Baby Steps!

Literally, taking the LOONNNNGGGG road of "baby steps" toward getting our baby girl!! I went about a week and a half ago to drop off our preliminary application and drop off our application fee. I met with Gloria who is one of the head secretaries at the agency and she is such a sweet and wonderful woman. Everything about that place just feels so great.

There was an opening suddenly that Gloria told us about in the September class, but after talking to Jeff, he feels it best to wait until the January class. I was pretty bummed at first, but then thought about the fact that this is his journey too, and if that is what he feels most comfortable with, then so be it. So now, we get funds in order, wait for our adoption packet to come in the mail (Gloria said sometime in September), and get ready for our classes come January! I know it will go by fast!!

My wonderful friend Anna found an awesome website that's focus is to help fund-raise for your adoption (as I mentioned, it isn't terribly cheap!) There are really cute T-shirts with verses and saying on them for sale and the proceeds help fund our adoption :) I am in the process of contacting the contact person now! I will post as soon as I get more info on that! I will also update again as soon as I get the packet and show you guys what it looks like etc!! :)

xoxo,
Kaila

God Ble$$ the U$A!

As everyone 'knows', adoption, especially through a private agency, is NOT cheap. For us to even hold our spot for the series of classes in January (which only has 2 spots left) we have to pay $500.00, so we are trying to get a hold of that money fast (as in like this week), so we can hopefully hold our rather than having to wait until next May for the next series.

Jeff and I have been exploring different financing options today and just seeing the different loans we could obtain. While USAA doesn't offer a low interest rate loan specific to adoption, there is a lot of helpful finance assistance on the website. We are looking into grants as well. Anyway, while doing some serious research I discovered that Active Duty military personnel get $2,000 in reimbursement!! Compared the large expense, it may not seem like a lot, but every bit helps! We will also be entitled to an adoption tax credit which could possibly cover the majority of the cost we pay out of pocket. This year's tax credit was $13,000+. They are saying next years may be lower, but like I said every little bit counts! We were pretty excited about that :)

Things just seem to be moving in the right direction. I am placing faith in God's hands that he will provide the money we need to do this, in his time of course.

I have a small amount of money saved to go towards the $500.00 we need this week and I know that if it is meant to be, it will happen! I am just thankful that the government sees how GOOD adoption is for all parties involved and wants to help this happen for people. God Bless the USA!

Orientation Meeting

Well, we just got home from the Orientation Meeting at Infant of Prague adoption services and I couldn't be more pleased. The communications director, Johanna, was extremely sweet, informational, personable, and very thorough (the meeting lasted about an hour and 45min). I feel so informed and ready to start this process (which is going to be a long one, but well worth it!)

The meeting began with a history of IPAS (Infant of Prague Adoption Services) which you can read on their website. She basically explained that the name stems from the original connection between the agency and the catholic church back in the 1950's and has nothing to do with international adoption...She then went on to explain that 95% of the adoptions through the agency (which is private) are infants! Such amazing news to my ears. There was much explanation about the fact that the mothers receive TONS of counseling throughout their pregnancy to ensure that it is the best possible choice for her. That all of the adoptions are absolutely voluntary. And the best part, in my opinion? They never even call you to tell you you have a baby until AFTER the mother has signed the Relinquishment form (look that up; agencies have to be licensed to use this form). That way you are never revoked of your beloved new baby.

There was talk of the possibility of "Open Adoption" which can sound scary upon first hearing it, but she explained that 'open' doesn't necessarily mean that you have to meet with or ever know the birth mother. It could be as simple as sending the birth mother a yearly letter to update her on the child, or a school picture left at the agency for her to pick up. Jeff and I discussed we would definitely be okay with leaving a photo or something at the agency to let the birth mother know the child is okay.

We also learned that the majority of the process for certification is similar to when we were planning to possibly do foster care: background check, fingerprinting, CPR/first aid, etc. There is also a 6 series Adoption Class we will take come January (that is the next open class as they only take 5 couples at a time). After that, they do a home study with a social worker. We will also create a photo/scrapbook for the mothers to look at as well. Once that is complete (all the fees must be paid of course) you are on your way to placement! The wait period averages at a year, but you could get a baby as soon as 3 months, 6 months, 8 months, just depending. There is also the possibility of adopting sibling sets (twins) at no extra cost if it comes available.

We talked about legal technicalities and learned the ins and outs about what that entails; I won't bore you with big words and such, however, the agency has been around 59 years and knows what they are doing! We talked about how the birth certificate works which was interesting to me. Basically, the original birth certificate has the mother's name on it and the name she chooses for the baby if she gives it one. We never see that, it goes straight to the agency and we then go through the 'finalization' process of basically re-doing the birth certificate. We then receive an official birth cert with our names as the parents and the name WE give the baby. Kinda crazy!

Anyway...I am just so excited to get the ball rolling. The next step is taking over our preliminary adoption paperwork and a $25 check to get our file started, then reserving our place in the January class. I am so giddy inside to begin the journey of finally becoming a mommy!

Until next time,

Night Night!!

Only Just The Beginning...

Wow, as I sit here ready to begin this blog, I must say I for sure never thought it would be for this reason. Of course, while pregnant with our (My husband Jeff and me) beautiful son, Hayden James, I kept track of his every ultrasound, movement, my cravings, my belly shots; all via blog. And when he was born sleeping at 28 weeks 5 days, I continued to blog every so often about my grieving process and the moments we endeavored as a family during that time. I even began a blog about the little angel I miscarried (there were two, but the second I didn't begin a blog). But to think that this time...this time we WILL end up with a baby in the end. My dream is finally going to come true: I will finally be a mother. I don't know when, I don't know to whom, but I do know that it will happen this time.

Beginning the adoption process I have mixed feelings. Will I love this child enough? Will we be able to afford it? Will this child love me? Will I be a good mom? I am excited, nervous, ecstatic, scared...feeling a little bit bipolar at the moment. Some people have asked me why I have "given up" on getting pregnant. My answer? Biology has nothing to do with being a mother. After the loss of three children, I have decided to wholeheartedly accept that adoption is the way I will become a mother. I have felt the feeling of being pregnant...I know what it feels like and it is amazing. However, being a mother is what I want, even more than being pregnant.

This evening we have an informational orientation at Infant of Prague adoption services. We will be able to find out more about the process, what to expect, ask questions, and find out what this agency is all about. I have heard many good stories about this agency and am looking forward to meeting with them. As soon as I get home I will post an update about our experience there. Is this a for sure thing? No. But getting the process 'rolling' is extremely exciting. Just the mere possibility that Infant of Prague may be 'it' for us is enough for me. Until then, feel free to check out the website: http://infantofprague.org

Wish us luck and prayers are always welcome!