Sorry it has taken me a little while to update. My goal is going to try to send out an update every week or so, depending on whether or not anything has changed. We got all of the paperwork filled out to the best of our ability. Many questions did not apply to a newborn, so we didn't have to worry about those. We had the fire inspection Monday 3/22, but had to make some changes (we didn't have a big enough fire extinguisher). So the fire inspector came back yesterday and signed off on the paperwork, everything looks good.

We had some issues with getting a loan from the bank. Originally we were hoping to get a Home Equity line of credit for the $25,000, but we have only been in our house for 3 years and unfortunately don't have enough equity built up to take out that much. It is difficult to get a loan for that large of an amount without having any collateral, even though we have very good credit history. So today we ended up getting a credit card for $15,000, which was the initial amount needed to start the process. The check was written directly to the agency and then we will have to come up with the remaining $10,000 once we have the child.

We have our first home study on Sunday with Molly. I've been trying to clean a little everyday so Saturday I won't be too stressed. Thought about having someone power wash the siding on the house, but I don't think it looks that bad. I'm pretty anal about making sure my house looks nice when people come over, so hopefully she will like it.

Everyone that has been helping us with this process has said they want to see pictures once we have our child. This includes the fire inspector and bank lady, lol. We are so lucky to have friends and family that support us and will be beside us during this process. It really means a lot :o) I'll let ya know how the home study goes. Just a few days away!

Whew... What a busy weekend. Got all the copies made today, so we can check that off our list. We are almost finished painting (trying to get the house to look as good as possible). Our goal today is to go through the paperwork and get a majority of it filled out. It's challenging because I never imagined I would have a choice about things. You make the best out of what you are given. If our child was born with a problem it wouldn't be a big deal and we would keep moving forward. Its important to make the best out of any situation. At the same time, everyone wants a healthy baby with no problems. But now we have a choice, and its a challenging one. We have probably over a three hundred questions to go through about our child. I never thought I would have to choose whether or not I would consider a child with allergies (its even broken down into food, drug, or environmental) or asthma etc... There is so many questions I never would have thought of. With us choosing to adopt a newborn, some of the questions will not apply (such as if they have ever been placed with another family before or their education level). So I guess that makes it a little bit easier. Welp, better get crackin'

Welp, we've got a TON of paperwork to go through and fill out. Not to mention we have to get copies of EVERYTHING (insurance, social security card, birth certificate, marriage certificate, pay checks, drivers license...etc). We also have to have a FBI background check done and have the fire department come and inspect the home. My goodness... I gotta start cleaning and getting stuff ready for our home study also (That's where Molly, the lady in charge of the agency, comes to the home and hangs out with us and what not). I feel like I'm getting ready to have the in-laws over for the first time and I gotta be dressed to impress! :o)

The beginning...

Infertility exists among many. It's often so private that people don't understand the many lives that it touches.

No one can fully understand it's impact until its looking at them straight in the face. Even then, each situation is so different that it's difficult to support those who are experiencing the devastation.

Costly procedures and insurance companies attempt to stand between you and your dream, in which you have no control over.

Strangers are living the life you've always dreamed. Some don't appreciate the children they have, yet choose to bring another life into the world. It's hard not to be jealous or envious. Sometimes it feels like life's just not fair.

Welp... It's time that things change. We have to be grateful for what we have and what God has given us. He has a plan for everything. Therefore, today we turned in our application for adoption. We've realized there is more to being parents than giving birth, and now is our opportunity to give a child the family that they deserve. We met with an adoption agency on Sunday and it went better than we could have ever imagined. An exciting new journey is about to begin...