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HollyChubb

Hello everyone! My name is Holly. I am 23 years old and have been with H for 5 years now. We are ready to start a family fairly soon and I am adamant about adoption. I feel we have a good stable home and can provide alot for a child. We are looking to adopt internationally. H and I were very inspired by the struggles of Kenyan children in a documentary we saw. I think we have now settled on Ethiopia after researching further. I have a good job, H has a seasonal job but is looking for steady work. We are working on getting new vehicles, H has his already. We hope to get mine early next year. After we have everything updated I think we are ready to start the process. I was wondering if we should in fact start looking at agencies now, basically be getting our ducks in a row? Does anyone have recommendations for the Philadelphia area? Are there any books that I should get? TIA

TeraandJosh

Just as an FYI - I believe you have to be 25 to adopt from Ethiopia. I can't remember though. You might be able to begin the process before you actually turn 25. You could start contacting random agencies and find out the exact age limit. Also, not sure if you have fertility issues or not, but if not, make sure you ask agenciesif they work with couples without any known fertility issues. This was one problem we ran into when trying to find an agency. HTH! 

Mary1013

Hi! I don't have any advice but just wanted to say welcome to the board! The ladies here are phenomenal. I don't post often...I'm mostly a lurker!

dishy71

Welcome to the board!

I would start with a book like "adoption for dummies" or "the complete idiot's guide to adoption".  they both give a great overall view of the adoption process and stuff to consider while you figure things out.  personally, i don't think starting to research agencies is a bad thing; it may actually give you a clearer picture on what agencies are looking for with the program you want to adopt from.  and you aren't limited to your home state for agencies. i'm in the southeast, but we are using a national agency in a different state.  i'll pm you their name.  and this board is great to get your questions answered and just general support.

SadieGaga

Don't really have any advice for you, but I wanted to say hello I'm new to the boards and live fairly close to the Philly area (about an hour and a half north of Philly) I am currently reading The Complete Idiots Guide to Adoption. It's seems pretty informative so far. Enjoy the boards... Good luck to you!

scatterbrainliz

welcome!  I sent you a PM with the agency we're working with and another one that comes highly recommended.

HollyChubb

TeraandJosh:

Just as an FYI - I believe you have to be 25 to adopt from Ethiopia. I can't remember though. You might be able to begin the process before you actually turn 25. You could start contacting random agencies and find out the exact age limit. Also, not sure if you have fertility issues or not, but if not, make sure you ask agenciesif they work with couples without any known fertility issues. This was one problem we ran into when trying to find an agency. HTH! 

We saw that the age to adopt there was 25 years old. I was hoping we could get our home study done and the agency research done before I turn 25 (I'll be 24 in a few short months). I do have fertility issues but we aren't sure how bad they are and it isn't the reason I chose to adopt so I don't know how far we will look into it on our own right now. Orignally we looked at Kenya and when we looked at your blog and started researching Ethiopia, well I'd like to say you and YH really inspired us to look at Ethiopia. H is sooo excited- as am I.