[Shay]

Hubby and I got an email from our translator just wanting to see hwo we were doing and such and it really made me have the desire to get back into the ring of craziness.

I have always had it in my mind that I would love to adopt a sibling for Daria but money is TIGHT!!!!

The first adoption was expensive so how do you even think about doing it again...thos who have adopted again how did you find the finances? If you don't mind me asking, I appreciate any info or suggestions. Thanks

[Max'sMommy]

We started to save, save, save, then we moved and had some money from the sale of our home. Good luck!!

[Shay]

Thanks for your response!!

[Kasey]

we sat down and figured out what we would need, what we would be comfortable taking out of savings and what we would borrow.
We opted for home equity line of credit (alot easier to get in 2006 then now), and just took the bigger chunks from there.
We almost have it paid off, we used the tax return we got with the tax credit and paid a big chunk off. The interest rate is so low right now (4%), because of that I was trying to talk DH into #3, he is not biting!

Good luck!!

[MamaChinch]

I'm with Shay....any ideas would be helpful !!! Fund-raising....?

[kretzklan]

I don't have any brilliant ideas - but wanted to wish all of you luck...I'd love to hear about more little ones coming home!

[Kasey]

I am currently fundraising on Ebay for the Breast Cancer 3 day walk and it two months of selling lots of things from clothes to bags to shoes, to old camcorders, etc.. we have made 2300!

For our first adoption, our families had a party called a Beef and Beer, you paid $25 to get in and that got you food and drink (beer, wine sodas), our friends band played, we had gift baskets and lots of raffles. It was a fun night and we raised 7500 which we used for travel costs and babyhome donations.

[Waiting_for_my_baby]

What a great idea Kris!

We have not raised that much yet, but here's what I've done so far. I took empty kleenex boxes & wipie boxes, decorated them with wrapping paper, baby stickers, etc. I gave one to most of our friends and family and asked them to save their change for us. They are too!!

[MichiAmy]

Cindy - are you considering #2 as well?

[cac_li]

Do anyone of you wish you adopted 2 at once--given the expense of the adoption? Cindy

[proudmommyof 2]

Debt, debt, debt. It was our only way..

We were able to finance our first adoption because our first house was a run down mess. We fixed it up for ourselves, and then were able to borrow a lot more on the house then we paid for it. Then we moved, and made money on the house (not really a flip-we lived there 6 years). The house we're in now was a run-down mess, so we bought it cheap and fixed it up and were able to borrow for adoption #2. For Claire's adoption, the fees were pretty cheap because she was a SN adoption. Home equity line of credit and credit card bills. We're slowly paying down.

Will you share a pic of Daria? Haven't seen her in a while..

[Drazil]

Hi Shay, I would love to see a picture of Daria as well, I miss the daily dose from back in the day ! The best of luck with #2 and we were one of the lucky ones that used our home equity back in 2004 when we adopted (sold that house a couple of years ago and paid off the adoption when we did, before the whole real estate thing went bust). Also, just a thought but when we did start our adoption we did a "pay as you go" period at first. We started with the homestudy and paid for that up front, then we sent in the I600 app and paid for that up front, then started with the dossier docs and paid for that. By the time we were ready for our referral to come in we had received the HELOC on our home and then just continued. So maybe if you just start the process and go along at least if the opportunity presents itself for a referral along the way you will already be into the process and the rest will come (doors open when things are right). Thanks for checking in and giving us an update, great to hear from you!

[tigger44]

I know a family who set up a findraising website/blog. They raffled off a Wii and an iPod and few other things. They raised several thousand dollars that way. There are more and more grants available nowadays too. Shaohannah's Hope and LifeSong are two that come to mind.

Good luck!

[k8c]

There is an agency with HUGE grants available for older child (7years plus) adoption. PM me if you'd be interested...

[angelkisses0102]

For adoption number two we used some cash, some savings, 0% interest credit cards and our home equity.

Now I would love to adopt again...but due to our financial downturn (thanks to this wonderful economy) I don't see how it will happen. But I pray daily and feel that if God wants us to adopt again...we will. Since my kids are getting older (5.5 and almost 7.5) I am beginning to think about adopting from foster care...although k8c's suggestion interests me. But I would need to wait until DS gets older as I will not adopt out of birth order. But we need to get our financial house in order first...which is ever so slowly starting to happen...so we have time.

Good luck.