We have BIG news!
We are adopting a child!
It's been a difficult road pursing a family, as we struggled with infertility for years. At times it felt like maybe the door was closed to us becoming parents, but it wasn't! Through it all, the dream of expanding our family remained, and our hearts were opened to adoption. There are so many children who need good, loving homes, and it's our desire to parent such children with love, laughter, and with the knowledge of Jesus. It is because of Jesus, after all, that we have been adopted into God's family and can have a relationship with God as our good father. We also count it a privilege to honor the courage and sacrifice of an expectant mother looking for a safe and loving home for her child. It's impossible for us to know the impact of this decision on her, but we hope she'll be loved and encouraged through it all.
We celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary in 2022, and we are more than ready to add another Lillpop to this family! We've had the privilege of building a strong foundation and layers to our marriage. In this new chapter, we look forward with joy to seeing one another in the roles of mom and dad.
We have an amazing community of friends and family that has been with us so far, and we're asking you to keep it up, or join in if you're new to our story. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but in our case it also takes a village to bring the child to the village! We boldly ask you to pray for us, the expectant mother, and our future child in this process. We boldly ask for your financial generosity to bring this baby home!
The cost of domestic infant adoption in the US can range from $20,000-$50,000. That's a lot of money, and a big range! These costs are associated with the state approval process, lawyers, some potential support or medical bills for the birth mother (depending on the state and agency) post-placement appointments, ect.
In 2022 we were matched with an expectant mom and over the course of 5 months went through paperwork with the adoption agency, paid their agency and lawyer fees, and most importantly, established a relationship with the expectant mom. In the end, she decided not to go through with the adoption plan. This was the right decision for her, though difficult and disappointing for us. SO MANY of you GENEROUSLY donated to get us to and through that point! We were blown away by kindness and generosity, and your partnership to help our family.
Currently, December 2022, we are rematched with an expectant mom due in…February 2023! A year from when we hoped to bring a baby into our family, our hope is ignited once again. This time we need to raise $14,000 for the process, which will be due at the time of placement (once we get the "green light" to bring baby home). Would you consider being involved again?
Thank you for being a part of our family's story! We were created for community and it's amazing to us to think of all the people who are coming together to celebrate and care for the new baby we will one day call our own. Please keep us, the expectant mother we don't yet know, and this little baby, in your prayers!
Adopt Together has updated their website, so things may look a bit different and our previous updates may no longer be visible to you.
Hello friends,
The adoption roller coaster has continued to be just that since the start of 2022. We were matched with an amazing expectant mom with a baby due 2/2/22 ( I just couldn't get over how great that due date was!) and just before the birth she decided to parent the baby rather than place him with us for adoption. We were so disappointed and discouraged, but also very thankful she had the confidence and clarity - two things we specifically prayed for her- in making that decision. In the adoption world this is called an "Interrupted Adoption" or "Interrupted Match" because it wasn't a plan that "failed" but rather a plan that changed.
We have been back on the waiting list now for a couple of months, hoping to get re-matched with another expectant mom.
We also recently updated our Home Study (adoption approval paperwork) which has to be done annually.
We want to once again thank everyone who has given financially. Much of the funds received by Adopt Together/Pure Charity were paid to the adoption agency during our match, and covered their work with the expectant mom, as well as made resources and support available to her. The funds have also covered Home Study-related expenses. We may need to raise some additional funds once we are re-matched, but a portion of the funds will roll over to a new match, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
Thank you to all who have prayed for us in this process, and please continue to do so! Please pray for God to clearly lead us as we continue to ask Him to expand our family. Your prayers matter!
Much love,
Chris and Kelly
