The News We've Wanted to Break

We got the call! A birth mother has selected us. We're in a match! And if all goes well (we pray that it does!) we will be parents to a baby boy at the end of January.


Seven weeks!


The call came last Tuesday afternoon, and we've been spending the last week trying to manage our own expectations, ascertain whether it's okay to be excited or not.


We've struggled with how we feel: elation to be sure, but mixed equally with trepidation that this happiness won't last - that the worst-case scenario of the adoption falling through is somehow inevitable. Rationally, of course, we know it's not. But the odds aren't comfort enough for us. After all, through seven years of trying to start our family, we've been the tiny minority that has experienced every downside of fertility treatments and miscarriages.


But at the end of the day (or the week as it may), we've decided to revel in the happiness we feel.


The only thing we can control in this process is how we choose to react to this news and we want to be able to tell our son (amazing to write that) the story of how we celebrated the news of his arrival with our family and friends.


I don't know what else to write, other than to ask that you keep her and her baby in your prayers. She has already demonstrated such strength for pursuing adoption for her child; please pray to bring her the peace she will certainly need to continue to move forward.


And, just as importantly, we want to say "Thank You." Thank you for your continued support of us over the last several years as we navigated our hope and disappointment in our journey to becoming parents.


Up next: The Conference Call


Tomorrow morning we "meet" the woman who picked us over a conference call. Tune in tomorrow night for an update on how it went.

A New Chapter Begins!

One year ago this week, S & I embarked upon our last attempt at in vitro fertilization to begin our family. For those of you who followed our blog back then, you'll recall that it was a roller-coaster of a process with high hopes that were followed closely by disappointment. While we were sad to put this final attempt at a biological family behind us, we still had the hope of becoming parents through adoption.


Today, we're happy to announce that we have been officially activated as an "Expecting Family" with our adoption agency.  By activating, we've completed a number of hurdles in our journey through the adoption process.  Over the last year along this journey we have:


1. Interviewed dozens of adoption agencies in the United States over the phone;

2. Traveled to meet in-person with our two favorite agencies - one in California and one in Kansas;

3. Selected American Adoptions in Overland Park, Kansas (licensed in Arizona) as our adoption agency;

4. Completed state and federal criminal and child abuse background checks;

5. Had our home visited twice by our Arizona social worker;

6. Had our Home Study filed by our Arizona social worker;

7. Received word of the Court's acceptance of our Home Study;

8. Completed a print and online couple profile to market us to potential birth parents;

9. Completed a video profile to assist in marketing us to potential birth parents;

10. Paid our Activation Fee (gulp!);

11. Begun out-of-the-box projects and ways to adopt without debt

11. Received word this morning that our profile has begun widespread distribution to prospective birth parents nationwide.


To get here, many of you have had a role to play; and for that we are so eternally grateful! From lending your  testimony as a recommendation to our social worker for the home study this Spring to providing us with words and letters of encouragement along the way; to presents and tips on nursery ideas and most importantly, prayers this adoption process has been made all the more special because of your support and love for us.

THANK YOU!

Over the next several months, we'll blog daily - yes, DAILY - about our progress toward becoming parents. We'll keep you informed of the good, the bad and everything in-between and ask that you share our blog with family and friends who you think might be interested in our journey.  Also, share your comments, questions and feedback on the blog. It's a great way for our extended family and friends to participate in the discussion and our journey to becoming parents. With so many of us located all around the world, this is a great way for us to stay in touch with one another!
It's been a long, winding and sometimes bumpy ride - but we wouldn't change a thing and hope that our story can be of value to others who may be considering a similar path.


Tune in tomorrow for another update!