It's Not a Competition

While the adoption process can be exhausting, exhilarating, chock full of rules, and requires cheerleaders, it is not a competitive sport.  Sometimes I joke about "the competition" when I see the scores of profiles of hopeful adoptive parents.  And I used to actually feel like they were in competition with us.  I don't anymore.  That doesn't mean we aren't doing what we can to get the word out about us.  (For example, we have two active profiles--the addresses are in the sidebar--and our pass along cards should be here any day.)  I just don't feel like we need to compare ourselves with others or try to find ways to make us appear more appealing than others.  We are who we are, and somewhere there is an expectant mother who will see us for who we are and appreciate us for who we are.  I think very often, babies have a way of ending up where they are meant to be.  I have friends who are also trying to adopt.  I don't feel like we are in a race to see who is placed with a baby first.  I will rejoice with and for them.  And, yes, of course, I will also wish it was happening for us, too.