When life just keeps giving you lemons.

Hannah delivering some of the
Blessings Bags

Have you heard the expression, "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade?" Well. It's stupid. Who wants to drink gallons and gallons of lemonade?
After the happenings of October of last year, (if you're not sure what I'm referring to, check my last blog titled "Six.") I decided it was time to do some good in the world. Hannah and I embarked on a Blessings Bags project. We collected donations and used the donations to fill bags full of goodies and delivered them to our local Pregnancy Care Center. It was our way of healing. When you're hurting, try to do some good for someone else.


Well, my dear readers, we are hurting. Really hurting. Shaun's younger brother, Nickalas, was shot and killed in his hometown of Roanoke last month. He was 17. One week away from his 18th birthday. As I sit here writing, it stop to think about what I just wrote. Shot. Killed. 17. Nickalas. It still doesn't seem real, and yet, the reality of it hits me every day.

Nickalas and their Mom

Nickalas wasn't just Shaun's younger brother. He and I were a part of a very exclusive "Cool Kids" club. He was adopted. Nickalas was never Shaun's adopted brother, he was simply his brother. One of my favorite Nickalas quotes from several years ago was when he introduced me to his chocolate lab, Abby. He said, "This is Abby, she's brown like me." And he was right. He showed me the brown crayon to prove it. He loved music and dancing. He loved Michael Jackson, playing jokes on family members, and his smile was contagious. Was. In my wildest dreams I never once imagined I'd be writing about Nickalas in the past tense. That's not how the world is supposed to work. Seventeen year olds aren't supposed to be killed. It doesn't make sense. It never will. I don't know how to explain his death to Hannah because I don't know how to explain it to myself. I see the hurt in Shaun's eyes as he tries to pick up the pieces and be there for his parents and sisters. I watched my husband stand up and speak at the funeral of his little brother. Not his adopted brother. Or his black brother. His brother.

So, in the hopes of doing something good instead of making a record breaking batch of lemonade, I'm once again embarking on a Blessings Bags project. I need to do something. The world is full of sadness, hurt, and things that are far beyond our control. This is something I can control. I can spread some joy. This project isn't going to make the hurt stop. It's not going to fill the Nickalas shaped void in the hearts of his family. What I hope it does is brighten someone's day, if even for a few minutes. I want the person who opens the bag to know that someone, somewhere cares. We all need that. We all need to know that someone cares. Know that I do. I care about each and every one of you. I thank you for taking the time to read this, and for your continued support of our adoption journey.

How you can help: My goal for this project is to honor the memory of my brother, Nickalas. To spread some joy, just liked he loved to do. I would love to be able to fill 25 bags. Or 50. As many as I can. If you'd like to help, and I'd love it if you would, please contact me. I'm asking for a donation of $20 per bag, but any amount will help and all donations will go towards filling these bags. Thank you in advance for your help.

Back in the day

29 years ago today I arrived in the loving arms of my parents. Ok, maybe it wasn't 29 years ago, but since I am now perpetually 29, that's the number I'm going with. That's not the point. The point is that this is the anniversary of the day I met my family. Back in the day - many, many, years ago, adoption was done Old School. Not baby in a basket down the river old, but old. Guess that would be more Old Testament than Old School, but I digress...  

My mom and I. 

On that frigid Ohio evening, my parent's lawyer, Dan, and the social worker, drove from the small town we lived in to Akron, realized they had the wrong paperwork, drove back to our town, then back to Akron. They sprung me from the hospital and drove the 3 hours back home. Everyone met at the lawyer's house and I got to meet my parents for the first time. I don't remember any of this, of course, being all of three days old at the time, but I'm told it was quite an exciting day. 

My Dad and I.

Things have changed in the adoption world in the last 29* (ahem...) years. More paperwork, more money, more red tape, more...more. We have finished our homestudy update, once more we "seem" mentally and emotionally stable enough to adopt a baby. Now, we get to resume the super fun, super fantastic, super "make you want to scream" tediousness of waiting. Waiting for a phone call. Waiting to hear that we have been chosen by a birth mother. No, I don't jump every time the phone rings. Thank goodness for caller ID. Everyone asks if we are ready. My answer is always the same. We are as ready as we can get. 

Something I've learned during this long, long, long process is that I am still not a patient person. Waiting for God's timing is taking forever. We just keep hoping, keep waiting, and waiting, and know that His timing will be perfect...eventually!

National Adoption Day

Today is National Adoption Day. Maybe one day it will get the attention that Talk Like a Pirate Day, Hot Sauce Day, or even No Pants Day do. Maybe one day the news will mention it.  Maybe one day... Adoption is one of those things that people get kind of squirmy and look confused or constipated when you talk about it. They're all for it, yay adoption and all, but what do they really know about it? Hopefully more than those God-awful Lifetime movies portray. You know the ones. There are two types: The first - evil guy in white van sells mystery baby to several couples, absconds with the cash and there's never a baby. The poor upper-middle class families are heartbroken, but enter attorney/pastor/pregnant teenager and all is wrapped up with a little bow, just at the end of the 90 minute movie. The other type of adoption movie the one that evokes that "chunks rising in my throat" feeling is the one where mom, dad and baby are super happy until baby is about two or three and then the birth parents, suddenly, want the baby back. Lots of drama, a court battle, tears and then tied up in a neat little bow at minute 89, just in time for the credits and sappy music. 

Why am I talking about D grade movies? Well, for one reason, it's my blog and I can do what I want! But the main reason is that I hope our adoption experience normalizes adoption. It's not a Lifetime movie - but I'm eager for the day that our journey is wrapped up in a little bow and we can all move forward as a family. 

So, where are we currently? Let's put it this way - It takes approximately 19,885 sheets of paper to crush a human skull. Seriously, I did the math. We are about 10 sheets away. We saw the light at the end of the tunnel, but as you may know, sometimes that light is actually a train. A large train. One that says "time for an update to your homestudy." Yep - that's right. We get an all expenses due, more paperwork to fill out, homestudy update! No door number three for us. We are almost done with the second round of paperwork, a few more odds and ends to submit, and another home visit with our lovely social worker. That's the best part. She's phenomenal. Once that is done, can you guess the next step? Waiting! I'm like a pro at that part! We wait until we are chosen by a birth mom. 

Birth moms are women who are making a heart wrenching decision. They are presented with the option to abort numerous times during their nine month pregnancy. Society tells them that it's the easy way. The best way. What I hope that these women know is that there is another option. It's the decision to give life. It's going to be hard, but we will raise that baby as our own and love it unconditionally. That's what my parents did with me. My mom stayed up with me night after night when I was sick, helped me with my homework, and was in the delivery room when Hannah was born. She is my mom and I am her daughter. No, she didn't give birth to me, but she gave me life and makes my life better every day. The same goes for my dad, and I want to follow their example and love our child just like they love me.

For everyone reading this - do me a favor today. Take a minute or two out of your day and pray. Pray for the birth mothers. Pray that they choose life and that they are given a peace about their decision. Pray for children in orphanages and in foster care. Pray for the social workers and agencies trying to find families for these children. Finally, pray for us and the other families going through the adoption process. Pray that we aren't crushed by the weight of the paperwork, or the weight of the stress this process can bring. Pray that one day soon, we will have our baby home.

Thank You

Friday night we ended our online silent auction. Thank you to the following people who donated items:

Amy F.   www.amyshomecleaning.com
Letricia B.   www.plusadayphotography.com
Melanie L.  www.facebook.com/blueponydesigns  and http://melanielocke.arbonne.com
Ginger H.   naturalhelps4health.myshaklee.com
Amy P.
Jenn W.
Cevan S.
Jennifer H.

Claudia B.
Nicola S.
Nicole H.
Kim L.
Naomi D.
Jamie F.
Jin W.
Laura M.
Mary N.
Adam F.
Lindsay F.
Mary Beth G.

We are so blessed by the amazing friends and family we have. This auction raised just over $1,000! Words can't express how thankful we are for everything you all have done for us! We love you!

Patience and Home Appliances

Hello lovely readers. Wanted to fill you in on the newest goings on. We are busy applying for grants and matching grants (those are nifty, they match whatever we raise!) and we are about to start an online silent auction! Wonderful people have donated the most awesome items towards the auction. Handmade items, gift cards, crafts, and all kinds of fabulousness! I'm in awe of their talents and willingness to help us! So, a huge thank you to you all!

I'll be adding people to the group on Facebook to be able to see and bit on all of the items on Thursday and Friday before it starts.

Other fundraisers are in the works, but we've had an unexpected speed bump.
Friday morning, the air conditioner in our house cooled it's last. Seeing as we live in NC and it's currently 90+ degrees every day, staying in the house wasn't exactly an option. Thankfully, my parents are letting us invade them until it's fixed. Remember the old saying, "company is like dead fish, after a few days they both start to stink!" Well, we are trying really hard to not be stinky fish!

Needless to say, I was upset. Ok, more than upset. It felt like a cosmic sign, maybe God was telling us to stop this crazy adoption idea and just go about our lives. I was pretty down Friday and even Saturday. Still don't understand His timing, or His plans, but I know that giving up on the child that is out there waiting for us isn't in His plans. Sure, it would be easier to throw up my hands and say, "Ok, God, I quit." We've tried for over a year and a half, you've thrown small speed bumps and now a large, expensive one our way. I'm done." Sure, it would be easier, but what about that baby who needs a family? Giving up on him or her because of an air conditioner? Seems a little selfish and stupid. Therefore, we are staying on course, speed bumps be darned! Just need a little patience.

I'm not a patient person. If you know me well at all, you've laughed at that because I'm possibly the least patient person ever in life. I strive daily to be a more patient person, but it's taking too long...
Want to know something that takes a long time and can make you nuts? Adoption. It can make you crazy in ways you didn't even know you could go crazy! What is my best and worst quality? Well, my  worst quality is that I..

Any-who...that's where we are. Be looking for the auction and please be praying for us! Specific prayer requests: Our AC, patience for me, our future baby, the birth parents, and for us to follow in God's will in this whole process.

Thanks for reading. Much love for you all!

Pretend This is a Clever Title, Ok?

It's been a while since I've updated you lovelies on our progress. I guess that's because there hasn't been much to update. We were thrilled when our homestudy was completed and approved. We felt like we had cleared a giant hurdle and it would be a smooth road to the finish line. We were way too optimistic. As it turns out, the hurdles are still in front of us.
We have decided to use a different agency for the remainder of our adoption process. This agency is located in Rock Hill, South Carolina. There is nothing we have to do over for the switch, as they will accept our NC homestudy. One of the main factors that led to this change is the difference in adoption laws between NC and SC. NC has a seven day revocation period. Meaning, for seven days after the birth mother signs the adoption papers, she can change her mind. Seven days of every time the phone rings wondering if it's the agency telling us that the birth mother has changed her mind. SC doesn't have a revocation period. Once the birth  mother signs the papers, usually 24-72 hours after the birth, it can't be revoked.
The hurdles come in the form of paying for the remainder of the adoption expenses. We are applying for several grants and even low interest loans, but those won't cover the entire amount.
Our first plan is an online silent auction. If you are a crafter, direct sales person, willing to purchase gift cards, have items you're willing to donate, please let us know. We hope to start taking donations as early as today, and be able to start the auction in a week or so, depending on the donations we get. It will be on Facebook. The items will be listed with a photo, and anyone interested in bidding will bid under the picture in the comments. Seems simple enough, right? I hope so.

Full Disclosure, we've been discouraged lately. Me especially. It seems sometimes that every time we think we are getting closer, it just seems far away. I'm hoping we can get people to donate to this auction and then get others to participate and bid.

Thanks for reading this. Thanks for your prayers and support.

The End is Near...Or is it?

We had our last visit with our super awesome caseworker last night. The first meeting was at our house and she got to meet Hannah. The second meeting was just the two of us, and the third was her and Shaun. Last night Shaun and I met with her for the final time and I'm going to miss chatting with her! She has already sent us the rough draft of our homestudy document to be fact checked, and, being all punctual, I've already sent it back to her! Yay, me!
I've never read one before (why would I have?) so it was actually interesting to see what all it entails. I still don't find us particularly interesting, but maybe that's a good thing. She wrote about our childhoods, schooling, how we met, how we parent Hannah and the best part...she wrote that we both "appear to be emotionally stable." I don't know why, but I got a good chuckle out of that. Not that we aren't stable (Shush, you! You know who you are!), it's just funny to see it written.

So, what's next you ask? Well, once she makes the changes she sends it to her boss with our agency. She said it should take about a week to be approved. After that, we will have an honest to goodness signed homestudy. Woot! Why woot? Woot because it means we can apply for grants, interest free loans and other ways to raise the funds we need to complete the adoption. (Unless you, gentle reader, happened upon $25,000 that you just can't find the use for. If that's the case, we should talk!) Seriously though, yes, it seems like a crazy amount of moolah, and yeah, it's a lot, but when there's a will, there's a way. Pretty sure some really famous philosopher said that. Or Charlie Brown.

We've said from the start that we are open to either gender or any race. <Insert looks of shock and awe here.> Yep, that means that there is a high likelihood that our new family member won't be all pasty pale like me! If you are shaking your head at that, don't call me. We can't be friends. One of the adoption classes we took called it "conspicuous families." Families that stand out. I'd like to change that culture. I think that a family is so much more that skin color. I would love to live in a world where it was completely normal for the family members to be a whole mix of colors.

Anywho...stepping away from my soapbox before I really get going. The next few months are where we will be writing for grants, working on fundraisers, all in the hopes of bringing our new baby home.

What can you do to help you ask? (You ARE asking that, right?? I thought so!) You can pray! Pray that we are able to secure the funds as quickly as possible. Pray that we do everything for the Glory of God. Pray for the birth mother of our baby. Pray for peace for her as she makes what has to be an unbelievable difficult decision. Pray that She knows that we will always love her for the gift she gives us. Pray for us. We haven't had an infant in nearly 9 years. (If you don't own stock in Starbucks or Folgers now might be a good time to invest.) It's going to be a change. We get that, but also know that it will be a change for the best!

Success!

The first meeting with our caseworker was a success! She came to our house and we talked for nearly three hours. She was able to see our home and meet Hannah. She even asked Hannah special questions to make sure that she felt included in the process.
The questions she asked were run of the mill ones. Why are we wanting to adopt. What do we do for fun. How do we settle arguments and all that good stuff.
The best part is that she loved our humor and sarcasm. She was hilarious. So glad that she has a great sense of humor. Would have made for a long meeting!

We will meet with her three more times. I meet with her next week by myself, then the following week Shaun will meet with her, and the week after that we will meet with her together again.
Once the meetings have finished, she will write up the homestudy document and send it to us to fact check. Once we check it, the document will be sent to her supervisor and then to our agency. Then we will be an official "waiting family."

Please keep us in your prayers. Once we have the completed homestudy document in hand we can apply for grants and interest free loans. We are also considering doing another fundraiser in the future.

Quick Update

Just a quick update, not the next great American Novel, I promise.

We have successfully submitted all of our paperwork for the homestudy. It's been approved! Now we wait to be contacted by our assigned Caseworker. There will be 4 interviews in the homestudy. One with Shaun and I together, one visit to our house, one with just me, and one with just Shaun. Then - it will take them up to three months to write the reports. After the reports are written and in hand, we can apply for the all important GRANTS!
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Expectations vs. Reality

When I decided to start this blog, I told myself it would be full disclosure. That being said, I've been procrastinating on this post. It's been about a year since we decided that we wanted to adopt. At first, people were really excited, and now, when people ask how the process is going, they seem disappointed or almost bored when I tell them that we are still buried in paperwork and awaiting the actual start of our home study. Yes, the same one we were wanting to start in August, and September, and October... I get comments like "You still haven't done the homestudy? What's taking so long?" Or even better, "Oh, you're still going through with that?" Going through with it? I'm not attempting a hostile government take over (yet) or donating my right leg. When I try to explain to them where we are in the process I watch as their eyes glaze over like mine to when my husband starts telling me about the newest sports record to be broken, or how much he enjoys reading Winston Churchill's autobiography. Well, I'm sorry I don't have better news for you. Really I am. Don't you think I'd like to have the process hurrying along as well? Let's face it, my birthday is in two days and I'm not exactly feeling like a spring chicken here. For those of you who want to know, here is where we are:
We have paid for the homestudy. We completed all of the paperwork for it, or so we thought. Once we had everything submitted and did our happy dance, the agency came back and told us that they were going to combine our homestudy and formal applications to allegedly hurry it up on the back end. Well, with the combination of applications came an influx of more paperwork. New, longer, more detailed autobiographies, online classes, infant CPR (is this where I mention that Shaun is a licensed EMT?), medical records, recommendation letters, and more. The rubric for the autobiographies is about 8 pages. I, for one, am not eight pages interesting. I'm more like 4 pages of interesting with maybe a little comic strip or something. I blame my parents actually, normal middle class upbringing. Nothing crazy (minus this one aunt). Nothing to "overcome" or use to pad my autobiography. Nope. Loving parents, little brother, cat, dog, occasional fish tank. Summers with mom, beach vacations, you know, the typical Lifetime Movie Network movie without the horrible twist. Not that I'm complaining, I prefer the normal upbringing, honest. I really do. After all, I'm not the one who has to read my super exciting autobiography!
Whew...sorry about that. Back on topic now. Really.
Full disclosure...here goes nothing.
A few months ago, we got super news. We secured a loan that would completely fund the adoption. Anything we didn't raise would be covered by this loan. (Insert happy dance here.) Well, like all good things, or chickens counted before they were hatched, we discovered that Shaun would be taking a pay cut with his job starting in April. Nothing that will hurt our daily lives, but would make paying back the loan significantly more difficult. I'm hoping that my Jamberry business continues to grow and will make paying back any adoption loans as easy as applying a set of nail wraps (see what I did there?), but until that happens we are going to be applying for as many grants as we can get our beautifully manicured hands on. Should be easy right? I mean, all you need to apply for adoption grants is a completed homestudy...
So there you have it. I will try to update more often. I will try to be transparent with the process. I want this to bring awareness to adoption and the process as much as inform you about our journey.

Thankful

It's been a while since I posted. Life, ya know? There have been so many times I've thought that I needed to sit down and post, and every time, something pulled me in a different direction.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It's a time when we all sit around and think of things that we are thankful for. This is my list.

Last month, we took part in the Chosen Race. Friends and Family members got up early on a Saturday morning to walk or run 10 miles to benefit our adoption. For this I am thankful. While that was an amazing thing to see, I saw something even more amazing while at the race. I saw beautiful families. Families in which adoption was normal. I saw a blond mom with three beautiful blond haired, blue eyed little girls, who were all in love with their adorable black little brother. I saw a family with a white mom, black dad and Asian little girl. There were numerous other families just like these. They weren't parents with their adopted children. They were families. It was amazing. I felt so at home around these complete strangers. This was the one place where these families didn't get asked who the baby that didn't look like them belonged to. I am thankful for the opportunity to meet and talk with other adoptive parents and adopted children. I am thankful that there are others in this world who can see past color when it comes to making a family.

I am thankful for the people who have donated to our adoption. Whether it was through the race, a gift, donation, or other ways, thank you.

I am thankful for my family. For my husband, who supports me, loves me, and understands me.

I am thankful for my daughter. Hannah teaches me something new every day. She is the most tenderhearted and kind little girl and I am so proud of her.

I am thankful for my parents. They made me who I am today.

I am thankful for my brother and his wife. Thank you for allowing me to spend a day each week loving on your beautiful baby boy.

I am thankful for my friends. We laugh until we cry, we also are there for each other no matter what.

This list could go on for ages. I know that I am blessed beyond measure. Thank you to everyone who reads this post. Thank you for taking time out of your day, even just a few minutes, to read about or journey. We are finishing up some final paperwork and the home study, in search of Whichever One Fits.

Real

There are some words I just don't care for. Phlegm. Diphthong. Real. Yes, real. Most people wouldn't add "real" to their list of disliked words. It seems odd, really, to almost hate such a plain, unassuming word. Real. The thing is, I really don't like it. In some cases, I'd even venture to say I hated it.
I've known that I was adopted forever. I never had one of those Jerry Springer-esque moments: "surprise, we aren't actually your parents!" I've always known, sometimes even forgot. It was never a big deal to me. I'm adopted...and?? Growing up in a small town in Ohio, everyone knew your business, sometimes even before you did. My being adopted wasn't a secret. It was, however, something kids thought they could use against me. One girl, my nemesis, who we will call "Kristie," decided to tell me that I wasn't a real kid because I was adopted. Being the ever more mature and sensible sixth grader, I proceeded to punch her in the face, because, after all, if I wasn't a real kid, it couldn't have really hurt to be punched by me. Apparently, I was real after all. When kids would be ugly, I could remind them that my parents choose me, theirs were stuck with them.
As I got older, people would react strangely. I'd say something in conversation and the look of shock and awe said it all. "Oh, I didn't know you were adopted!" Then I get asked THE question...the one every adopted person will be asked at some point in their life.  "Do you know your real parents?" My real parents, I'd ask. They would stutter for a second then say, "You know, your real parents." I'd take a deep breath, try to tone down the defensiveness in my voice, and then begin their education. My real parents, as you call them, live ten minutes down the road from me. My real mom stayed up with me when I was sick. She took me shoe shopping. She was in the delivery room when Hannah was born. My real father taught me to fish. He walked me down the aisle at our wedding, and likes his Chihuahua, Rita, almost as much as his kids! Real doesn't mean we share DNA. Real is being a family. My brother Adam was adopted from South Korea. He is my real brother. We fought just as much as biological siblings growing up. I also felt immensely protective of him when kids in our one stoplight town would make fun of him; calling him "flat face." I recall threatening to give one little boy a matching flat face if he picked on my brother again. Last month, he became a father, and I an aunt. I adore my real nephew.
When I get around to the meaning behind their question, the answer is yes. I know a few things about my biological parents. I know that he had glasses and is therefore the reason I have glasses (gee thanks for that genetic gift). I know her name, which, for obvious reasons, I will not use here. I know that they were in high school. My aunt went to school with her. She saw her a few years ago and learned that she is now married and has a daughter. I'm often asked how I feel about that. Truth be told, I'm happy for her. I am thankful that she was brave enough to give me up for adoption, knowing that she wasn't ready. I'm happy that she was able to have a family of her own. I do not, however, feel the need to meet her. I respect her privacy, as I hope she respects mine.
Sometimes you can tell if a person is adopted. My brother in law, Nickalas is black. My in-laws are not. Adam is Korean, my parents, not so much. I happen to look a lot like my mom. Just lucky I guess.  Adoption does leave a mark on kids. You can't see it, it's deep inside. It's knowing that you were loved enough for someone to put your needs above their own wants. It's knowing that you were wanted, prayed for, and your arrival was celebrated. That's what's real.

The First Step

We are Ann, Shaun and Hannah Lee and God has called us to add to our family through adoption.
Meriam-Webster defines adoption as taking the child of other parents legally as your own. While that may be the legal, literal definition, we see it as bringing one of God's children into our family.
Adoption isn't a foreign idea for us. It's a way of life. Ann is adopted, as is her younger brother, Adam, and two cousins. Shaun has an adopted younger brother. We see first hand that genetics isn't the only thing that makes a family. All adoption stories are different. Ann was adopted domestically through a private adoption. Adam from South Korea. Shaun's brother was adopted out of the foster care system. Each road has it's pros and cons, but each so worth it.
After prayerful consideration, we have decided to follow the road to adopt a domestic infant. Our first instinct was to adopt internationally. We know that the need overseas is great and there are millions of orphans needing a home. One day, we may return to this road. We attended an informational meeting at our adoption agency fully intending to join the international program. After the opening remarks, the group was split into domestic and international sessions. Shaun stood to go to the international information session and looked back at me. When I say it's a "God thing," that's just what I mean. I felt like I was being told to stay and listen to the domestic adoption information. It wasn't our plan, but I sent Shaun to the international meeting and stayed to listen to the domestic information. Doris, the head of the agency began by telling us their goal. "We aren't here to find you children. We are here to find parents for the children God has entrusted us with." That stuck with me. Who was I to tell God what child we wanted or where this child would be from. If God has called us to adopt, he will lead us down the road he chooses. So, there I sat. Listening to the information about domestic adoption. Something I was too afraid to even consider before. Hearing terms like "open adoption," "closed adoption," "birth mother's rights," "legal risk adoption." My stomach was in knots. I'd seen too many horror stories about a birth parent taking the child back, away from the adoptive parents. I knew that international adoption didn't carry those risks. I was letting my fear dictate what I thought I wanted, instead of letting God lead me. The deciding factor that night was when Doris told us that they had two infants that were going to have to go to foster homes because they didn't have anyone to adopt them yet because they weren't white. I was amazed. Who cares if they aren't white? They are God's children in need of a family. We were then told how North Carolina ranks fifth in the nation for adoptions and the need for adoptive families for minority children is growing daily. I thought of my family. Adam is Asian, Shaun's brother, Nickalas, is black. That doesn't make them less of a sibling. That was the moment I closed my eyes and asked God to direct us. For the first time since the meeting began, I had a peace about it. I knew that we had to put our complete faith in God to lead us through this process.
It's not an easy or inexpensive process. We are currently saving to be able to pay for the homestudy. Once the homestudy is competed, we will be able to apply for grants and adoption loans.  We are also working on some fundraisers which I will detail more in a later post. I have began selling Jamberry nail wraps as a way to add to our adoption fund, and we are putting together a team for the Chosen Marathon in October.
Please pray for us! Pray that we follow God's will in every step of our journey. Pray that we can raise the money to pay for the homestudy. Pray that once that is completed, we can raise the money for the remainder of the adoption fees.