Our Story

We are adopting from Ethiopia!

I am sure everyone is wondering just what is going on, and how we got here. Just a quick warning, this entry is very candid and a bit personal, so consider yourself forewarned. Well, it has been about 2 years since we began trying to start our family, and so far we have not been blessed with an addition. As much as Travis and I love each other and enjoy our lives together (for the most part :-)) we have both felt the aching in our hearts at the absence of little Tara and Travi running around the house making more of a mess than the puppies could ever hope to. So we went to a specialist, we tried the drugs, the shots, the oh-so-romantic conception in the doctors office, and only came away with lots more gray hairs and lots less money. This was heartbreaking, but we knew we could only go so far with this route, and for us it was the end of that part of our journey.

The interesting part of this story was the possibility of adoption. Travis and I had talked about it before we found out our road to a family would be bumpy (with a speed limit of 5mph) and definately thought that it was something that was for us, regardless of us having any children of our own. We were going to stick to the two kid rule: replace ourselves and no more. If we wanted more kids, we would adopt. So God figured we could just skip out on all of the making sure we didn't have more than 2 of our own and cut right to the chase. Which I must say, once I got over not getting my way (why does this always take so long?) feels so stinkin' right and I am jumping for joy to get the show on the road. So the short version of this is - we were going to adopt anyways.

Many people ask, why international adoption? There are so many layers to this question, and to our answer that I will keep it short sweet and simple. I have always considered it my preferred choice, not exactly sure why, or where that comes from. And to be completely honest, there is appeal in the somewhat misconcieved idea that it is the only way to make sure someone doesn't come back in 10 years and try to take our baby. I am also keen on the idea of being able to open my heart and my home to give a child a chance in this world when they may not otherwise have one. I think it is a desire that God has placed in our hearts, and we are going for it!

So the big question for everyone I am sure (as it was for us as well); where are we going to search for our children? The answer, while not a total no-brainer, became quite clear to me - Ethiopia! Can I tell you exactly why? No. But I can tell you, I have always had a heart for Africa (I mean, pyramids, the Nile, gorillas, rainforest, ancient civilizations, need I go on?) Every time I searched for programs across the globe, I came back to Ethiopia. And I mean every time. So my simple, one word, authoritative answer to this question is GOD. The way that everything fell into place to lead my heart here, as well as all of the seemingly random events that occured to bring Travis to the same place, there could not possibly be another answer.

And so our story begins as we send off for documents and certificates, check all the boxes and fill in all the blanks so that we can get our application in the mail. Our personal deadline for this is THIS WEEK! It will then be about 2 weeks until we hear back about our application acceptance and start the paper chase. If all runs according to schedule, the estimated arrival date is approximately (on the long side) 12 months. Part of that depends on how quickly we get our paperwork in, then the rest depends on how quickly the courts and governments move.

I will keep everyone as updated as feasible with how things are progressing, feel free to ask questions, make comments, etc. I am insanely excited about doing this with all of the support that Travis and I have come to depend on from our families and friends. How did we get so lucky?

Love you all,

Tara