Would like to adopt a child where do I start ?

I know what a gift it is to be able to give a child a home as well as it is a gift for the parents. I am in the talking stages with DH of adopting a child. I am okay with adopting a child up to the age of 3. I am not sure were to start and am not telling anyone in my family, would like to surprise them.When the time is right we will tell them. We know they will be so happy for us. DH and I are not youngsters- I am almost 40, DH is 41. At first I thought I just did not want a child- but I really do and do not want to waste anymore time trying to TTC.We think there could be issues with both of us, and we do not want to waste anymore time TTC. I just want to be a Mommy and DH wants to be a Daddy. We know we could give a child a great home. Any advice? Places that have information nights etc? websites to help us on this journey? Sorry to have so many questions, I just do not know where to start.

Re: Would like to adopt a child where do I start ?

Congrats! We are also in the process of adopting a child.

Some questions you two will need to ask yourselves:
-do we want to adopt domestically or internationally??
- if domestically, do we want to go thru an agency or privately?

We used wide horizons for our homestudy. They are mostly for international adoptions. They have informational meetings. I would recommend looking at their website if interested.
However, we are using american adoptions because we are adopting domestically. Their website was very helpful in just giving us information/questions to think about.

The internet is a great place to do your research.
Good luck with your journey!

Re: Would like to adopt a child where do I start ?

Congratulations! DH and I are also in the early stages of adopting. Another resource that I've found helpful is Adoptive Parents Committee (APC)
http://www.adoptiveparents.org/APC/Welcome.html

Good luck!