Adopting

Eric and I have always wanted a big family. From the beginning of our marriage we knew it might be hard for us to have biological children because of my health issues. Eric and I had faith (Eric more often than me) and we prayed about how we would proceed. After three biological children with the help of our wonderful doctor, “Our Plan” involved having one more biological child and then adopting two more. We wanted to adopt children that would be difficult to find forever homes. Well, through a very difficult grieving process for me and VERY clear direction from the Lord, we do not feel having a biological child is the direction that God has in store for us.

As we handed over “Our Plan”, God has given us back “HIS Plan”. It has a few ‘holes’ and areas we can’t read the fine print, but we still need to move forward with what He has called us to do. And we feel it is a Calling. We are in the process of being licensed to adopt through CPS. This is a long process, involving classes, applications, forms, questionnaires, home studies, etc. We still have some “homework” to do, including emptying a room and buying furniture. It is very exciting and overwhelming all at the same time! I kept thinking we needed to wait until we could afford a bigger house. And then it hit me that we can do this with what God has given us RIGHT now. If He is calling us to this road, than He will make a way. We have a WHOLE room we are using as a study/craft room. We are clearing a bunch of stuff we don’t need to keep and preparing a room for what is MUCH more important to us – children!

We have no idea how long before we will have foster children, but we want to be ready when God asks us to step up. Part of my willingness to move forward now has been how well Joshua has handled the last few sicknesses without being hospitalized.

We are open to many scenarios. This is what we are thinking at this point: (1) A sibling group (more than 2 children are harder to place). We can only have 2 children per room (sp footage requirements by the state), so we are “allowed” to have up to 3 foster children. (2) The girls want to maintain their birth order, so all 3 children would need to be younger than Rebekah (she’s 5 now, but will probably be 6, or older, by the time we actually are adopting). (3) We need either one boy and two girls or three boys – to keep an even boy/ girl ratio for room assignments (that makes it sound like a dorm assignment). (4) we are not specifying race or ethnicity. There are many more minority children in foster care and more Caucasian families licensed to adopt (based on what they have told us in our training classes). I grew up in a “transracial family” – I don’t think of us that way, but that was a term used by the classes. If there is a need for a child to be placed, we want to be there to fill it – no matter what their skin color!

So, please be praying for us. Specifically, (1) that we can get our house set up to accommodate 6 little rugrats. (2) Also, for our kids. They are SO excited, but we also are trying to give them a realistic picture – more work/responsibility, possibility children would live with us and then go back to their birth family, less likely they could stay in private school, etc… (3) Clear direction and wisdom for us, but more importantly for Eric. He is ultimately responsible for the decisions our family makes. (4) For Joshua to be healthy so we can physically, emotionally, and spiritually handle the normal stresses of life plus the additional stresses of fostering to adopt.

We are working with “Homes 4 Good”. We have friends who have adopted through them and we are excited to follow in their footsteps!

Did you know there are 6,000 children that are adoptable living in foster care in Texas? Maybe our story will fan a flame that has been on your heart?

Thanks for following our journey and praying for us!