So Why The Big Announcement?

We've been planning this announcement for several weeks.  We've been building the blog, shooting the video, and trying to decide how to talk about this precious, delicate thing that has been growing in our hearts.  

I've been really nervous about it.

​I don't really do a lot on social media.  I love to look at Instagram, and I keep up with Facebook just so I don't miss something major, but I'm not good at participating in the online community part.  There's something about it that makes me uncomfortable.  I am just certain I'm going to do something that makes me seem weird, I guess.  

So putting this personal, sensitive topic out into the social media jungle is pretty difficult for me.  I feel like I'm about to jump out of an airplane.  Most of me is screaming "DON'T DO IT! WHAT WILL PEOPLE THINK??"  

I don't know what you think about all that we have shared so far about our adoption, but that is the whole point of sharing.  We want to share this part of our lives in this way so you can know what we think.  Adoption is a challenging subject.  International adoption even more so.  Google a few blogs or websites that address the topic and you will be surprised at what you learn. 

All the more reason for us to clearly communicate with our community about how and why we are adopting. 

Also, to be honest, we need help to do this.  

Since our oldest was born six years ago, we have seen over and over the value of living in a community that helps you raise your children.  We are blessed with close family that pour into our kids, providing a safe amazing place for our little ones while we work.  We have church family and work family that make friends with our kids, listen to us when we need to talk, and give us much needed advice.  We can't do without them.

And we need help to pay for it.

Adoption is really expensive.  We expect it will cost about $40,000 to bring our child home to our family.  And while we are already doing lots of things to save and earn more money, we can't come up with all of that money on our own.   We have already been blessed by a few friends and family who knew we were adopting.  We are so thankful for people who are willing to join with us in this way.  We hope that our community will see our new child as someone worth investing in, because we do.  

So that's why we aren't doing this quietly like I would naturally prefer.  We need to be loud about this because the needs are big: the needs of orphans and the needs of families who are caring for them.  

Thank you for reading, learning, and caring about our adoption.  If you have questions or would like more info, ask!  You can find us on Facebook and Instagram (@emilytfleenor @joshfleenor).  We'd love to hear from you.