Domestic Adoption

Building a Family

By Michele St. Martin

Adoption has been such a positive experience that all three families are in the process of adopting again. "We thought that our family was complete with Josh," says Chase, who adopted a 7-year-old boy. "But Josh has been talking about a little sister, something that our daughter also is in favor of. And we all agreed: Why not add to our family again?"

Tami and Kris Davis are hoping to adopt again domestically also. They have signed up with the same adoption agency they used for Alex's adoption, but are also searching independently. "We thought that might speed things up some," says Tami. "We realized that we probably wouldn't match with a birthmother as quickly as we did the first time!"

Vicki and Mark Baker are currently awaiting the referral of an infant girl from China. "Our son is very excited about it," says Vicki. "A few years ago he asked us if we could get him a baby brother or sister. We told him we could find a doctor that would help us have a baby, or we could find a baby who didn't have a mom or dad. He chose the baby who didn't have a mom or dad."

"Adopting Josh has been such a wonderful experience," says Chase. "Not always an easy experience, but in total a wonderful one. Josh has some special needs that we are dealing with, and just loving him doesn't make them go away. But when he started to trust us, to tell us that he loved us and to confide in us, it was just the most fantastic feeling in the world. He is making great progress, and we are very proud of him.

"Adoption has opened up a different and wonderful world to us. We are so excited to adopt again. People will sometimes tell us that Josh is lucky to have joined our family. Lia, my daughter, told one of them, 'We're really lucky to have Josh in our family.' And that's the way we all feel."

Want to see more?

• Ending Infertility Treatment: Coming to Terms With Not Becoming a Biological Parent
• Adoption: Where Do I Start? A National Adoption Information Clearinghouse Fact Sheet
• Foster Care and Adoption for Waiting Children: A Question and Answer From the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse
• Talk about it!