Friday, July 13, 2012

The Weight Is Lifted

Our home study is done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was such a soul searching, undeniably stressful, and exciting time. This was the big piece to our puzzle to be able to send in our application! Now that it's done, I feel like I'm 1000lbs lighter.

It's funny because you would think you would be nervous in the situation, but really it's just talking about yourself to a new friend. I am supposedly the most organized person she's talked to, HA! I just made sure that the 1,234,5674 documents she needed were completed and ready! I couldn't imagine not having it done when she came. Anyways.....it's done. Now she has to write a 8-10 page paper on the information she collected last night. I would suspect we will get it in a month or so.

Perfect timing since Derek and I are heading on a cruise in August for our year anniversary, his 30th birthday & our 5 year dating anniversary! Lots to celebrate this year& hopefully more to come!

Otherwise our life has been pretty busy in other areas. Work for me is crazy busy,but it's great! Derek's been just as busy I am. We have lots of plans these next few months with family & friends, and I couldn't be happier.

My longtime friend Charlie came & took pictures for us for our one year & also our adoption portfolio. They are amazing! Here's a little sneak peek.




Our life is going so smoothly lately that I'll probably regret writing this. I couldn't imagine going through this process with anyone else but Derek. He's my rock and without him, my friends & family; I wouldn't be the person I am today.

XOXO

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