News blurbs

I have a moment before Anna wakes up (I hope) to type a brief update on the goings ons in our house.

I went to a womens’ retreat last weekend and Brian tore up the bathroom floor which had some rot in it and replaced the floor and linoleum and toilet. He also had an adventure when a pipe broke off behind the sink, but I’ll leave the wet and grimy details to him. So the floor looks GREAT! We are going to put in new baseboards, patch the wall and paint in there next. We’d also like to put in a ceiling fan and do some work around the tub (refinish tub and tile the wall)…. but the tub at least isn’t happening soon. We’ll be trying to finish some of that this weekend. Brian – you are my hero, a genius and a SUPERhandyman!

News blurb two: We have attended the DHS (Department of Human Service) Orientation, class 5, and class 6 of the Foster/Adoptive parent certification series. There are seven classes plus the orientation. Then comes a CPR and First Aid class and a Blood Born Pathogens class. Then comes our Home Study. We also went and talked with Bethany Adoption Agency and next we’re going to visit with Christian Family Adoptions (CFA). Pray for us as we try to learn what age to adopt, where to adopt from/through and when our child will come to us.

A few differences to note: Adopting through the state – very few newborns, very few infants, mostly children over the age of 2. Possibility of fostering “with the intention to adopt” a legal risk baby/child. In that scenario, the kiddo may go back to their birth family. You can wait for a child who is legally free (parental rights already terminated). Wait time frame varies – potentially very long for infants, potentially very short for older kids. Mostly closed or semi-open adoptions. (Little to no contact with birth families.

Adopting through Bethany – can adopt through state – they represent us, costs $10K. Can also adopt through Domestic Infant Program – wait time about 18months average (from start of homestudy to placement). Can’t choose gender of child. (They aren’t born yet!) Almost all open adoptions, with varying degrees of openness/contact. Cost about 25K

Adopting through CFA – can adopt through state – they represent us, cost about $4K. Not sure why the difference compared to Bethany yet. Can also adopt through their domestic infant program… I think it costs about $20K. We meet with them mid March.

Notes: Federal adoption tax credit is about $11K. We’ll still need to come up with that money until we can get it back on our taxes. Adopting through the state with no adoption agency is next to free and you still get the tax credit.

Lots to do, lots to do.