Hi.
This post is going to be a little on the serious side. For those of you who don't know, my husband and I are about to adopt our first child.
Long story short, we can't bear children.
So we decided, January 2012, was our month (and year) to start. Several of you have asked if I'd blog about adoption, as you'd find it interesting, and well, as you can see, I've decided to take you up on it.
Blogging could be very therapeutic (it works for my writing, anyway).
To give you an idea of what we're up against. The fee's are astronomical. Though I could never put a price on babies, the world has. That price is currently $20K. Not a walk in the park, that's for sure. That of course, doesn't count the birth mother fees.
My husband and I are not panicking. The world works in mysterious ways, and we're hoping that those mysterious ways are headed to Houston.
We are BEYOND excited at the opportunity to have children. We've already started creating our 'book'. It's this little gem that, once complete, will sit in front of the birth mother in hopes for us to be the perfect couple for her baby.
This will by no means be an easy process, and I'll keep you updated with what's happening. For now, you know all I know. If you have questions ask away in the comments, or shoot me an email. You've been the most amazing support system and I know this round will be no different.
AUTHOR NOTE: If there are any of you who'd like to help my husband and I adopt a child, please feel free to use the donate button below my About Me. Any amount would be splendid! I'm forgoing cupcakes and creating a 'baby jar' rather than my usual 'cupcake jar'.
What serious plans do you have for 2012?
81 comments:
Good luck Jen. We adopted our daughter from China 13 years ago. It was expensive then too but we came up with the money. I know you will too. Good luck with the process. If you can connect with an adoption support group, I'd recommend it for now and for when the baby comes.
Hugest best luck with your most amazing plans. xo
Good luck! I don't know of anyone who spent that kind of money, although friends of ours adopted a baby through social services.
Hi Jen,
the very best of luck, I know you and your husband will make great parents and I'm sure that the right child will find you both.
ohh I am all in tears right now...happy tears:) Good luck to you both and I know that you will make a fantastic mommy:)
P.S: I have a few friends who adopted and I totally know what you are going though. Sending you big hugs:) xo
Good luck, Jen. I know you'll make an amazing mother. My brother is adopted after my parents were told they couldn't have children, so I know what a fantastic opportunity this can be for your future child as well as you and your husband!
Wow! What great news Jen and what a special journey. I hope you'll share it with us!
What a wonderful journey. Friends of mine just brought a little girl home from Ethiopia. It was a long, tear-soaked path, but they said they wouldn't trade one of those tears - it just made the joy of hearing "she is yours" all the sweeter when she was placed in their arms for good. I know that this will be an amazing time for you!
AWWWW, this warms my heart. You will be the very best and most special parents and you're right, somehow it WILL all work out the way it's supposed to. Can't wait to follow this journey with you!
Oh Jen, I can't even say how lucky that little child will be to have such a brilliant, sweet, dynamic mother. I wish you tons of luck with the adoption process.
Wow, Jen! Good luck to you, and thanks for sharing your journey with us! I had no idea it could be that expensive, and I didn't know that birth mothers had a say in who adopted the child.
Happy 2012 to you and your husband!
Oh, good luck, Jen! Adoption is such an emotionally risky process--with the best of rewards at the end. I've worked with many parents who were in various stages of the process, most often with foster kids. I'm sure you guys will be awesome parents--I hope everything proceeds smoothly for you!
Hoping and praying the process goes well for you and SMOOTH! I'm sure you'll be an amazing Momma!
What a special 2012 this will be for you. I hope you'll share more of your journey here ... Wishing you the very best in these exciting days!
I support your awesome decision! We had ten years of failure, losing three along the way including a premature birth at 23 weeks. The we popped two out. But we made plans for adoption. I even volunteered to be an expatriate to China to explore that option as adopting a kid in the U.S is so time consuming and expensive. We would adopt in a heartbeat.
So good luck to you and your husband! The world needs more people like you.
Wow, that is amazing. I'm so happy for you and wish you lots of success. Please, keep us informed with how it goes.
Good luck, Jen. *hugs*
I'm so excited for you guys! Good luck!
There are many children available for adoption through the state agencies.
You might consider that option, too.
Congratulations, MOM!
I seriously hope to be published. ;)
This is exciting news and I'll be thinking of you as you take steps ahead to grow your family.
~ Wendy
This is so exciting! Daunting, yes, and definitely a lot of ups and downs ahead, but you're a wriiiiiter, it's like you have TRAINED for this.
As you blog about it, you should put a donate button on your site. I'll click it :)
Wow, I wish you the best of luck! *hugs*
Yay! I'm so excited for you! I hadn't heard about making a book, but that's such a beautiful idea. Good luck!
This is amazing and wonderful news! I'm so happy for you, Jen.
I am so proud of you and your hubby. This is a fantastic journey you are beginning. I'm sure blessings beyond your wildest dreams are on their way. Just keep your chin up...
That's amazing! Good luck!
oh, Jen! How wonderful!!! I'm so excited for you guys. And I'e had friends who've gone through this process. It's tough, but once you get to the end, I think you'll find it so fulfilling. :o) Here's wishing you all the best. ((HUGE hugs))
My plans? Oh, the same ole same ole... :D <3
awww, look at y'all! Congrats on the decision and best wishes :)
Good luck with everything! :) I had no idea it was so expensive, but it will all be so worth it.
Best of luck, Jen!
Congratulations, Jen! I'm sure you'll be great parents.
When I think about the little one who is waiting for you, I know that this baby is going to be just as blessed to call you Momma, as you will be to hold them in your arms. Oh happy day! XOXO
Dear sparkly BFF and sparkly BFF hubs: I love you more than ICING. You will be amazing parents and I KNOW a baby will find you soon. Again, if you want to borrow my uterus, it's yours. Just give it back. Anything for you. LOVE.
I wish you all the best is your quest. My husband comes from a long line of adopted people. Have you considered adopting an older child? There are so many in need of a home.
Oh my gosh, Jen! You're going to make me cry! Congrats on your new child. What a huge blessing in your life! I'm thrilled for you and your hubby. You're going to make that special child a wonderful mommy!
This is wonderful, Jen! Wishing you and your hubby many blessings and plenty of good luck throughout this process. Your future child is one lucky kid. :)
Jen, I'm sorry you have to face this expensive decision. There are so many babies and children out there who need a loving home. It shouldn't be so cost prohibitive.
Whoo!! Go Jen!! Can I be your official cheerleader? Cause I'm gonna...WHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! That's so incredible of you guys. I think people who adopt are amazing folks (not that mothers the other way are not) But because of the fees associated just to GET the CHANCE to GET a baby are so huge! Most people wouldn't even stick a toe in those pools because of it. Saving a life, girl! Go you! Good luck!
I am always so saddened that good parents have such a hard and expensive time adopting. There are so many babies that have no parents and deserve a family. Good luck and hugs to you both. :O)
Good luck, Jen! I really, really hope this works out for you. You guys will be in my prayers. :)
Congratulations on your decision Jen! Email me your snailmail address and I'll send something in the mail to you. I am always for supporting adoption and I hate that it's so expensive. Insurance should pay for it if you are unable to have children of your own. Good luck with it all and we're behind you 100%!!
Wow, that's one big plan! I wish you all the luck in the world!
I look forward to hearing more about your parenting adventure as the year progresses. *hugs and prayers*
Best of luck, Jen - what an exciting new adventure for you!
This seriously trumps all my plans for 2012. Wishing you and your husband all the best!
I wish you the best of luck. My husband and I suffered many years of infertility until I finally became pregnant with my son. I understand the pain and confusion involved. I am glad you have decided to adopt I will keep my fingers crossed for you both.
Good luck Jen and I'm so excited for you! It's a big (and sometimes painful) journey but stick with it because the result will be wonderful!!
This is so awesome, Jen!!!! ((Hugs))
Catherine Denton
Jen, what an amazing opportunity is waiting for you! I'm excited for you and can't wait to read about your journey as you go through the adoption process. Big Hugs!
Jen, My heart is happy and sad for you all at the same time. Sad that you weren't able to have your own child the "traditional" way and so, so, so happy that you've decided it doesn't matter and are going to give an adopted child a wonderful home! Yay!! You're going to be an awesome mom to a lucky child, hopefully soon!
I'm very happy for you and your husband. Wonderful! I didn't know it cost that much to adopt, I hope you have enough money soon. We don't have any serious plans for the year, just one fun one, planning our vacation.
The universe is a wonderful place, and I know you've put in a lot of good karma, so some is bound to come back to you. Good luck with this wonderful time in your lives. :)
Good luck to you and your hubby. That's wonderful news!! Sorry about your car accident though:(
Oh my goodness, this is spectacular news!!! I'm so happy for you two and know tons of people here that have managed to jump through the many hurdles of adoption and are HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY!
I'm so excited for you and i can't wait to read more posts about this!
I have an acquaintance who adopted a baby girl about 6 months ago and she is ADORABLE!
Jen, this is wonderful!! Best of luck!! :)
Jen - I'm so excited for you - and what a lucky baby! I can't wait to meet your new family member!
One word: wow. I'm speechless, see. Anyway, I hope the process goes smoothly. And I can't believe they put a price tag on kids. Yeesh. So many children who need good homes...and you've got one.
Congrats on your decision! I have three adopted siblings (Romania and China) and they've brought a huge amount of joy into our family. I'm sure you'll make wonderful parents.
Best of luck with everything!
Best of luck on adopting. I had no idea it cost that much. Seems though that some are profiting on other people's desires.
That is so wonderful!!! Best of wishes on your adoption journey!
I have friends who have adopted and it has been a blessing for them. Family sometimes is created in different ways and it's still rewarding and filled with love.
Best of luck to you. :)
Good luck. I know this can be a stressful time. I hope it all works out. Children are a wonderful blessing.
Jen, I wish you and hubby the absolute best of luck, my dear friend! I know there's a wonderful little baby out there that's just for you. I'm sorry to hear that it's so expensive, but things have a way of working out, don't worry. Congratulations on this exciting time! :)
Amazing news Jen - the very best of luck to you - I just know that that money will find its way to Houston somehow!
All my love
Laura x
I hope you get a baby Jen! My friend just found out they can adopt their second baby. They are so excited, but you are right, there are a ton of hurdles. Keep going! It will be all worth it. <3
Hey Jen! Adoption is a highly personal topic for me. When I was 18, I gave my daughter up for adoption. I was sort of pressured into it by my parents, and though I regret it for me personally, I do not regret it for her. Julia has grown into a remarkable young woman. I admire and respect her. It's been nice being able to get to know her.
There are many ways to adopt a child. I chose the private route because I wanted to know the family who would be raising my baby girl. I needed to know she was okay and that I would receive pictures every once in a while. I used a private agency close to my home and chose a family who lived within 40 miles of me. I read many letters from families who were searching to adopt a child. The ones that affected me most were the families who were most like mine, especially those of the same or similar faith. That was important to me, that my child be raised in a household with a strong faith in God.
So, as a birth mother, and a mother of another child, I urge you to write a letter about who you and your husband really and truly are, what is most important to you, your work, your faith, your extended family, so that potential birth mothers feel like they know exactly who you are. And consider establishing a lifelong relationship with a potential birth mother. It is an incredible bond to share and experience.
Yay! So excited for you, Jen!! We will have to throw you a blog baby shower when the time is right. Can't wait to hear when you find THE one!! *fingers crossed*
That's definitely serious! Good luck to you both. :)
Congrats and good luck!
CONGRATS! Adoption is great for kids in need of a home. Believe me, I was. :D Process is long (sometimes) but worth it. I think it took my parents a year to get everything together. And like you, my mom couldn't have kids either. If you have any questions, just click my Google account name. I'd be happy to help you guys. :D That or my mom will be.
CONGRATS!
Best of luck and good wishes to both you and your husband! Adoption is a beautiful and wonderful thing. My older sister is adopted, and the most wonderful thing my mother has ever said about this is, "I don't care what anyone says, your child is your child, and you don't love or see them any different than if you'd carried them."
It's really wonderful to see people adopting and giving wonderful home to children!
Good luck with the adoption. I know Donna and Alex Carrick of Carrick Publishing would be behind you on this. They have been through the same process.
Best of luck with this, Jen! Will be sending positive vibes your way! :) xoxo
Fantastic to hear that you are pursuing this. My prayers are with you.
You already know I'm super excited for you and your husband. Adoption rocks! All the best for a swift and painless process! :)
Amazing! Wonderful! Exciting! That lil' child is going to one lucky thing. You will find the money, where there is a will there's a way. hugs!
I just discovered your blog but I read this post and had to comment. We spent 8 years on infertility treatments then 3 years trying to adopt before we got our son. We now have two children. We're still finalizing the adoption of our youngest. I know it's expensive up front but all adoption fees and expenses are tax deductible so you get your money back. Eventually. I know I'm a total stranger but I'm so excited for you and I'll be hoping and praying for you. If you ever want to ask any questions from someone you never have to look in the face feel free to email me sara.bowers@cox.net or drop by my blog.
So excited for you as you begin this journey.
I absolutely love you lady, and you will be a freaking AWESOME mom!
I wish you good luck, and I'm sure the universe is working backstage on bringing you that little miraculous blessing.
If there's anyone who deserves it, that's definitely you.
Miss you, and I'll try to be more active in the blogosphere, specially now that I've joined you in SMP, yay : )
Loads of hugs!!
You'll be such a great mom! Best of luck on the adoption process!
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