Highs and Lows

2013 has been a roller coaster so far and it's about time I share our ups and downs.
New Years Eve into New Years Day found us at a low.  For those of you following our blog you probably already know the Adoption Tax Credit was due to expire on December 31st 2012 and expire it did. 

 We found ourselves wondering what the future held for our little family.  Being able to afford adoption was dependent on the credit.  The tax credit would refund us around $12,000 give or take and if you can believe this ... that still doesn't come close to covering the cost of a domestic infant adoption.  Adopting was on hold :(

 Then about two weeks later we were back riding the high :)  The Adoption Tax Credit had been extended indefinitely.  What amazing news!  This meant it was time to kick it in gear and find ourselves another agency.  But before we could attend a single informational meeting the harsh details of the renewal were like having the rug pulled out from under us and we were back in a low.

 The Adoption Tax Credit went from being refundable to a credit.  What does this mean exactly?  It means that if I paid say $3,500 in Federal Taxes last year, the most I can get back toward the adoption expenses is $3,500.

I know this seems fair when you ask why should the government help pay for my adoption right?  By not helping to offset the outrageous costs associated with adoption they are forcing more families into fostering to adopt.

What does this mean?  It means the state pays for us to care for a foster child, the legal fees to adopt them and then a monthly stipend until the day they turn 18.

I can promise you this will total more than the adoption refund amount.  And for us this means our original adoption plan is again tabled and we have some serious soul searching to do.

 We made only one resolution this year and that is to expand our family by whatever means the good Lord allows and that is what we plan to do.  Will we adopt a domestic infant, or foster to adopt, or revisit our medical options ... we have no idea. 

But God has every idea and we hope that maybe he will give us glimpse into this grand plan of his.  If I can tell you one thing it's that we are ready to be more than Auntie Amanda and Uncle Don ... we are ready to be Mom and Dad.