Our Current Process...

Many people followed us on this blog and in other places during our first adoption  We are (and were) extremely thankful for all of the support then.  Since 2013, I have kept this blog open to the public, but have not written very much.  Few people know about our current process, why we chose to start it again.  Some that are aware have been asking questions about the timeline.  So here it is

• July 18-19, 2015 - IMPACT Training #1 in Atlanta, GA
• Aug. 8-9, 2015 - IMPACT Training #2 in Atlanta, GA
• August, 2015 - Very large packet of paperwork submitted to our agency
• Dec., 2015 - Matt - CPR/First Aid Class (Kristie keeps her's current!)
• Jan. 25, 2016 - Homestudy Visit #1
• Feb. 3, 2016 - Homestudy Visit #2

What kind of adoption is it?  Domestic (open to all 50) states, "special needs" children, foster-to-adopt.

How many kids?  As many as we can get.

What is considered "special needs"?  Sibling groups in the foster care system, a child with medical challenges, a child that has been in the foster system for a long time.

Why are you going through this again?  Why not?  James 1:27

What does it cost?  $Zero in the state of GA (if we end up adopting out of state, there could be some legal fees).


Where are you going to put more kids?  The Lord has provided us with a nice house with some room for a few more.  We can put a boy on Seth's top bunk, and we can fit a couple of girls in the bonus room with Daughters #2 and #3.

For more information, visit http://dfcs.dhs.georgia.gov/adoption-process.

Home Study

We received word today that our home study will begin on Monday, 1/25.  We have waited for so long, and now it looks like things are starting to move.  According to the Program Manager, our "adoption specialist"  (case worker) is new with our agency, but has a ton of experience writing home studies.  So, it looks like a weekend full of cleaning, organizing and making sure our house is child-proof...

Our agency...http://www.familiesfirst.org/

2016 Goals

Last night was fun.  We let the kids stay up and see the Atlanta Peach Drop.  This was a first for them.  Rather than sending them to bed only for them to get woken up at midnight when the fireworks went off, we let them experience it first hand.  Needless to say, they were still up at 8 AM the next morning.

So here are my goals for this New Year...

1.  Travel.  I know that some business travel will be inevitable, however, I will set a goal to limit it as much as possible.  But I still have the dream to see more of the world - starting with Tortola in February.  Kristie and I will get a belated anniversary getaway for a few days.  Snorkeling, swimming - I can't wait.

2.  Read thirty-five books and track them at Malachi-Books.

3.  Complete our domestic adoption.  We still need to complete our home-study.  Currently, it's completely out of our hands - waiting on our agency.

4.  Pay off our house.  Currently at 23.2% Loan-to-Value.  We are going to see that drop to Zero, and own our home outright by January, 2017!

5.  Begin steps to writing our adoption experience.  I have dreamed for a long time of writing a book. Also, I've been wanting to get our Latvian adoption experience out there.