Month: March 2010

Could be it… excited and nervous!

March 31, 2010

It has been a while since we’ve last posted and that is not for lack of things happening.  We have had some great things happen on the adoption front over the past month.  Here are 3 of the big things that are going on right now.

  1. If you know anything about me… you know that I don’t do things “half-heartedly” so over the past months I’ve been doing lots and lots of research on adoption.  I have found MANY websites where agencies, referral businesses, etc post what they call “available situations.”  On one of those sites, I found an agency that was looking for a family in Michigan.  We submitted our information to the agency and a couple weeks later we were told that she wanted to meet us and one other family.  (Thanks to my friend Delia for being a sounding block after we found out we were meeting – she has been there before with her adoption and was EXTREMELY helpful!)  We met with her and boy were we nervous!  We didn’t know what to expect or even what kinds of things she might ask because it was not the agency that we have actually listed with.  We didn’t get a ton of details.  But, it was a great meeting.  We found out on Monday that she ended up going with another family.  It was a bummer to hear, but we are still trusting God and His plan.
  2. We have also been doing a lot of research on getting a quick placement and one of the things that I’ve seen recommended over and over was to list with multiple agencies.  Now, this can be costly because with most agencies you have to pay some costs up front to be shown.  So, we’ve been holding off on this, but this past week we decided we would move forward with this.  We had a meeting on Tuesday morning with Adoption Associates in Hudsonville.  (We are already listed with Bethany Christian Services.)  Adoption Associates have a big need for couples/families that will adopt African American children.  She gave us a bunch of things to fill out and complete and then we would be able to be shown there.  (But now this has been put on hold… see #3)
  3. I got a call from our caseworker at Bethany in the afternoon on Tuesday.  One of the birthmothers that was looking at our profile through Bethany would like to meet us and one other family.  So, we will be meeting her and the birthfather on April 12!!  So, because of this we are holding off on listing with another agency until after we have this meeting.  Maybe this will be it!!  Then just today, our caseworker from Bethany called and said if this one doesn’t choose us that there might be another possibility.  Another birthmother has expressed interest in us!!  Cool!

On another note… the baby room is coming together.  We got the bedding for the crib and a few more decorations.  I will hopefully post pictures soon.

Thanks for all those that are still praying!

Prayer request for today:
Pray for our meeting on April 12.  Pray that God will help calm our nerves and that we can just be ourselves and enjoy the meeting.

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Categories: Adoption Basics, Prayer Requests, The Journey

Our Baby…

March 6, 2010

From the title, you would think I have good news… but not yet.  I’ve just been thinking a lot about our baby… whether our baby hasn’t been conceived yet… or is growing as we speak and is not born yet… or is already born.  I’ve just been spending some time praying for our baby.  Praying that he/she will feel loved and important.  That they will grow to love God as much as Tim and I do.  That they will be healthy and grow strong.  I pray for our baby several times a day… partially because that is all I can do right now.  But, our baby is not the only thing we are praying for… we are praying for the expectant mother that is, has or will be carrying our baby.  Praying that God will surround her with His love and protect her, help her to make great decisions for her baby.  My mind is filled with this prayer several times a day.  Thank you to those of you that have been praying with Tim and I.

Something you may not know about domestic adoption…
We will more than likely be taking a baby home from the hospital.  When we are chosen, the birthmother will decide if they want us at the hospital during the delivery.  That is totally up to her… but for the most part placement happens when the mother is discharged from the hospital.  So, we will have a VERY newborn!!  Sometimes the expectant mother will even invite you to doctor appointments to see the baby in an ultrasound before they are born.

Then following the time we take the baby home from the hospital… we wait until the court date.  At the court date it is official that the baby is ours.  The court date usually happens within a month (I think I have that number right).  Although everyone has heard the stories of a mother taking her child back… and it does happen… but the agency does a great job at trying to explore all options before they even go down the “adoption” road, one of which is parenting themselves.  So, by the time they get to the birth of their child, they should be ready.  There is always a risk… but it is a risk we are willing to take.

Baby Room is Coming Together!!
We now have the changing station and dresser and a pack and play.  The pack and play is also a bassinet and changing area… I don’t know if we will use that or not… but at least we have the option.  My Mom and Dad got us the stroller… YAY!!  So, we are ready for a baby!  Thanks Mom and Dad!!

Prayer Request:
• Pray hard over this next week… it could happen!!  Pray for the expectant mom that will one day be a part of our lives!  Pray for our baby that it will be healthy and strong!

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Categories: Adoption Basics, Prayer Requests, The Journey