Wrangler Dani

I’ve written about my desire to be a mom a few times (here, here and here). I’ve attended baby showers and I’ve breathlessly held my friends’ little loves. I’ve heard a lot of unsolicited advice about pregnancy, adoption, child-rearing and even the dreaded “enjoy not having kids while you can” bit.

I say all that to explain that it’s been a while, and we have kept our hopes and plans to ourselves and a few trusted counselors for long enough. Even though conventional wisdom says I shouldn’t share this yet, and even though there’s still a long road ahead, I’m still going to tell you: we’re adopting!

I tell you this because the last few months have felt a little lonely as we’ve slogged through paperwork and filled out forms, while on the other hand I’m also dancing-in-the-kitchen thrilled that it’s finally happening and I’m tired of keeping all these conflicting thoughts inside my already jam-packed head. Many people say that you shouldn’t share your adoption plans until more pieces are in place, but I am just too wussy/excited to wait that long.

OK, so here are the details:

• We are adopting a newborn in the U.S. (“domestic infant” in adoption terms) but not necessarily from Oregon.
• We are having our home study visit on September 12 (next week!) and are terrified/excited/thrilled! Please pray for us and our social worker!
• Our wait period will be anywhere from four weeks to 10 months after the home study is completed. That really narrows it down, huh?
• We are using an “adoption consultant”, Susan, who basically is just a resource for us as we navigate the ins and outs of adoption. Her blog is here, and we love her already!
• We will be fundraising. I’m not sure what that will look like or when it will happen, but we covet your prayers and support as we figure out the finances of all of this.
• We absolutely, 100% feel confident that this is God’s plan for our family, and we are so excited to be moving forward.

Oh, yeah, and today I’m adding a new category here on the blog: ADOPTION, which means I’ll tell you a lot more and talk about this until you’re sick and tired of hearing about it and then  way past that. Prepare thyself!

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6