More Adoption News!

We have been anticipating receiving more information on our next step in the adoption process after applying last week. Yesterday we were given an official invitation to come to our agency's adoption training day August 11th!

There of course are many things that must be completed before we come to training. We have to send in all necessary forms of identification including birth certificates as well as pass a child abuse clearance check. The agency requires the training fee $50 (that seems so cheap now!) and the home study fee of $1500 before August 3rd. With all of our monetary support we are able to make this happen! We opened a special checking account just for the adoption and get  $300 for a new account- which is so helpful for us!

Before I continue I just have to say: These past few weeks have been so informative and eye opening to us. We both knew some about adoption but it is truly amazing the steps and requirements prospective parents have to take to prove they are legally, mentally, and emotionally ready to take on parenting a child. It is costly and time consuming but ultimately what needs to be done. There is no looking back- we are in this 110%!

Before attending our all day training, we have to complete an online course. Prior to yesterday we didn't really know what exactly this entailed. First there is the main course for adopting domestically that is comprised of 8 classes at $129 and an additional class specific to our agency at $30. The classes total 15 credit hours and have a quiz at the end of each unit.

Here is a look at the courses we have to take:

We completed the first one today and plan to do at least one each day until we are done. It is heavy material as Justin said to me after we finished our class today. It really is! Being a teacher- a lot of the information we went over today was familiar to the child development classes I took in college.

It is a bit overwhelming but we are ready to complete it so we can move on to the in person training! On the 11th we will get to hear from a birth mother that used our agency for adoption. I keep thinking of the courage it takes for a mother to choose adoption and already praise her for sharing her experience to future adoptive parents!

We will keep you updated as we continue this journey. It is a learning experience for us and we hope to educate our family and friends along the way! Each day I wake up thinking I can't wait to #bringbabyboggshome!

"Family is not identified by our genes... it is built and maintained through love."