Welcome to Blogging

Well it has officially happened. We are blogging. Jason and I are starting this blog to keep family and friends informed on the journey through adoption as well as provide an outlet for ourselves. Welcome and please feel free to leave messages, questions, or just to check in every now and then to see what is new.

Jason contributed this idea for a picture because this is the "seed" stage of our journey. We have long talked about adoption and felt the desire to adopt grow in hearts. Our decision to adopt was spurred into action after trying to start a family this last year with no success. I (Nicole) have had people ask about our infertility or if we had considered trying medical options rather than adoption. Although we did see a fertility clinic we decided not to try invitro or other surgeries when what we really desired and wanted to put or emotional and financial resources into was to become parents, love and cherish a child. We have felt some sadness that we may not experience pregnancy and those beginning months of our child's life but a the same time the Lord has given us peace and we feel excited to know this is our intended journey and that at the right time and in the right way we will become parents.

So in this seed stage here is what we know. We want to adopt. We are open to the possibilities and realize that our child is out there and we will find our way to them. We have 'chosen' to adopt internationally from Colombia because we feel so drawn to the culture, the language, and both Jason and I have had experiences in Spanish speaking/Latino cultures. We have researched several different adoption agencies and have attended an informational meeting with Childrens' Hope International (Chicago) and will hopefully be attending the Bethany Christian Services (St. Louis) on the 20th.

We are still trying to figure out how to handle financing or when will be the "right" time to officially apply with an agency although we are hoping to have officially started by this summer. We have applied for marriage certificates and birth certificates and have already received some. I have renewed and changed my name on my passport and am awaiting my new passport. We are trying to read lots of books, find support groups, and start to prepare our home and lives for our "Plus one".

We'll blog again when we have more information! Thank you for all the support and love!