So what's next?

My husband and I spoke to all our children before this took place, so we knew whether to take it any further. All four were supportive (well the youngest promised support if I'd allow him to go to a friend's party, but I figured that was close enough) At that stage I was hoping to adopt a child / baby from Africa, as the KWA and babies (and adults) are tortured maimed and killed for their body parts which are believed to hold magical powers. An arm, a brain or a hand can bring much money to the deliverer so albinos are very much in danger, and I considered saving one child would help. However, Australia doesn't have adoption agreements with Africa, so my plans were stopped there.

I understand the reasoning behind this, and countries who signed the Hague agreement are those Australia has links with. I support this as well as this ensures the legality, safety and legitimacy of an adoption and keeps the child's interest the focus. While it brings to mind the frustration of celebrity adoptions, in that money appears to mean adopting more easily, without a wait or red tape, I don't ever want the heartache of wondering if the child is really mine, if someone can claim parental rights in the future and want a reduction in any problems with passports visas etc for the child in the future.

I received a phone call from DFC in response to my email. A lot was explained to me about the process which left me a bit shell shocked, to be honest.
Not in a bad way, mind you, just wondering what I'd started!
So we BOTH have to attend an information session about overseas adoption, a session about adopting a child with special needs, do a six week training course, have several home studies / interviews and fill in masses of paperwork.
Uh-hunh, cool. The information sessions about OS adoption are run quarterly, the SN sessions ANNUALLY. Yes annually. However, not to worry both sessions were being held on Feb 17th.
My husband was booked in for a spinal discectomy on Feb 16th, and would in no way be capable of attending the session. *insert sad face here*
Not to worry, I was told, we could attend the next general session, then get paperwork,  visits and training done by next February and be ready to attend the SN session and submit paperwork. Wow twelve months!
Twelve months. Is this a good thing or not?.......