Open Question: the truth about adoption…?

So my husband and I am are wanting to adopt a child , this will be are second child, and could have one of our own , but think that why bring another child in to this world, when there are so many that need good loving homes. We have our first meeting with the state next month and are very excited, although i am wanting to know the truth about how much time it will take before we can get a child and how much money it is gonna cost ,i have heard anything from nothing, to 75,000.00 which a pretty big range, we are wanting a child under 4 ( would love a baby or toddler , but does not have to be) any race , but do want the child to not have any long term health or mental or emotional problems....does anyone have any ideas on time, the cost of this, do we need a agency or can we just go though the state ( we live in texas)...thanks guys!