FAQ

As we have talked with people recently about our adoption, here are some questions we receive a lot.  Maybe they will help answer yours too.

Q: You have 2 kids of your own.  Why do you want to adopt?
A: Plain and simple, God told us to.  As I've said before, He made it clear to us that adoption was part of His plan for our family long before we ever had children of our own.  Also, we love adoption, we love kids, and we love being parents.  We think it's important that Christian families adopt so that children can be raised to know the Lord.


Q:  Will you know the gender of the baby?
A:  At New Life, you cannot request a gender, and Matt and I really didn't want to because you don't get to pick when you get pregnant either!!  It's better left up to God is how we see it.  When/if we are chosen by a birthmother, she will be the one to tell us.


Q:  What race will your child be?
A:  We don't know.  At New Life, you can specify what races you feel comfortable with adopting, and for us, we checked the Any box.  That's just what God told us to do and we feel good about it.


Q:  Will your baby be a newborn?
A:  Most likely, yes.  That's the box we checked that we felt called to on our application.  New Life does do adoption with older children as well, though.


Q:  How much does adoption through New Life cost?
A:  For the adoption we are doing, $20,000.  There are some other fees that are due as well before and after placement, bringing the final number to around $22,000.


Q: What happens if the birthmother changes her mind?
A: She has every right to do that, and it is always a possibility.  In Texas, a birthmother cannot sign relinquishment of rights papers until at least 48 hours after birth.  But, it can be longer.  We will wait and see. New Life will tell you that they are not in the business of taking babies from mothers, and that is certainly not our heart.  So, we pray that when the time comes, God gives her complete and total peace if we are indeed the family that is supposed to have her child.  And if we are not, that He will make that apparent to all of us.  We only want His plan.


Q: What do Gray and Gracie think?
A: Gracie is obviously too little to understand. :)  Gray couldn't be more excited.  We are amazed at the things that come out of his mouth that prove to us God is working in his heart as well.


Q:  What do your parents think?
A: Both of our parents are excited and anxious to meet this little person. They say they have plenty of grandparent love to go around.  :) Our siblings are excited and supportive as well.  We are blessed that all of the cousins will be so close in age!