The Ups and Downs of Adoption

Typically, I try to stay positive about everything, but I am quickly learning that adoption has a lot of ups and downs.  The first up: the decision to proceed with adoption and the excitement of looking forward to adding a member to your family, is quickly followed by the first down:  the daunting amount of paperwork and research to be done.  The next up is getting the paperwork done and turned in, your first visit with the social worker doing your homework goes good and you are walking on cloud nine....  Until you realize that you have a ton of work to do to get ready to sign with an agency.
That me right now, I am riding the roller coaster of adoption.  My first fundraiser, an Avon Fundraiser, went really well.  I expect to make around $195.  I just turned in all the orders and money, so I will know for definite later.  This is awesome news to me since I wasn't sure I would make even half of that.  Another positive thing,  I think I have found the adoption agency that I want to use.  It has everything I have been looking for in an agency.

Now the down, the adoption agency I want to use requires around $8,000 to sign up which covers the application fee, education, and advertising.  This amount will need to be paid with any agency that I go with, however some require it up front and some require it later at match.  At this very moment, I do not have the $8,000.  So.... the decision has to be made, do we take a loan and proceed with the adoption agency or do we go with another agency (the second pick that is a good agency, but just not as good of a fit as your first pick).

I know that adoption can cost $25,000 to $45,000.  I was hoping that I would be able to do more fundraising and apply for grants before most of that would be due.  However, you have to be signed up with an Agency to apply for most grants since they want to be able to send the check directly to the agency, which makes sense but doesn't help with the initial cost.  Fundraiser help but again, a lot of the ones that I could do (like Pampered Chef) want to be able to send the check to an agency.  On the plus side, I can do things like the Avon Fundraiser which was a success and I have started a puzzle piece fundraiser.  We will get there and be able to bring Baby McIntosh home.  It is just going to take some hard work and faith.

For those of you reading, please keep my family in your thoughts.  If it isn't to much to ask, please share our story by sharing our blog.  You never know who could see it and want to help us out.

Waiting for Home Study Approval

It has been a long week.  Last Wednesday was our first home study visit.  Since then, I have been researching national adoption agencies, creating blogs, and working on fundraisers.  We have to find an adoption agency to work with that will help with finding a match for us.  We are looking at a national agency that deals with domestic adoptions.  This allows us to search all over the US to find the next member of our family.  However, if you have ever had to research adoption agencies you will quickly realize that they are all very different.  The trick is to find one that works with your situation.  I think I have it narrowed down to two different agencies but we are still debating between the two.

The Avon fundraiser is in full swing.  We have just one week left on this fundraiser.  Remember, to get our orders in by the night of November 26th (Thursday), as I will be turning in the orders on November 27th (Friday). The products will be in in time for christmas.  Payment needs to be made at the time of order.  Please remember to add 9.25% sales tax.  If you choose to use the PayPal donate button on the blog, please add 2.9% for the PayPal processing fee.

I am will be posting the information on our Puzzle Piece Fundraiser shortly.  I am really excited about this one, since it will result in a keepsake for the adopted child.

We have our next Home Study visit on December 1st and should have our approval within a couple weeks after that.  Then we will be off and running; trying to find the next member of our family.  Wish us luck!

Avon Fundraiser

I am doing an Avon Fundraiser to help raise funds for our adoption expenses. Please email me or comment with your email address if you are interested.  I will email you a complete brochure. I can accept orders until November 27th. All orders are subject to sales tax of 9.25%. Checks or money must be received at the time the order is placed. Checks can be made out to Kelly McIntosh. You may also use paypal.

There are many fees associated with adoption such as the homestudy fees, agency fees, legal fees, and possible birthmother expences for the pregnancy. We are doing fundraisers in an effort to pay for some of these fees.