Hobelman Family Adoption Home Study
Donation protected
Hi, this is Shiloh, writing on behalf of my wife Kylee Jo, and the love of our lives, little Logan. When Kylee and I wed in the fall of 2010, one of the readings we chose was an Irish blessing which spoke of days to come filled with the laughter & footsteps of little ones in the halls of our home.
My most vivid memory from that wonderful fall day in Lincoln's Sunken Garden, was the excitement in Kylee's eyes, and the happiness in our hearts, as my good friend Adam spoke aloud of the laughter & footsteps of little ones soon to come. In that very moment, Kylee and I were not thinking of ourselves, nor anyone present in the garden that day. Our thoughts were with our children, yet unknown to us, known only to God.
Due to the fog of of inequality & discrimination that surrounds marriage for individuals who experience a disability, we knew the road ahead would not be easy. Unwaivering, we forged ahead with the love & support of our incredible families and friends, and most of all Arney!
Trained as my Service Dog in 2008, Arney took his place at my side to aid in retrieval, protection, and companionship. He would meet Kylee for the first time two months later, and soon woo her over with his sweet smile, and gentle nature. As Kylee warmed to having a large breed dog in her life, neither of us could foresee the depth of Arney's love, and how he would become our rock in the coming years.
After our wedding, weeks turned to months, months to years. Friends and family blessed left & right with news of impending births. What joy it brought our hearts to share in the arrival of so many beautiful lives. Yet, behind our heartfelt smiles, silent teardrops fell.
When will it finally be our turn? Is something wrong with one, or both of us? Why? So many questions abound. In a search for answers, we turned to science, and found some unexpected answers. Turns out, we weren't going to be able to waltz right into parenthood after all.
In 2013, we gave it a go with IUI. The lead up was painfull. Physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting. As good as our insurance was, what it didn't cover was the IUI attempt itself. We used what little funds we had been able to save in our early years of marriage, and took out a loan for the rest. The poking and prodding had paid off, Kylee was pregnant! I'll never forget the afternoon we returned home after the procedure. Kylee on bed rest per Dr.'s orders. Both kitties, along with Arney, sharing the now not-so-big bed with Kylee. Animals always know.
We were burning through vacation days left and right for trips to Omaha to check on the progression of our little one. Then word came. We would lose our first child. In the coming days after I returned to work, Arney knew his place was at home with Mom. She needed his emotional support assistance far more than I required his talents at the office. Arney would begin to fulfill his most important role ever. The reason he was brought into our lives.
Emotionally and financially depleted, we continued on. Having been shown it was not yet our time, we left our future in God's hands. It was not easy to turn over the keys to our future and put them in His hands.
Fast forward to 2017. Such joy has entered our families over the past few years. Kylee and I agreed that while it may not have been time for us to be parents, we would pour our energies into being the most incredible aunt & uncle a kiddo could ask for. Kylee's sister's family had become a foster family, and shared their wonderful experiences with us. Perhaps this was a new opportunity, a new door waiting to be opened.
St. Patrick's Day has always been a favorite of mine. This year will be remembered unlike any other. A friend who knew of our struggles on the path to parenthood had reached out to Kylee's aunt. A family member was with child. The birth of this little one was not in the birth mother's life plan. Would we be open to giving the child a loving home? Yes!! Without question, yes!
OK, this is where Captain Picard orders engines full stop. Baby will be here in about 2 months? Don't babies ususally take 9 months to get here? I tell Kylee, "we're not ready". "Shiloh" she says, "no one is ever ready".
Discussions continue. We soon realize this is not our plan, not the birth mother's plan, but His plan. Kylee's teacher's union doesn't offer paid maternity leave via FMLA, however the school year is about to end. She'll have the entire summer free to be with the little one. As my father Michael said, "who are any of us to question God's will".
One impromptu bake sale by the amazing Morgan, the generosity of a dear friend, along with our savings, and we have barely enough funds to retain a lawyer. After lengthy discussions with 3 different lawyers, we finally have one willing to work with us. With precious little time remaining, our adoption papers are finally drafted.
On May 26th, we welcomed little Logan Kristofer into our family. Snuggles, feedings, naps, and more snuggles. Our hearts have never been so full! Now the real work begins. The clock is ticking.
Our adoption papers give us 6 months until everything must be finalized. This includes completion of a rigorous and costly Home Study. The Home Study is typically done well ahead of any placement when using a foster and/or adoption agency. Since ours was a direct and open adoption, we had the ability to choose our agency. With the uniqueness of our situation, the only willing agency in Nebraska was Lutheran Family Services. Those of you who know me, know I rarely take the traditional route.
Our journey to meet little Logan has happened so quickly, we are not financially prepared to take care of the expenses required. This GoFundMe is being created to assist in covering the costs directly tied to the Home Study via Lutheran Family Services. The costs are as follows.
$1,100 fee due upon submission of the application.
$1,000 fee due at time of completion; shortly before submission of the Home Study findings to the court.
Post placement supervision fee (minimum of 2 visits) $500 each.
Mileage for the caseworker, $30/hr driving from Omaha to Lincoln.
The background check fees are not included in the above figures. (We all know Arney is a shady character :p).
The 2 months we had to plan for Logan's arrival was barely enough time to do an Extreme Budget Makeover, let alone come up with the significant fees associated with lawyers and a Home Study.
We know He set us upon this path long ago, and we shall see it through to whatever end. Your love, kindness, and prayers will be forever rewarded with Logi snuggles, and slobbery kisses (courtesy of Arney). We would love for you to join us on our path! Shiloh, Kylee, Arney, and Logan.
My most vivid memory from that wonderful fall day in Lincoln's Sunken Garden, was the excitement in Kylee's eyes, and the happiness in our hearts, as my good friend Adam spoke aloud of the laughter & footsteps of little ones soon to come. In that very moment, Kylee and I were not thinking of ourselves, nor anyone present in the garden that day. Our thoughts were with our children, yet unknown to us, known only to God.Due to the fog of of inequality & discrimination that surrounds marriage for individuals who experience a disability, we knew the road ahead would not be easy. Unwaivering, we forged ahead with the love & support of our incredible families and friends, and most of all Arney!
Trained as my Service Dog in 2008, Arney took his place at my side to aid in retrieval, protection, and companionship. He would meet Kylee for the first time two months later, and soon woo her over with his sweet smile, and gentle nature. As Kylee warmed to having a large breed dog in her life, neither of us could foresee the depth of Arney's love, and how he would become our rock in the coming years.After our wedding, weeks turned to months, months to years. Friends and family blessed left & right with news of impending births. What joy it brought our hearts to share in the arrival of so many beautiful lives. Yet, behind our heartfelt smiles, silent teardrops fell.
When will it finally be our turn? Is something wrong with one, or both of us? Why? So many questions abound. In a search for answers, we turned to science, and found some unexpected answers. Turns out, we weren't going to be able to waltz right into parenthood after all.
In 2013, we gave it a go with IUI. The lead up was painfull. Physically, emotionally, and financially exhausting. As good as our insurance was, what it didn't cover was the IUI attempt itself. We used what little funds we had been able to save in our early years of marriage, and took out a loan for the rest. The poking and prodding had paid off, Kylee was pregnant! I'll never forget the afternoon we returned home after the procedure. Kylee on bed rest per Dr.'s orders. Both kitties, along with Arney, sharing the now not-so-big bed with Kylee. Animals always know.
We were burning through vacation days left and right for trips to Omaha to check on the progression of our little one. Then word came. We would lose our first child. In the coming days after I returned to work, Arney knew his place was at home with Mom. She needed his emotional support assistance far more than I required his talents at the office. Arney would begin to fulfill his most important role ever. The reason he was brought into our lives.Emotionally and financially depleted, we continued on. Having been shown it was not yet our time, we left our future in God's hands. It was not easy to turn over the keys to our future and put them in His hands.
Fast forward to 2017. Such joy has entered our families over the past few years. Kylee and I agreed that while it may not have been time for us to be parents, we would pour our energies into being the most incredible aunt & uncle a kiddo could ask for. Kylee's sister's family had become a foster family, and shared their wonderful experiences with us. Perhaps this was a new opportunity, a new door waiting to be opened.
St. Patrick's Day has always been a favorite of mine. This year will be remembered unlike any other. A friend who knew of our struggles on the path to parenthood had reached out to Kylee's aunt. A family member was with child. The birth of this little one was not in the birth mother's life plan. Would we be open to giving the child a loving home? Yes!! Without question, yes!
OK, this is where Captain Picard orders engines full stop. Baby will be here in about 2 months? Don't babies ususally take 9 months to get here? I tell Kylee, "we're not ready". "Shiloh" she says, "no one is ever ready".
Discussions continue. We soon realize this is not our plan, not the birth mother's plan, but His plan. Kylee's teacher's union doesn't offer paid maternity leave via FMLA, however the school year is about to end. She'll have the entire summer free to be with the little one. As my father Michael said, "who are any of us to question God's will".
One impromptu bake sale by the amazing Morgan, the generosity of a dear friend, along with our savings, and we have barely enough funds to retain a lawyer. After lengthy discussions with 3 different lawyers, we finally have one willing to work with us. With precious little time remaining, our adoption papers are finally drafted.
On May 26th, we welcomed little Logan Kristofer into our family. Snuggles, feedings, naps, and more snuggles. Our hearts have never been so full! Now the real work begins. The clock is ticking.Our adoption papers give us 6 months until everything must be finalized. This includes completion of a rigorous and costly Home Study. The Home Study is typically done well ahead of any placement when using a foster and/or adoption agency. Since ours was a direct and open adoption, we had the ability to choose our agency. With the uniqueness of our situation, the only willing agency in Nebraska was Lutheran Family Services. Those of you who know me, know I rarely take the traditional route.Our journey to meet little Logan has happened so quickly, we are not financially prepared to take care of the expenses required. This GoFundMe is being created to assist in covering the costs directly tied to the Home Study via Lutheran Family Services. The costs are as follows.$1,100 fee due upon submission of the application.
$1,000 fee due at time of completion; shortly before submission of the Home Study findings to the court.
Post placement supervision fee (minimum of 2 visits) $500 each.
Mileage for the caseworker, $30/hr driving from Omaha to Lincoln.
The background check fees are not included in the above figures. (We all know Arney is a shady character :p).
The 2 months we had to plan for Logan's arrival was barely enough time to do an Extreme Budget Makeover, let alone come up with the significant fees associated with lawyers and a Home Study.
We know He set us upon this path long ago, and we shall see it through to whatever end. Your love, kindness, and prayers will be forever rewarded with Logi snuggles, and slobbery kisses (courtesy of Arney). We would love for you to join us on our path! Shiloh, Kylee, Arney, and Logan.
Organizer
Shiloh Hobelman
Organizer
Lincoln, NE
