After filling out a quick questionnaire on rainbowkids.com for more information on international adoption, Terri was the first agency we heard from. Within ONE HOUR, she called me on the phone to talk to me about adoption and her agency. I loved her from the very beginning! She was very excited because she was leaving the very next day to go to Guatemala to visit some of her families and their new babies. I had to MAKE myself go ahead and check into other agencies, because I knew that was the “smart” thing to do, even though all my instincts told me to go with Grace and Terri. It was only a short time later that we, of course, chose Grace International and we were on our way.

The paperwork process was unbelievably crazy. Every time Terri gave us a list or a task to complete I just wanted to get it done. I knew we'd be that much closer to getting our baby. I also had to try to accomplish this without taking too much time away from our other wonderful son, who at the time was almost five. (I have to mention I also have a wonderful 24 yr old, I just can‘t leave him out!) We started our process at the end of February 2007 and we thought we would have our baby by the end of the year. That is the only disappointment we have had. It‘s now almost the end of February 2008, almost one year, and we‘re getting ready to travel to pick him up. The delay has had nothing to do with our adoption agency it‘s just been part of the process and partly due to all the changes going on with Hague. Patience is a virtue right?

We have traveled to Guatemala twice to see our beautiful new son. Since she‘s in Louisiana and we‘re in Kansas, this is when we got to meet Terri in person. When we had some concerns while we were there the first time, Terri and Hector, the attorney, were on top of things RIGHT AWAY. In the end it turned out that everything was fine, but they didn‘t hesitate to check into our concerns immediately and make sure everything was okay. The accommodations in Guatemala were excellent also. Terri even takes the time to choose hotels that are helpful and more accommodating to adoptive parents. While there we heard stories from other parents who had switched to our hotel because of troubles they had had at different hotels. Cynthia, our interpreter is awesome also! She is always very helpful! I LOVE it when she takes us shopping!

Now we are just moments away from bringing our new son home and as I look back on what may have been one of the longest years I‘ve ever experienced, I cannot imagine going through this whole process without Terri and Grace Adoption. Even during the times when maybe we were nervous, worried or frustrated with our adoption or the process, we still always had complete confidence in Terri.

Terri, I‘m so grateful every day that you called me that one fateful day a year ago, otherwise we may have never found you. There‘s no way we can ever say THANK YOU enough!

Kathee & John Vaught