Steen & Chantal South

Updates

• Update 8

  

  Adoption Update #8

  July 1, 2026

  SUMMARY: No more paperwork turned in yet, Chantal is finishing an audio book, learning more about the realities of all sides of adoption, but trusting God through it all! Lots of yard sale donations have come in :) Off-site adoption gifts are being reflected by the total amount needed being decreased.

  Happy Wednesday, folks! It’s time for my ON SCHEDULE update, which unfortunately is not much after the somewhat eventful week last week. I’ve been finishing up an audio book in order to complete the education portion, and it has been a little tough to get through. It deals with some really difficult realities of some adoptions, but it’s good to hear all perspectives, particularly from adoptees (people who were adopted). I also learned some important difference in terminology–I’ve been referencing to “birth mothers,” when really, the correct verbiage is “expectant mother” until the papers have been signed. This is an important distinction in order not to create coercive language. I appreciate the intentionality behind making sure expectant mothers don’t feel forced to give up their children, or don’t feel like all they are to an agency/adoptive family is an avenue for ‘birth’ to take place.

  There has been so much information to take in over the last few months, and I am so grateful to be learning more and more not only about what adoption is, but what the adoptee experience feels like. I don’t like walking into anything knowing only one side of the story, so I went on a sobering and important journey on reading the opinions of people who are against adoption, or at least, had bad experiences. Like everything else, there are strong opinions on both sides, but both opinions have the same goal in mind–what is best for the child. For Steen and I, we believe that a god-fearing home with a strong community is the best place for any child.

  The hardest thing to wrap my mind around is the idea that there will be this core piece of my child’s identity that I will not be able to relate to or speak into, but Steen has encouraged me to trust God to fill in those gaps. All we can do is love him or her and speak the truth of God’s word to them.

  On a more practical note, we have had a few people give directly to us with cash or other methods. Adopttogether doesn’t let me reflect that amount in my total raised, so I have been decreasing the overall adoption goal to reflect those gifts :) I am absolutely blown away at the generosity and kindness of our village. ALSO, as you can see in our photo, we are going to have one HECK of a yard sale here in about 9 days, thanks to all the donations continuing to pour in :)

  P.S. Something else I’ve learned (and should’ve known) is that I am entirely too wordy when given the opportunity to type out updates to people. So sorry lol. I figured I’d start including a summary at the top of these updates so you don’t have to read my rambling.

  -C

• Update 7

  

  Adoption Update #7

  June 26, 2026

  Surprise out-of-schedule update: we went to Steen's doctor's appointment today and it turns out whoever I spoke with on the phone was NOT correct, and ZoomCare/other urgent cares are no longer able to fill out medical forms for home studies. It has to be a primary health physician. Sigh.

  I'm not going to lie, I was very frustrated in the moment, but there wasn't anything to do other than head out and figure out next steps. I ended up calling our regular doctor's office and just asked them to re-assign him a new PCP, and get him on the nearest Friday with whoever was available. And guess what? His doctor's appointment is now BACK to July 10th! I'm choosing to see it as amusing (as you can tell by the picture I included), though the whole ordeal has been irritating to me to say the least. I'm relieved that the appointment isn't farther out, and I'm trusting that God is in control. He knows the timing better than I do, and July 10th is only a few weeks away. It's one of the dates we re-scheduled our yard sale for, but Steen will be fine to step away for a bit.

  Anyway, I just wanted to let y'all know immediately so you kenw my next email wouldn't necessarily be a "home study is done!" email. Praying that I can send you that email soon, though! :)

  -Chantal

• Update 6

  

  Adoption Update #6

  June 25, 2026

  Before I say anything else--we have to postpone our garage sale :( The weather all week was threatening rain on both Friday and Saturday (though I see right now that it's just Saturday), and as y'all know, it's hard to have a successful sale in the rain. We're now planning on July 10th & 11th, so if you were planning to come or inviting folks, let them know plans have somewhat shifted. 

  Anyway...I can't believe we officially started the home study process almost a full two months ago! When we started, I was determined to rush through at lightning speed to get to next part... the part where we sign on with an agency and get on the waiting list. And yet, as I think back right now, I find myself appreciating the fact that we have had this time to be slow.

  As far as updates go... we got an email on Tuesday that Steen's doctor appointment had been cancelled. When I called them yesterday, they told me his primary care physician no longer works on Fridays, so we had to change gears. I had been told by a friend who also adopted that any urgent care can do a physical exam and sign off on the papers, so I called ZoomCare to confirm, and
  made Steen an appointment for THIS Friday! So we'll have that checked off the list way quicker than I thought.

  I've been prioritizing garage sale tasks with the thought that I had two more weeks before we could turn anything in, but now that I know tomorrow is the doctor appointment, I've finished up our education documentation and I'm planning on getting the other documentation done this week!

  The photo above is a small portion of the items we've received for the sale, currently being stored in the nursery since we don't yet have another use for that room ;) Jennifer and Hannah were so kind and came over yesterday to help put price stickers on everything, so we are that much closer to being ready! I'm hoping that when I update you next week, I can say that we've turned everything in for the home study portion and are heading towards the next step! 

• Update 5

  

  Adoption Update #5

  June 17, 2026

  And now, for the update you've alllll been waiting for.... our home study interview on Sunday went FABULOUSLY! I was an absolute stress ball for the entire week leading up to it (poor Steen), and was trying and failing to have my house looking absolutely perfect before she arrived. Well, turns out it hardly mattered that I didn't have all the pictures up on the wall, and there were some dishes in the sink, and not all our laundry had been folded and put away. Steen did get the crib put up and we were able to have a little corner ready in the nursery, as you can see in the picture.

  During the interview, she asked very easy to answer questions, peeked around the house, and gave us her blessing on the interview portion! We still have some things we need to do on our end, including Steen's doctor's appointment, and all the paperwork I mentioned last week. I haven't made any paperwork progress since my last update; Jennifer (my mother-in-law) and I threw a big birthday party on Saturday and that took up most of my time outside of the typical to-dos.

  We have had so many generous people donate to our yard sale! I am relieved to have the home study over with because I think I'm officially out of nooks and crannies to hide things in! We’ve actually decided to have a two day sale because of how much we have, starting on Friday, June 26th!

  The next few weeks will be allll about getting things sorted, labelled, and ready to set out. If you have folks you know who love a good deal, don't hesitate to send them our way! I'll re-share the event on Facebook next week; feel free to repost.

  I know for an absolute FACT that your prayers have made a huge difference. Please continue praying as we finish up these last pieces of paperwork--be praying for the birth mama out there, for those we will work with in the agency, for our home study provider…and for our own hearts as we continue learning patience and trust in the LORD's timing.

  -C

• Update 4

  

  Adoption Update #4

  June 10, 2026

  This past week has been fairly eventful! And not just in the paperwork process!

  As you may remember, we didn't get the background checks started until last Thursday. After submitting the form online, we made an appointment to get our fingerprints on Sunday after church, which went off without a hitch (except for me driving to the wrong UPS store at first). By Monday morning, I had an email from our home study worker saying our background checks were already cleared! She had warned it could take a month, so that was certainly faster than expected!
  Steen's doctor appointment was scheduled for yesterday, June 9th, but his work schedule changed over the weekend, so starting this week, he is on day shift instead of swing shift. His appointment was originally scheduled for 10:40am, right in the middle of that shift, and he's working in Battle Ground. So, we had to reschedule the appointment for their next available Friday.... July 10th. I am going to call regularly to see if they get any cancellations, but for now, we're another month out. 

  As far as the paperwork goes, we still have some education to do and then write about, Steen needs to finish his autobiography, and there are a few other things, but the list has gotten pretty short! 

  And, the biggest news... we have our home study interview this Sunday after church! Our home study provider emailed me last week, wanting to do it this weekend! Obviously Saturday didn't work (we're having Steen & Troy's birthday party). We're very excited. Based on what I've researched, it's mostly about interviewing Steen and I about our lives, our marriage, our relationships, our ideal parenting style... all sorts of things. Please be praying that we represent ourselves well, not only as prospective parents, but also as ambassadors of Christ. 

  I will be excited to update you next week with how the interview went! And! Our yard sale is only just over two weeks away! Y'all have been so generous with your donations--my heart and my house is full :) 

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