Welcome to Kevin and Deanna’s Adoption Journey

Kevin and I are thankful for a gracious, loving, supportive, community in which to raise children. We are still amazed at the generous support of family, friends, coworkers and church members when we had Malia.

We have made the commitment to grow our family through domestic adoption because there are many children here in the U.S. that need loving homes. Adoption has been on our minds for a long time, even before experiencing multiple miscarriages. We cannot wait to welcome another child (or children) into our family! We have completed our home study for domestic, open adoption and are now waiting for a birth mother to make an adoption plan for her child(ren) with our family. Of course, we will respect completely the level of openness desired by the birth/first mother (and possibly birth father) that chooses our family for her child. I invite you to peruse my previous post describing the amazing organizations with which we are working.

Every step of this adoption has a cost. Adoption costs will likely be over $30,000 and are primarily required upfront. We hope not to borrow the entire amount.
To show what we’re facing financially, below is list of the estimated costs for this adoption. (Figures from Adoption Associates International.)
Application and Home Study: $5,375
Placement Services: $15,810 to $25,810
The total will likely be between $21,185 and $31,185.

Adoption is such a huge, life-altering journey. There is no way we can do it alone and there is no way we want to do it alone. We ask that you will be a part of our story by continually keeping us in your prayers. Pray for wisdom, guidance, and foremost, patience. Pray that God will provide for all things, in His perfect timing.

We also implore you to move to action. If you feel led and if you are able, you can also be a part of the story by investing your finances to help us. Any amount you can help with is much appreciated, whether it is $5 or $500.

If you wish to pay online, please use the PayPal button below. You may also choose to securely donate from your bank account or credit card.

If you wish to send a check or money order, that works too! Please contact us for our mailing address at deannaandkevin@gmail.com . If you send a check, please memo it “Adoption Fund.”

YOU can be a part of this story. Thank you for your help. We appreciate your prayers and support!

Sincerely,
Kevin and Deanna

Fundraising? Us?

We are considering starting an adoption fundraising page. Unfortunately, adoption fees may be up to $32,000, and we hope to not borrow that entire amount.

We are NOT sales people. Nor are we marketing-inclined folks. The thought of doing door-to-door knife sales has always paralyzed me with fear.

Reasons TO fundraise online:
1. Our family and friends are spread across the globe. Maybe they can't be here, but they want to help in some way.
2. No one HAS to donate. It's simply an option.
3. We are blessed to be a part of many, generous, adoption-supporting communities of people that want to help.
4. What about interactive fundraisers? Yes, we'd like to do those too, but having Welcome to the Family parties in Grand Rapids, Ontario and Iowa, once the baby has joined our family, sounds more fun.
4. The funds are required BEFORE you bring the baby home. Yowza!
5. Adding up to $32,000 debt is A LOT of moolah!

Reasons NOT to fundraise online:
1. People might wonder why we can't afford it ourselves. (OK, who cares about the haters?)
2. Pride. (Not a valid reason. Pride=evil. :))
3. It could be taken to be very tacky. (Do you think?)
4. I don't know how to create a site with a PayPal donation link. (But I sure could figure it out!) :)

So, what do you think...