Christen

My husband and I are starting our journey to adopt a child. I have several pieces of literature from different adoption agencies but would like some real world insight from parents who have been there. Things like:

Which agency/organization/service did you go through?

Would you go through the same one again?

Where there any additional costs you hadn't anticipated?

(What was the total cost, if you're willing to share?)

Do you have any "warnings" to look out for our tips?

Are there any online communities you would recommend to continue having these kind of discussions with other adoptive parents?

I'm really just curious to talk with some adoptive parents but I don't have any people around me that fit that criteria ... so only serious responses only please!

Background - my husband and I have been married for several years and have a son. We would like to expand our family however due to serious medical issues during pregnancy, delivery, and then NICU, we have decided having another biological child is not the best option. We are interested in domestic adoption only and would prefer another boy - we have no preference for race.

Thank you in advance! :)

I've never particularly been a big red-meat eater but lately I would say my consumption has increased due to eating almost every meal out while my son is in the hospital and I am away from home the majority of the day.

Several days ago my husband and I went to lunch at a national restaurant chain and I had steak. I did not have an immediate reaction although two hours later I began to feel ill. I felt enormous pressure on my ribs and lungs and it was difficult to breathe (I don't know if I was "forgetting" to breathe through the pain or if my lungs were actually having difficulty doing their job), I got terrible abdominal cramps that had me doubled over in pain, and I eventually threw up.

I was certain I had food poisoning, so much so that I called the manager at the restaurant to report what was going on and to see if there were any other issues, but two days later I had a beef sandwich at a national fast food chain and I had the same reaction without actually throwing up.

I did not have any other reaction that I think of as an allergic reaction, i.e. hives, runny nose, watery eyes, etc - primarily the difficulty breathing and intense pain.

Since the first "episode" I have only eaten beef on the two occasions mentioned but I did eat chicken with no reaction.

I understand a beef allergy is rare but do these symptoms sound like an allergic reaction?

I am looking for a Phoenix tattoo that will hold great symbolism for me. I want something elegant, yet powerful. I don't want the Phoenix to be flying downward or hunched over like I have seen in many designs, but instead want something that displays the power and majesty of the Phoenix.

These are two of my favorites, so far. What are your opinions?

#1) I love this one, but the placement is not exactly what I am looking for:

http://lyndseyevelyn.deviantart.com/art/Phoenix-Ta...

#2) I like the positioning of this one, it would be good for a rib/side placement with the tail cascading onto the back:

http://spydeys.deviantart.com/art/phoenix-98196694...

Do you know of any other resources to find a beautiful Phoenix tattoo?

Thanks in advance.

I'm making a website where people can order services- graphic design, business cards, etc. I want to allow my clients to be able to view their information online- proofs, invoices, etc.

Is there a program i can install on my server or a website service where I can upload their files and then give them password protected access? I basically just want my webpages to have a Login entry on the top like you would see in an e-commerce or similar site.

I only know basic html so I'm completely lost with programming, and it doesn't help that I have no idea what this is even called.

Let me know if this make no sense at all so I can try to explain it better!

Thanks in advance!

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good host? Having a template or site builder doesn't matter because I've already created the layout.

I do need to be able to use javascript and I need a way for people to contact me via a contact form-but I don't want to do the mailto my email address-I want something that will go through the host.

It will be a photography site so I will need to have a good amount of storage also.

What are you thoughts on Yahoo (too expensive for what it offers in my opinion), GoDaddy (looks good to me but is it really?).

Freewebs is out, I've used them before and not too fond of the service.

Thanks in advance!!

:) Christen