One-on-One Interviews

The next step of the home study was to have one-on-one interviews with our social worker.  Monday, Derek met with Lyndsey, our social worker, and was asked a series of questions.  I met with Lyndsey on Tuesday and answered the same questions.  Sometimes these things can be nerve racking.  But honestly, these meetings have been so helpful in mine and Derek's marriage as well as preparing us for our future family member!

Lyndsey asked us a series of questions concering our families (mom, dad, siblings, family traditions) and then she asked a series of questions about our marriage.  It was really fun to think about the ways that I feel most appreciated and loved by Derek! What a fun conversation starter when I got home yesterday! :)

So- many of you have asked "Where are you in the process?"

We are in the HOME STUDY stage.  Our agency has a few steps to the home study:

1. Orientation Interview- COMPLETED
2. Home Visit - COMPLETED
3. One-on-One Interview - COMPLETED
4. Education Interview - Scheduled for Sept 27th.
5. Education Interview (part 2)
6. Home study written and approved

So we are getting there! Every night we come home from our full time jobs, we sit down and we have laughed about starting our second job, the adoption process.  However, all joking aside... this is the best decision we've made in a long time.  We can see the Lord's hand at work in our life. We can see him providing for us in many ways. We can see the process developing in a short amount of time. 

That's where we are as of today.

Christmas Shopping in September!

It's never too early to start Christmas Shopping!! And what a great time to buy some of your favorite people some of the best gifts from Thirty One!?!

While you are shopping for Christmas you also have the opportunity to support our adoption.  Our sweet friend, Lindsay Whitfill, is hosting an adoption fundraiser through her Thirty One business.  

With the recent reveal of the fall catalog, there is something for everyone at Thirty One! ESPECIALLY WITH THEIR NEW COLLEGIATE BAGS (go big blue- UK). 

If you are interested in ordering something with some proceeds going to our adoption, please let me know! 

The direct link to Lindsay's website is:  http://www.mythirtyone.com/53462 

We are nearing the middle to end of our homestudy and we are trying to raise all of the funds to pay for our end of home study and to start our Dossier (the next step)  Please pray about how you can support us and maybe join in on this Thirty One fundraiser.

Thanks so much for your support and consideration! We are excited to see how the Lord provides through our different fundraisers to bring our little boy home from Ethiopia!

Lifeline Children's Services

Our adoption agency is WONDERFUL! Lifeline Children's Services is full of helpful staff who are interested in OUR adoption process. We are not just another family to them. We are part of an even BIGGER FAMILY!  If you are pursuing adoption, we'd love for your look into Lifeline. They are have been an amazing resource, encouragement and have been on top of our process.

They not only have information about international adoption, but also domestic adoption, foster care and orphan care support. 

Check out their website here:  http://lifelinechild.org

Also, ever since announcing our adopting, we've had many different people ask: "Where do we start? I want to adopt a little while down the road, but would love to know the process."  Well Lifeline has a FREE opportunity for you come and hear more.

Friends in the Louisville Area, if you have been considering adoption and want more information, join Lifeline Children's Services for an upcoming information meeting on Tuesday, September 18th at 7:00pm at The Avenue in Louisville, KY.  You'll have the opportunity to ask questions and meet the Lifeline Kentucky Staff.  For more information or registration - http://lifelinechild.org/information-meetings/ 

We are just so thankful for such an amazing agency to walk along side of us through this process!

Our Heart is in ETHIOPIA!

Derek and I have started the ADOPTION process! We are so excited to announce that we are adopting from Ethiopia! As we are excited about this process, we know there will be many challenges and obstacles along way. However, this is SO WORTH IT!

We cannot wait to meet baby Hopperton and are praying now for our little one that will be in Ethiopia. Please join us in this exciting journey!