Tax Credit...$$$

That was one of the other sessions I did at the Conference.. all sorts of info on how the Adoption Tax Credit works.. and it's a CREDIT.. not a deduction.. dollar for dollar. for 2007 it's 11,390.00 for 2008 11,650... so I figure it'll be around 12, 000.00 come 2009 for us. And if you can't use all the tax credit in one year you can spread it out over 6 years!! BUT the credit disappears after 2010!.. apparently there is a bill in Congress to renew it. So let your representatives know.. we need that credit to stay! It covers all Adoption Expenses.. fees from agencies, travel, food while overseas.. pretty nifty. We also are eligible for up to $6,000 in help from Disney. We can't apply for that until we have our little girl. (same for the tax thing.. you can back date stuff)..

The other session I did was how to handle questions from your daughter on why she doesn't look like you and all the adoption questions she will ask. I think the best advice the presenter gave was to be prepared... the more prepared you are.. the more relaxed and natural your answers will be. Your child will not only be listening to what you say, but how you say it and what your body language is. A few things we learned..

Do not refer to her biological mother as her "real" mother.. I AM HER REAL MOTHER.. she is her "birth" mother.. important stuff...
Don't say... "Your birth mother loved you.. BUT.." she said to stay away from BUT.. it puts contingency on why she is with us.. Say.. your birth mother loved you but she wasn't able to be your parent.. then remind her what it is to be a parent.. you feed her, take care of her.. take her to the doctor.. to school.. stuff like that.
Keep it the truth..made up stories, tales only come back to bite you.. if ya don't know.. tell her. I'm sorry I don't know.
Stay away from "She couldn't keep you because she was poor".. the lady said.. what if one day you loose your job and things are a bit tight for a bit.. a young child is going to start thinking.. are we poor?.. am I going to have to leave? That sounds crazy as an adult.. but to a child it is very real.
There's more.. and a few great books we'll need to read. Some children experience survivor's guilt.. oh so much to learn. But it's all good and TOTALLY worth it we feel! She did say to tell her her story over and over.. Things like your adoption was something that was planned for years and years .. we prayed and God brought you into our lives.. which is true.. heavy stuff ya know!
Well next time I'll share what David learned in his sessions..

for now.. Happy Thanksgiving!!! may we all have too much turkey.. and get nice and sleepy!
Zai Jian.