Domestic Adoption Agency- Info Seminar

Ryan and I attended an informational seminar on Saturday. This was a seminar on Open Adoption through a big agency. I had done lots of research online and they seem to have very good repertoire. The facilitator was wonderful. She kept it all upbeat but realistic. There were about 12 couples there of various ages and orientations present. Ryan and I happened to be one of the youngest. The seminar was very informative and it really gave you an idea of the entire process beginning to end and realistic time frame.

Ryan really likes the idea of Open Adoption, after it was explained fully.  It really is a good process for all involved, but especially the child. The Birth Mother contacts the agency and is sent a bundle of Adoptive Parent profiles that fit her preferences. She then gets to chose the Adoptive Parents. A meeting is set up between the two parties, where they get to spend time together getting to know one another. Should both parties agree, they are then considered matched and then proceed on with the adoption plan. At anytime the Birth Mother could changer her mind and decide to parent, but the chances of that happen are about 7% on average.

The agency seems to really care about both sides, they offer unlimited support for all involved. Should a match fall through, no money is lost with the agency. The Birth Mother expenses, travel fees and any other fees paid to any other entity are lost, but most are at least tax deductible. No matter what life is a gamble, there are no guarantees. So pray for us. Pray for guidance, knowledge and open hearts and eyes.

Dy

The Talk....

So Ryan and I had the "talk" the other night. Ryan had surprised me with a night out to Olive Garden for dinner. Which while it broke my normal diet routine....it was worth it! YUMMY.

Ryan and I talked about how we see our future. We both want children and are both wanting children now. We have agreed to continue to try for a natural child, but we are going to go forward with adoption also. We both feel that God wants us to adopt. The average time for a referral is on average 3 years, give or take a few months. We will be attending an informational session on Domestic Adoption. Not sure what route we will be taking.

Before our night out, I had been spending hours collecting information on domestic and international adoption. I was checking agencies, states, countries; pretty much anything I could find. I was reading blogs and forums and even yahoo groups to gain info to bring to Ryan.

With everything that I have found, the cost is the biggest obstacle we face. Domestic adoption ranges from $15,000-$50,000. International is pretty much in the same range, $20,000- $50,000. Domestic costs vary from state to state and from agency to agency, but the average seems to be hovering around $25,000. International adoption costs mostly seem to vary by Country. The average being about $35,000.

While this seems to be an astronomical amount (about the cost of a new car), we have the faith that God will provide. He won't give us anything that we cannot handle. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a great example. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

6 

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He make your paths smooth.

There are so many example of God's promises to us. He commands that we care for the fatherless and help the widows. So Ryan and I are taking our step of faith and following God's call to us. THE CALL TO LOVE.
Even if we can only make the difference in one child's life... that is one more heart to be saved for eternity.

While we are not fully sure if we are doing Domestic or International, we won't be announcing the country we have chosen if we go through international, but I will leave you with a fact or two and a picture.

1) This is an Eastern European Country

2) This country is Europe's 14th Largest Country

I'm in the planning stage. Narrowed it down to 3 International agencies and 2 home study agencies and 1 domestic agency that does it all. I've a list of great fundraising ideas. Including one for t-shirts and hoodies! I have even designed a few custom designs for them =)

While Ryan and I have a few steps to take before we can officially sign with an agency... the hope and plan is in motion. Prayers are very much welcomed!

The Call to Love

Ryan and I had decided to try one last time for a natural born child. So far my body isn't fully cooperating (no surprise there).I'm all about having a family. I would love to be able to carry my own child.... but for the past several months I keep coming back to adoption. I feel this yearning on my heart, a Call you could say, to adopt. Every time I think about Domestic or International adoption.... I keep being pulled to International, specifically. God doesn't put anything on our hearts without a reason.

"Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." Matthew 18:5

Please pray for us. I am not sure why I feel the way I do, but I know its in my heart. It is not an easy or cheap route to adding to our family. I think most International adoptions cost around $33,000. Parents are required to make 2 trips to the country. Each stay is about 7 days with 3-5 months in between meeting the child and then bringing the child home.

My heart breaks for each and every orphan. Some will never know the love of a family or the love from their Heavenly Father. As believers we are to be the "defenders of the fatherless", God has adopted us into his family. I feel that Ryan and I are called to do the same.

"Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless,Plead for the widow." Isaiah 1: 17


So please pray for us! 

There is hope! Plus a weekend of FUN

For the last 6 years I have been battling and on going case of secondary amenorrhea (lack of menstruation). I would go months with out having any cycle and then spot for a few days and then nothing for months. Well I am proud to say that last month (March) I had a full cycle!!!!

That's right my body actually WORKED!!!!!! There is hope! It was totally normal and I am so happy! I cried!

So this last weekend Ryan and I went to Disneyland with several members of his family. It was a great time. I am a huge Disneyland fanatic. I keep telling Ryan we need season passes. I could seriously go there everyday and be the happiest person ever. Yes, I know that is a bit abnormal....but then again, so am I.
Needless to say we are all a huge bunch of kids. As you can see from the picture at left. Charlie (Ryan's dad) is in the far back, Rebecca (Ryan's cousin) is next, then the love of my life Ryan, Next is Mat and Melissa and lastly in front is me. Yes, I made it though completely dry til the very last minute. After the drop a HUGE wave came and just covered me from head to toe. That didn't stop us for even a second. Ryan's Mom Robin and his Aunt Margaret didn't ride and were at the bottom getting something warm to drink.

Being in Disneyland and seeing all the little boys go crazy for Lightening McQueen and all the little girls dressed as princesses, really made my babyitis kick in full. Just watching all the kinds in lines and walking around, really makes me so happy when I can share my joy of Disneyland with them. Ryan feels the same way. We both just adore Disneyland. We are hoping to back this fall. I love seeing the all the holiday decor.

So after this weekend Ryan and I had a talk. I just want a baby...He, however, while not fully against adoption doesn't think that we will ever be able to afford it. I just feel that if we don't try, then we will never know. So as a compromise, I am starting another all natural fertility regimen and Ryan is going to do more research on adoption.... there has to be a happy medium =)

<3 Dy

Getting Nervous

Okay, so I think that we have finally decided on the agency. We set the date for our first Informational Meeting with this agency...GASP!!!!!!!!!!!! The date is April 6th and its down in LA. So pray, pray pray!

What are we doing????

Well, I will say that we are jumping in with both feet! We have nothing ready... and I  mean nothing,  but here is where our faith will be put to the test! God here we are and we are trusting fully in you. There is nothing you cannot do for us!!!!

So here I start making a list of fundraisers, ways to save, loans that we can look into for this. This agency seems to average about $22,000 for the same state adoptions. So we have a total goal, but for now... we are going to start small.

So until later, we this all hits and I start raving like a loon, here are some sweet feet!

Holidays approaching

Wow... life is continuously changing. Ryan got his new job and is totally enjoying the new position. I am still loving my job. We almost moved, but in the end God  showed us that the house wasn't for us. We still haven't chosen an agency, but we are for sure going to start the Home Study process late summer/ early fall of 2013. Ryan doesn't want to even get his hopes up and is totally worried about the cost and the money aspect of the whole process. For those of you that know Ryan, you know what a HUGE change that it for him. He used to NEVER  worry about money. God has definitely changed his heart there; but as I asked him: Where's your faith? If this is what God truely wants for us then, he will get us through this. Yes the money is a very important role, but Our Faith in God and his Love for us is the most important part.

So as part of the, "I'm being a grown-up about all of this". We are asking for friends and family, to donate to our Adoption Fund in lieu of Christmas and Birthday Gifts. You gotta start somewhere!

So Hugs and Kisses to all and have a Happy Thanksgiving next week.

Dy

Back to Normal??

Being back to work has made life a bit crazy ;-) I am excited to get past the first month of school. Teachers come back tomorrow and Students the following Monday. Once we get passed Labor day, the frantic atmosphere should calm down. Poor Ryan hasn't been home before 6pm most nights. I guess this is the price for having a big boy job! He seems to enjoy it thus far and will be happy once they hire his replacement for his old position.

As for the baby journey, we have been so busy and have had NO time to really do anything else. We are just in a stuck place til school calms down. We are doing this all in God's time. I have a feeling that this journey is going to take every ounce of faith we possess.

Ryan and I went to a friend's house for dinner and a movie. They have the sweetest kids. The youngest just adores Ryan. As soon as we arrived Cazzie was all over Ryan. This little girl is a spitfire! After dinner, she climbed up on the couch between Ryan and myself and went to sleep on Ryan. About partway through the movie, Ryan picked her up and held her while she slept. It was very sweet! Ryan will make a great father....when ever God decides the time is right for us!

Have a great week!