Our final home study visit is officially complete!

On Friday, we welcomed our councilor into our home for the last of our three required visits, and it all went so smoothly. I was honestly a little emotional afterward, not because it was overwhelming or hard (it wasn’t), but because we’ve reached such a huge milestone in this journey. It’s another step closer to bringing our future child home.

Baby-Proofing… Again

It’s been a while since we had to think about outlet covers and cabinet locks (our boys are 7 and 9), so stepping back into the baby-proofing mindset was a little nostalgic and honestly, kind of fun.

We found some great updates in the world of baby-proofing since the last time we were here. For example:

Magnetic cabinet locks (so much better than the old zip-tie style ones that chipped paint and were hard for even me to open!)
Keypad locks for interior closets… we use these for medications and other off-limits items. They auto-lock when shut, which gave us great peace of mind.

What We Learned From Our Caseworker/ councilor

Throughout this process, I’ve listened to countless podcasts and read so many blog posts about how to prepare for a home study. But the best advice we received?

Lean into your caseworker/ counselor. Ask questions. Communicate.
These professionals are for you. They want you to succeed. They’re not looking to fail you or criticize your home… they want to help prepare you and guide you.

Once we shifted our mindset from “inspection” to “preparation,” the stress level went down, and the excitement went up. It was actually really fun to show our space, to share our hearts, and to talk about the child we’re preparing for.

Zeke and Ezra were so proud to show her around, point out the outlet covers they installed, and give a full nursery tour. Including them in the process, letting them help, ask questions, and talk about their future sibling made this journey even more meaningful for all of us.

One of my favorite moments? Zeke showing off our printed profile book and telling our caseworker/ counselor all about our family. That little moment was the perfect reflection of what this whole experience has been about—all of us, together.

Wrapping Up With Joy

After we finished our visit, we wrapped up some work and then headed out for our Friday family tradition: family date night. We tried a new local spot called Fancy Girl Farms. It’s a farm-to-table gem with outdoor seating, yard games, and plenty of space for the boys to run and play. It was the sweetest way to end such a big day.

The next evening, we officially announced to the world that we are adopting. Hitting “post” on that update was such a vulnerable moment but we have been completely overwhelmed (in the best way) by the love and encouragement we’ve received. The messages, comments, and DMs from family, friends, and coworkers have been such a gift to our hearts.

So many people have asked how they can help or get involved, and while it’s humbling to even be asked, we wanted to share that we do have a few fundraisers in the works. We’re working on the details and will be sharing more soon… so if you feel led to support us in that way, we’ll be sure to keep you updated. We know and fully believe that God will provide. He already has in so many incredible ways.

To cap off an already meaningful weekend, we heard the most timely message from our local pastor. The whole sermon was about faith, and one thing he said gave me absolute chills:

“Faith is saying yes to God, even when you have no idea what’s going to happen.”

That line has stayed with me. It’s exactly the season we’re stepping into. We’ve said “yes,” and now we’re walking forward, not knowing when or how, but trusting in who.

What’s Next

So where do we go from here?

Now, we wait for our home study to be officially written and approved. Once that happens, we’ll become what’s called “active”- which means our profile will be shown to expectant moms, and we’ll begin the next stage: the waiting season.

As soon as we’re active, we’ll also be able to start applying for adoption grants. We’ve done a lot of research and have a list of grants ready to go. Some are matching grants, where funds we raise are matched up to a certain amount. Others are straight financial grants that help cover costs.

We won’t know how much we’ll receive (if any) but we’re trusting God to provide, just as He has throughout this journey.

Preparing Our Hearts

While this process is full of excitement, we are also deeply aware of the heartbreak that often comes alongside adoption. The joy of one family is often the result of unimaginable loss in another. And we do not take that lightly.

So we are entering this waiting season with humility and prayer. We’re praying for our future child. We’re praying for the expectant mom who will make an incredibly hard decision. And we’re praying that when the time comes, we will be ready to love, support, and honor her story.

We’ll be back with another update once we’re officially active and as we begin the grant process and enter the waiting season. If you have any questions, are walking a similar road, or want to share your story, we’d love to connect.

And if you’re in the early stages of adoption and there’s anything I can research or share from our experience, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re all in this together.