[Mommy2Hunter]

First of all, Hi I know I don't post a whole lot over here anymore. I read everyday but mostly keep up and respond to folks over on Facebook. Thank you FB for making me too lazy to post over here!

Anyway, to the point.

For about 2 years now John and I have been considering adoption. Mostly John has been on board and I have been dragging my feet Adoption is everywhere in my life right now. I'm meeting more people that have been adopted. Family members of ours are adopting. Everytime I randomly open my Bible (to read outside of my normal daily reading) I turn to a passage that speaks about adoption. I have been ignoring this for the last 2 years hoping it would go away. Well, it hasn't. God has practically beaten down my door to tell me of His plans for me. So...we are in the process of becoming certified foster parents. Like, the applications are en route, background checks are happening, and we are trying to schedule all of our training sessions.

The organization we are using (Sunrise Children's Services) is a Christian foster agency. The provide about 50x more support (not in the monetary sense, but like a team of people there to help you) for the foster families than the state foster system does and they focus a lot on finding the right family for the child, instead of just filling the first open bed available. Also, they don't get a lot of younger children (elementary and younger) so we are looking at middle school and high school aged kids. When they do get younger kids, then tend to come in sibling groups or as a teenage mom and baby. They also support adoption in the event that they cannot place the child back in the home.

Honestly, I'm scared poopless. However, I'm very confident that this is the path we are intended to take. We will be the first family in our ENTIRE COUNTY to work with this organization. They have been coming to our area for years pleading for families to step up and help them. They get a lot of phone calls from interested people, but can never get anyone to go any further. We will be the first.

So, if you guys wouldn't mind to think/pray for us over the coming months. We haven't told our families yet so if you mention it on FB just pm me Thanks girls. I know I can count on you guys for support!

[jillylicious]

I saw your FB update this morning and got excited for you! You are going to make SUCH a huge difference in someone's life - BIG congrats!

Yaaay! Chin up, babe! It'll be worth every scary moment!

[Mommy2Hunter]

Thanks Jill! I appreciate the encouragement so much.

I have been very vague on Facebook. Our family more than likely thinks it's all due to John's new job that is coming up. That hasn't been made real public among friends yet b/c we are waiting on the Governor's signature on his contract before we tell everyone on Facebook. We know that most of our family is NOT going to be supportive and with us still in the beginning stages we need encouragement, not people telling us we are making a huge mistake. Once we start training we will tell everyone. You guys and our church family are pretty much the only ones that know.

We keep asking ourselves if we are good enough parents to take on more kids/older kids that already have suffered, but then we realize we are better parents than they have ever known. We have love, stability, and they will come into a home that places God above everything else. What else do they really need?

[youngwoman]

What a wonderful, selfless thing for you & John to do! Much love and good luck to you on your new path.

[Admin-Twinkle]

I'm so proud and happy for you and your family! I'll be praying for you!!

[4 boys]

Good luck, Miranda! I would totally be scared as well but if this is what God has called you to do, you can have confidence that he will provide everything you need to accomplish it.

[jillylicious]

Originally Posted by Mommy2Hunter

We have love, stability, and they will come into a home that places God above everything else. What else do they really need?

This. Right here.

Poop on everybody else who doesn't agree with your choice. You guys know what it's in your heart and how much room you have in your lives to do this, nobody else does, and if you know it's the right decision for you then do it.

There will be some truly amazing moments in the months & years to come - get excited!

[Mod-quietsong]

Originally Posted by jillylicious

Poop on everybody else who doesn't agree with your choice.

I couldn't have put it better. You guys are doing a fabulous thing, and I, for one, am SO excited for you! John and I have discussed this, and we think we will do it in the future - but John feels it is important for Eric to remain oldest (I don't necessarily agree, but I respect his wishes) so it will be a few years down the road for us. I think you guys are doing an amazing thing, and any child or children placed with you will be SO lucky to be a part of your family.

[curlimama05]

That's so awesome, Miranda! I am so excited for you guys and was hoping that your status was pertaining to this. Good luck and KUP! Any child would be blessed to join your family!

[Mommy2Hunter]

You guys are the best

We are excited and everyday we wake up more solid in our decision. Come summer or fall we will be certified and taking children into our home.

Kel- we really wanted to keep the youngest/oldest dynamic too and that was one reason why we are a little worried with taking in older kids. We have started talking to Hunter about it and he is sort of iffy, but he's a pretty adaptable kid and I think once we start in he will be more comfortable with it. This agency, from what I understand, gives you lots of training on how to prepare the kids you already have for this change so I feel pretty confident we'll be ok. We are just going to always have make sure to do our best to give them as much attention as possible once we get a child here and start dealing with whatever they bring to the table.

Thanks again for the amazing words! Love every last one of you!

[Mod-quietsong]

That's great, Miranda! I think if Eric were older, we may have done it now (rather than me being pregnant!), but at 5 he just felt too young to handle it. I'm glad the agency has a great support network, and I can't wait to hear how Hunter does do with it as you move forward. Plus, I'm glad to hear about the agency in general - it's something I didn't know existed, and we will have to look into whether there is a local one similar when our time comes around! It sounds like a phenomenal resource.

[Mommy2Hunter]

I'm not sure if they have Sunrise in MO or not. I think they are on in KY, but I am willing to be there is something similar there and that they would know about it. If it ever comes to pass for you guys, let me know and I'll see!

[clouise]

Good luck! I'll be praying for you guys. That sounds like a very neat agency to work with.

[TallyGirl22]

That is amazing! Super excited for you!! Cannot wait to hear how it all goes.

[mayandsofiasmommy]

Awesome. Especially awesome that it will be older kids!!! The school I teach at has a lot of foster kids, and I teach middle. You can make a huge difference in their lives!!!!

[HS&Fsmom]

Just read this thread. WOW!! That is awesome. Thank you for sharing your story of how you were led to look into adoption. You are very courageous to go ahead with it even though you're apprehensive. My cousin has done both (foster and adopt) and it has been a huge blessing to her and their entire family. I would not consider the family complete without her daughter whom she got at age 6 I believe. There are so many children in dire need of a loving family and I absolutely believe that you have one to provide to them. Wow! What an exciting journey. Good luck and keep us posted. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers through the whole process.

[Mommy2Hunter]

Thanks everyone!

We have our first training session this coming Friday morning. We are going to take the training slow b/c the group that was going on has fallen apart so the director is having to train everyone individually now. This actually works out for us b/c my brother is very possibly going to move up here this summer and get himself into college and established with a job, but before he does he is going to stay with us. Also, John's new job starts next month (as long as the governor approves his contract- HURRY UP! LOL) so we aren't sure of what his schedule is going to look like. Anyway, it's a blessing that we aren't going to have to cram it into 3 sessions a weekend.

We shared with our Pastor and his wife this week and they are going to help us organize an informational meeting with the directors and us to try to entice some more people to join us in our craziness! haha Our Pastor is very passionate about their program so his family is going to be a great support system for us.

We have only told a few people in our family- my mom and John's cousins (who are currently adopting internationally from Korea). We are still maintaining our secrecy among the rest!

Thanks again for all the encouragement, ladies!

[2xPink]

Congrats on making your decision and getting the ball rolling! You will be such a blessing to children in need! I hope your family and friends offer support and encouragement when you share with them.

[MarieJ]

amazing!