Since my post last month we have made many decisions. Every step we complete and every day that ends brings us that much closer to our addition :)
After much research we decided on adopting through an agency called CCAI. They don't have employees in MN, so we also needed to decide on an agency who would complete our homestudy. This agency will be AWAA. We had to pre-apply and then apply with each agency to make sure we qualify and meet criteria for this adoption, and thankfully were approved with both!
We have paid our initial fees so far, which amazingly enough we have been able to pay through the sale of Adam's prized boat. He was able to sell it at his asking price, which he then was able to pay off any debt he owed and then put the rest in savings, which has already been used towards our fees for the adoption.
Making these decisions now and having these initial applications approved over the summer has allowed time during the day for us to run errands and make calls, which I am hoping will help keep this process flowing and moving towards a "quick" process. We were told to plan on 11-18 months from the time we submit our application, which was 7/19. Since that date we signed up with AWAA, requested both of our birth certificates, our marriage license, and sent in a request for a new passport since mine expires in January. Today we received our dossier packet via email, which I can access in about an hour according to the email. We have been so blessed with this process! Everything has gone so smoothly so far, I almost feel like I should pinch myself!
This week Adam and I have a doctor's appointment to get our physicals done, which is one part of the process. We also need to watch 12 hours of video training, which I am hoping to begin later this week.
In other news, I have only one more homework assignment for my sixth summer school class left. I feel like a huge weight will be lifted off my shoulders and my time will be more free for adoption paperwork when this is done, so I am very excited to finish soon! I have been selling pampered chef for about a month, and I am almost caught up with paying off my initial expenses. This will hopefully be another source of income in the very near future and will help with some adoption expenditures.
The kids and I have had a blast this summer and have spent lots of time outdoors with friends. I am a little sad for summer to end for us, but look forward to getting back on a routine with school and for Abby to start preschool, dance, and gymnastics in a few weeks and for AJ to begin FIRST grade!
Have a blessed day.
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