Embryo Adoption FAQs

Below is a quick update, as well as the answers to some of the questions that I've been asked since we made our decision to switch to embryo adoption. I hope that it helps clarify things for you guys. Enjoy! :)

Addendum complete!

I know it's been way too long since I've updated. I'm sorry! There hasn't been much to share, and Ryan and I have been in and out of town a few times so life has been kind of busy. But the latest and greatest is that our home study addendum has finally been completed! :) Last year when we did our home study, we were approved to be adoptive parents via domestic infant adoption. Although it was very easy to switch from DIA to the Snowflakes program, we still needed to meet with our social worker so that she could make an official addendum to our homestudy to include embryo adoption. That's what we've been waiting on over the last few weeks. Now we can move on to the matching process! :)

So what will happen from here is similar to the domestic infant matching process, only it seems we have a little more give and take. Last I heard, there were 75 genetic families waiting for adopting families in our agency's Snowflakes program. Each of them have established criteria for prospective adopting families, and I believe that they put together a profile book about themselves with pictures just like we did. The agency will show us one family at a time, we both get to look through each other's profiles. If we all feel that it is a good match, we will sign the contract, and the agency will coordinate shipping of the embryos from their clinic to Dr. Q's. I hope to have more info and contact with our agency next week, so I'll be sure to keep you posted now that things are actually moving forward. :)

A Snowflake Story :)

One really cool thing about being a part of Nightlight Christian Adoptions, is that this is the agency that actually pioneered embryo adoption. :) I'm really thankful that we decided to go with them last summer, because it allowed us to switch to embryo adoption really easily when not all agencies provide this service. Anyway, I came across the video below about two families who went through the Snowflake program at Nightlight. I really think it shows how embryo adoption allows two families to help one another in their respective predicaments. It is a beautiful blessing to both the donating family and the adopting family, and I am so excited to be a part of it! :)

Moving Right Along

It was actually kind of nice to walk into Dr. Q's office on Wednesday and see those familiar faces. :) I am happy that this next phase, though approached from a different angle, is something that I'm used to and comfortable with. I know the process physically and emotionally, and I trust the people that we're working with. They seemed happy to see me as well. :) Dr. Q got on board with what we wanted, and he signed the form I needed him to. All the agency paperwork to switch our profile over has been taken care of, and we have an initial meeting scheduled with our wonderful social worker next Friday. Once that's done, we will officially be waiting for a match. :) Week and a half turn around? Yeah baby, that's what I like to see! ;)

Embryo Adoption Here We Come!

In case you didn't see on our facebook page, we received word yesterday that the birthmom ended up choosing a different couple. Although we would have been thrilled to be matched again, especially with twins, we knew that the risk for this situation was high and we were slightly relieved that the door on that opportunity was closed so gracefully. We have been seriously considering a different form of adoption, and the sense of relief we felt at the end of this possibility really gave us confidence to move forward with our other option - Embryo Adoption. :) Below is a video blog with the whole scoop. :)

TWINS??!

Ok, I finally have an adoption update! woohoo! :) Our social worker contacted us regarding a special out of state situation. Our agency has another office in Kentucky, and there is a birthmom there that we might be a good fit for. She is due at the end of July with TWINS - a boy and a girl! We were soooo excited to hear that we could possibly be matched with two babies at the same time, what a blessing that would be!

Unfortunately, there is also a down side. In California, when a birthmom signs away her rights, it's pretty much a done deal within 24 hours. In Kentucky, the law gives both birthparents 110 days to change their minds about the adoption. So it is possible that we get matched, bring the babies home, and have to give them back after a few months. 

Although this is a huge risk, we gave the ok for our profile to be shown to this birthmom. We are one of two couples being considered by her right now. Our profile was shown to her this past Wednesday, and we are hoping to hear back from the agency tomorrow (Monday). Our prayer right now is that, if this birthmom is going to change her mind once the babies are born, that the Lord would just not even allow us to get chosen. We're asking that the Lord to spare us from the possible heartache. We are excited and yet nervous at the same time. Please pray for peace, wisdom, and trust in the Lord as we wait for Him to lead us forward, or close this door for us. Thank you all!

Winded

Sorry that it's been a while since I've posted. Sorrier still that the post I finally wrote is a total downer. Keepin it real folks, keepin it real. lol.

Well, I made it through Mother's Day by the skin of my teeth. Leading up to Sunday I set it in my mind that it was going to be a positive day, because I am a daughter and I have an incredible mom and mother in law to celebrate with. It was not going to be about me and my lack of motherhood. But it was no use. A few reminders throughout the day, and I was a hot mess. Still kind of am. Maybe next year I'll actually be happy and won't have to grit through it...

I might not have any physical strength whatsoever. lol. But I've always tried to push myself to be strong inside and have the heart of a fighter. Getting back up and trying again, blow after blow after blow. But I have to be honest guys - I feel winded. I'm so tired of this continued heartache and waiting. I had a tearful prayer time this morning, just asking God to remember me as He remembered Rebekah (Gen. 25:21), Rachel (Gen. 30:22), Hannah (1 Sam. 1:19-20), and Elizabeth (Luke 1:12). But even more than that, I asked Him to give me endurance. I know that I am in a particularly discouraged season right now, and forgive me if I sound dramatic, but I just don't know how much more of this I can take. I need the Lord's sustaining grace. And a vacation. And apparently a Snuggie, because these people seem pretty happy and content with life-

lol. Sorry, I just had to throw a little comic relief in there. ;) Thanks in advance for any prayers coming our way. God is good, and He is going to see us through. <3