Research, phone calls and paperwork OH MY . . . .

Cody and I have been talking over the last month in depth about adoption. We have weighed options on doing another round of IVF vs adoption, and feel strongly about adoption and have decided to investigate. We both feel as though we are meant to be parents and our hearts are open to whatever God's plan may be to making us parents.

We have meet with several couples who have adopted and done lots of research. I spoke with several agencies and have started a "master spreadsheet" with agency fees, medical expenses, legal expenses etc

One factor that weighs heavily into every decision regarding infertility is finances. While IVF is cheaper then adoption, the chance of success is far less then adoption. We have brainstormed lots of creative fundraising ideas and are ready to implement those once we pull the trigger. We plan to do a Chick-Fil-A friends and family night, design a t-shirt and sell those and possibly a Krispy Kreme fundraiser too.

The research has somewhat consumed me, but it is all so exciting. The definite possibility of having a baby in our home in the next year is thrilling!!

The next step is to meet with an agency and discuss a homestudy. Once we have done that, we will officially pull the trigger and everything will start at once. Meaning fundraising, fundraising, and fundraising. We will also start to make a scrapbook profile for potential birth mothers to review.

We will keep everyone posted on the journey; and I plan to update much more often while we walk through the adoption process!

Options . . .

Cody and I are looking into several options regarding becoming a parent. Adoption is one of those options. I am going to meet a friend of a friend for lunch today, Leah. She adopted a cute little boy Lucas about five months ago. Tomorrow Cody and I are meeting another couple, Cheryl and her husband for dinner. Cheryl runs the adoption awareness program at a local church and has also adopted.

I am excited and curious to learn more about adoption to see if it is a viable option for us. We are opening our hearts and are excited about whatever way God chooses to bless us with parenthood.