FAQs

How long is this thing going to take?

We aren't really sure right now. Currently, we are working on the home study, which will take anywhere from 3-5 months to complete. After that, we submit our dossier (a stack of paperwork about our whole lives and existence) and then it's another 6-8 months before we receive a referral of a baby in Ethiopia. Once that happens, we can schedule our 1st trip out there to go to court ~ 2-3 months later and meet the baby. Then its another 6-8 weeks before we can go pick him/her up. Best case: 12 months,  Worst Case: 18 months or more (some things can be unforeseen, especially with developing countries like Ethiopia). So... we've got a long wait ahead.

Why are you adopting? Why Ethiopia?

     It's not that we can't have kids, we just aren't sure. We also decided not to seek any fertility treatment at this time, well, because we just don't feel like it. Andrea has always wanted to adopt, ever since her church had a fundraiser through World Vision for starving kids in Ethiopia during their severe drought and famine in the 80s. Since we know that we could love any child of any race, age, or gender, we decided to go forward with adoption. Adopting domestically has lots of loop holes with the foster system and open adoptions that we weren't quite comfortable with. While international adoption will certainly have its challenges, we decided it was a better option for us.

Ethiopia is one of the easier countries to adopt from right now. We've been told it's the smoothest and quickest processes out there (although anything could happen). They are the least restrictive on age (some countries require at least one of us to be 35), and we don't have to prove infertility or be in the country for a month or more like some countries are now demanding. If we do have biological children, our process won't be affected going through Ethiopia. Also, Ethiopian communities are known to take care/nurture their sick and young, so children are less likely to have emotional or developmental disabilities compared to some other countries' orphanages. 

Is it going to cost a lot?

     Yep.

What will you do while you wait?

     We will keep on keepin' on. Andrea will still manage Share Our Strength's Cooking Matters Colorado program and continue her MPH degree at the Colorado School of Public Health. Lucas will still be working at Amazing Moves as a Sales Manager and play in his bands Big Trouble and Cannons, and be the all-star of his kickball team. We'll both be taking required parenting classes that include topics on attachment, race and culture, common illness and malnutrition, as well as basic parenting skills. We'll be reading up on the culture and history of Ethiopia, and eating lots of Ethiopian food (join us!). At some point we'll have to purge our house of unnecessary things and make a baby room (gasp!). Don't worry. We'll keep plenty busy, and he/she will probably be here faster than we know!

Other questions? We want to be open about it all, so just ask.