I have had a lot of people ask me about how the adoption process is going.. so I thought I would just write a new blog. There is so much to be done for this adoption that my mind has basically just been trying to figure it all out! LOL
We got started with our home study in March and we have been very impressed with our social worker! We are using Grace International Adoptions out of New Orleans. Our social worker has come out twice to do our required visits and she is working very quickly to get our report done!! The important thing is that when our home study is done, we can start applying for adoption grants!! We are really hoping to be able to apply for as many grants as possible... because we NEED the help!
We are continuing to work on all the required documents and paperwork necessary to adopt from Ch*na. We have both applied for our passports. Ordered birth certificates, a marriage license, and continuing our immigration paperwork. It seems like everything is coming together. Now for those of you who are curious how everything works.... Once we have all of our paperwork together.. we have to get it "sealed" and sent off to Ch*na. Each document has to be notarized in our parish, authenticated by our Secretary of State, and sealed by the Chin*se Embassy. Each document has to go through this process before it can be officially sent off and that is why it takes so much time. Plus most documents have a 6 month expiration date... so you have to work fast.
But the good news is... We could technically be matched with our child at ANY time! It could take up to a year or so, but most people get matched while they are waiting for everything to be processed.
Will we have a "Layla"?
We are in the "waiting child" program, so we do know that our child will have some sort of special need. Most likely the need will be minor or correctable. Either way, our child's most desperate need will be for the love of a family. The orphanages and welfare homes in Ch*na really do mean well. I know we have heard horror stories about foreign orphanges and I am sure that does exist in Ch*na, but for the most part, they really do take care of the children and get them the care they need. But the fact is that there are just more orphans than nannies to take care of them. A baby room might have 15 babies, and one nanny. So there is just no possible way the nanny can love on them like they would be loved on in a family. For this reason, most children come home with at least some sort of development delay. I have been told "don't expect your 3 yr old to come home from the orphanage acting like a typical 3 yr old" But they will catch up fast!
Other than a typical orphanage delay, we are open to a child with minor and/or correctable special needs. For example: cleft lip/palate, vision issues, hearing issues, limb deformities, club foot, birth marks, minor heart problems etc. These are all reasons children are given up for adoption in Ch*na, but very reasonable needs that can be addressed in the U.S.
We are so very excited for the day when we will "see" our child for the first time! Meaning... the day we get the call for a referral. Please be in prayer that God will send the perfect child for our family, and that we will be the perfect family for that child!
Fundraising!
We have had some successful fundraisers and we are so grateful to everyone who has donated to us. We are getting close to having some more fees due so we are going to be continuously raising money. We have about another $6-8k due in agency and immigration fees, and then a big chunk will be towards travel expenses(probably about 10-12k).
One thing I am planning on.. but haven't had a clear answer on what to do exactly yet... is doing a big fundraising day. There are a lot of organizations out there that will give you a Matching Grant. Usually this means that if you can Raise $5,000 , then they will match that with $5,000 . That $10k would take a huge chunk out of our expenses!! We have though of putting on a 5k walk/fun run. But would have to really have help putting that together! We are open to any thoughts and suggestions so just let me know!
Thanks to everyone!! We love you all!
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