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.