It's a marathon, not a sprint

This afternoon, as I sat looking at a copy of the HUGE packet we had just mailed out, I got really nervous. Though, I'm not sure why.
I should feel relieved. Our 'official' paperwork for Packet II is now complete. All 65 pages of it. And the two fingerprintings. And the six background checks for Indiana. And the background check for Kentucky. And the certified copied of birth certificates. And marriage license. And divorce decrees. And lab results. And the six reference letters. And the check. And.... whew. It's all done. Now we wait for the agency review board to give us the green light so that we can go ahead with our home study.
We've learned so much through this process. Yes, it's a lot of paperwork. But it's worth it.
If you pray, pray hard that this process goes quickly. I know I am. :)
And, now I've got to get back to work adding to the 'Peanut Fund'.

Til the next update,
~kd

App Packet II

So, a couple of days ago we learned that our Application I (there are several stages to this process) was accepted and approved. This led to a huge wave of relief to me. If you know me at all, you know that I am a worrier. Luckily, I've heard this personality trait gets less and less with each generation.... Anywhoo, after I finished my happy dance I realized that the BIG packet would be on its way. We received it today. (Squeeeee!) And, yes, the packet is large and seems a bit daunting.

Our next steps are personal references, professional references, background checks, financial checks, a home study, and a whole lot more. I'm going now to purchase the biggest binder I can find to keep us as organized as possible.

~kd

How we got here

Dave and I met through a mutual friend (Thanks, Tom!) in early 2007 and married in May of 2008. Marrying him was the easiest, and the best, decision I've ever made, and I'm sure he'd tell you the same about me. We are happy partners in life, and in business. We are lucky enough to work together and own a small publishing and graphic design firm in New Albany, as well as a small artisan jewelry company. (I'm an artist and metalsmith.) Dave and I discussed adoption seriously for about a year, from around the time we found out that having biological children would be very, very difficult (and extremely expensive, without a guaranteed degree of success) due to infertility. We knew that adoption would be the biggest decision we'd ever make and wanted to do everything we could to prepare and inform ourselves. We've prayed, and talked, and prayed some more. It truly has been a wonderful and amazing journey.

I thought I was prepared early on because my brother and sister are both adopted. But I quickly learned that being a sibling of an adopted person, and being the parent wishing to adopt, are two very different things. We decided in December that we were both ready, officially decided on an agency, and that it was time to submit our application to the agency, which we mailed last week. I don't think I've been as excited about this new adventure as I have been these past few days. It seems so much more real. And, that being a parent, after watching everyone around me have babies for so many years, seems so much more possible.

I tend to not share super private details on Facebook, but I decided to share our decision to adopt the other day. I was blown away by the love I felt with all of the postings of 'Congratulations' and well wishes. I even cried. And, I don't cry often. (Of, course I've cried a LOT the last few days - from joy, I promise!)

Several people have asked that we keep them updated. Our best answer to that was this blog. We thought this would be a good way for us to share our story of our journey through the adoption process. There are several parts to adoption and it is a very lengthy and invasive process. So far we've completed step 1 - Mailing the application to our selected agency. Hopefully we'll have some news soon.

~kd

PS- If you'd like read other stories of adoption, here's a couple of blogs that have helped me immensely.
http://5millionminus1.blogspot.com/
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/portrait_of_an_adoption/


***Update: We've received word that our Application I was received and accepted!!! And, now on to part II.