We’re paper pregnant! Today we are announcing to our family and friends that we are in the process of adopting a child from China!

At some point, I will go into more detail about how we got to this point. Until then, know that we feel that God has called us to take this step. There isn’t a better example of adoption than the Father bringing us into his eternal family. We hope to follow his lead and pour love into a child who needs a family to call their own.

We started the process in March 2016 and explored different adoption options before settling on China. It is the best fit for our family due to the relatively stable history of adoptions from there, the availability of young children, and a variety of other factors.

Our home study was finalized last week, meaning that we have completed the first phase. A social worker met with us on multiple occasions to make sure that we were a suitable home for a child (and lucky for our son, we passed!).

We have had hours of China-specific training, physical exams, background checks, interviews with family, verifications of our history, and more.

We have been approved for a male or female, ages birth to three, with mild to moderate special needs. China’s program is for special needs children, though they define it differently than we do in the United States. This means that we could have a child with a cleft lip and palate, missing fingers/toes, mild congenital heart defects, or other conditions that are mostly correctable with adequate medical care.

If all goes as planned, we could bring the child home in late spring/early summer 2017. There are a lot of factors that go into this, and there will be inevitable delays, but that’s the best timeline for now.

J is excited to be a big brother and keeps praying for the plane that he will ride on to go get his brother or sister. (If he actually goes on the trip has yet to be determined!)

I also know that there are some other things you are really hoping I include here so that you don’t have to awkwardly ask me later. So, I’ll address some of the more personal questions.

Do we know what we are getting ourselves into? No. But does any parent know what to expect when they are having their first, second, or even fifth child? We don’t want all the “what ifs” to keep us from doing what we feel like we are supposed to do.

Isn’t adoption expensive?

Yes! Very. There are grants and tax credits available, but we are mostly just relying on faith that the finances will work themselves out.

If you are considering adoption but aren’t sure how to pay for it, subscribe to my newsletter for tips and tricks. You’ll get a free download of my 101 Adoption Fundraising Ideas just for signing up!

Why don’t you have another biological child first?

The short answer is that this child will be just as much ours as J. There have been a variety of circumstances that have led us to adoption and we are just as excited/terrified/happy/anxious as we were when we found out we were pregnant.

How can our family and friends support the adoption?

Most importantly, we want to share our news with family, friends, and those of you who read this. It does take a village to raise and child, and this child will be no exception. In fact, right now we are entrusting our child to the orphanage and/or foster care workers who have been charged taking care of him or her. We also know that many of you are a part of our village, and we need your help. I believe that God doesn’t call the equipped, but he equips the called. And he will equip us as parents, but also with supportive people put in our paths.

Some of you will be our prayer warriors. Pray that our child is protected physically, emotionally, and spiritually from the environment they are currently in. Pray for their medical care. Pray for a smooth transition into our family unit where they can love and feel loved. Pray that the financial and logistical details of the process will work out. And pray that J, Nathan, and I will be prepared when they arrive and after.

Some of you will give us advice and point us to other families who have been down this path. Others will help us get settled after the kiddo arrives. Some of you will be our sounding boards when we get stressed. Some of you will be called to help us financially. Others will help J adjust. Some will help us navigate the medical system after we know our child’s specific needs. Others will encourage us along the way. And I know there are many other things that I haven’t even thought of yet. But I want to thank you in advance for your support and love!

I hope to keep everyone updated as we move along. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions, advice, or any positive words to send our way. We’re excited to share the news!

Do you know someone who has adopted? Or maybe your family has walked this path? How did they/you announce their plans to friends and family? I’d love to hear more in the comments section below!

Our daughter is now home and doing great! You can read more about our adoption journey here. For ideas on how to fund an adoption, check out my Adoption Grants and Fundraising page. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get your 101 Adoption Fundraising Ideas today!