Saturday, June 30, 2012

It's been awhile!

Wow! I knew it would be awhile since we have been so busy! Works been great, busy with friends, family and just plain life! I wish I could have a few moments of serenity, but as life goes, it won't be happening for awhile!

My great friend from my childhood came over & took some updated photos for our profile! I can't wait to see them! The preview was amazing, can't wait to see them edited!

Derek & I had put a hold on our adoption process....well I shouldn't say hold, we just took a little break. It was a whirl wind the first few times researching and meeting the appropriate people. We felt a little overwhelmed! Now that we know where we are going & the agency we are using, it's just the negalities!

Here's quite a list that has to be done before submitting our application:
1.Application- this seems to be quite easy, just very redundant. It does really make you think!
2. Home Study- this little booger is the big daddy of it all! There are about 7-8 things needed for just this alone.
-fingerprints for the KDHE (make sure we don't abuse or neglect children)
-KBI/ FBI background check
-3 letters of references stating how they know us, for how long & if they think we are suitable to become parents.
-1 letter of medical reasoning & if we are physically & mentally healthy to be parents.
- a budget
- marriage license
- last years tax returns
- our last pay stubs
- then the social worker comes to your home & evaluates your house, family, childhood and anything else that would be pertinent to make sure we are a good home/family for a child.

Quite a list huh? Not done yet!

Now comes the difficult part for us!
3. The Dear Birthmother letter- this is where you explain yourself to the women that is wanting to adopt their baby. It has to be descriptive but not to in depth. Date all the way back to your childhood, then to now. Example: what you do for a living, what your marriage is like, your families thoughts on adoption etc...I could go on and on and on!
4. Interview- They also require an interview process to learn more about you & to see if you are a good fit for that specific agency!
5. Once this is all complete & have all of the appropriate paperwork, you send it to the agency/lawyer that you are using & wait!

What a process!!!! Of course all of the above costs money & quite a bit of it! I'm sure I also forgot something! It's been the focus of my mind the passed few months!

We have our home study scheduled for July 12! I'm nervous and excited! The lady that was recommended to us, I've heard only wonderful things about!

On top of all this, Derek's grandpa has not been doing well. He's been in and out of the hospital & we are waiting for some test results. Please keep him & our family in your prayers!

So in a nutshell, we have been very busy with just our life! We can't wait to get through this process & hopefully find the child that is meant for our family!

More later.......XOXO

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Support

Wow! I know I had reservations in posting my blog, but the out pour of support , thoughtfulness, sweet comments, and love that Derek and I received is amazing!

THANK YOU!

Words can not express the feeling we have for supporting us in this difficult time.

We have decided to look into Catholic Charities adoption center as well. Since they work in conjunction with a lawyer here in town, possibly this will be where God wants us to be. We know it's HIS way and I can't wait for the path he takes us on.

Derek and I have done a lot around the house this weekend. He decided we needed to refinish the play set out back. He's not just supporting it, but staining it to look just like our house....his idea too :) pictures to come as it will hopefully be done today! After work, I was able to get all of my errands done, picking up dry cleaning, grocery shipping, laundry, and even cleaned the inside of my car!

My parents surprised us and took us out to dinner, which was great. Neither Derek or I wanted to cook lol!

Other than that the weekend will consist of working, church and dinner at my parents house. Sound like a great Sunday to me!

XOXO

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Breakdown

This week has been so nice at work. Two of our doctors are on vacation, therefore we've only had clinic in the mornings. Always nice to have a slow week every once in awhile. so I got to take the afternoon off yesterday!

I went ahead and met with another adoption attourney to get more information about the process as well as to get our name out there. I had actually got her name from one of my junior league friends that adopted this year. She's so nice and easy to talk to, very informative! We got quite a bit of information and I was quite excited. She told me "I could find you a birth mom tomorrow if you asked me to" this put a smile on my face....your probably asking why is this post is named breakdown?!

Well.....

She could certainly find us a birth mom tomorrow, but we would have to have ~$20,000 available that same day. I don't know about you, but we don't have this laying around. I wish we did! So after Derek and I talked last night, we figured that it will take us about 2 years to save a good chunk of this and still be comfortable in bring a baby home.

I think I had nightmares about that number. We are giving a child a home, where they wouldn't be taken care of, and paying 20K.....REALLY?? Don't get me wrong, I understand it costs money, everything does! But WOW!!!

I broke down after our conversation...Derek said what would you want to do if we had half saved in 9-12 months, I looked at him and said " All I want is a baby" I know he understands this, he wants it just as bad as I do, but he is the realistic one of us. If I had my choice, I would have signed up yesterday at her office!

So... Here we go! Money saving begins...I could go play the lottery I guess HA

So what I ask of you all that read this, If you know of anyone that is needing to adopt there infant, please forward them my email. This is the only thing that could make this process somewhat affordable for us.

I understand that this is all in Gods plan, but right now, I just don't agree!

XOXO

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Family & Friends

While going through this journey, Derek & I have realized that our family & friends are the most important part! There support and encouragement make this process just a little easier.

We have decided to take a year and let things just happen. We thought about signing up with an agency, but we just feel like there is something holding us back from that right now. I completely believe in divine intervention and know that God will lead us in the right direction.

It's been really hard though the past few weeks. I've noticed more pregnant people and babies than I EVER had in the past. This is saying a lot for the fact of where I work. I'm trying my hardest to stay positive and strong, but the bottom line is, I'm just ready to be a mom. I want that child that turns our life upside down, and I will embrace this with open arms.

It's the best feeling though seeing some of my favorite patients become parents. Some are for the first time and others are for the 2nd or 3rd, but seeing it through to the end result is more gratifying than I can explain. I love my job more than I ever thought I would, and I know that I am where I should be.

Please keep praying for us that we find peace through this time and that God sends us the child we are meant to have.

XOXO