We have adopted twice from China and are considering a third, although we may stay with the two we have. They're just so much fun that I don't want to quit!
For me, the most difficult parts were all the paperwork (and goof-ups by almost everyone) and giving up privacy. The cost wasn't a picnic, either.
I suppose shopping was the easiest part, although registering was another matter. LOL! I loved shopping for baby clothes and furniture and all that. So many people hated the wait for a baby, but we were in the queue, we passed review, and it was just a matter of time (when not if), so I sort of enjoyed our last vacation as a couple, decorating the baby room, and all that.
I'm sometimes surprised at the dumb comments we get in public--right in front or our children. And while I'm not surprised that I love my girls, the depth of that love is greater than I imagined.
I suppose my favorite book about adoption is "A Mother for Choco." There are some China specific ones that are also good, but this one always touches my heart.
Adoption is truly a leap of faith, but it's so worth it!