Hearts Open, Hands Ready
It’s been way too long since we’ve sent out a blog post and we apologize, but we would like to update you all that are following along in our journey! We have been an official waiting family with all 6 agencies (across numerous US states) that our consultant advised us on since the end of March/early April! This means that we have completed the agency applications, paid the fees, completed their training, onboarding, additional background checks and questions, filled out additional online profiles, and answered all their questions to their satisfaction! We thought that after the home study and everything else we finished that all that work would be done, but boy were we wrong. We are glad it’s over 🙂 (for now)!
Now that we have been an active and waiting family for over 3 months, we have learned that adoption is very much a roller coaster—the highs, the lows, and all the “almosts” in between. There have been days that didn’t end the way we hoped, yet we continue to hold on to faith that our time is coming. So far, we’ve presented our profile 11 times. We’ve presented to boys and girls and even twins! While it’s said that it takes an average of 10 cases before receiving a “yes,” that statistic doesn’t soften the sting of the “no’s” and rejection that we feel. Each time we aren’t chosen, it doesn’t get easier—in fact, it gets harder.
We’ve found ourselves asking, “Why not us?” or “What’s wrong with us?” The times we’ve come close have brought a flood of emotions—hope, excitement, fear, and then deep sadness when things didn’t work out. And now, we’re starting to feel something we’ve come to call “presenting fatigue.” With each case, we’re guarding our hearts a little more, trying to protect ourselves from the weight of disappointment.
Our adoption consultant recently said it best: “When families present multiple times without being chosen, they often begin to build a wall around their hearts. And when a real match finally comes, it can be overwhelming—because suddenly, it’s real.”
We’ve experienced that. There have been moments when we allowed ourselves to imagine, “This could actually happen.” And even though those moments didn’t lead to a match, they’ve left a mark. Still, through it all, we remain committed to this journey—believing the right match, the one meant for us, is on its way.
One of our favorite verses is Proverbs 3:5-6, and throughout our adoption journey, we’ve also been leaning into Psalm 37:23-24. These verses have been on our hearts often as we continue to walk this path, trusting that each step is guided—even when the way forward feels uncertain.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Psalm 37:23-24
The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
We know that God is calling us to this path, but it doesn’t mean it’s not exciting, scary, and difficult at times! We remain faithful and trusting that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are with us in every decision and that ultimately the child we get matched with is exactly the life God wants us stewarding for him. Our Father in heaven is making our path firm and our steps straight. This whole journey is blessed and stamped by his hand. And boy are we clinging to his hands!
With all that said, I guess the update is that there isn’t much of an update ha! We’re all set with our agencies, continue to see cases/situations that we can present to (i.e., share our Bryan and Taylor profile book) and we’re just waiting for a birth mom to choose us to adopt her baby. Once she chooses us and we’re matched then we work on building relationship with her, make sure she’s taken care of, and then go pick up our child when he or she is born! Please continue praying for us.
Fundraising Update
First of all, ENORMOUS THANK YOU to everyone that has joined us in our journey from a financial standpoint. We are way behind on thank you cards, but rest assured you will get one! It’s pretty amazing and incredibly heartfelt to see all the support through prayers/love/encouragement but also financially. God has blessed our finances, but after IVF and now with how expensive adoption is we can feel everyone’s support even more. Thank you so much. We will be sending thank you cards in the coming months 🙂.
Without further ado, we’d love to also share that WE HIT OUR GOAL for the Puzzle Piece Pledge Drive. We continue to be so grateful for you all. Details below.
Goal: $10,000
Raised: $10,100
101% TO GOAL!!
ALL PUZZLE PIECES CLAIMED
WIth achieving our initial fundraising goal, we were able to complete our puzzle. Currently, we are getting it framed so we can hang it in the nursery and our child can see all the names of family/friends that surround them. We’ll send you all a picture when it’s complete 🙂 !!
What we need: your continued support
1. Prayer Requests – Your prayers mean more than we can express. Thank you so much for all those that have been praying for us. We ask that you continue to pray for:
- Our future child: For their health, safety, and for the Lord’s perfect timing in bringing them into our lives.
- The birth mother: That she stays safe, healthy, and receives all the care and support she needs. We pray for her heart, her strength, and that our relationship with her grows organically and beautifully if that is what’s meant to be.
- Our marriage: As we prepare to welcome a child into our home, we ask for prayers so that our bond remains strong and that we can face this new chapter with unity, grace, and patience.
2. Online Registry – If you’d like to contribute in a tangible way, we’ve created an online registry with items that will help us prepare for our little one’s arrival. Every gift, big or small, will make a meaningful impact as we get ready for this life-changing journey.
3. Donate financially – In the US, the average cost of adoption can be $50k+ which covers home study costs, agency fees, birth parent costs such as medical care and housing, and/or legal fees. Adoption can be costly, and while we’ve been working hard to save, we know there’s still a long way to go. If you feel led to help in a financial way, we would be deeply grateful. Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will make a difference in helping us bring our child home. Also, thank you so much to those that have already helped financially. With the Puzzle Piece Pledge Drive and other fundraising efforts, we’ve already raised a whopping $31,530.53 for our $50,000 goal (63% to goal). Thank you thank you thank you!!
If you’d like to donate, you can do so via our adoption fund by Venmo’ing Bryan (@bryan-keightley). Also, we hear your feedback and we have started a webpage similar to Go Fund Me (Adopt Together webpage). Details below in #4 Spread the Word.
Fundraising can be sensitive so please ask us all the questions you’d like. We’ve prayed and thought about this a lot and we are more than happy to share our thought process. Here is a list of what we’ve spent so far and current expected costs. We’re happy to share an itemized version for those that have made a donation 🙂.
| Cost Type | Amount |
| CAC Services + Home Study Fee | $11,498.00 |
| Home Study Requirements (CPR training, Education, Counseling, etc.) | $1,205.02 |
| Adoption Agency Application Fees | $5,494.68 |
| Subtotal (Already Paid) | $18,197.70 |
| Est. Adoption Fee | $50,000.00 |
| Est. Potential Costs (Healthcare, Room & Board, Labor & Delivery, etc.) | $10,000.00 |
| Total Costs | $78,197.70 |
| Total Fundraised | $31,530.53 |
| Goal | $50,000.00 |
| % to Goal | 63% |
4. Spread the Word – Adoption is a long road, and we appreciate any way you can help us raise awareness or share our story, blog, or our Adopt Together webpage. If you know someone who has been through adoption, or who has wisdom or resources to share, we’d love to connect.
In love, gratitude and grace,
B&T
