Cost of Adoption

This is one topic that many people are curious about, but often hesitate to ask. It's no big secret that adoption is expensive! When we were researching all of our options, we were a bit overwhelmed by the cost and initially thought there was absolutely no way we could afford to adopt, domestically or internationally! However, our hearts directed us to take this path and we knew we had to take a leap of faith and trust that we would find a way to make it work. Even so, we were very scared to proceed without the financial side completely figured out, but we did and it has been incredibly amazing how we have managed to get this far. There is no possible way that we could have come as far as we have on our own. We are so incredibly thankful for the help that we have already received. Without the help and support that people have given us over the last six months or so, we would not have ended up with Eli. Thank you!

We still have a long way to go with both the process of Eli's adoption and with raising the rest of the money we need. We will be doing everything we can to raise the rest money needed to complete our adoption. So far, we have managed to raise money by cutting back on spending, through our garage sale, selling items on Amazon.com and eBay, extra jobs, donations from friends and family, and more. We are also planning on having another fundraiser in the fall through someone we met at our garage sale who sells Signature Home Styles items. We will provide more information about that when we have more details.

So, when it is all said and done, our adoption costs will total approximately $30,000-$35,000. Okay, you can pick yourselves off the floor now! Of course, the next question we always hear is "Why does it cost that much?" Well, adopting a child is very complicated and there are many, many, many people and agencies involved in the process.

So where does all the money go? The biggest chunk of change goes to our attorney in Guatemala. We signed over power of attorney to him so he acts on our behalf for all of the legal proceedings in Guatemala. From this money, he also pays our foster mother a small stipend, provides formula and diapers for Eli, and covers Eli's monthly medical check-ups and vaccines. We also pay a fee to our adoption agency for coordinating the entire process. Other fees include our home study, immigration and visa fees, passports, dossier certification and authentication, courier and postage, travel costs, and more. As you can see, it adds up quickly!

So why are we telling you this? Because adopting is a huge undertaking and the financial piece adds greater depth and understanding to our journey. Many of you have asked how you can help. What is most important to us, above all else, is that we have your love and support. That is what matters in life and what we value the most.

If you would like to help us financially, however, there are several things you can do.

• Like I stated before, we will be having another fundraiser in the fall. We will be working with a local consultant who sells home interiors. She has offered to donate all of her proceeds from the sale to our adoption fund. We will be having a home party and a book party. Click on the following link to see what sorts of items are available: http://www.signaturehomestyles.com/. We will post more information once we have some details and a date set for the party.
• We are also collecting items to sell on eBay and Amazon.com (books). If you have any items you think are of value and you would like to donate, leave a post and we will contact you to work out the details.
• If you do a lot of online shopping, please sign up on www.igive.com/BabyShank. A small percentage of your online purchases will be donated to our adoption fund. It is very easy and does not cost you a thing. Click on the link for more information.
• We have also added a link on the top right hand side of the site so that you can make a monetary donation. You can donate using a credit card or a paypal account.

We realize that not everyone is in a position to help us financially. The greatest thing you can do to help us is to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we journey to bring Eli home.

If you do follow your bliss, you put yourself on a

kind of track that has been there all the while waiting for you,

and the life you ought to be living is the one you are living.

When you can see that, you begin to meet people

who are in the field of your bliss,

and they open the doors to you. I say, follow your bliss

and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't

know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss,

doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else.

-Joseph Campbell