Now that we have had a few weeks to process our emotions, the fire for adoption is still burning strong and we are beginning the footwork for the next one. Since the last adoption connection wasn’t through an agency or consulting company, we were able to handle the cost requirement mostly on our own. We did receive several donations that went towards travel and a portion of the attorney costs for the recent failed adoption. We still lost money but ultimately realized it could have been a lot worse. Even though we have a decent nest egg set aside, agency/consultant costs are pretty jarring. Normal adoption costs from beginning to end range from $38,000 – $50,000. Most people aren’t aware that couples are facing such an astronomical expense when they choose to expand their family in this way.

In hopes of reaching our large fundraising goal, we are jump starting our efforts a few different ways.

YouCaring – Many were beginning to ask during our first adoption situation about donating towards costs and expenses. Therefore, the Spiveys set up a YouCaring fundraising page for those interested in making donations of any size. Updates are posted periodically so that everyone is kept in the loop. If you feel inclined, click here to donate.

Farm Calendar 2018 – With the New Year upon us, I designed a 12 month calendar with the help of our farm animals. Each month, the motley crew of Cypress Bayou Farm will bring a smile to your face. The calendar is priced at $25/each.

If you are interested, please email me at contact@thebayougypsy.com and I will forward a paypal link. Here’s a preview of the month of January 2018:

Custom Vinyl Creations – Since I’m a pretty crafty individual, I am putting my talents to work and selling vinyl creations on onesies, other clothing, bags, cups, signs, appliques, etc. Basically, anything vinyl can be applied to, I can create for you. I’ve shared a few monogrammed items on the blog in the past but more recently, I’ve dabbled in personalized baby onesies or bodysuits for our nephew Cooper. These are super fun, allowing you to either customize with the child’s name or add a unique slogan.

Onesies are priced at $15/each and t-shirts are $20/each (prices include the clothing). Any other custom order will be priced accordingly. The cell phone decals are priced at $5/each and I can duplicate pretty much anything. If you are interested, please email me at contact@thebayougypsy.com with description, size, amount or a specific idea. I love designing and accept a challenge!

Fresh Eggs – Our Gypsy Chicks keep blessing us with fresh eggs and are starting to earn their keep. If you are local and interested in farm fresh eggs where our chickens are raised on pasture and non-GMO feed, free to roam and live in the sunshine, they are priced $4/carton. Please email me at contact@thebayougypsy.com and I will work out a delivery plan.

The foregoing are our current fundraising options BUT we are also in the planning stages of a farm day at Cypress Bayou Farm in Zachary, LA and a fundraising t-shirt, both to start in the New Year.

On top of handling our fundraiser hustle, we are putting the finishing touches on our adoption profile book and continuing our research before making our final decision on an agency or consultant at the end of this month.

I look forward to the day when our adoption profile is officially active. Until then, we are working hard to bring our BAYOU BABY home!

Thank you to all those that have supported our journey thus far. We appreciate you more than you may realize. Each of you is an integral part of bringing our bayou baby home to the farm. Our hearts are incredibly full as a community of people we know and even strangers rally around us in our pursuit of parenthood. “Thank you” doesn’t seem to be enough expression to cover all the big emotions we feel in our hearts.

Remember to keep up with our journey and the blessings of our farm life on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin and my YouTube channel.