Pre-Adoption Training

DH and I have completed the Pre-Adoption Training Classes and have the Certificates to show it! Here's what mine says:

(my name) has completed 12 hours of Special Needs Pre-Adoption Training on:

Separation & Loss
Cultural Considerations & Natural Family Values
Attachment and Child Development
Parenting Abused & Neglected Children
Impact of Child Abuse on Development
Positive Behavior Management
Impact of Adoption on Your Family

DH's, of course, is the same, only with his name.

From here, we choose an agency (the state? private agency? if private, which one?) then apply. Then we get The Questionnaire that we must answer in depth. Over a hundred questions. There are 15 more steps after that. I counted.

The classes were very good, rather intense, and I'm more committed to adopting a child(ren) from foster care than ever. I can't wait to start making calls tomorrow.

Tons of info, ideas, hopes and fears pinging around in my head right now. Loooooooooong dinner discussion with DD about what we learned, what she wants (brother? sister? one of each?...) and all manner of related topics.

My dream is to adopt a sibling pair, boy and girl, between the ages of 2 and 6. DD wants at the very least, a girl. DH is undecided.

But we've started the journey and know what to do next.

[5/10/08 Update: We have decided to seek a brother and sister, between the ages of 2 and 6]