FAQ
Since Chad and I have started talking about adoption, we have gotten so many questions about our adoption journey. We thought it would be a good idea to post some of the questions we get asked most often. Feel free to ask us more, so you can learn as we learn!
Where will Baby D be born?
We are pursuing domestic adoption, meaning we are adopting within the U.S. We don't know in what state our baby will be born until closer to the end of the adoption process.
How does this process work?
In our first blog post, we talked about our home study, which is the first major step in our adoption process. We have finished our first visit and have our second meeting scheduled. We hope to be done by the middle of January.
The next, and most important step, is deciding how we will adopt Baby D. There are several different options including lawyers, agencies, and consultants. We will keep you posted as we pray for God to give us guidance on which direction to choose.
We are currently working on our adoption profile book. Our profile book will play an important part in our adoption. This is basically a scrapbook of our lives-it includes pictures of us, describes our life, interests, beliefs and what kind of life we hope to give to a child. The purpose of this book is to allow the birthmother (and father) to see if they can picture their child becoming part of our family. We even include a letter to the birthmother, thanking her for choosing life for her child and for considering us to parent her baby.
Once we have completed our home study, profile book, and done some fundraising, we will be ready to present to birthmothers. This means that we will start "matching" with potential birthmothers. If we accept the birthmother as a match, our profile book will then be presented to her. The birthmother could be presented with many books at a time! She will look through them and choose the family she can picture raising her child. We might have to present our profile book to multiple birthmothers before one chooses us! Once she does choose us, we are committed to that baby (although the birthmother could still decide to parent her child up until shortly after the child is born).
How long will it take?
We aren't sure. The typical adoption process can take anywhere from just a few months to a few years.
What are the expenses of adoption?
Adoptions are expensive. Adoptions in the U.S. typically range form $20,000-$45,000. The cost is very intimidating and most people are shocked when they learn the financial side of adoption. (A post will follow to talk about the details of what this cost covers!)
We are currently looking for ways to fundraise and finance our adoption. We are also starting to apply for grants and looking into adoption loans. We will be fundraising throughout our adoption process so that we will be prepared financially when baby is ready to come home!
How old? Gender?
We are adopting a newborn. We are hoping to be there (wherever it ends up being) the day our baby is born (or as soon as possible). We are excited to see what baby God has picked out for our family. That being said, we don't have a preference for gender. We might be able to find out the gender once we are matched with a birthmother; however, we may not know the gender until after the baby is actually born!
How can you help?
The number one way we would love for you to be part of our journey is through prayer! There are so many unknowns in this process; we believe that God has a plan for us and the He is in control! Pray for our hearts to fully trust in Him through the journey!
You can also participate in the fundraisers in whatever capacity you are able. Whether it be financially or through donation of goods for the garage sale. If you are not able to do either of those, we will definitely need help pricing items and setting up for the garage sale if you can give your time. Also, if you have any fundraising ideas please let us know!