Formal Application Sent!

Ken and I had a wonderful time filling out the Formal Application, dreaming, and discussing the future. There is so much to think about. Bethany's application process is wonderful as each step makes the couple think deeper and harder about the responsibilities, decisions, and impact that adopting a child requires. For instance, they ask about your financial status, insurance policies, outstanding debts and loans. They also ask questions regarding what physical, emotional, and mental challenges you are willing to adopt with your child. Tough questions, but it brings up good conversation and honest answers. One of the first things Becky told us was to not feel "guilty" if we put down "no." It is not a bad reflection on us as a couple, but it will help them know what situations will be best to bring our child into our lives.

This process started me thinking about parenting and major life changes in general. So often in our instant society, we rush into decisions without really looking at what the ramifications might be. Who will your decision affect outside of yourself? How will your life change (as far as you can tell)? Have you gotten good, Godly advice? Are you ready for the financial impact of your decision? Most importantly, have you spent time in prayer over your decision? What do you hear God saying to you through scripture, His still, small voice, trusted Christians? Are you listening or are you plowing ahead on your own?

Ken and I don't know how our journey will unfold. We don't know God's timeline, but we are trying to seek His will. It's one step at a time. Sending in the formal application today is a good step forward. On we go!!!

Anxious and Thankful

It has been a long time since we've posted anything, but we've been in a rather quiet season before what looks like a very busy season when it comes to the adoption process. Ken and I enjoyed a wonderful 4 weeks in Washington State, Oregon, and Colorado. To be "home" with family and friends was really energizing. We are so blessed to have such home support. Now it's the beginning of 2010 and our last 10 months or so in Paris. Our adventure here will come to a close and a new one, including adoption, is beginning.

Ken and I just completed our official orientation call with Becky, our adoption specialist from Seattle. She is such a blessing. Our orientation lasted over an hour leaving Ken and I with spinning minds. We covered so much in such a short time.

I will do my best to cover where we are in the process in a succinct fashion.

FORMAL APPLICATION - We have this in our adoption portal and plan to fill it out and e-mail it in this weekend. This is the first step in the home study process.

HOME STUDY - We plan to fill out the paperwork part of the home study which involves written essays, financial information, references, etc. during the spring. This will give Bethany some insight into Ken and I individually, as a couple, and our future as parents.

BACKGROUND CHECK - We have the paperwork for this but as fingerprints and background checks only last one year we've decided to wait until this summer while we're in Seattle to complete this step.

TRAINING WEEKEND - We are praying that we can attend the weekend training while we are in Portland or Seattle this summer. Becky has our projected itinerary and will be seeing how she can fit our unique situation into their summer schedule.

IN-PERSON HOME STUDY - Once we're home and a bit settled this fall we will meet with Becky in our home as a couple and individually. This interview time will be one of the last steps of the home study.

PROFILE BOOK - Once our home study, background checks, and interviews are completed this fall. We will put the final touches on our profile book which will go out to the Bethany offices in the Northwest. Birth moms look at these profile books to chose who they would potentially like to be their baby's adoptive parents.

WAITING - Once the profile books and our information is out, Ken and I will be waiting and praying for Becky's phone saying there is a birth mom interested in us. I am thinking this will be the hardest part of the whole process. Becky will be checking in with us at least monthly and part of our "job" as potential adoptive parents will be showing that we are actively taking classes and getting ready for the little one (i.e. getting the car seat installed).

Once we get "the call," we will most likely meet the mom who may be 7 or so months pregnant. The birth mom will then let her counselor know if we are the right parents. Once we hear this, we have a short time to really get ready.

When she is in labor we will be called and may be at the hospital for the birth. Most likely we'd take the baby home two days later, just like any parent.

Many of you have asked about parental rights. According to Washington State law, the mom can terminate her parental rights any time during the pregnancy, but it doesn't become official until 48 hours after the child is born when the attorney presents the document in court. That means 48 hours after birth IF the courtrooms are open and in session. This may seem long, but according to Becky, it is a shorter time frame than in most states including Oregon. Becky says she has never had a problem regarding this, but it does cause much anxiety for the adoptive parents.

This is the process and journey that we're on. We're on God's timeline. We covet your prayers and support. We're both overwhelmed, yet so thankful that we can be walking through this together and with God. I am tending to be emotionally distant from this and not letting myself feel anything. Ken is ready to tackle all this paperwork. We know this is a process.

Please keep us, our baby, and the baby's birth family in your prayers.
Blessings and Love!