Off the Waitlist, On to the Home Study

Well as most of you saw on Facebook, Jesse and I are finally off of the waitlist with Christian Family Adoption Services. We have been waiting since February, so nearly five months.  So, what does this mean now? Well, we went yesterday to the City of Sherwood to have our initial paperwork notarized, and today Jesse will drop it off, along with a large check. In return, we will get to begin our home study process, which involves loads of paperwork. The home study typically takes 2 to 3 months to complete, pending background checks, etc.  Then our profile books will be able to be show to potential birthmothers. Then the real waiting will begin. It could take months, or even years, for a birthmother who knows she is pregnant with a girl, to choose us.  I am hoping it is a shorter process but I know it is out of our control.  I need to just repeat the serenity prayer to myself constantly as a reminder that it is out of my hands.  The excitement is definitely building around the Chaquette house. It is hard to explain to the boys that we are just dropping off paperwork, not actually picking up a baby! Now I am going to focus on the financial piece of the adoption.  There is a lot of planning and saving in our futures. If any of my smart, creative, amazing friends have a brilliant fundraising idea I am definitely open to hearing it.  Love to you all!

Saving for Baby

So we need to begin saving for the adoption. It is far more expensive than we had initially thought.  Besides the typical expenses that you may see on any agency website there are many other additional costs.  One example is attorney fees to legally finalize your adoption. You also have to factor in any travel expenses if you need to go out of state to meet your birth mother, plus time off of work etc. It is a sad realization when considering adoption ~ you need to have a significant amount of money set aside.  Agencies even ask you for extremely detailed financial information and access to your financial history.  Since we started on this journey I have had several friends and acquaintances mention that the main deterrent for them when pursuing an adoption is monetary.  It is really unfortunate that the process is so expensive.  We have debated on whether we will do any sort of fundraising but we haven’t given it too much thought yet. I know lots of couples do decide to go that route. We will see.

On a positive note, the kids are saving in their own way! Ethan is already starting a stack of little gifts for his “baby sister.”  It is so adorable. Last weekend when we were at the car show both boys picked out hair bows for their sister. Ethan has taken trips to Target and taken pictures of presents he wants to get her.  They are always saying “let’s get this for our baby sister,” or I want to teach this to my baby sister.”  They are so sweet and will be such great big brothers.

We have moved up on the waitlist and we are now #2. Once we are off of the waitlist we will get to begin our home study process which will include lots of paperwork, intensive interviews and home visits. Once we complete this process and our background checks go through we will be able to have our profile shown to prospective birthmothers. I have never been so excited for paperwork!  I will continue to keep everyone updated on any progress.