I'd just like to say that we recently adopted two children from the foster system - they were 18 months and 35 months when they came to us. When I was younger, I wasn't sure I wanted children. When I got older, I did want children but definitely did not want to be pregnant after an awful miscarriage.
We became foster parents to help out a particular child who was a young teen; that did not work out but the first day we were eligible we were called about our daughters. I'd never really seriously considered adoption before...but I'd like to answer a few questions you may or may not have, possibly some you wouldn't dare ask.
Will I love them as much as my own? Do you love your spouse or significant other? How much? I'll assume you're not related to them.
How about a friend? How about anyone else in the world to whom you're not directly related...wouldn't you love them more if they were biologically "yours"? Probably not. If you are of a personality to love a child, then I'd say yes, you will probably love them fiercely.
How can I afford to adopt children? Well, we adopted a sibling group and though we had no idea at the time, we actually receive money for their care every month because siblings are considered "special needs". We'll receive this money until they are 18 or 22 if they go to college.
But I want a baby! Well babies are available from the foster system but it's rare. And yes, babies are terribly cute...but babyhood is fleeting. You don't get 5 yrs with a tiny little infant. In fact you just get a few weeks with an itsy bitsy infant. And the lack of sleep, and colic-y babies are no joke.
Won't people look at me and pity me for having to adopt? Who knows? People may be pitying me behind my back, I don't know - if so I suppose I'd just shake my head at them. But actually I just hear how wonderful we are all the time for adopting these children, as though we were saints for taking in two children that have given us so much joy and laughter.
But...foster kids are damaged goods. There are no children in the foster system that have had entirely stable happy beginnings - their parents have died, or the children or parents are ill, or parents are uncaring/abusive, or are addicted...and it is sad, yes. And it hurts them, of course. But life can be painful, and no one's life will be perfect. Children are astoundingly resilient and you would not believe how much love and discipline can cure and I tell you this as the voice of experience. But yes,there are children who have severe medical problems or severe emotional problems that a stable household itself can't resolve. You will be asked to set your limits on initial foster care forms. If you are unable to care for a child with even a mild medical, emotional or cognitive deficit, simply be honest about it on the forms.
Will I be approved? You can be a foster parent and adopt if you rent a home, are single, or are gay (these are all changes over the last several decades). There are few limitations if you're a stable adult who wants to provide a loving home. The requirements for your state are easy to research.
It's not an option for everyone, but it is an option for some. The foster care system is also often not easy to deal with, and it can range from wonderful to horrible depending on your worker - even in the same county.
For most people, it's just not necessary to sit and wish for a child, while there are children waiting for loving homes.
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I was looking awhile back into adopting from Guatemala but it seemed very expensive and than they were pulled from the approved list. It's good to hear your brother is able to adopt from there.
She seems to be a good doctor and I'm very excited that she seems to be already headed in the direction of treatment. Just a couple more things to do to see what our plan of action is going to be! 
I kinda freaked myself out.
I hope you have a great time! So cool that you are taking your cousin with you. I'm sure you all will have a fantastic time. Don't forget to wear your birthday button 
