Some Of You Have Been Asking...

Q: Where are you adopting from?

A: We have decided on domestic infant adoption. We do not know where our child will come from at this point, so we will have to keep you all updated as time goes on!

Q: Where are you in the adoption process?

A. Two weeks ago we received our written report stating that we had passed our Home Study. While this is still very much the beginning phase of adoption, it is a huge milestone for us. The Home Study took three months to complete, and without this step we would not be eligible to adopt. With the home study now complete, we are able to apply for adoption grants, and we are also eligible to go live with adoption agencies, having our profile books shown to prospective moms. It has been very much a "hurry up and wait" process up to this point, but we are excited for the next steps.

Q: Have you chosen an Agency to work with?

We completed our Home Study through Gateway Woods, an agency based in Morton IL. Having completed a home study through them automatically puts us on their waiting parents list. In addition to Gateway Woods we plan to sign on with Christian Adoption Consultants (CAC).

Q: How did you choose CAC? What is the advantage of working with a consultant?

A. We had the opportunity to meet with some great couples while we were researching adoption. Several of the couples we spoke to informed us that they used an adoption consultant. Two of the couples we talked to used Christian Adoption Consultants and had a great experience. After our 30 minute consultation with CAC, we knew we wanted to go this route as well. While it does cost a little more up front to work with a consultant throughout the adoption process, there are many advantages that far outweigh any costs associated with them. There are a lot of risks involved in adoption and the consultants give wisdom and guidance in making critical decisions. This is especially helpful for couples going through adoption the first time, and could potentially save thousands of dollars throughout the process. Working with a consultant also allows adoptive parents to have their profiles shown to a much wider range of prospective birth moms. Our profile books could be seen by prospective moms from all over the U.S.

Q: How long will the adoption process take?

A. As stated previously, we are already three months into the process. Christian Adoption Consultants has an average wait time of 6-10 months but we could be paired with a prospective mom as soon as we go live or it could take up to a year. There are many factors that will determine how long this process takes. With each stage of the adoption journey, we have to have a certain amount of funds raised to move forward. Along with the necessary funds we have to be chosen by a prospective mom. Once there is a "match" we will begin the next phase with the prospective mom. From this point on, the time frame will mostly be determined by how far along the prospective mom is in her pregnancy.

J & A