Of course, they won't get their little brother quite so soon, but with Christmas fast approaching, their list prompted me to make a request. I guess most of you know that international adoption is expensive. On average it costs $25-30,000. The federal tax credit, which we will hopefully get back in 2013 is $13,170. Needless to say, there is a lot of saving going on in the Horton house, and every little bit helps! So, our request is this: If you're planning presents or gift cards for our family this Christmas, please instead contribute that amount to our adoption. The kids know we're saving and making sacrifices for the adoption, and they are excited by every dollar that goes into the fund. After we complete our home study (probably late December/ early January) we may be able to establish an account with an organization called Lifesong that will allow donations to be tax-deductible. We'll take an IOU if you want to wait and see if that gets up and running! Please don't feel pressured to donate. Just consider this request before you buy us that gift card!
We had the home visit portion of our Home Study today. Mallory toured the house and verified that everything was safe and appropriate for our little boy. She even counted smoke alarms and fire extinguishers! Then we sat down and discussed parenting skills, discipline, and everything else related to raising a child. The last home study meeting will be in a few weeks. Until then we will be hard at work completing our "education" (reading assignments and online videos).
It is our prayer that the process will go smoothly, that God will be with us as we face the challenges that lay ahead, and that our little boy will be safe and happy until the day we can bring him home.
Ken and DeAnna
