Coming up this weekend, as many of you know, is our big garage sale, with another to follow on May 14th. We have a garage filled with amazing things that have been generously given by so many families. The photo at the bottom of the blog is of our garage. Nevermind that my parents' garage has a similar view.
We have been making signs, gathering tents and sticker pricing for the last two weeks and all I can say is that I am looking forward to having our home return to normal. I'm looking forward to no longer having to walk around the block just to get into my vehicle parked in the driveway.
One thing that we have heavily advertised is that this is a fundraising garage sale for our adoption. Yes, it's on every sign and in every ad we have placed. We will be posting our story of adoption at the checkout table and, since I have to write the story for the poster anyway, I thought I'd post it for all of you. This is just in case you've never heard the whole story, or this is your first time visiting the blog. So, grab a cup 'o Joe, a muffin and settle in:
Once upon a time...in a land far far away. Well, in Santa Cruz, California, so not really all that far. There were two young people, engaged to be married and move to Seattle. After moving to Seattle, there was a knock on the door and their hearts to move southward to the Portland area where Ashley's family resides.
Just prior to leaving Seattle, in the spring of 2008, Ashley happened to mention to Tim that she "pulled the goalie." This meant that she stopped taking the pill. Tim was alarmed and surprised, but after much discussion, they agreed that they would begin the process of trying to have a baby.
They tried and tried for months without success. So, Ashley went to the doctor in December of 2008 and was given an arm full of medicines and techniques and ideas to try at home. A full year of medicines, techniques and ideas left Ashley (and Tim) feeling disappointed and exhausted from the endless mood swings and bodily changes.
After 6 more months of non-medicinal attempts to have a baby, they decided that it was time to pursue adoption. You see, adoption was always in their minds and hearts because they both come from families with adopted mothers. Tim also has five Korean adopted aunts and uncles. So, needless to say, adoption was very near and dear to their hearts from the beginning. It took Ashley more time to warm to the idea of adoption because the last thing she would want was to feel like adoption was second best, or a replacement for biological children. She wanted to equally yearn for an adopted child as she would a biological one.
In August of 2010, Tim and Ashley felt God's call to move forward and leapt into the process of adoption by deciding on an adoption agency in Georgia. Because they have a beautiful mixed niece, they decided to adopt through the African American program to give their niece a cousin to confide in and share life with in a capacity that they wouldn't be able to understand.
They officially landed on the waiting list in January and it has been 3 1/2 months of waiting patiently and, really, that's all they can do. So, they anxiously await the day when they get to bring itty bitty Ainley home. For now, they prepare their hearts and their home for that very special day.
The Process: All paperwork, known as the official "homestudy" is completed and turned into the adoption agency for approval. Approval is given to the adoptive family and they are placed on the waitlist. The waitlist is a waiting list for a pregnant mother to select a family from for her unborn child. The pregnant mother selects a family in her 7th month of pregnancy or later, so the adoptive family does not have much time to prepare once they are matched with a mother. The reason for this is to reduce the chances that the mother changes her mind, opting not to adopt out her child, which is a very painful decision for the adoptive parent. Once a pregnant mother selects the family, and the family accepts the selection, she is given up until 10 days after birth to change her mind.
The adoptive parents will not meet the new baby until day 11, so as to avoid any attachment to a child that is not officially, law-bindingly, their child.
The Cost: $22,000 - $24,000
- This includes all legal fees, birth mother's medical expenses, home study fees, and agency fees.
How much has been raised/saved to date: $13,000
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All I can say is that it's far too hard to talk in third person. Especially when she's sleepy, I mean...I'm sleepy. I don't know anymore who is she or we or me.
Before I fall asleep with my head on the keyboard and end up typing something like asdbhguwegawlg iga;regh erga unintentionally, I must bid you all adieu. I will check back in after the garage sale and give an update on its success. If you are in the area, I hope that we get to see your smiling face!
Adios!
AA
Here is one of the songs from the Lullaby CD that I have been working on with my friend Aaron Ankrom. It's just a little somethin something for our baby.
we are praying and hoping along with you for the perfect baby to join your family...love ya...
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