Carswell's Adoption Journey

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Atlanta, GA
Carswell's Adoption Journey

We are excited to share that we are on the journey to adopting a child though domestic infant adoption.

We are doing everything we can to be prepared to welcome a beautiful new life into our home.

11/10/2021

Our adoption has been finalized! It's been an amazing journey. God had stretched us is in so many ways and pulled us to rely solely on Him. God has been so faithful and answered so many prayers. God has blessed us through the support and love of so many others - we are incredibly humbled.

Happy & Happy Adoption Day to Jack!

11/01/2021

Hello all! I know we've been a little quiet here as we settled into our crazy and wonderful life as a family of 6.

Last week we had our final post-placement visit. These are monthly visits with our social worker since legally Jack is only "placed" with us. These visits are easy and friendly, but they do cost $250 / month for the visit and report.

And next week....we will finalize the adoption!!! Just 8 more days! 💞

07/26/2021

We've been home a few weeks and are finally settling into a sense of normalcy with our family of 6. We are still in awe of the joy Jack brings to our family.

We are also in awe of God's continued faithfulness. When we came home we had PILES AND PILES of mail to sort. There was a small (very small and flat) envelope from Show Hope (a grant I had applied for months ago - it's the adoption foundation run by Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife). We all know what a small envelope means so I didn't think much of it....but y'all, God is way bigger than a small envelope. We were blown away to learn that we were awarded a $9000 grant!

Then yesterday we had a conference call with another grant committee - a group at Friendship Baptist Church in Oklahoma offers small adoption grants. Their ministry is named after "James 1:27." They are giving us a $2000 grant.

We are humbled by God's work in our lives and Jack's adoption. And that so many people have come together to love, encourage and support us!

07/01/2021

We were finally "conditionally" cleared by ICPC. Meaning we were allowed to come home today - exactly one month (June 1 --> July 1) after we got "the call" and packed in just an hour never expecting to be away so long.

06/30/2021

Tomorrow we will have been here the WHOLE month of June & we'll be moving to our 5th place of "residency." (Hotel --> Airbnb --> Hotel --> Airbnb --> Hotel) - I'm seeing a pattern here!

Our paperwork finally made it to Georgia on Monday afternoon. Please pray it's processed quickly so we can go home soon.

In the meantime we are trying to make the most of this time and find solace is just being still if this is what God wills for our family. We've been enjoying some local museums and restaurants. And Charlotte really loves the hotel pools. And the best part is of course lots of baby snuggles!!!

06/26/2021

We're...still...waiting...

Once Jack was released from the hospital our agency had to send "ICPC" (acronym for the "interstate compact") paperwork to the State of Florida who then sends it to the State of Georgia. Then Georgia sends it back to Florida granting us permission to cross state lines with our little one. This is required because legally speaking he's just "placed in our custody" pending the termination of parental right and adoption that will play out in the court in the months to come.

We started our journey with a 5 night hotel stay and then moved to our 3 week Airbnb oasis. And now we are working on figuring out where we will stay next as we wait day to day for our approval that hopefully should come this week. Please pray for us as we wait and as leaving the Airbnb makes us a little more transient (and a little more stressed + home sick).

06/17/2021

Since our stay in Florida is likely going to last all of June we flew our big kiddos into town last night. God timed everything perfectly because they were able to be at the hospital today when Jack was discharged from the NICU. We are so thankful!

06/10/2021

As you likely know, we were awarded a $6500 matching grant from RACE for Orphans Adoption Fund, administered by Lifesong for Orphans. This means all donations will be matched by the fund and that all donations are tax deductible. We recieved this grant just days before Jack's birth and it is such a blessing to help us cover out final costs - but we can only access this grant funds when matched funds are donated.

https://give.lifesong.org/lifesong/09507-ff

This $6500 matching grant will help pull us across the “finish line” of our adoption with the support going primarily to our legal fees ($3000+), our monthly post-adoption home study visits ($250 / months for approx. 6 months = $1500) and our travel expenses.

Because Jack has been in the NICU we will have to stay in Florida for nearly a month rather than 10-14 days which is a significant increase in our budgeted travel expenses. We are so thankful for your prayers and encouraging words and are grateful for any financial support you are able to offer.

06/09/2021

Jack graduated from his incubator to an open crib about 3am today. He needs to keep maintaining his temperature, keep gaining weight, and get quite a bit better at bottle feeding before we can "bust him out" of the NICU.

06/05/2021

After texting with Jack's birth mom yesterday afternoon about God's promise to watch over him a rainbow appeared over the hospital.

Then this evening, there's another rainbow directly over the hospital. So thankful for God's comfort and care for us, Jack and his birth mom. He continues to be in the NICU with no discharge is sight, but he's strong and making great progress!

06/03/2021

The last 48 hours have been a whirlwind with the early arrival of our sweet baby boy. All the paperwork is signed ... He's ours!!! And we are thrilled to introduce you to JACK KRISTOFER!

05/27/2021

One step closer to the nursery being ready. Water color bird is original art compliments of our resident artist / big brother Leland.

Address

Atlanta, GA

Website

https://give.promise686.org/campaign/360-carswell-adoption-campaign/c317679

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