The Hoops and Hurtles of Adoption...Our Profile

I haven't talked about the details of our process too much, so for those of you who may be considering adoption, I hope you will find this post helpful.

I was binge-watching Fuller House Season 2 the other night (**SPOILER ALERTS**) and was so happy to see an adoption story featured on there!  I won't tell you who, but 3 episodes had dedicated story lines pertaining to this couple's journey, ending with a Season Ending featuring a brand new cast member!

Ah, if only life could be as simple as it looks on TV (and if only my hair could do what Candace Cameron's hair is doing in Season 2- it looks so amazing!)

On the show, during the Thanksgiving episode, the couple in question decided they wanted to adopt... fast forward 2 episodes later where the social worker visited their workplace and hilarious sketch comedy ensues...fast forward to New Years where the new couple welcomes in the year with a baby.

While I'm sure there's some basis for that timeline, in the real world, 6 weeks doesn't quite work as there are several things that have to be done.

Take our story, for example.  We've been working hard for the past 6 weeks on just a couple of the pieces needed in order to move forward:  our Home Study docs and our Media Profile.  I'll talk more about the home study later- but here's the skinny on the profile.

The profile is a virtual way adoptive parents display their lives and their information for perspective birth parents.  This can include photos, videos, letters, statements and general Q&A.  Profiles are uploaded onto websites where birthmothers search for perspective parents, and are also sent out electronically to hospitals, pregnancy centers, and other agencies throughout the US.

Now, if you've ever posed for engagement pictures, wedding pictures, Glamour Shots or participated in any type of photo shoot, you may feel the pain I have felt putting this together.  Our agency wanted a series of photos of Mr. A and I:

• Together, close up, formal shots
• Together, informal
• Together, action
• Individual action

I'll admit, this was one of the things I dreaded the most.  I really don't like having my picture made unless it's a cheesy selfie or a theatre pic.  Also, we weren't allowed to turn in selfies.  So, even finding action and together shots of us that don't have the selfie extended arm was a hard challenge. Then, we had to spend a couple of weeks taking photos that looked "authentic" but were actually pretty staged.

Here are some of the photos that did NOT make the cut... can you see the awkwardness in my expressions?!?

Selfie Arm.  Not acceptable

Fake Laughter

He's pointing into thin air.  And the post-it with my instructions to him is visible

He wasn't ready for his close-up

My secret is out

One thing that struck me in doing these photos, is that Mr. A. definitely comes across as the "more fun" of the two of us and I have to say, I'm not sure how I feel about that.  Check out the evidence yourself:

He's the poster boy for awesome!!!  Unlike me...

Yardwork and cooking?!  Boo.

Yes, Mr. A is more fun, but that's good, right?!  You need a nice mix of personality and activity between the two parents (I'm trying to convince myself!).

As uncomfortable as this experience was, I'm happy to say it's over.  On Sunday, we sent in 200+ photos, letters and statements in to our agency to choose from and I'm excited because this will mean our profile should be LIVE for all birthmothers to see by the new year!

If you'd like share, pray or invest in our journey, you may do so here:
www.youcaring.com/carradoptionfund