Friends! We've gotten to the point in our adoption process where 87% of the paperwork has been submitted and approved.
You know what that means!?!? Money time.
Yikes.
Not gonna lie, guys, I'm freaking out
a little a LOT. Basically the next hurdle is $6,300 in fees in order to schedule the home study. And then $25,500 will be due sixty days later when the home study is approved. Dang. That's a ton of cash. It feels insurmountable on our own.
So far, we've paid a few thousand dollars already, but this is a big chunk of change. Plus we will cover all of our travel costs when we get to go get our newest little nugget (EEK!!!!!)! And I am super awkward (in most things) when asking for help of any kind. But, man, we cannot get through this financial mountain to bring our little home without our friends' help. Gosh, this is so uncomfortable to ask for. You've all done so much for us already. I am so grateful for our tribe. The ask I have is small, can you help me with just $5, $10, or $20? Here's some math to show you how quickly just a small amount can add up:
If 200 of my friends donates $10 each = $2,000
If 100 of those people tell 15 people and they donate $10 each = $15,000
If 50 of those friends tell 10 people and they donate $10 each = $5000
That's $22,000!!! In just $10 donations! Wowzers, so amazing!
It's so easy to donate; go to our profile page at
www.adopttogether.org/farns and it's all right there. Super fast and tax deductible!
So, what do you say? Wanna help us bring home our babe?
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I'm sure you have some questions:
"What else are you doing to earn some extra cash?"
- I've got this cute little
Etsy shop with some fun things for sale. Check it out here to purchase something fun that helps us out:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/mildredtpeabody. Custom orders are always accepted. I also do some freelance writing on the side, so if you have a gig, send it my way here:
farnsworth.sara@gmail.com.
- We are having some little FUNdraisers over the next few months to help with costs. Karaoke night at our house Feb 18th, Mini-photo shoot on April 22nd, and an art workshop coming soon! If you are interested in partaking in any of these FUN activities, email me as well!
"What are you going to do if you don't get any money fundraised for the adoption?"
- I'm going to march around town, resumes in hand, and get myself a part time job while the kids are in school. We will bust our rears to make it happen financially while still pushing our production company and StageHunters (more on that one later) into financial success.
"What happens if you get the initial $6,300 raised, but not the $25,500? Will you just quit?"
- Oh, heck no, we won't! See above, we're going to work it out for sure.
"Why aren't you doing those things right now instead of asking us for money?"
- Good question. I've wrestled with this myself quite a bit. In fact, we put a big chunk of money into our new business (StageHunters), and I'm feeling a little guilt about that one. The reality is that starting a business from scratch is super scary, but is part of a long term plan for our family's financial future. I am working on it almost full time, but taking no salary so my time is filled with the beginnings of a successful company, but since it's barely a year old, we aren't there yet (this is really hard to admit, by the way; feeling a little vulnerable). Also, I've learned in this past year that one of the truest old sayings "it takes a village" has been my reality more than I ever noticed and I wouldn't change it for the world. There's just something magical about adding to our family with the help of our people. It's humbling and empowering at the same time. I'm honored and grateful for the support we've been given thus far and hopefully will receive in the future.
"Why is it so expensive to adopt a child?"
- Um, that's a long rant for another day. Basically, I have no control of the cost, which sucks. It's a hindrance for so many kids looking for a forever home. If I ever run for political office, that'll be the first thing I champion to change. (#saraforpresident)
"Why don't you just get pregnant again, you're capable of that?"
- Yikes. We've always wanted to adopt. To grow our family through adoption is one of the most powerful and impactful things I can think of. I am who I am because my parents adopted. I learned a different level of empathy, love, respect for all nationalities and cultures, and gratitude for a family who loves all.
Thanks for hanging in there through this looooooooooong post! :)
Here's to risks and adding to our family!
