We got word yesterday that Britt’Knee and Elizabeth aren’t going to come live with us this month. If I were honest, it’s a bit of an emotional let-down. It’s taken a lot of mental energy and stamina to prepare ourselves for their arrival so to just let it go, is proving to be hard to do for me. Maybe because it seems like a final decision. I don’t know that Britt’Knee is expecting that, but her deciding to not come in May complicates our future decisions. Last she mentioned, she’d like to move up here the week before the baby is born. At this point, that isn’t happening. It’s not fair to my wife. It’s not fair to Savannah and it’s not fair to Elizabeth. So I rest it into God’s hands and work towards really letting this go.

Proverbs 16:9 (New Living Translation)
9 We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps.

I’m gonna be a dad.

cool.

As many of you have been tracking with Kristy and I and our pursuit of a family, here’s a quick update for you.

In late November we decided to begin the adoption process. The first step is to do a home study. That process is pretty lengthy and in-depth. What’s included? Well, for fun, I’ll give you the entire list:

• Life summary
• 5 personal references (notarized of course)
• Physician’s report for both Kristy and I
• Financial information disclosed
• Employment Verification letter
• Child abuse background check
• FDLE background check (criminal history verification)
• Local background check
• Supplemental home study questionnaire
• Affidavit of Good Moral Character
• Guardianship statement

Although this seems excessive, it certainly helps all be sure that our home is a good home. If you think this comes at little or no cost, think again. The home study is $1200. To hire a lawyer to do the adoption would be another $8000. To go through an agency…I don’t even remember any more. I should note that this is for private adoption. If we were interested in going through the state, then they would pay for all of this.

So, step one is almost complete. Step two? Be matched with a child through personal connections or register an agency to find a child for us. At this point, we’re just putting one foot in front of another.