Adoption Status

Just because there are many people that have been asking us where we are at...

We have been eligible according to the state to adopt again since August 1st 2008 (EEs adoption day) and our original desire was to contract with our agency right away. HOWEVER, we have not been able to do that because we need $9000 to do that. So, at this point they keep us in the back of their minds for a 'hard to place' situation (AG was because of the fact that when birthmom came to them she had about a week and 2 days until she was scheduled for a C-Section and AG actually came a week earlier than that!) They have talked to us a couple of times in the last year and so far they have not worked out for various reasons.

While we know that when it is Gods time to bring a child into our home it will happen whether we are contracted or not, but we would like to be 100% ready when that time comes. Here is a breakdown of the fees we need to be prepared for.

Agency Fee $15,500.00

~We need to have $7000 when we join the program or 'contract' with them and then $4250 is due when we are matched and the remaining $4250 is due when the baby is born.

Interstate Compact $1000.00

~Also needs to be paid upon joining the program

Birthmother Expenses $5000.00 (an estimate)

~Due when the baby is born

Home Study Update $300.00 (a cost we have every year if we adopt or not)

~We will need to update around April

Travel Expenses $1500.00 (estimated)

~Due when when we travel to baby's birth

Legal Fees $1000.00 (estimated)

~Usually due around 6 months after baby is born

If anyone has any suggestions as to fundraisers or ways that we could come up with this money we would appreciate any suggestions. We have applied for a no interest loan through the ABBA Fund and are working on applying for grants through Katlyns Fund & Shaohannah's Hope. We have also contacted a handful of other organizations that have grants or no interest loans for adoptive families and have heard no from 3 of them. One does not have funds for grants at this time, one only accepts apps from families in Minnesota and one from families in Iowa! We pray that we will be able to get at least one grant and that we will be able to get a no interest loan for the rest or all of the adoption. The ABBA Fund helped us with $7000 in no interest loans when AG was born!

There are many grants available out there, and I have looked into about 50 of them total, but it all depends on the type of adoption you are doing, where you live, how many children you already have, and your reasons for adopting; the list goes on and on for the criteria that is out there!