Adoption Update

So, we have been quiet the past few months about our adoption due to the busyness of the move to North Carolina. Here is where we are at now:

Our home-study was approved on March 4th. We then had to do an annual update almost two weeks later. That was a fee of $375. Then an additional $150 to get clearances updated.

Today, we met with our new social worker and did another home tour. Which cost $500.

In between then and now we have been matched with a birth mom five times. Each time has been a "no". Or as I would rather put it, "not yet".

It has been rough waiting these past few months. Most days are easier than others, but when those rough days come, they hurt. When people ask me what the waiting is like, I always respond with this: "It's like waking up on your due date. You could have your baby today..but maybe not. That's every day until it actually happens. And that could be as long as 4 years or as short as one day."

If any of you know me, you know I despise talking about money. I don't like asking for donations or fundraising. But I will say that the outpouring of donations for our adoption is the only way we could afford this. When I say every dollar counts, I mean it. Currently we are up to date on all fees, with the exception of two. And that's because of our donations and saving every penny we can.

The next fee is $4,000 which is the matching fee.For when a birth mother selects us. And the final fee is the placement fee. Which is $16,000.

So that leaves us with a remainder of $20,000. Pocket change, right?! Thank you so much to everyone who has been vigilantly praying over us during this process. Also, to those of you who have donated, thank you it means SO much to us.

If you would like to donate, please feel free to click the link below.
paypal.me/gunnarkallstrom

-Brooke 

The last 6 months

A LOT had happened in the past 6 months since our last blog post:

•Our home study was finally APPROVED on March 4th. 

•We've had four "no's" so far 

•We moved from Alabama to North Carolina in May.  

Today we had a home study meeting with our new social worker. She visited our home for about 30 minutes, interviewed us, updated some paperwork  and toured our house. We also paid a $500 fee for the home study update and relocation amendment since we moved from Alabama to North Carolina. 

We are in the "waiting process". They said that this would be the hardest part and it definitely is! 

These are essentials when a social worker comes to inspect your home (or so we thought, she actually didn't even check for them..) 

                                       *Our puzzle fundraiser is still going on.*

If you would like to buy a puzzle piece (or more!) please click here ---> donate

Reminder of how this works:

We have 1,008 piece puzzle. Each piece is worth $10, which makes the entire puzzle worth $10,080. Every piece will have the donors name on it. After the puzzle is complete we will double side frame it and hang it in the nursery so our child can see who helped bring her home.* We've currently sold 247 pieces and there are 761 still available. 

We are SO incredibly thankful for all of your support, emotionally and financially! We couldn't do this with out your help.


-Gunnar