ADOPTION!!

We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support that we have been given by family and friends since we announced that we had applied for adoption. We decided to start this blog as a way to keep people updated throughout the adoption process and one day about the new "little Stape".

We began the process of adoption in November 2007 by contacting Bethany Christian Services. We attended an information meeting and began the long paperwork process. We couldn't believe how long the process was just to fill out paperwork and get everything in order before we could even turn in our application. In May of 2008 we were finally able to turn in our complete application to BCS.

In July, we began the homestudy process with our social worker, Carolyn. She came to our home for our first meeting where she was able to get to know us and check out our home. A couple of weeks later, we each had to meet with Carolyn individually before she could complete the homestudy report. Throughout this process we had to write a letter to birthparents looking for adoptive parents for their child and create a scrapbook that captured who we are. Finally in October, we were approved for adoption!

At this point we are on a list with Bethany Christian Services. You can find our profile on their website http://www.bethany.org/. The adoption process has changed over the years where it is no longer a list where they keep crossing off names. These days, the birthparents get to choose the adoptive parents for their baby. So until we get a phone call telling us that some birthparents picked us, we continue to wait patiently with prayers and crossed fingers.

Any updates that we have, we will post for all of our family and friends. Thanks again for all of your love and support!