I think you and your husband are awesome. Do it! There are so many children out there who need a good and loving home. You guys rock!

My parents had a biological child and were told my mother should not carry another child. They wanted another so they applied for adoption. A few years later they got me!! I am 34 years old and have NEVER EVER EVER felt like I was anything other than my parents' child. My mother told me I was adopted before I went into Kindergarten. I didn't care then and don't care now. My parents are my parents. I often forget that I'm not biologically connected to them. I look like them, act like them etc.. My sister and I act like and have always acted like sisters. I think it's fabulous that you want to adopt!!!! There are lots of kids who need a great home and how lucky for them that you have brothers and sisters for them!!! I think you should do it! It's a wonderful experience (from my side). Good luck!

One of my best friends just adopted a 2 year old boy from China. They also have a 7 year old bio child. It's been great! They all love the new son so much, and their 7 year old is delighted to have a little brother. It's been a fantastic experience for them!