AWL Update

Adoptions with Love Update: So its been 2wks since I've heard from AWL & the "dog" question. Last week when I didn't hear from Nancy I decided to call the EEC myself. I called AWL as well & left a msg for Nancy to call me as I had been waiting a week to hear from her. Since the application opening is only effective for 45 days I was pressed for time. I spoke w/Miguel from EEC & he said he never heard of a "pet restriction" for agency adoptions but only for DCF (which was the first rejection).
Since he wasn't sure, he left a msg for his associate. She called me today. She thought we were going thru the home study process but I explained to her that we were not & that we were going thru just the application process right now. She also told me there was NOT a "pet restriction" for agencies but transferred me to another gentleman who happens to license AWL. I explained to him that I was not really placing a complaint as much as trying to get info on this "pet restriction." I explained to him that we were on a timeline, I've waited 2wks to hear back from AWL & I told him how our consultation went. He also indicated that there wasn't this "pet restriction" but that an agency can make there own policies. Hmmm. He also said that if I did not get a good "vibe" from the consultation that this agency might not be the right one. As much as I agree w/that, Nancy made us feel like we were losers who can't afford a baby. Who is she to judge someone she doesn't know or even take the time to get to know? Who is she to judge when we were agreeable to the application process that puts you thru the ringer..finger printing, background checks, home studies & FINANCIAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION! She would clearly see we are MORE than capable of affording children.
Anywayssss....The gentleman told me that if any agency tells us about certain policies that we have a right to see the policy. He also suggested that we consult w/a few agencies....which we already doing. Now I know why.
So I hang up w/him & call AWL b/c I still hadn't heard back from the msg I left last week. The person who called me back was NOT the person we consulted with...AMY called us back. I said, "Oh, I was under the impression that Nancy was to call me back since I consulted w/her." So Amy tells me that Nancy had explained the "story" to her & that they do in follow the guidelines of DCF. That means NO DOGS.
She said, "If you had a rottweiler I would never place a baby w/you." HOW RUDE!
That statement was judgemental & VERY insensitive, lacked tact. I was disgusted.
I explained to her that "our whole consultation revolved around money which it shouldn't have & felt I was being blown off. But since you using the guidelines of DCF I see no point in wasting my time w/AWL any longer."
Does that not sound fishy or what? I asked Nancy when we first made contact by phone how long she had worked there & she told me 23 yrs. How does a person work for 23 yrs, in a small agency & not know if they adopt kids to people w/german shepherds or not? Seriously? They totally blew us off. UNPROFESSIONAL & I will be calling the EEC back & making a complaint this time.

The first recommendation letter

Our first letter of recommendation for adoption:

To Whom It May Concern:
My name is John ---- and I have worked with LisaMarie Hill for almost ten years at Northeast Metro Tech. Through the years I have learned a great deal about Lisa and her passion for children.
Lisa works in the Dean's office as an Administrative Assistant. Since her start here at Northeast in August 2003 she has worked through many changes in her office. Lisa has adjusted to six different Dean's and various job responsibilities with each.
In the Dean's office Lisa patiently listens with compassion to each student, explains the consequences of their actions and that interaction usually has a positive ending. The students feel that Lisa is fair and they feel comfortable in talking openly with her.
I have had the opportunity to see Lisa reach out, support and volunteer with several student activities such as student class fundraisers, prom preperations, sports events, National Honor Society and Students Against Destructive Decisions. Lisa also has always been supportive of other staff members in hardship and celebration.
I have know Lisa to always desire a family of her own. Since Lisa and Doug have married they have purchased a home with plenty of room and plenty of land with children in mind. As an adoptive parent myself, I feel that Lisa will make an excellent mother to any child that is blessed to have her in their lives and love them.

Yard Sale Planning

O.k. peeps....Doug & I are going thru a lot of stuff. We don't need a lot of what we have b/c wen we got married we combined 2 homes. So, I am going to list some of the stuff I'm going to put out @ our yard sale BUT....I was thinking of doing a PRE-yard sale sale if anyone is interested in anything. So, keep your eyes peeled for a list & some pix! :)
Also, I am collecting stuff if people have anything they want to get rid of to sell @ our yard sale. All proceeds are going to go to the BABY HILL ADOPTION FUND! ♥

Also, follow us on facebook @ BRING BABY HILL HOME.

A little disappointment

I had a little disappointment today. Doug & I went to AWL for our first (& prob our last) consultation. I felt she thought we couldn't afford adoption. Well, for over $40K who can? We can afford a child but the adoption fees are a bit much as you all know...at least all @ once. We have a nice home in a nice town, good schools & we both have jobs. She questioned our financial means twice & fundraising. I felt the need to explain to her that the fundraising is just to get us to our goal faster & to include everyone in our plans to adopt a baby. We don't expect to fund our whole adoption by fundraising. We don't need to do that. We work OT & save. She just looked @ me. Thats it....just looked @ me.
Then she mentioned that 3 dogs may be another issue. REALLY?! So, the client I had who put his golden retriever down b/c he attacked his girlfriend isn't as dangerous as any dog? Or about that chihuahua that bit the baby in the face b/c it was to close to its owner? Lets be realisitic. Any dog can attack. It just felt that she was shooting us down before she even got to really know us. :(

A long time

Its been about a month since my last post.  A lot has happened.  A lot of feelings flying around.  Feelings of anxiousness, sadness, excitement, hopes & love.  Then we have the illnesses that are being passed around.  LOL.  I've been sick, the dogs have been sick...the only one who hasn't been sick is Doug. 
Doug & I went to another waiting parents workshop last week.  We met another couple which was nice.  We gave them some helpful information.  I wish there was more support groups for the adoption journey.  Though, I have found some nice pages on FB. 
We have started doing stuff around the house again.  It's almost spring time so we need to do a spring cleaning.
Getting the yard ready to plant more grass seed.  I also want to plant some yard shrubbery this year.  I'm hoping we will be able to get the house painted in the fall...not sure though.  Everything cost money & we are trying to save.
I've had a little disappointment today.  I'm getting the feeling that people see our fundraising as not being able to afford a baby.  I'd like to put an end to that right now.  We are able to grow our family but people fail to realize how much it is to adopt.  It is thousands of dollars.  It is all fees that go to an agency, a lawyer, a social worker, administrator fees.  Very little even goes to the expectant/birth mom.  In this economy, no one has over 40K laying around in a bank acct.  And before we started this journey we had no idea that is how much adoption cost.  All the money we saved went into our home.  Now we are @ square one....scrimping & saving & doing all we can to afford the adoption fees so we can grow the family we talked about having.

Its VERY late.  Time for bed.  <3

I had an amazing day today w/my husband. I just had to share. We went to our first adoption workshop. We got so many great encouraging stories & it has given us confidence again as adoption can be a grueling emotional rollercoaster. It helped us to understand our birth mom better and to stay true to ourselves on this journey. It was much needed support. ♥

Another good day

Hey All,
Hope everyone is enjoying the snow.  I know my dogs are.  I've been sick w/that horrible noro-virus.
Anyway, I just wanted to remind everyone to check out:
http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=401&url=helpbringbabyhillhome

I have posted some updates & there is an online auction of a really pretty bracelet that my mom made.  So if anyone is interested, put a bid in.  Its all going to a good cause.  We are all here for eachother.  Lets help bring baby hill home 
Thanks for all your support & don't forget to check back for updates.  One of our pasta dinners has been scheduled where there will be some raffles & hopefully some entertainment.  Another dinner will be set up on the north shore.
Thanks for all your support.

A good day

Today was an up day.  My friend Nicole gave me a good idea to make scrapbooks.  All proceeds will go to our adoption fund.  I LOVE scrapbooking.  I know pictures are precious & scrapbooks make wonderful memories.  So, we are selling my moms handmade bracelets & doing scrapbooks.  I hope the scrapbooks are successful.  I gave one to my first boss for her retirement.  She LOVED it.
I also emailed my uncle today to see if he needs any extra help this tax season.  Workin for this adoption like the dickens.  :)
http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=401&url=helpbringbabyhillhome

The donation site.

We have always seen our lives as blessed, a little local traveling, having a comfy modest home & especially having each other.  But, one thing seemed to be missing.  A baby.  After 2yrs of failed infertility treatments we knew w/o hesitation that adoption was our way of building our family.  The adoption process is filled w/mystery, questions, answers, love, stress & joy.  It teaches you that you are stronger than you ever thought you were.   Our love to be parents to a baby grows stronger & stronger everyday.   Sometimes I feel my hope of being a mom is gone.  A quest of heartache & tears to parenthood seems our dream of being a family won’t come true, at least not w/o you.  My eyes fill  w/tears as I write this.  We can’t imagine our family w/o a beautiful baby to love & watch grow & help teach.  A child is truly a blessing, a gift.  Thanks to the wonderful gift of adoption  our life could be complete.
http://www.youcaring.com/fundraiser_details?fundraiser_id=401&url=helpbringbabyhillhome

Heading in for a 1 1/2hr ride into work.  A start of a new work week.  Hopefully it will bring some new prospects of adoption.  I'll be researching as always.  Trying to find ways. 
I posted some of my mothers jewelery on "Bring Baby Hill Home" on facebook over the weekend.  Hopefully people will like it & buy something.  All proceeds will be going toward our hopeful adoption.

Also, there is a link on there for donations through youcaring.com.  That is our online fundraiser.  I'm having a hard time figuring out how to post pictures on here & post a paypal button.  If anyone knows how, I'd appreciate it if you could share the info.  I would LOVE to share photo's.
Have a great day!

Today started off o.k. but then slowly went down hill.  I've been working so hard on researching adoption options & trying to find a way to fund it.  Making connections is good but so far not much has come of it.  I know its all new but I guess I expected a way lot more support than what I'm getting.  I'm quite disappointed actually.  I have so many "friends" that say they will help with whatever I need.  Well, when I tell them what I need help with nobody is stepping up or they don't want to do it. 
I was reading about adoption in Russia.  The agency I was reading about says that Russia won't adopt out a child to anyone who has/is on anti-depressant/anxiety medications or insulin.  How ridiculous. 
I spoke with the real estate agent that sold us our house & she knows a lawyer that is on an adoption board.  She said she would talk to him about us but I haven't heard back from her.  Gotta call her back....tomorrow.
On a good thought, ACONE has adoption workshops for $35 instead of that adoption agency in VT that charged $695.  I will be going to a few of those. 
I posted some of my moms handmade jewelery on my FB.  Hopefully I'll be able to sell some of it to put towards the fund.
And to top it all off, another workmate is pregnant.  This is the 5th one.  KILLIN' ME.  :(

Jan 1, 2012

So today is my first day using a blog.  I've never done this before but find that writing out my thoughts is therapeutic.
My husband & I have started an adoption journey.  We have had 2 infertility failures & thought that instead of spending the money on all these failures, we wanted to start our family through adoption.  We found that we can love "our" children no matter where they came from.
So, we did some research on different adoption agencies to find the right one that fits our needs.  Some agencies told us that if a birthmother changes her mind, all the money that we invested would be considered a "donation."
As much as I help others, we can't help them all and we would LOVE to be parents so losing that money wouldn't be good.
We finally chose an agency & they have been wonderful but we hit a huge obstacle.  Financing.  It costs a lot of money to adopt ($43,000).  As much as we can afford to have a baby, the fees for adoption are VERY expensive & no body has that kind of money on hand. 
We started to refinance our home.  That was an obstacle b/c even though we put in a brand new kitchen, a new septic system & a new heating system...we only owned our home for 1yr.  We did not build enough equity to borrow.  Major obstacle.  My husband tried to borrow against his retirement but the retirement board said no.
Getting a personal loan was 10% and we just can't make that payment.  It was like having 2 mortgages.  We don't want to go into debt to pay the adoption fees.  How would we survive after that? 
So, we've turned to getting 2nd jobs & working overtime and starting a fundraiser.  Our fundraiser is on youcaring.com and the name of it is "Bring Baby Hill Home."  We will be having a couple of "pasta dinner" fundraisers with raffles, yard sales & bake sales.  I've also got some great ideas from others that we will put together. 
So, follow us on our journey.  Its going to be a bumpy ride of emotions so get the tissues.  :)