Becoming a Family of 3: Our Adoption Journey: Progress Update:

A Tree in a Binder...

No, seriously! The amount of paperwork Scott and I have done might be the equivalent of a tree. A small tree maybe...but still...a tree. Everything that we complete for our agency must be digitally signed, printed and signed, then uploaded to our account and the originals mailed. And we are still in the early stages of this and COMPLETELY worth it.

What Has Happened So Far?

A WHOLE month has already passed in our adoption journey...

March 30 : Inquired in our selected agency and received information

April 9: Applied to our agency ($100)

April 10: Accepted into Building Blocks Adoption Service (an Ohio Christian agency)and received our portal information Our Agency's Website We also completed our initial profile information such as what we are looking for in our future baby, additional contact and financial information, etc.

April 13: Received our next checklist (the method in which we receive our "to do" lists as we progress through adoption) Read through the "how to" information.

April 23: Took out a loan for the first fees ($5500)
                 Lindsay and her dad watched/listened to an informational webinar about the adoption process (Scott was at work)

April 24: Mailed in/uploaded the following documents from our checklist. (and the above mentioned fees) (Mailing costs ~$2.50)
     * How to use the checklist help guide
     * How to create a digital signature
   * The adoption contract (with fee)
     * Read the Subsidy Guide and Financing Adoption Guide
     * Filled out our Match Criteria form
     * Read the layout of upcoming fees for Social Service related tasks
   * Completed a parent satisfaction survey (WAIT!! PARENT?!?! We are being called parents? Getting closer...hopefully!)
     * Read the homestudy welcome letter outlining the upcoming weeks
   * Read and investigated the adoption loan assistance program (which allowed us to take out our loan)

April 27: Had our "pass along" cards printed to give friends and family. THE MORE PEOPLE THAT KNOW WE ARE ADOPTING, THE LESS TIME WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PLACEMENT...usually...so please feel free to keep sharing and if you would like some pass around flyers, please let us know! ($20.57)

April 30: Uploaded and mailed in the following items: (Mailing costs ~$2.50)
   * Adoptive parent discourse statement form
   * Release of information consent form
     * Authorization of Release for confidential information
     * Proper procedure for complaints form
     * Ohio adoption disclosure statement
     * Emergency contact list
     * Statement of understanding
     * Understanding of placement requirements and match requirements
     * Requirements of the Multiethnic Placement Act
     * Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) form
     * Definitions of Disabilities for State Waiting Children

(As I am typing this, the above mentioned checklist was approved...so now we wait for the next one!)

Still to complete (as they are released)...and we do not know what is in each of these lists to do until they are released.
Packet #2 - Child Abuse/Criminal Clearance Forms
Packet #3 - Homestudy Questionnaire
Packet #4 - Marriage/Birth/Employment/Education forms
Packet #5 - ODJFS Required Documents
Packet #6 ODJFS Training Documents
Profile Process
Matching Process
After Acceptance of Placement
Finalization Packet (where our names are put on a new birth certificate)

How Are We Doing with Everything?

Pretty well, actually! We are excited that we are moving forward and getting closer to having our baby. Every day is one step closer...one day closer. Something I know I have to remind myself of constantly.

Scott mentioned it still hurts that we are unable to have biological children. And it does. But we know this is EXACTLY what we are supposed to be doing. A new and fellow adoptive parent friend of mine wrote a beautifully written blog yesterday. Click HERE to read her post. She explains similar emotions perfectly.

While looking at things we may not be able to do as adoptive parents, there are so MANY MORE THINGS WE WILL be able to do! I have also had fun recreating things for adoptive parents...example: We have a maternity photo shoot in May...yes, it can be done. I still plan to have a gender reveal party...if I can hold the excitement in until then. Our plan is to have a party after we are blessed with a baby for everyone to come meet him/her and see what all the AMAZING prayers, donations, and well wishes have provided us with.

For now, our journey to placement continues.

Upcoming Watson Family Adoption Events and Ways You Can Help!

We want to thank everyone again for your continued help and support. We still have a long way to go, but we are confident in our decision to adopt. Below are some upcoming events/things going on in effort to support our adoption...thanks to friends and family for setting up everything!

T-Shirt/Hoodie/Long Sleeve Shirt Sale: Order yours by May 6! We get 50% of all sales. Once you have your shirt, take pictures of you and your family wearing them and send it to us (lindsay.watson1127@gmail.com or post on Facebook! We will include your photos in the book that birthmothers will read to learn more about our family, friends, co-workers, and support group. Order Your Shirts HERE

Garage Sale: May 14-16...We will be holding a "by donation only" garage sale during our community's garage sale. We are still in need of items so if you have anything you would like to part with, let us know!

Thirty One Gifts party: May 16 at 2 p.m. If you can't make it, you can still order online starting May 1st! Click HERE to order Just make sure you order between May 1 and May 16 by selecting our party. We are graciously being given 25% of your order.

25 Cent Paddle Auction: June 6 at 4:30 p.m. at Miami Valley Sports Bar 30 Watertower Ln, West Carrollton, OH 45449 Bring your quarters and win prizes all in support of our adoption! Gift cards, gift baskets, and other goodies will be available to bid on. More information is coming soon. If you have new/unused items you would like to give for the quarter auction, please let me know! I will also be looking for help in collecting prizes from local businesses to help the organization sponsoring this event. (Each month, a new person or charity is selected to be the beneficiary of the earnings. So thankful we were selected for June!) ...bids are just quarters at a time!
                Purchase a Chance Card for $10.00 which allows you
               1 Paddle to bid, 20 Chinese Auction tickets and a
                Chance to Win Additional Door Prizes
               (Save’s money and more chances to win)
Paddles, Chinese Auction, 50/50 and raffles may be available to purchase separately.
(Snacks are available. Local restaurants deliver to the Sports Bar during the auction.)

Also in the early planning stages....
An annual adoption 5K...complete with an official registered charity and the title (hopefully!) of Hope for One.

Hope for One will benefit a new family each year by giving that selected family the raised amount towards their adoption via application and interview process...this year will be Scott and I with a new family each year after.

WHAT I NEED FROM YOU...if you are interested in serving on the official board, please email me at hopeforonecharity@gmail.com with a short essay which is to include:
1. Why you want to be part of the Hope for One board
2. What you can bring to the charity?
3. What does adoption mean to you?
4. How do you see this charity impacting the lives of families and the community?

Essays are due May 15th.

Board members will help plan the 5K each year and help select a new adoptive family. We are shooting for a Saturday in September each year pending no scheduling conflicts. This is a volunteer position and will require monthly meetings which will become more frequent closer to the event. Feel free to share this information! We feel this can really make a difference for SEVERAL families and children

Our goal is to knock out the first loan before taking out the BIG loan after placement...

Thank you again for reading and for your support. We are so blessed to have each of you in our lives!