Comment worth commenting on

"By the way D & J, did you hear the report about China cracking down on adoptions with stricter requirements (no on over 50 years old, min. $80,000 wages, no anti-depressant use, etc.)."

Thanks Michael for bringing this up. I'm glad I get to go on my soap box. There has been a ridiculous amount of media attention about the changes that went into place this month in China regarding adoption rules. Let me just say, if you want a negative spin, trust the media. If you want a rounded view, do your research. We chose China's program because of the unbelievably good health statistics of the orphans in the healthy international pool, the fact that they were the MOST liberal country when it came to age requirements, because of my desire for a girl, and because, simply, asian girls are so amazingly beautiful. There were many other reasons that were appealing about China's program, too, but not enough time.

What if China had more demand internationally than adoptable infants? How should they weed out candidates? Wouldn't it be great if one reason that the pool is becoming limited is that abandonement is reducing, and domestic adoption is increasing? While I am in extreme grief that our window of opportunity for a second angel from China came to a close, due to our age, I feel that the China program is the best opportunity for international adoption, if you are me.

If you go to a reputable adoption site, like Holt International, that does adoptions in most of the countries that have large programs, you will see that China's program still is more liberal than most. From my own incomplete research, I think China's program is the most reliable, enjoyable and likely to produce happy parents. Just my soap box. Thanks again Michael for the
comment!!!!

One last rant. Thankfully the US is more accepting of psychiatric treatment than other cultures. I cannot change China's culture. I wish I could improve ours to remove the stigma and barriers for people with mental illnesses to get treatment. I grieve for the students, friends and families of the victims at Virginia Tech. We've got to do something in this country. Please comment. And please, if you know someone that needs help with depression or another possible mental illness, help them get help.