Joe and Becky's Adoption Story

We know there are plenty of people who don’t know a lot about adoption or what the process is like, so we thought we’d try to answer some of the questions you might have…

Why domestic infant adoption?  We spent a great deal of time in prayer and researching the possibilities for adoption. For us, it came down to us believing this was the way that God was going to grow our family.

Will you be adopting a boy or girl? What race? What age?  Until we are chosen (matched), we really won’t know. We are open to whatever God brings our way, and will be happy to welcome a child (or children) into our hearts and home.

How much is it going to cost? The cost of adoption varies greatly and depends on the type of adoption. According to a 2018 article posted in Adoptive Families Magazine the average cost of domestic infant adoption was $43,000. These costs are associated with many things: Before families can adopt, they must attend various training courses, fill out paperwork, get health exams, and much more. They also have to complete a home study, which includes home visits, interviews and extensive background checks required by both the state and the adoption agency. The adoption agency will also provide counseling and support to expectant parents who are looking to make an adoption plan. There are also various legal fees.

While every adoption may be different and unique, one of the reasons we chose our agency was due to their ethical practices and their well laid out cost structure. Altogether, we expect our adoption will cost between $35,000-$50,000.

What is a home study? A home study is something all states require for adoption. It’s a process (taking on average 3-6 months) that concludes with a written report about our family created by an adoption agency or caseworker. The home study includes information like family background, financial statements, references, education and work history, life experiences and relationships, information about our home and how we live, faith/religion, background checks, medical history, and more! It’s also something that has to be updated and renewed annually if an adoption has not occurred in that time.

So where are we now in the process? Since January 2023, we’ve attended training classes, read required books, completed paperwork and health screenings, and had extensive background checks. Our original home study was approved, and our waiting family profile went live at the end of March 2023. In 2024, we renewed our home study (only good for one year in Michigan) and have continued to learn as much as we can.

What happens next and how long will you have to wait? Expectant parents who come to our agency seeking an adoption plan for their child will have the opportunity to look at profile books (or videos) that waiting couples and families have created. The expectant parents are the ones that choose the family/couple that they want to adopt their child. During this time, some families have reported waiting a few days to be “matched,” while others have experienced waiting years. There’s just no way to know how long the waiting process will take. It’s really in God’s hands and by His timing. However, once we are chosen and matched, things can move VERY quickly! Some families may know 2 or 3 months before a baby is due, while others may get a call and be told to get to the hospital right away!

How can we support you? Like most couples and families hoping to adopt, we could use a lot of support! There are several ways you can show your love and support for us, including praying for us, sending encouraging notes, and helping us financially. For more information, check out our Show Your Support page.

Want to know more? If you are contemplating an adoption for your family and would like to discuss it with us, or you have questions, please see our Resources page, email us at JoeBeckyAdoptionStory@gmail.com or check out our adoption profile at: https://joeandbecky-adopt.parentfinder.com.