No, we have not received our Wait List number for Honduras yet.
No, we have not been matched with any children yet.
No, we're not pregnant.
Yes, we're still planning on adopting.
Okay, so what's the big news?!
First, some background:
Only a few weeks ago, we received an email from our agency that they would be splitting into 2 agencies at the end of this 2013 year (read: after midnight tonight!) And in that email, was information that if a family was wanting to 'switch' to another country, they would have to do it By.The.End.Of.The.Year. in order for funds to transfer. What?! Well, seeing as we were already tossing around thoughts of switching countries (I'll tell you why in a minute), this was of real -and urgent- interest to us.
We have been pursuing a Honduran adoption for TWO YEARS now. And we don't even have a number. And once we receive a number (we've been expecting one every month...for months now), they are estimating another 3-4 year wait. In our own calculations, based on previous Honduran to U.S. adoption statistics, it will be MUCH longer than that (*years longer*). Can you even imagine?! I mean, craziness, people. Things have been moving absurdly slow in Honduras. Strikes, and the sort. And, although people are talking of hope that things will get moving there in the next few months (Dear God, I truly hope they do! There are so many children- and so many families waiting.), it is quite the gamble for us to stay. We wanted our 4 children to be close in age...and if we stay, G & K could be teenagers! I may be exaggerating, but sheesh, not by too much.
We began working like mad: researching, calling, emailing, asking questions, crunching numbers, looking at timelines, you name it. We had very little time to make a very important decision. We looked at & weighed all the options. We prayed for signs.
We began to understand the meaning of 'Concurrent Adoption.' This is pursuing two adoptions - in two different avenues- at the same time. This appealed greatly to us, and seemed like the best move.
We began considering: finances, countries, agencies, siblings, time-frames, etc. So much to think about. We considered domestic infant adoption, U.S. foster to adopt, other international routes, you name it. All was fair game. We wanted to make the best decision for our family. We really just wanted to go the route God had planned for us, whatever that was. We really didn't care how. We just knew we wanted to trust Him; that His way is best.
So after all of this, we narrowed it down to the path we feel is right for us, for our family, for our future children.
The BIG news? We decided to:
(1) Keep our Dossier in Honduras to continue to 'ride up the wait list'
AND
(2) Pursue a Concurrent Adoption in..............
Haiti!
That's right, starting in January, we'll update our Home Study, and work to complete ANOTHER DOSSIER. Yep, we're officially insane. Since we will be leaving our Honduran Dossier in Honduras, we will need to complete a different Dossier for Haiti (They are not the same- they require different things).
Okay, so what does this mean?
We will eventually have 2 Dossiers on Waiting Lists in 2 countries at the same time. Whichever moves faster, we'll complete an adoption from that country (We're predicting this will be Haiti). Hopefully, we will be adopting siblings from Haiti. However, we have learned that there are not many siblings in need of adoption in Haiti. It is most likely that we will have to wait longer for siblings in our desired age range (0-4). So, it is possible that we would accept a match of only one child. If we are matched with siblings from Haiti, we would likely pull out of Honduras. If we are matched with one child from Haiti, we have to decide at that time whether to continue to pursue a match of a single child from Honduras as well, or if we are finished. It all depends on different factors, which are impossible to predict at this point. It is also possible that a miracle occurs in Honduras & they move rapidly, whereas a delay happens in Haiti. In that case, all of the above would be reversed.
We are learning that this is just the path of International Adoption.
Unpredictable. Difficult. Frustrating. Expensive. Slow.
But we're sure it will be so worth it!
So, what about finances?
(Since I want to keep this adoption journey transparent.)
Fortunately, because we emailed our Agency TODAY (yep, the last possible day) that we want to switch, ALL finances (minus the Honduran Translation fee) will switch over to Haiti! This is awesome!!!!!! However, if as I said above, a miracle happens, pushing a Honduran adoption faster than a Haitian one, we would have to start new with finances for Honduras again (remember the money is now with Haiti & cannot switch back). Either way, of course, if we were to COMPLETE both country's adoptions, we will be paying for two adoptions. We're hoping to pay for one, & adopt siblings from one country. But, then again, what do we know?! We're trusting the One who knows it all. We'll see what happens.
Also, a Haitian adoption is estimated $28-30,000 + a few thousand more if it is siblings. A Honduran adoption is estimated $35,000. We have currently put about $15,000 towards adoption expenses. So, I'm thinking we should have around $15,000 remaining to raise if it were to be a Haitian adoption first (more if siblings). ** I'll crunch exact numbers when it's not 1:00 am. =)
What about travel times?
Travel time for a Honduran adoption is: 1 two week trip + 1 four-six week trip
Travel time for a Haitian adoption is: 1 short trip + 1 two week trip (*I think...'for sures' to come)
What does the time frame look like?
As I said above, they estimate Honduras to be about 3-4 yrs once we get on the list, and then a few months more until we travel. We feel as though it will be much longer, but there's no knowing.
As for Haiti we have been told: About 6+ months to complete another Dossier....about 6+ months on the wait list (but longer for siblings)...and then 14-18 months to bring them home, putting us at 2-3 yrs total.
Of course, we are praying for God's timing. We're hoping that time is shorter, rather than later! :) We are ready for those babies!
Ages?
Although young toddlers & even infants are 'possible', it is most likely that we will be bringing home 3-4 year olds with either country.
Genders?
It will be a surprise to us! Can't wait to see who God has planned for our family!!!
So, that's our very exciting end to 2013.
We are looking to 2014 with GREAT expectations!
Here's to *Haiti & Honduras*!
Happy New Year!!!
~ 6 in Love ~
