Mark and I had a nice talk, and he’s in agreement for adoption! YAY! However, he wants to wait to get things going until September 2007. His reasonings were valid and sound, and I’m in agreement with him on this. I have until then to do research on types of adoption, what benefits we have available through his work, how much it’s going to cost and how we might be able to pay for it. Foster Adoption is one option we are considering, but only if we can get a boy under one year old. For our family, we feel this is best.
One thing Mark asked me is why I wanted to adopt. I can say without a doubt, this is not a hormonally driven, emotional *need* or desire! I’ve had a total hysterectomy, and I’m in full blown menopause. I don’t have the emotional/hormonal desires to get pregnant and carry a baby that I used to have. This is different: it’s a longing and a feeling I can’t quite describe, and that I believe God placed there as He has a special boy in mind for us. I can only describe it as a feeling that someone is missing. One of my children is not here – there is a space within our family unit that needs to be filled.
I have given birth to seven children. This isn’t stemming from a burning desire to be a parent – I AM a parent and have been for over twenty-five years. This is a longing that I believe God has given me, and I’m anxiously awaiting to come to fruition. I have a great compassion for people in general; especially children. I know, without a doubt, that I could love any child as my own.
If you wouldn’t mind praying for us as we start on this journey to adoption.

Dear Traci,
Good Saturday to you! How wonderful. I do think I understand how you are feeling. I think I understand how God can give one with several other children the desire to adopt. God alone places desire of that kind.
May God bless you and your family on this journey.
Love, Robin