I just realized that there are many questions that I assume people know the answers to about adoption. But, since I have only learned them over the last year, I think I assumed wrong!
There may be some of you that have or want to consider adopting, but aren't sure if you can afford the process. As my parents were here, I realized that they are always concerned about our financial well being and they asked about some of those details. So, in order to help those of you that are thinking about it, I wanted to tell you that you can totally do it! We did not have money saved for this, but once we knew God had called us, we found that it wasn't actually very expensive at all, at least to do a California Child Waiting adoption. There are some up front costs - a fee to the agency you work with for the Home Study to be written, fees for fingerprinting and doctors visits, fees for taking CPR, First Aid, and Water Safety - things like that. For this, we did a huge 2 day yard sale to help cover costs! When we sent out an email telling friends that we were trying to raise money for our adoption, everyone was so gracious and let me pick up their items or dropped them by the house for us to sell. They were happy to be a part, and we felt so blessed! We had a bake sale and friends even donated to that. We've heard of many families doing this and it covered all the expenses we had up to that point! We felt so blessed and thankful for great friends!!!
It's actually funny because this part of it reminds me of pregnancy too. I remember Scott and I thinking we couldn't afford to have a baby, yet the moment we were pregnant, we were somehow out looking for the best crib for our baby, and while we wanted a good deal, we really didn't care much about the cost. This was our child and we wanted to give him the best! It's been the same with adopting our girl! We are so ready to spoil her and give her what she needs. We want to be careful in it all, but really want her to have everything we have already given to our other children in due time.
If finances are an issue, I would encourage you to check with an agency (we love Family Connections Christian Adoptions!) about the up front costs (that you can pay in increments), and find out about the incentives that the government offers to foster families and adoptive families.
Another thing people ask is if we are doing foster care. Yes and No. The way the system works is that we will take her into our home as a foster family at first. This is called the placement. This is so that the state can be sure we are a good fit for our girl and that she is doing well. There is a certain amount of time for this to happen and it varies with each case. Then they do Adoptive Placement, which basically means the child is in your home to be adopted. Soon after this there is a finalization in court, where your child becomes legally your child with your last name and all the rights of one of your children (inheritance and all)! It's such a great thing and we cannot wait for that day!!! So while we are technically "foster parents" at first, we never intend for Janice to call us that and want her to know that she is part of our forever family!
One last question I get asked about is when I will post some pictures. Legally, we are not allowed to post any pictures of her until the adoption is finalized. It's so hard not to post to facebook, or add her picture to the blog! I so wish everyone could see her sweet eyes, face, and smile and feel like they know her visually as well as in the descriptions I've shared. We have truly fallen in love! But we want to abide by the law and help protect her as well. We look forward to seeing many of you soon with our complete family in place! As soon as I am able, pictures will be posted!!!
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