Mike, Natalie, Alex and ???........

OK. To start off - NO, I'm not pregnant!! And shame on you for even thinking such a thing! But we have had a little adventure these past few weeks that have made us think.

I got an e-mail from the adoption agency we used when adopting Alex saying they had a birth mom who was needing to put her 7 year-old up for adoption, and wanted to know if anyone was interested before they even took on the situation. I will admit, it intrigued me. But I'm 45 years old, and a grandma for heaven's sake! BUT.... oh, what the heck. I forwarded the e-mail to Mike as a joke. He called me back immediately!! I had to laugh as I answered the phone because I was sure he was sitting in his office at work, saw that e-mail and started hyperventilating!! But he actually said I should reply and let them know we would be interested, and try to find out any more information. OK. Now I'M the one hyperventilating.

So, I replied. Yes, I replied.

My only stipulation was if there was ANY question if he had been sexually abused, I couldn't continue with the process. But they said he was just a normal 7 year old who needed a mommy very badly. Thanks!! Throw in the mommy line!! Break my heart!!

We waited a week. Got another e-mail. They got his results from some psychological tests; yep, just a normal little boy. Are we still interested? YES!! We were one of only 3 families interested in him. Here's the price... $20,000!! (No, I did not accidentally add a few extra zeros to that number!) We were shocked, dumbfounded, amazed. When we adopted Alex it was $4,000. We asked others who had adopted lately what they paid; $1,100, $5,000, and $5,500. So I wrote back and told them there was no way we could afford that, but thanks.

Got another e-mail. "We don't want price to be in the way..." We set up an appointment for today, to meet with them, meet the birth mom, etc. They sent us info on grants, loans, etc. The only problem was that most of the grants needed a home visit done first, and the adoption agency wouldn't progress until we had the finances. We were in a lose - lose situation. Now maybe if this was a usual adoption (which we don't seem to know how to do!) we would have some time as we went through the whole process to save a little here and there. But this was a quickie!! Remember, this boy needs a mother very badly!!

It just won't be me.

So... pray for the adoption agency to have the spirit with them as they make this tough decision. And keep Jordan in your prayers. We may not be his family, but we are sure glad to have had the chance to think about it.