The big reveal!

Last week we decided that the timing was right to tell family and friends that we're starting the adoption process.

It has gone so well! Firstly we told my sister in law and my youngest sister. My sister was a little confused by it all but only really because she didn't really understand why we felt that we had to announce it (in a positive way). She's been doing a few assignments recently at college on fostering and adoption so has a reasonable understanding of what we're entering into and is really happy that she is going to be an aunty in the not to distant future.

My sister in law was SO excited! She's very happy about it and openly offered to help in anyway that she can. Referee number one secured.

Next it was parents. We called my Mum (who doesn't live locally) to tell her and straight away she was very excited. She asked lots of questions which were all sensible questions and even after we put the phone down, she continued to text saying how excited she was and how proud she of us.

Later that evening we visited my mother and father in law and told them. They were both a little more reserved but they are excited. My father in law is very much a 'go with the flow' sort of guy so is happy for us and supportive but until things progress further, he doesn't feel the need to be hands on. He's the same with my sister in laws children so it's not at all surprising.

We both feel like my mother in law has questions but needs to think about them before she asks them but again this is completely normal for her, she likes to process before acting on anything.

Next it was onto some of our best friends and those 'family' members that aren't actually related.

Our best friends were amazing!! Both of them were quite literally jumping up and down with excitement and more than happy to be our referees. We've been around their children and babysat for them from birth so having them say that they'll be our referees is amazing.

Our kids have lots of Uncles and Aunty's and cousins already!

Next it was onto my 'Aunty and Uncle' (the ones that aren't technically related but we've always treated them as family).

My Uncle has always been a bit of a joker and has taken every opportunity to take the mick and try to wind me up in a really lovely playful way but as soon as we told them, he said one of the nicest things he's ever said to me. He said that if something happened to them and it came to it, he would have no worries whatsoever about us raising their children.

When you know someone and your main relationship with them is a joker, take the mick sort of relationship, to hear that it's amazing!

My Aunty was also amazing and spoke about her experience with adopted children through work and really filled us with hope. They're both willing to be our referees too!

Next we told a neighbour who has been a really good friend of ours for the last few years and she was over the moon. She again is willing to be a referee so our referee count is at 3 couples and one single (although our neighbours husband may well be chipping in on it too.)

Overall i am so bloody happy! So many people are so happy for and so willing to do stuff to help us in any way they can. It's very exciting!

Next thing is to make our final decision on an agency or local authority....