We've been matched!

A few weeks ago, we got an email saying there was an expectant mom working with another agency who was looking for a family to place her baby with. She didn't find any families through her own agency, so they contacted ours. Since it was an outside situation, we were able to submit our profile, even though we hadn't made it into the book yet.  We worked really hard to get our profile finished that night so that we could submit it the following day. Two days later, C saw our profile. She narrowed it down to us and 2 other couples. By the next day, she had already narrowed it down to us and one other couple. We emailed and texted back and forth pretty often that next week, and we met exactly one week after her seeing our profile. The following morning, she met the other couple.

Around 5:00 that night, C contacted me to ask if we had room for another stocking this Christmas and then said, "Congrats, momma! It's a boy!" :)

Our little guy is due November 27th, and we could not be more excited about it. We think C is fantastic, and we are so happy to have her and our little guy in our lives!

Where we're at..

Just so you all know, over on the left there in the timeline, I update when I hear what number we're at on the waiting list to get into the book.  We started at #34 in mid-February, and we're now at #19. We're kind of estimating we'll finally get in sometime in September, but you just never know. The wait is definitely long and frustrating, but we just keep praying and hoping that we will get our baby home with us in 2012. We're not wanting a 6th married Christmas without kids to celebrate with.

Also. Adoption tax credit... This is frustrating as well, but it's set to expire at the end of the year, and we would really like to see it renewed. This tax credit is what makes it more affordable for people to adopt. You can find out how to help save it here:
http://adoptiontaxcredit.org/advocate/

And here is the Facebook page to help spread the word:
https://www.facebook.com/AdoptionTaxCredit

Home Study Approved!

Just wanted to update the blog for those who aren't following on Facebook.  We had our second, and last, home study meeting yesterday, and we were told that we were approved!  So, spread the word, as we are all clear to adopt!  :)

I'll have Ben write more about the home studies.  I think it's about time he has another turn.  :)

Home Study has been Scheduled!

We are officially ready to do the home study!  We'll be having a meeting each of the next two Fridays.  So once February 10th rolls around, we are ready and waiting to be matched!  :)

There is a waiting list right now to get into the profile book, and we were told it was probably about a 4-5 month wait.  So for the time being, the only way to get us matched is to spread the word!  Tell everyone you know!  :)  You never know how a match could be made.  You can direct them to either of the following places.  I'm going to try and get a website made at some point too with information about us.  In the meantime:

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BenAndKari

YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj6eXYao9qU&feature=youtu.be

You can also have any expectant parents who are considering adoption email us at benandkariadopt@gmail.com

Thank you all so much for your support and for spreading the word with us!  We've had many people share the links to those two places with all their Facebook friends, and we're at over 600 hits on the video and close to 200 likes on the Facebook page.  We appreciate it SO much!

We're cleared!

I haven't been able to get on the computer to post lately.  I had issues with the power cord and such, and we've just been busy, so I've been doing everything from my phone lately.  Now that I'm back on (with a new power cord and all!), I just wanted to update the blog to let you know where we're at.  I received an email this past week saying that they received the last clearance letter, so we are now good to go!  Done with the paperwork!  Finally.  :) 

Our next step is being assigned to a social worker.  It will most likely be Vicki, who was the first person that we met at LSS, since she lives in our area.  We are excited for that, because we just loved her!  She seemed like she genuinely cared, we had some hometown connections, and she was really friendly. 

Once they have officially assigned us to her (we were told it could be 2 weeks, though I'm not sure WHY it would take that long, as I'm pretty sure she's the only one in our area...), we will start the home study process.  Now, since we have finished the background checks, medical stuff, reference letters, etc, it shouldn't be that long of a process.  We were told by other friends who we met at training that it took about 2.5 weeks for them. 

The home study basically consists of meeting with our worker and answering a lot of questions about ourselves.  We had this huge questionnaire that was part of our application, and we were told that it was basically those questions we'd be answering.  They will also take a look around our home and make sure that it's a place that will be good to raise a child.  We are not at all worried about this part.  Since we just moved in last month, everything is brand new, inspections are up to code, we have a room for the baby, etc.  Not concerned.  Hopefully Milo and Jasper will behave.  :)  Jasper will be fine.  Milo is iffy.  There are only two people he does not like ::cough::Dad and Justin::cough:: 

After the home study is complete, we will be placed on the waiting list to get into the profile book.  The way they made it sound at that first meeting, there was no wait.  However, our friends that just finished were placed at #24, which they were told could be a 4-5 month wait.  So that was a little discouraging... 

The profile book is a little blurb about us.  We'll include lots of photos, write about who we are... Basically make it interesting and attention grabbing so that the expectant parents will want to choose us.  :)  I'm actually excited about this part.  I love doing design sort of things, and you all know how much I love taking photos!  The hardest part will be narrowing down which ones to put in there!  I have been talking to my friend Britta the Photographer about taking some photos for us just hanging out and doing what we do to put in the book as well, and our friend Kelsey has graciously offered to help us out with the design aspect of it.

In the meantime, we would very much appreciate any spreading of the word you can do!  50% of the adoptions that take place at LSS are a result of friends and family getting the word out and finding someone who is looking into adoption for their child.


To make it easy on you, we have set up a Facebook page.  Like it, comment on it, share it with friends, pass it on to anyone you know who may be considering adoption for their child... It would mean a lot to us!  Thank you all so much for all your support!

Our Facebook Page