Adoption update ... time to get really creative!

Okay, so here's the latest on the adoption process ... and it's not so good.

We met with our adoption worker for our twice-yearly inspection & she had some numbers from the last fiscal year at the agency. The numbers, they are not good. Very few adoptions have been completed solely through the program. So ... after 18 months of being licensed & having our profile active, we've got nothing. And we're being encouraged to consider other options. Only one problem (aside from wrenching heartache & PITA paperwork) ... money.

We'd come up with a solution to fund an adoption with our local agency, and the money is set aside in an account or is standing by to be liquidated at-will. Now that we're looking at national agencies, we're learning that we are seriously short on what's needed to pursue an adoption that's (a) through a legit, trustworthy agency and (b) actually likely to result in placement of a child to us before we turn 42 the middle of next year. How much are we short by? Well, at a minimum, we need to scrape together $12k. Yes, you read that right ... $12,000.

We also had a friend offer to be a surrogate for us. How mind-blowingly awesome is THAT?! We've not done a ton of research on the subject, but at first glance, the cost range for medical care for the 3 of us, plus living expenses & an emergency/contingency fund is right around the top end of the national adoption range. So, that certainly is another option, but it's still beyond what we can do, financially, right now.

We've already looked at taking out various loans & lines of credit & what not. It's just not a good idea, what with our having just financed a new vehicle 4 months ago. And with needing to pay for some slightly-emergency (certainly freakin' unplanned & unexpected) dental work to the tune of $7,500. So, I'm getting creative.

I can get another $5,000 if I liquidate everything I've got on account at Edward Jones. It's supposed to be my retirement money, but it's not in an IRA, so at least we won't take a tax hit that way. I hear from my dad that taxes capital gains are likely to go up in 2011. As in almost-double what they are now. So, I may just cash in everything, although it kills me.

That leaves $7,000.

I think we'll be able to "rent" our points in our Disney Vacation Club timeshare to my brother & his family for about $1,200.

That puts the balance we need at about $5,800. I'm planning on applying to several places for some grants. I'm also putting a lot of books up for sale on half.com. I just had the idea of putting my hoarded rubber stamps up for sale on eBay. I read an article from an adoptive mom about how she financed their adoption process, and she said, "I sold everything that meant less to me than having a baby." Wow. Powerful.

So, I'm in the process of going through a lot of my stuff. And finding grants. And asking for help. If you know of any grants or loans or other avenues you think we should be pursuing, tell us!