Here's some info to hopefully better answer some of the questions we have been asked...
- Because our youngest child is 2 years old, they will put us on the list for a girl that is 2 years old or younger.
- Most all International Adoptions are for children that are termed Special Needs. As part of our Home Study we will have to list the special needs we are willing to take. Please pray for wisdom and guidance for us on this.
- A lot of the children will have already had surgery for their special need in India. Children of the World helps fund these surgeries.
- All the paperwork has to be done in twos, one for Alabama and one for India.
- After all the paperwork is done we will have a Home Study.
- Once we are approved the waiting begins for a referral (a child). It can be anywhere from 6-18 months.
- Children of the World has a pediatrician they work with in India and in Birmingham to be sure we will get all the medical information on a referral to help us better make our decision. I am going to talk to our pediatrician also to see if he will look over all the information for us too when the time comes.
- When we accept a referral the legal process will begin in the courts in India. We do NOT have to be there for that. In fact, our agency said we will not even set our travel plans until everything is finalized in the India courts.
- We will have another waiting period during this time. It can be 6-12 months. I think this one will be the hardest for me, knowing she is ours but her still having to be in the orphanage there. But our agency said most of their orphanages are good about sending pictures off and on. So that makes me happy!! (Little side note...she will have a boy haircut, no matter the age, because that is how they do it)
- All the waiting times are just estimates, so it could go quicker than we think or it may not.
- Britt and I will travel to India to get our daughter. I think the longest we will be there is a week, but possibly only 3 days.
- The cost to adopt (including travel and lodging in India) will be around $28,000.
- If you have any other questions please feel free to ask, we will answer as best we can. But more importantly, please be praying for us through this process. Our boys are already praying for "baby sister." Even Matthew (our 2 year old) will bow his head and say, "Jesus, baby sister, amen!"
Just a little side note about how God takes care of us even in the little things...I don't always do so well when Britt is out of town. I use to be way worse; like have all the house lights on, the TV on, and the boys in the bed with me, locked in my room. I'm not that bad anymore, but I do have a gun permit and a gun! ; ) Anyways, for some reason the second night Britt was gone I was just scared. Not sure why, but I was. Needless to say, I did not get much sleep that night. The next night I was on Pinterest looking for door hanger ideas (more on that in a minute), and I came across this verse...In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8...just one of those cool God moments where He gave me peace. Beth Moore calls those "God Stops." : )
I am making Door Hangers to help fund our adoption. You can go here... https://www.facebook.com/greenadoption/ ...to see the door hangers I can do. New ones will be added, so keep checking the page.
We are also going to do a yard sale hopefully the first part of March. So if you have anything you are wanting to get rid of let us know. Britt or I will come pick it up. We have a basement garage that we can store stuff in for now.
I can also do pictures for anyone interested. Here is a link to my photography... http://heathergreenphotography.blogspot.com/
Have a great weekend!!
