I know it's taboo. But, with the current recession, it seems like everyone talks openly about money these days, and so I figure, "why be different"? I'll talk REAL figures with you.
Our consultation with an adoption agency this week pretty much sums it up. $30,000-$40,000 to adopt. This is a domestic adoption we are talking about - not an international adoption, which typically cost much more. Let's break this down so you can see exactly where this cost comes from: $25k to the agency for finding the birthmother, matching to us (the adoptive parents), screening the birthmother, walking us through the system, paperwork, etc etc etc. There is a LOT involved. PLUS we'll pay for the Home Study (when the social worker comes to visit), the birthmother expenses (if necessary), the lawyers/legal fees, travel (if necessary), and other various fees such as social workers, interstate adoption costs (if applicable), etc etc. You get the idea. There are a lot of fees tucked away here and there.
This is the most disturbing part. Several people - agencies, fellow adoptive parents, etc - liken the cost to adopt much like buying a car. Most people finance their cars. So, in the same way people finance their car, people finance their adoption. So, they say, "If you will invest in your car, why wouldn't you invest in the life of a child?"
I just don't buy this. First, I've never spent that much on a car (though I have financed cars). Second, I can't help but think many things about this comparison, such as "well, I might finance a car - but I don't have to put diapers on a car and feed a car, and put my car in day care, and I don't have to put my car through college, and I don't have to worry about damaging my car's emotions for life because i worked too much to pay off said car or wanted to put my car in the best schools, etc."
Nonetheless, we will continue to pursue all options and will put our faith in God. If it is meant to be, we will find a way to come up with the funds to do this. I'm spending lots of time (between packing boxes) to research some adoption grants, etc. It's been an interesting adventure. If you know of any resources, we are open to hearing about them. Thank you!
One last thing - and I'll keep it short, because this blog entry is getting long. But, something spoke to me in church this morning - and I wanted to share. I think it's funny how just when I'm starting to get discouraged, God puts His hands back into the situation to make sure I remember that He's in control.
This morning during the sermon, our pastor said, "Jesus was the first adopter". John 1:12-13 says, "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." A friend sent me this link, and I invite you to view this video and ask yourself: "Are we not ALL Children of God?" Every single one of us have been adopted by Jesus, if we have received Him. http://www.thirdday.com/adopted
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
No news is....no news
Well, we have not updated with any news because, well, there is no news. From our perspective, things are happening fast....so when I looked at the calendar today and realized it's mid-May, I almost fell over. So, that statement of no news...well, not entirely true. Rob found a job with Colgan Air and is working full time as a mechanic. He started off working days, then midnight shift, then days again, then midnight shift, then back to days. For now, he works at 6am. He drives about 45-60 minutes to work at Intercontinental (IAH for you aviation geeks).
I am still enjoying my job. There has been a change in my position, which is perfectly fine with me. I'm now the Manager of Training and Standards at the same company. They wanted someone with training experience and tedious attention to detail to take over the position, and I'm the one they picked! I'm honored - it says a lot about what they think of me an employee. It's a new job for me, so I have a lot to learn. I enjoy the change though, so it's exciting. :)
We have been house-shopping for the last 3 months. It's been both exciting and frustrating. I'll spare you all of the details, but in a nutshell, we had a lease at this rental house until the end of July. The house has been sold, and the realtor asked if we'd consider breaking the lease. We agreed that if we found a house, we wouldn't mind at all. After all, who wants to move in Houston in July!? Yuck. So, the search begins. We put an offer on 3 different houses. No deal. Then, one day while looking at some other possibilities, one of the sellers came back and gave a good counter-offer that we accepted!
So, now we are in the process of getting everything done for the closing. The house is beautiful and perfect for our new family. Now, for getting that family..... are we doing this backwards? haha.
As for the adoption, we have talked with the people at All God's Children about the programs that we are eligible for. Basically, it's down to either China or Bulgaria. We are not sure how we feel about either of these, so we are exploring more options here in Texas.
We had a phone consultation scheduled last Thursday, when Rob found a few fire ants to call his friends. They bit him and he had a severe allergic reaction. We landed at Urgent Care in time to get an epinephrine shot and after some excitement, all is well. He is fine. Our appointment is rescheduled for this Thursday. I'll fill you in when we find out more!
I am still enjoying my job. There has been a change in my position, which is perfectly fine with me. I'm now the Manager of Training and Standards at the same company. They wanted someone with training experience and tedious attention to detail to take over the position, and I'm the one they picked! I'm honored - it says a lot about what they think of me an employee. It's a new job for me, so I have a lot to learn. I enjoy the change though, so it's exciting. :)
We have been house-shopping for the last 3 months. It's been both exciting and frustrating. I'll spare you all of the details, but in a nutshell, we had a lease at this rental house until the end of July. The house has been sold, and the realtor asked if we'd consider breaking the lease. We agreed that if we found a house, we wouldn't mind at all. After all, who wants to move in Houston in July!? Yuck. So, the search begins. We put an offer on 3 different houses. No deal. Then, one day while looking at some other possibilities, one of the sellers came back and gave a good counter-offer that we accepted!
So, now we are in the process of getting everything done for the closing. The house is beautiful and perfect for our new family. Now, for getting that family..... are we doing this backwards? haha.
As for the adoption, we have talked with the people at All God's Children about the programs that we are eligible for. Basically, it's down to either China or Bulgaria. We are not sure how we feel about either of these, so we are exploring more options here in Texas.
We had a phone consultation scheduled last Thursday, when Rob found a few fire ants to call his friends. They bit him and he had a severe allergic reaction. We landed at Urgent Care in time to get an epinephrine shot and after some excitement, all is well. He is fine. Our appointment is rescheduled for this Thursday. I'll fill you in when we find out more!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Houston, what could possibly be the problem?
Hi Everyone,
I’m sorry I haven’t updated you since I’ve arrived in Houston. As you can imagine, it’s been a bit busy. It’s been so crazy since I left Ohio on Dec 26.
First, I went to visit my friend Kelly & Dan in Springfield, MO. They have opened a gym and it was so nice to see their progress. I’m very proud of them.
Then, off to Houston! When I arrived, the temp was around 65 and it’s remained at 65-70 degrees every day since I’ve arrived. The first day was a torrential downpour, but since then it has been absolutely beautiful. Really, to be honest, I couldn’t ask for better weather. I’ve already noticed a difference in my back pain and energy!
We know the summers will get stifling hot, so we managed to find a house to rent with a private pool & spa. We’ll move into it as soon as our stuff arrives, which is scheduled to be at the house on Jan 15.
Our new address will be:
823 Oak Harbor Dr
Houston, TX 77062
After we move, we’ll re-start the adoption process. The agency has been absolutely wonderful. They pray for us, and have been incredibly patient. They’ve even agreed to do something completely unorthodox and transfer our funds already paid to another program. We’ll be switching to an international program, and we’ll be sure to keep you all posted on the news.
I started work on Jan 3 (Monday). So far, it’s a really great place. The people are friendly & fun, and the company is more than fair. In my first week of employment, they’ve given me a laptop, an iPhone, and today, I got a bonus! That’s right – 4th day of work and got a bonus already! Unbelievable! I am enjoying the job; I’m back in my element. They love that I know what I’m doing, and I feel that my knowledge & experience is going to be put to good use. Best of all, I feel respected at work. So nice.
We found a renter for our house in Columbus!!! Wahooo! God is working miracles! A Columbus Firefighter signed a lease today, and moves in on Sunday. WOW! The new countertops & sink will be installed on Wednesday, after which Rob will hit the road and head to Houston!
And, the icing on the cake: I found a long-lost cousin that lives only about 10 minutes away from me. In a city where it takes about 1-1.5 hours to drive across town, depending on traffic, I have a relative only 10 minutes away! I met up with Mark last week, and had a chance to spend some time with him, his family & friends on his birthday. It’s fun to reminisce about our annual camping trips that we had during the summer. It’s a blast from the past, and lots of fun.
God is so amazing, and we are so excited about the way things are just coming together! We just follow in faith, and He provides more than we could have imagined. God can do anything—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! Ephesians 3:20.
I’m sorry I haven’t updated you since I’ve arrived in Houston. As you can imagine, it’s been a bit busy. It’s been so crazy since I left Ohio on Dec 26.
First, I went to visit my friend Kelly & Dan in Springfield, MO. They have opened a gym and it was so nice to see their progress. I’m very proud of them.
Then, off to Houston! When I arrived, the temp was around 65 and it’s remained at 65-70 degrees every day since I’ve arrived. The first day was a torrential downpour, but since then it has been absolutely beautiful. Really, to be honest, I couldn’t ask for better weather. I’ve already noticed a difference in my back pain and energy!
We know the summers will get stifling hot, so we managed to find a house to rent with a private pool & spa. We’ll move into it as soon as our stuff arrives, which is scheduled to be at the house on Jan 15.
Our new address will be:
823 Oak Harbor Dr
Houston, TX 77062
After we move, we’ll re-start the adoption process. The agency has been absolutely wonderful. They pray for us, and have been incredibly patient. They’ve even agreed to do something completely unorthodox and transfer our funds already paid to another program. We’ll be switching to an international program, and we’ll be sure to keep you all posted on the news.
I started work on Jan 3 (Monday). So far, it’s a really great place. The people are friendly & fun, and the company is more than fair. In my first week of employment, they’ve given me a laptop, an iPhone, and today, I got a bonus! That’s right – 4th day of work and got a bonus already! Unbelievable! I am enjoying the job; I’m back in my element. They love that I know what I’m doing, and I feel that my knowledge & experience is going to be put to good use. Best of all, I feel respected at work. So nice.
We found a renter for our house in Columbus!!! Wahooo! God is working miracles! A Columbus Firefighter signed a lease today, and moves in on Sunday. WOW! The new countertops & sink will be installed on Wednesday, after which Rob will hit the road and head to Houston!
And, the icing on the cake: I found a long-lost cousin that lives only about 10 minutes away from me. In a city where it takes about 1-1.5 hours to drive across town, depending on traffic, I have a relative only 10 minutes away! I met up with Mark last week, and had a chance to spend some time with him, his family & friends on his birthday. It’s fun to reminisce about our annual camping trips that we had during the summer. It’s a blast from the past, and lots of fun.
God is so amazing, and we are so excited about the way things are just coming together! We just follow in faith, and He provides more than we could have imagined. God can do anything—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! Ephesians 3:20.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Texas
Sorry for the length of time between updates. We have been preparing to move. I've received a job offer in Texas! No worries, the adoption will continue. AGCI has been so wonderful to us! They prayed for us, and agreed to let us transfer the monies we've already paid into another program. Since we have to be in Ohio for the USA Program, we will be transferring to an international program. We have not decided on which one, yet. The agency advised us to wait until we move and get settled before we make any decisions...so we are not making this big decision under stressful conditions. Good idea!
So, we leave this week after Christmas and I start my job on Jan 3, 2011. Rob will hopefully find a job soon, as it is a big town for aviation (there are 60 + airports!). I'll give you updates as we go along.
Thank you all for your continued love and support of our crazy lives!
So, we leave this week after Christmas and I start my job on Jan 3, 2011. Rob will hopefully find a job soon, as it is a big town for aviation (there are 60 + airports!). I'll give you updates as we go along.
Thank you all for your continued love and support of our crazy lives!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Deb
We talked to Deb Athans last night. She is the person we contact for all paperwork....and by the looks of the binder of paperwork, I'd say she'll be our new BFF.
Next steps: We have to arrange for fingerprinting, criminal background checks, parenting classes, Fire Inspection....as well as send some immediate paperwork to Deb. The immediate stuff is only about 5-10 pages, so not so bad. Though, we do need to start on those personal profiles (51 pages each), because, of course, they do take forever!
Next steps: We have to arrange for fingerprinting, criminal background checks, parenting classes, Fire Inspection....as well as send some immediate paperwork to Deb. The immediate stuff is only about 5-10 pages, so not so bad. Though, we do need to start on those personal profiles (51 pages each), because, of course, they do take forever!
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