Signatures Galore

Michael and I spent hours completing paper work today! All this paper work is part of our formal application.We are almost done, but we have a few that have to be signed with a witness, we still need to write our testimonies, we have an appointment for our finger printing on Wednesday and we need to get four copies of a picture of us and of our house. I'm exhausted and feel like the day has flown by, but I know that this will all be worth it in the end!

Forms, Forms, and More Forms

I received an email that our formal application was received and along with it came many, many more forms to fill out!!! I do have a checklist to make sure I have everything...I love checklists. The agency will also be mailing even more forms. It is a little overwhelming scanning the forms we have to fill out and the copies we will need to make of certain documents. The due date is October 21st, but remember we need to get them in as soon as possible so we are one of the top 3 couples from the Columbia Bethany branch to attend the next meeting and keep moving along with the process. 

Not only does Bethany get to learn everything about us, but we are learning about us too!

Formal Application Sent

Michael and I spent most of Saturday afternoon completing our formal application to Bethany and I just hit the send button...it is done via the internet. They know pretty much everything about us! What are salaries, assets, and loans are to the dimensions of the bedrooms in our house. I think if everyone who wanted to be a parent had to go through the paper work we have done and will do...there would be fewer children in the world. :)

Informative Meeting

We attended our first adoption meeting today. We feel a little more informed about the adoption process through Bethany. They discussed domestic and international adoption as well as embryo adoption and older child adoption. There were more couples there than I had anticipated...probably around 13.

Lots of our questions were answered during the presentation...the average wait time is 1 year from the time the formal application is accepted (the presenter did say that the longest a couple had to wait was 5 years), home studies aren't as long as we had thought...around 4 months at the most. The "bulk" of the money we have to pay is due at the time of placement. We also found out that once a birth mother gives us her child the state of SC doesn't allow revocation. Some states allow the birth mother to change her mind within a certain number of days...ex. 30 days after the birth. I like the fact that she can't because I would hate to form a bond with a baby only to have him/her taken away from us.

The next step...we now have to fill out our formal application. When they receive it they will send us more paperwork that needs to be completed. We will also have to get physicals done. The next training meeting is on October 28th, but they are only accepting 10 couples from the whole state. The state has three offices. They are accepting the couples in the order that they receive all the paperwork. You can garuntee I'm already on top of it! We WILL get into that meeting because the next one isn't until December.

Adoption works just like fertility treatments...you complete one step and wait for the next. As I continue to say...we have waited more than 3 years for a baby...I guess we can wait a little longer.

Plenty to Read and Think About

This weekend I received the adoption books I ordered. I have plenty to read for awhile!

We go to our informational meeting on Friday.  How are we going to pay for adoption? How long will a home study take and what is all involved?  How long does an average adoption take? Will we consider adopting any race? Do we want an open, semi-open, or closed adoption? etc... I think once we attend the meeting and get some answers to the questions we have it will really start to sink in that we are going to adopt a baby.

Prescription...Deep Breathing

I went for my stress test today. It consisted of getting on a treadmill with lots of wires stuck to me. I started off slow and as I proceeded the incline got steeper and the pace got faster. I did learn that I need to start working out again. It has been awhile because of the frozen embryo transfer and then having the chest discomfort and not knowing what it was. However, the results were normal. My blood pressure and heart rate did exactly what they were suppose to do so we are done testing my heart. Dr. Jani wants me to practice deep breathing, meditating, yoga, and take my Xanax when needed. It is good to know that my heart is healthy...that does take a big stressor off of me.

I guess my students and I will be doing a lot of deep breathing in class. At least they are already used to it...I just wish they understood that deep breathing doesn't need to involve a dramatic sound and face.

Adoption Books

I ordered some books through Amazon this weekend..."You Can Adopt: An Adoptive Families Guide", "Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Adoption", and "Successful Adoption: A Guide for Christian Families". Hopefully, these books will answer some of our questions, give us a better idea of what to expect, and give us incite into issues we may have not thought about. I've read articles online, but I prefer to have a book in my hand while reading.

I changed the description of our blog. I figured we are moving past the infertility part of our lives and on to another journey! One that I know will also be a roller coaster, but hopefully will have a happier ending!