How A Concert with Johnny Swim Helped a Couple Adopt Debt Free
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-aeju2-9efeea Melinda Simmons talks about how they raised $36,000 towards the adoption of a little boy named Ezra that they are matched with from China. Listen to the unique ways they raised money including $15,000 from Chipstarter. If you think it’s impossible to find the money for your adoption; think again. Melinda and her husband… Read More
Read MoreThe Story Behind How Little Biscuit Adoption Fund Started
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ejcmx-9d2a34 Zeke and Shanda Arter, owners of the Maple Street Biscuit Co. in Chattanooga, TN recognized the financial burden that couples have as they seek to adopt. Listen to today’s episode where we discuss how Zeke got the idea to start the Little Biscuit Adoption Fund, how their employees donated the first money to the… Read More
Read More
Should I Borrow From My 401(k) To Pay For Adoption/Fertility?
“You’ll need $17,500 for the full IVF cycle.” I remember the doctor saying this as we sat in his office discussing our options. We struggled with male infertility, which according to our doctor wasn’t uncommon. 1 in 8 couples struggle with infertility and 50% of them are male infertility. I don’t know if that… Read More
Read MoreEvery Journey Begins With Your Own
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-qz63y-9c7f4b I always dreamed of being a wife and a mother. When someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I answered, “A Mom”. I got married at 34 and after an unsuccessful year, discovered that we had fertility issues. In this episode, I discuss my own journey towards adopting our… Read More
Read MoreHope4One Ministries Lauren Haun and Their Give One Save One Adoption Campaign
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-deyix-9c7ebe Lauren Haun adopted 3 children from China. She helped start the Hope4One Ministry that assists Foster and Adoptive families through providing a clothes closet, support group, and an adoption fund. On this episode she talks about her adoption story, the challenges that they have faced, and what led her to Hope4One Ministries. Lauren shows… Read More
Read More
Fostering a child can change BOTH your lives.
In 2015 my husband and I found out that our daughter was going to have a biological sister. The mother kept testing positive for drugs during her pregnancy and we believed that DCS would take the baby. We started Path classes to become certified to be a foster home. We left messages for the caseworker… Read More
Read More
Don’t Let Fear Stop You From Being A Foster Parent
When I first approached my husband about fostering, his response was, “NO!”. There was no wishy-washy coming from him. I asked him what he was afraid of and his response was,”falling in love with them and sending them back to their birth parents.” Why are we so afraid of loving someone that needs to be… Read More
Read More
Podcast with Hope4One’s Lauren Haun
In July I invited my neighbor Courtney over to swim. While our kids swam, I was able to catch up with her and we talked about what we’ve been doing. She’s always been so encouraging of us adopting our kids. I think it’s important to surround yourself with good people and she’s one of them.… Read More
Read More
How To Use The IRS Withholding Calculator to FIND Money
I’m in love with calculators. There’s something satisfying with someone else calculating some numbers and coming up with the answer. You have to understand that I hated math in high school. If it wasn’t for the super cute teacher that looked like Superman, I probably would have hated it even more. That’s why it’s so… Read More
Read More