I want all the facts ma'am

I called my agency today and basically asked them for the 411 on wait times. I told her that people are really starting to panic and it's leading to hysteria and it's making me doubt myself. While she couldn't say for sure about timeframes, she did say that she thinks most of their families will wait 3 to 3 1/2 years. I asked her would I be getting my referral in 2010 like some people are predicting and she strongly felt that it wouldn't. She didn't think it would take the whole year to do March like other people have been saying. She said that once March is done, it should get better as far as how many dates get referred because March is mighty big. BUT...she also said that a lot of the families are dropping like flies. That makes me sad not only because they might be giving up their dream but they also lost a lot of money! I mean the amount lost is like the price of a used car, but still, a big ticket item. So anyways, the way I look at it, I still have a year or less of a wait and I'm pulling for less than a year! I felt better and more reassured. We don't have crystal balls and cannot predict the future but it so important for agencies to reach out to their clients and have these talks with them to reassure them. Shame on them for not opening the communication lines other than a monthly e-mail (yes, that is directed towards my agency who I really do like). I know they say they are a phone call away or an e-mail away, but they should be calling us to check in with us at least every other month during this wait to give us information. Sometimes, the information is almost perceived as secretive. But, I learned today that all you have to do is call and ask. So, bottom line, ask. Be your own adoption detective. Go to the horse's mouth instead of drawing conclusions based on rumors, if you can (I know, some agencies aren't as forthcoming). So, deep breath in, lotus position, I can do less than a year.