From the beginning........

Ryan and I have been trying to get pregnant for 4 1/2 years.  We're tired of all the appointments, shots, side effects, money wasted, and mostly the emotional roller coaster.  We are more than ready to become parents and are so excited to finally see a baby in our near future! 

We started researching agencies about three months ago.  We have decided to go with HOPE in Oak Park Heights.  We have been very busy doing paperwork, and are relieved to have finished our autobiographies!! Such a huge weight lifted!  We have had one meeting with our social worker, and will have 2 to 3 more.  Our next meeting is scheduled for October 5th, to go over more paperwork and questions.  We have also completed one training course on Multicultural parenting.  We still have about 3 or 4 classes left to do. 
They say the Home Study will take 3-4 months depending on how fast we can complete paperwork, schedule meetings, and attend classes.  I think we're moving at a pretty good pace so far!

We are doing a Domestic infant adoption.  Once we complete our Home Study, we will be put "in the book." Our profile will be given to birthmothers who come to HOPE looking for adoptive couples, lawyers working for a birthmother, or other agencies looking for adoptive parents.  We are also relying on word of mouth.  We are trying to just get our name out there to anyone and everyone who may know someone who is pregnant and deciding what to do. 

Once a birth mother has chosen us, it could be months, weeks, or even days before the baby is born.  They even told us at HOPE that mothers have called while in labor! So we are preparing for the possibility of a very short notice! How exciting!!

Want to know what you can do to help??  Well first and foremost, prayers are very much appreciated! They have gotten us this far in this journey, but we're not done yet!  We truly believe that the baby that's meant for us, will be brought into our lives, and we can't wait!! 
Secondly, please keep your eyes and ears open for anyone who could possibly be interested in adoption.  We know this is probably a long shot, but just in case.


Lastly, we really want to say thank you to all of you for being there for us on this journey.  We could not have made it this far without each and every one of you!  Although it has been the hardest thing we have ever been through, we continue to see positives along the way.  We truly believe that we are going through this for a reason and can't wait to meet that reason!

Love
Ryan and Christa