Carrie & Garett B.

are adopting 2 children from Brazil

*** UPDATE: We are heading to Brazil soon to bring these girls home and have started a GoFundMe for travel expenses and some medical/therapy needs afterward.

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We’ve set up a GoFundMe to help cover travel expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hold-onto-your-hats-folks-the-buells-are-adopting.

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Hold onto your hats, folks; we are adopting these sisters and bringing them home soon!

We’re thrilled to share that we’re adopting two sisters from Brazil and preparing our home for their arrival!

UPDATE: We are about to travel there to meet them and finalize the adoption process. We are overjoyed that you are here.

Over 20 years ago, we, Garett and Carrie, met in South America. On New Year’s Eve 2025, we will celebrate our 21st wedding anniversary and expand our family through adoption. Starting our life together with our two bands, Caedmon’s Call and Alathea, was perfect then, and now we run Studiobuell, LLC, an architectural photography company based in the world’s music capital —a dream come true. Despite two decades of infertility and challenges, we are at peace with adoption and excited to welcome two girls, two beautiful sisters, into our family.

Now, with hearts brimming with excitement, we are ready to go beyond our comfort zones, trusting the process and the constant nurturing of our faith in Jesus Christ. With each new day, we joyfully put fear aside and say “yes” to our Brazilian adventure.

From the moment we discovered the profiles of our beautiful Brazilian sisters (yes, that’s right — there are two of them, and we already claim them as ours), we felt a deep connection in our hearts as if they were destined to be our daughters. The decision was clear for both of us.

We have now embarked on a crowdfunding journey to support our adoption process and create a nurturing community for our future children. Our goal is to raise at least half of the funds needed to cover adoption fees and expenses in Brazil, including essential therapy and healthcare costs upon our return.

As we prepare to travel to Brazil this fall, our hearts are full of anticipation to bring the girls home. To make this journey possible, we need to raise $18,000 to cover travel expenses and essential return costs, including medical care and therapy. Your support would be a beacon of hope and a truly transformative gift. We’re grateful for any assistance—beyond financial contributions, if you have airline miles, points, or other resources to share, please reach out. Together, with your generosity, we can bring these girls home. If you’re unable to give financially, sharing this message with others and praying for our trip means the world to us. Thank you for being part of this meaningful journey. You are changing the lives of two girls forever.

Your involvement means the world to us, and rest assured, these girls will be enveloped in unconditional love. We eagerly look forward to sharing more updates with you. Thank you for being an integral part of our village as we welcome these sisters into our hearts, providing them with a loving family and an authentic place to call home.

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We’ve set up a GoFundMe to help cover travel expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hold-onto-your-hats-folks-the-buells-are-adopting.

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~ TAX FREE OPTION: If you still prefer to pay by check using our Tax Free option, please write the check to ‘Garett Buell’ and include our Fundraiser ID# FUN600883 in the memo line. This ID is crucial for AdoptTogether to properly allocate your donation. Checks should be mailed to AdoptTogether, 251 W Central Ave #278, Springboro, OH 45066.

This verse captures the unwavering truth for those brave souls joining us in this new season. We’re grateful to everyone who is making our adoption dream come true.

Isaiah 60:22: “The smallest will grow to a thousand; the weakest will become a mighty nation. I, ADONAI, will quickly bring it about when the right time comes. “

~ xoxo, Garett & Carrie Buell

Adoption Status

Completing Paperwork

Adoption Agency

https://lifelinechild.org

Updates

  • Update 1

    We are pursuing a Brazilian adoption | Cost Breakdown

    March 6, 2024

    An Exciting Twist in our Story: We are pursuing a Brazilian adoption.

    "Each penny is a fighting penny." ~ Carrie

    Well, folks, hold onto those hats. Garett and I have more exciting news to share with you, as if adoption is not exciting enough. We are adopting two lovely siblings (YES, TWO) from Brazil. We feel incredibly blessed and grateful to have the hope of them coming and assimilating into our lives, and we can't wait to shower our forever Brazilian children with immense love and welcome them here into a new and loving home. It will be exciting when they call Tennessee home and meet all our family and friends who cheered them on the whole way. COST BREAKDOWNS BELOW

    OUR HEARTS
    We've been working on the adoption process for a while now, and it often feels like an uphill battle. I know you have been waiting for an update for a long time. Those who have paved this road for us know how bumpy it can be. The other day, we had a conversation with our case worker that reminded us how much work we still must do. Despite feeling overwhelmed by the journey, we take it one step at a time. The final step is to travel to Brazil and live there while managing our business back home. That one part of it is in the future, but it alone seems daunting at times. An adoption journey is a mix of excitement and apprehension. We know it will be a challenging experience, but it also brings us great joy. Our prayer is it brings hope to so many who might be starting to dream of this, too. Regardless, we're determined to make it happen. We keep telling our family and dear friends we're in for the fight, but we're in for the thrill of every minute, too. I wish I could tell you the journey these children have already been on, how long they've waited, how hard they've fought to stay together, and the countless stories of their bravery. One day, we'll be able to share it all. But trust me when I say this: we know every moment will be worth it. Every gift you give is a fight for them to live a better life and for us to have a family. Each penny is a fighting penny. Each is a gift of pure love.

    OUR JOURNEY
    Garett and I have always led an unconventional life, which is just par for the course. Once we can finally share our whole story, it will be mind-blowing. International adoption can be challenging, but we're grateful for the kindness and support of those around us. We want to share the costs of this process and how any small donation can significantly impact us. MORE UPDATES ON OUR SITE: https://holdontoyourhatsfolks.minted.us/

    OUR GRATITUDE:
    We're filled with gratitude for the tremendous show of support we've received towards our adoption journey. Witnessing the impact that even the most minor contributions can have on our progress has been a humbling experience. We are incredibly thankful for the kindness and generosity of our friends, family, and strangers who have made this journey possible. Your encouragement and bravery have been our inspiration, and we look forward to sharing more of this new chapter of our lives with you as it unfolds. MORE UPDATES ON OUR SITE: https://holdontoyourhatsfolks.minted.us/

    BREAKDOWN
    Agency Fees: $23,000.00 - $33,000
    Foreign Program Fees: $17,000.00 - $27,000.00
    Third-Party Fees: $13,000 - $17,000
    Travel Expenses: $23,000.00 - $33,000
    Paying it forward: $1,000 +
    (our stretch goal increased with two sisters)
    LET’S RAISE THE HAT HIGH!! ~ MORE WAYS TO GIVE ON OUR SITE: https://holdontoyourhatsfolks.minted.us/

    TICKETS HERE : TO OUR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER LIVE STREAM EVENT:

    Agency Fees:
    Application fee, Lifeline Children's Services Agency Fee, Orphan Care, Home Study, Administration, and Post‐Adoption Services.

    Foreign Program Fees:
    Representative, in‐country facilitation, and translation fees. These fees are paid to Lifeline but used for foreign program services.

    Third-Party Fees:
    Third-party fees are estimated, including expenses for home study, dossier, and required US governing bodies' fees.

    Travel Expenses:
    Travel expenses are estimated for two adults traveling with one adopted child. Expenses may vary based on the time of year, preferences, how long you stay in the country, the number of children, and other needs.

    Paying it Forward:
    Garett and I have always believed in paying it forward. As we are given, we will pay it forward and give too. We intend to give back through two non-profits: Compassion International, which is how we met in Ecuador, and Peace Gospel, which is led by our dear friend Kirby and has ties with both our respective bands. Within Peace Gospel, we concentrate on their She Has Hope initiative, which helps girls trapped in trafficking and much more. We have firsthand experience with both of these non-profits and support them because we know and believe in their impactful work! It is powerful!
    MORE UPDATES ON OUR SITE: https://holdontoyourhatsfolks.minted.us/

    xoxo,
    Garett and Carrie Buell

$20,401 raised of $65,000 goal
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FUN600883

Donations 62

  • The Pampered Chef gave $125
  • Tempa Bader gave $100
  • Brandie Dukes gave an undisclosed amount
    Love you guys!!
  • Mary A Richardson gave $500
    We will continue to pray that your gracious gift you are being given and are so willing to give in these two precious girls will bless you and them for a lifetime!
  • Rachel Baldwin gave $1,000
  • Michael & Diane Peifer gave $100
    Much love and prayers to you both and the girls and you prepare for your new adventure.
  • Jan P Leonard gave $250
    Carrie- I am so excited for all of you! Psalm 9:1-2
  • Kyra Joy Hamling gave $30
  • Chase gave $50
    May the Lord continue to bless you and your girls.
  • Mick and Dana Zondory gave $1,000
    These girls are already so loved! Excited for this new chapter in your family's life.