Nobody Likes To Talk About...

Money.

I promised that we would be honest on this blog and so we shall be. Adoption is expensive, period. But let's set the record straight, we're not purchasing a child, we're paying for legal services. Okay, enough of that!

We've been told that this process will be around $24,000. It kind of makes me nauseous talking about it, but if God has brought us this far, He'll take us through this hurdle as well.  As of right now our first goal of $550 for the application has been met and we're on to the next goal of $8000 for the home study process. Our plan is to fundraise the entire amount with yard sales, part time jobs, donations, and misc. jobs.

We're working on sending out letters to our friends and family where they will hear our hearts and the need we have. They'll also get this blog address and our very private journey will then become public...eeeepppp! Thank goodness we love these people :o)

Derek and I keep saying we're going to "pimp ourselves out". I know some of you are cringing and no, Derek will not be on the side of the road with his leg out. We're going to make ourselves available to do side jobs- painting, babysitting, cleaning, mowing, organizing....that kind of stuff. So if you have anything in mind for us to do, give us a shout out!

Sign, Sign, Everywhere A Sign

As with any life changing decision, doubt quickly started to set in. Was this the right decision? Would we be good parents? Could we make it through the piles (and piles) of paperwork? And then God has mercy on us. He always seems to know when we need encouragement and exactly how to give it to us.

Sometimes it's in the form of a song, a sweet word from a friend, a t.v. commercial, or a card. For my sweetie, it was this...but I'll let him tell you about that.

From the sweetie: I was at work one day minding my own business when suddenly a wild greeting card appeared from the heavens and descended down upon me and God smiled. No, I actually saw this really interesting and very specific greeting card come through at work and I just had to take a picture of it. Not only was it an adoption card. It had a ladybug on it! Which... well that has nothing to do with me, but to Crissy - wow! Just messing... anyways. It was super awesome and I lost the original photo I took of it, but I happened to find it on my work's website. Check it out below! It's adorable. I mean .... it rocks!

Pretty nifty. Thanks God!

We Did It!

We did it! The preliminary application is in the mail and we are so excited to see what is next.

Do You Have Room For 1 More?

We So Excited!

We just found out that Derek has his work orientation tomorrow and we are pumped! Hopefully we'll get to know the details of his insurance and benefits and with that be able to finish the preliminary application. Can't wait to mail off the first part of the paperwork :o)