Paperwork, Paperwork, and More Paperwork! | An Adoption Update and Fundraising Kickoff!
Hello Everyone! How are we already halfway through June? I mean, seriously?! We have a BIG update for you and wanted to share that each and every day we are getting closer and closer to brining our little one home soon! I have taken a long break from social media and the blog so I could focus on all.the.paperwork. we had to do. You guys, if you thought you had a lot of documents to sign to buy a home or car, try adopting! Just kidding, but really... Ok, so what have we been up to over the last two months? Here's the quick version:
WE CREATED OUR PROFILE BOOK AND COMPILED DOCUMENTS:
From the time of our approval with the consultation agency we are using, we began compiling different documents, proof of insurance, medical and financial records which we hope to turn in by the end of this month, along with our home study. In addition, we designed and created a profile book that will be given out to birth mothers who are reviewing prospective parents for her child. This book is her first impression of us, and may be all she ever knows about us, depending on the situation. We poured our hearts into 24 pages, telling her about ourselves, our goals in life, our family, our home, and our community. We hope that through that book, she will feel our love and God's love for her as we rejoice in her decision to choose life for her child and finds His peace and strength as she places her child into the arms of strangers.
WE HELD A GARAGE SALE FUNDRAISER!
On May 5th and 6th, we held a garage sale with items donated from multiple friends and family, along with many of our own items to raise funds for our home study cost of $1,800.00. In the two days we held the sale, we raised $900! We were so grateful to both sets of our parents for their hard work, time and support that weekend. In addition, we were blessed by the friends that came to see us and make purchases and so honored by those people we didn't know personally who quietly made donations with generous hearts.
WE COMPLETED OUR HOME STUDY DOCUMENTS!
We had our first home study appointment on May 11th and within one week, we launched into the paperwork. Among the many things our home study required, we submitted financial records, autobiographies, parenting and guardianship plans, plus we had to be fingerprinted, visit the local police for background checks, have a physical exam done by a medical professional, get employment verification, submit proof of insurances and many other things. On June 9th, our social worker visited our home and conducted individual interviews with us. At this point, we are just waiting on the Fire Marshall's office to visit our home and then our social worker can begin her portion of the work to finalize our home study. We hope that can be completed before the month is over.
WE DECORATED THE NURSERY!
In February, while the winter months were still hanging on, we painted the baby's room. A few weeks later, I painted my dresser white and moved it into the baby's room. My parents lovingly bought us a brand new crib and mattress which we just assembled this month. Since early in the year, I'd been collecting things for the baby's room so we hung recent gifts from friends, some items I have won through giveaways online and some personal memorabilia we've aquired over the years. Our nursery is very gender neutral since we don't know if we will receive a boy or girl. The nursery has a mountain/forest feel to it which we thought was appropriate, given our love for the area. We will be hanging prints of photos I've taken of local scenery and we incorporated stuffed forest friends into the decor like deer, foxes, raccoons, chipmunks and other animals you'd see in our national park. I hope to share photos REALLY SOON! In the meantime, you can visit our registry here to see some items we've added recently.
WE ARE CURRENTLY FUNDRAISING!
Because things can happen quickly, we are doing our best to kick our fundraising into high gear. We will be launching our biggest fundraiser next week, but in the meantime, we have established a YouCaring fund where you can give online, if you feel led. You can find that here.
Over the next 3-4 weeks, we really hope to finish the paper portion of our adoption process. This means once all that is completed and submitted to the appropriate parties, we can become "Active". Being active will allow birthmothers to review us and potentially choose as parents for her child., at which time we would be considered "Matched." This process is all in God's hands regarding the timing. We have read stories of families who were matched within weeks and still others who were matched within months. Once a match is made, we will need to be ready to travel whenever the baby is delivered which again, could mean weeks or months, depending on the situation. It is all so very unknown and yet so very exciting!
We are so grateful to you all for your continued love and support and we desire to be open and willing to share about our process. If you have any questions, please let us know. Otherwise, we continue to covet your prayers!
