Officially on the Wait List!!

As of July 10th, we are officially on the Wait List!!! Wahoo!! So technically we have up to a 12 month wait, but from the looks of it, the average wait time it is about 7 months and then an additional 3-6 months before traveling. Let's hope it goes quickly...

So here is the timeline thus far:

12/29/08--Application 1 Submitted

02/05/09--Application 2 Submitted (the agency tells me I got all paperwork completed in record time!) Yes, I am just that compulsive about some things!

02/07/09--Attend workshop in Little Rock

05/04/09--Home Study visit #1

05/11/09--Home Study visit #2

07/10/09--OFFICIALLY WAITING!!

We got our packet on Saturday right before heading down to Booneville for our friends, Michael and now Megan Mueller's wedding! The wedding was gorgeous and it was so great to catch up with college friends!

I also have been working around the house on various projects to pass the time... Jonathan is getting scared of me and my dangerous addiction to spray paint. BUT, I do have to post a pic of the newest addition to the living room. After selling some of our old furniture on Craig's List, I bought this awesome chair I've been eyeing for weeks. I had been dying to reupholster an ottoman I had stored in the attic for 3 years now and I just so happen to stumble upon the EXACT same fabric at Hancock. Check it out...Not bad for my first project!

It's Been Awhile...

Ok, so a lot has happened since I last wrote... Pretty boring stuff actually, but blogable I suppose. I've decided I'm going to keep up better with this whole blog thing, whether I have anything to say or not. So here we go...

RIP...

well actually she didn't crash or anything

So I'm starting off on a bittersweet note. After much discussion, Jonathan and I decided to sell our Nissan Xterra (aka Terry Dan, Yedi, etc). Considering we work in the same building and typically spend most weekends together, it didn't seem reasonable to keep her knowing the HUGE adoption expenses that are coming. We figure we could go a year with just one car and hopefully put off buying another one until our Federal Adoption Tax credit comes. Let's hope we can manage... She went to a wonderful couple in Oklahoma and we're thankful we were able to sell her pretty quick.

I was recently promoted at work. Small promotion, yet still a long, hard fought one. Thanks to my boss for doing the work and getting it approved!! Ok that is all I've got for now...Stay tuned..

Home Study Approved!!

We are officially approved by our Social Worker for our Home Study!! Hooray! She was so nice and the whole thing couldn't have gone better! One more step down. Now we just have to wait for her to finish writing up the report and send to the agency where they will review and hopefully get us on the Wait List end of June or July. From there it's another 'up to 12 months'... Hopefully sooner though! Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers!

Great gifts for Mother's Day! Email if interested!!

Round Rhodium Pendant on

Sterling Silver chain with Mother of Pearl disk $26

Large Zinc Rounder with Names & Bdays

on Sterling Silver chain $26

Zinc Double Rounder with Names and Bdays
on Sterling Silver chain $30

Zinc Rounder pendant with a Sterling Silver

chain with a small pearl $26

Zinc Rounder with Names and Birthdates
with Brass ring on Sterling Silver chain $26

Check it out the goods...

Single Initial Heart Sterling Silver
Pendant with Sterling Silver Chain
$26

Monogram Square Rhodium
Pendant with Sterling Silver chain
$26

Name & Birthdate Rhodium
Rectangle Keyring

$12

Single Initial Oval Sterling Silver

Pendant with Sterling Silver Chain

$26

Single Initial Heart Sterling Silver
Pendant with Sterling Silver Chain

$26

*20 Questions*

Since making our announcement to adopt, we have several people asking SEVERAL questions. Don't get us wrong, we love the interest and support and have done enough research, we could probably teach a class. Anyway, here are 20 quick Q & A's about the adoption process and our experience so far.


1. When did you make the decision to adopt?
It's something we've always had interest in and talked about but made the official decision in December.

2. Are you adopting domestically or from another country?
Internationally

3. What country?

South Korea

4. What made you decide?
There were a few factors: We couldn't find an agency that would give us specifics on length of the process and exactly how much it would cost. Most answers were incredibly large ranges and we just weren't comfortable. Korea seemed right to us.

5. How long will it take?
After the Home Study is completed, it can be up to a 12 month wait until we receive the referral of a child. Then it is another 3-6 months before we are approved to travel to pick he/she up.

6. What is a home study?
A home study is when the social worker comes to your house to ensure that it is safe and adequate for a child. They also ask TONS of questions about your childhood, parents, marriage, discipline techniques, etc. Our social worker will meet with us twice before writing her report. She then sends the report to our agency who then sends it to the agency in Korea.

7. Do you get to pick the gender?
In S. Korea, you can 'prefer' a gender. There are no guarantees however. We did not pick.

8. Will you travel to pick up your child?
Yes!!

9. How old will the child be?
Most likely between 8-12months

10. Where are you in the process?
We have been assigned a Social Worker finished our Home Study

11. Do the children live in orphanges?
In most countries, yes; however, in South Korea most live in foster homes

12. What agency are you going through?
Dillon International (Tulsa, OK)

13. How much does it cost?
Prices vary by country. It all depends on their fee and then the agency's fee. S. Korea will ballpark around $30,000 including travel!!

14. Why does it costs so much?
There is A LOT of legal paperwork which requires people to faciliate and ready the documents, travel costs, medical records, Immigration forms, etc... Also, since in Korea most children are raised in Foster families until being adopted, a substantial amount goes to them toward the care of the child.

ok I lied, I could only come up with 14 questions...email if you have more!

*Welcome!*

Hello Friends and Family!

For those of you who don't already know, Jonathan and I are adopting our first child from South Korea. We are right smack in the middle of the process and we are definitely feeling a pinch to the wallet. I have been making hand made gifts for years now and what better way to enjoy a hobby and make a little dough?

I've put my most creative foot forward to explore ways to raise a few funds to help curb the outrageous cost. If your interested, take a look at some of my latest projects!