What We're Doing

We've explained why we're doing what we're doing, but I've noticed that we haven't written about what we're doing! There are a lot of questions about exactly how our adoption process is going to work and what is involved. So I thought I would take some time to explain.

Already, we have started the process called a home study. What this is, is a collection of documents, letters, and other such paperwork that is compiled together. It involves pre-adoption education, and writing things about ourselves. Casey and I both need letters from our employers, and doctors affirming our health and employment. We need to show that we have established guardianship for our children in the event of our deaths. Casey and I both need to write short autobiographies about ourselves and answer many questions ranging from parenting philosophies to how we like to keep the house. We are also getting letters of reference from friends and family.

When all of this paper work is compiled, we will send it in to our agency, and then they will schedule a home visit, when we'll be interviewed and a social worker will make sure our home is suitable and safe for another child to be added. (It sounds more intimidating than it really is!)

With our agency, we are taking a somewhat unique approach and are enrolled in two separate programs- both are domestic. That means that the child we will adopt will come from the United States. Both programs are for newborns. One program is designed to match families with birthmothers locally, and the other is to match families with birthmothers in other states like Georgia, Texas and Florida. The second program is aimed at placing African American children in a loving home.

We could be matched with a child from either program! The local program has a waiting time of about 1 to 2 years, and the African American infant program takes anywhere from 9 months to a year. The waiting times are very rough estimates. In all reality, as soon as our family profile is shown to a birthmother, we could be chosen. On the other hand, several birthmothers could look at our family profile before we are selected. (A family profile is a photo book that we will make to be shown to birthmothers. It will give birth parents a chance to get to know us initially.)

It is very much in the Lord's hands!

With each program the cost can range, but we're looking at a total cost between $20,000 and $25,000 or $30,000. That's overwhelming to me when I think about it, but I know that it's not to the Lord. He knows every penny that our adoption will cost, and we believe that he's called our family to do this. We also believe that we will move people to help us, and he already has shown us his provision in so many areas in our life. This is just one more opportunity for him to display his glory!

At the most we'll need to raise $20,000, and at the least, $10,000.

Vinyl Fundraiser

With the help of Sheila with Uppercase Living, we were able to make this into custom vinyl to put on your wall! It measures 8" x 11", and we're selling them to raise money for our adoption.

They are $10 a piece, and if you need it shipped to you the total will be $12. You can use the contact form on the right side of our blog to order. Every penny will go straight into a separate adoption savings account.

We're looking at needing to raise about $20,000. That number seems so huge, but our God is so much bigger!

There is so much that we can say about the meaning of this verse. If you want to know why we're adopting, check out this post. We, well I, say a lot there.

Truth to Remember

And then there was paperwork...

Thought I would update where we're at in our adoption process.

Upon receiving our application, we were asked to fill out a couple different forms about our financial status. So we did that, fought with our scanner, and got that e-mailed off. It was a little bit frustrating because all we wanted to know was whether or not we were accepted and able to move forward! But they came back a couple times, "Thank you, and now please fill out this form." or "Answer this question."

But we got it. We got the e-mail saying that we were a go! We got the last spots in the Oregon/Washington Infant Program and the African American Infant Program.

Now we're going to sign program agreements for each program, and that has to be in front of a notary. I called our local bank branch, and right now, they don't have any notaries because of varying circumstances. It's kind of a perfect storm, as Kyle the bank teller put it. But that's okay. We'll head down to another branch, and get those signed.

When we send those agreements in is when the first significant chunk of money is due. I'm thankful that we have it, but nervous as it's the first time we're forking out real money. And that depletes what we've built up. This is where faith in God's provision is going to come in. We're praying that he will provide as we need it and as we proceed to follow what he's put in our hearts to do.

We also got all the documents and info to have our criminal history checks done. So we'll be going down to the police station and having fingerprints taken. There's also a form to fill out that I haven't looked at too closely. I'm learning that I get overwhelmed if I look at too many tasks. My head starts spinning, and I just have to stop and focus on one at a time.

So the present focus is to get down to the bank and sit in front of a notary and sign a couple pieces of paper. Then we will send off those papers with payment as we're ushered in to the homestudy phase of this adoption (which is what the criminal background check is part of).

That's where we are right now.

The kids are starting to talk about how they can help with the adoption. Norah wants to paint pictures and sell them! (That was a very cute suggestion!) Haddon might copy his cousin Zachary and collect pop cans. If anyone has ideas of how to help our children feel a part of the process, we would welcome ideas!

Stay tuned for info on how you can help us bring home our son or daughter.

Nine Years

Today we celebrate nine years of marriage, just a couple of kids stepping out in faith, seeking God's glory. That's how we started out, and that's where we pray we stay- except for the being kids part. That, I suppose, changes whether we like it or not, and we're okay with that.

On another note, we just got an e-mail confirming that our adoption application was received, and we have one other form they are requesting that we fill out before it's accepted.

I guess it took us nine years to get to Step Two!

A Journey's First Step

You know, there are a lot of great adventures to be had in this world, and they all start by taking that first step. It could be anything, from asking that girl out for coffee, to starting the engine of your car, to stepping onto an airplane.

We're setting out an a great adventure as a family, and we took the first step. We've been preparing and praying and hoping for a long time, but none of that requires any "step".

That's what we did today. We took a first step that puts faith into action. Casey and I got all that we needed to get together for our initial application to start the adoption process. We copied our driver's licenses, and I called our health insurance to make sure that I answered questions correctly for the application. We feebly took pictures using the timer of our family- complete with Obie. That was no easy task.

But when all of it was done, and all the questions filled out, the check written and the envelope stuffed, I dropped it all off into the mailbox where I hope it will go fast enough to secure the last spot in the two programs we're applying for: The Loving Options Program and African American Infant Program at Christian Family Adoptions.

If it's not fast enough, that's okay. We'll wait until there's an opening, for we know that God has a plan.

So here we go.

First Step: done.

Yeah, wouldn't you want to bless this family with YOUR child?!

 

 

 (Don't worry. That wasn't a photo that we included with our paperwork!)

Second Annual Goyukkah

It's back! This year we wanted to celebrate a night of Hanukkah again. We enjoy trying the different foods, and rejoice in the reminder that Jesus is the Light of the World. This year our good friends came over, and we had a delicious feast.

Highlights of this year:
Matzo Brittle- it's pretty much amazing.
Casey negotiated getting a spice that isn't sold anywhere in any grocery store by going to a Mediterranean restaurant, and asking the Palestinian proprietor for some of it. What was this spice? Za'atar. Little fact: it came straight from Jerusalem! We used it on chicken, and it was really good!
Homemade latkes and store-bought latkes are great- for different reasons, and our son believed the store-bought ones to be chicken nuggets, so he ate them. "More chicken!" he kept repeating.
Finally, watching the menorah candles burn and guessing which one would burn out the fastest was an intense activity.

All in all, it was a fun night, and as a bonus, I didn't burn myself!

Kids helping unwrap Kisses for the menorah candies that we made.

Matzo Brittle!!!!

Menorahs: Jumbo marshmallows, and kisses, dipped in chocolate, pierced with a pretzel stick.

We look so happy trying to make these pretzels. Little did we know that it was all for naught.

Pretzel, finished, but completely stuck to the wax paper! Fail!

Table decor complete with paper colored by Norah.

Homemade latkes. Good job, Devin!

Safety first!

Za'atar chicken- delish!

LOVE donut holes!