Becoming The Mahler Family

We are at the beginning of our adoption story and have a whole lot of heart, but not a whole lot of money. Adoptions are scary expensive, on top of the emotional and mental journey that we are embarking on. The money will go to strictly to adoption expenses, including travel expenses, home study, agency fees, etc. Statistically this is what the average cost of adoption looks like:

Home Study Fee = $1,500-2,500
Documentation Preparation & Authentication = $1000
Adoption Agency Application & Program Fees = $5,000-$20,000
Adoption Consultant Fees = $1,000-$3,000
Attorney Fees = $4,200 – $15,000
Advertising & Networking = $500-$2,500
Birth Family Counseling = $500-$1,000
Birth Mother Expenses = $3,000-$5,000
Foster Care = $100-$400
Travel Expenses = $1,000 – $3,000
Post-Placement Expenses = $500-$2,000
Miscellaneous Expenses = $1,000 – $3,000

We would love to raise a whopping, but not impossible, $50,000 within the next 6-8 months. We understand, in all humility, that we cannot start our family without the support, prayers, and love of our friends, family and the random, but oh-so-welcome,  kind stranger. This means family to us. Family that spreads not just from the baby that we will hold in our arms, but to the families, friends and strangers connected to this process with us. In Hawaii, there is a word, "Ohana", and it means more than family by blood. It means family through connection and friendship, through faith, through living life together, the messy vulnerable bits as well as the joyful triumphant bits,  but most of all by love. That is what this means to us. Dustin and I are so grateful and thankful for all that you have given us. We say thank you for investing in our Ohana. If you would like to follow our story, please click on the link below:
Our journey through the adoption process