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