Okay peoples! We got an attorney in our home state. This woman will help us through the entire process (depending on which one or combination of ones that we choose). She is an amazing woman and we are super comfortable and beyond excited.
Next step - conduct a home study. The recommendation is to have this completed first and get it out of the way since it can take up to 6 months. By having this completed now, we don't have to take any chances or incur any delays if we find a birth mother really quick - because the baby will not be placed in our home unless a home study has been completed.
What is a home study? Well to sum it all up in a short sentence, an agency will evaluate us and our home to ensure that we are prepared for parenthood and we and our home are a safe space to raise a a child. All in all it is a simple step, just quite time consuming.
Once that home study is complete we will work on choosing our adoption process or combination of processes as there are so many available options that were unknown to us until just recently.
One thing we do know is that (unfortunately) adoption will be an expensive endeavor - our attorney advised us to expect minimally $15k and likely more around $30-40k especially since we will be advertising ourselves as adoptive parents in a larger geographical area.
While it is a touchy subject, we are not going to be around the bush. We are asking for help from friends and family - anything goes a long way. While we could save up for this, it would be years upon years before it would ever come to fruition. So we are reaching out our arms hoping for many of you to reach back.
We love you all and will continue to keep you in the loop. Once this is all over and our little Yoda is home with us, there will be a celebration like none other - A Family Shower.
Life and the universe advised us that we needed to put our journey on pause for a little bit to figure a few things out first which is why there have not been many updates in this process. Well, the universe has spoken again. Chris was fortunate to receive a fantastic employment offer and we are moving. This new chapter that we are about to embark on will allow us to get this adoption party started once again. We have narrowed our search down to three attorneys (from a whopping 19). The next step is to make our selection and be a few steps closer to being parents.
Expect updates coming shortly as we get settled and make our selection. We are so glad that everyone can be a part of this amazing time in our lives.
All our love,
Chris and April
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We are going to adopt a child!
For many years April and I have struggled with infertility and the procedures and illnesses that came with it, but that is all in the past now and we are moving forward. We have accepted our infertility knowing that there are greater plans for us. It has been such a weight off of our shoulders. It is now our time to create our family. We are READY to adopt, READY with open arms to love, and we are READY and excited to be parents - something that we have dreamed about and wanted so badly that it was difficult to speak of without a stutter or a tear in the eye.
We are doing everything we can to be prepared to welcome a beautiful new life into our home. As part of our adoption process, we have started a crowdfunding campaign through AdoptTogether. It may surprise you to hear that adoption related costs can easily total up to $35,000 or more which includes attorney fees, home study costs, medical and pregnancy-related costs for the birth mother, travel costs, and more.
This is why we have set a goal of $20,000.00 to help ease the financial burden that often overwhelms adoptive parents. Out of the 33% of couples in the US who consider adoption, only 2% actually adopt because many are discouraged due to the high cost.
We are asking for help in this journey. We wish that by inviting you into this process, you will see yourself as part of the family we hope to build around our child as he/she grows up. Money is not the end-all in this; your love and support are what matter the most and makes you a part of our story.
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