On the roller coaster again!

Yep, we're back on the adoption roller coaster. It's been quite a while since I've written anything, but it's been a pretty difficult ride and not the easiest to share. For those that don't know we were shut down last year with a week left before our final homestudy visit. All because of one person's flawed opinion about something. But because that person was a "professional" his opinion counted more than anything anyone else could have said. Well, we have a new professional (two, actually!) who have very different opinions and we're getting the ball rolling again. We've had lots of time to think and are going a completely different route! We'll still be adopting through the foster care system, but we will be getting licensed as an adoptive home only, so there will not be kids in and out of our home. We don't want the heartache involved with that. Some people can handle it. I've seen friends go through it and what it does to them and their current children, and I don't want that for my family. So we will be adopting a "waiting child", which means they will already be legally free. We've also decided on a child between 8-14 years old. Yes, a far cry from an infant or toddler! But for us, we think an older child will be easier to adjust to in our family. So paperwork is started, release forms are being signed, professional are writing letters, and we're working on completing our application so we can get the homestudy moving. I, personally can't wait to meet our new daughter! Are you ready to hop back on this roller coaster ride with us?

Training Complete and Homestudy Scheduled!

We are getting SO close! Rob and I finished our training a couple weeks ago and our agency called a few days ago to schedule our homestudy. Apparently that consists of two/three visits. Each of us is scheduled to go to their office separately and then they'll come to the house once. Rob goes there this Thursday (22nd) and I go next Tuesday (27th). They'll come here either the 7th or 14th of May. They want to make sure our house is up to regs and safe, and they'll talk to the boys. So now the mad cleaning and decluttering begins! lol Not really. There are some minor things we need to do, but nothing too serious.

We're still debating on whether we'll take two or three kids. I really think if the situation is right we'll take three. We'll just have to wait and see. Hm, sounds like the story of our lives right now--"wait and see". Have I ever mentioned patience is not one of my strong points??? :)

Getting closer

Not a lot to update, but things are moving along! We got an email this week from our agency that they're getting our homestudy packet ready to submit! They've gotten all our references back (THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO FILLED OUT PACKETS!!!), all our local background checks and the CBI check. They're still waiting for FBI and the Child Abuse Registry. Those may not be back until May or June. Hopefully our homestudy will be done by then so when they come back it's just a matter of getting the license signed. :)

In other news I scored an AWESOME deal at a yard sale a couple weeks ago on little girls clothes. We're set there! We do have some boys stuff--probably enough to get through at least a few days at any size (up to about 4T). We want to be prepared as possible. :)

I'm still contemplating painting the kid's room. A WONDERFUL neighbor has offered to help me, being the incompetent interior designer I am. We'll see what happens.

I'll continue to post updates as we have them!

Adoption Core Training

Rob and I have spent the last two nights and are headed out in about an hour for four more hours at our Adoptive Parent Core Training. The first night was great! We went over things such as what kind of adoption we should have--closed, semi-open or open, and the different language used (birth/bio parent, triad, adoption plan, etc). We watched a film called "Adoption Then and Now". It was quite comical to see how adoption 50-60 years ago worked! Last night was kind of a downer though. We discussed loss, grieving and other issues that can come about because of the nature of adoption and foster care. Rob said in the car on the way home last night's training should have been called, "Why NOT to adopt." Hopefully today will be better.

We've also been discussing whether or not we'd be willing to take a sibling group of three or not. Our hearts are telling us yes. But then we keep coming up with "excuses" not to, so our heads are leaning towards sticking with two. We've got a while to figure it out, though. Apparently the background checks are taking upwards to four months right now. We turned our in mid-February, so it will probably be June before they come back. Hopefully everything else will be done by then so we'll slip right into our license at that time.

Oh! The kid's room is taking shape! Rob and I found a dresser on Craigslist that goes really well with the cribs. We went ahead and put them together so they aren't just sitting in the garage collecting dust. AND, an awesome friend had four HUGE totes of clothes ranging from newborn to about 4T that she sold me at an incredible deal so the dresser is FULL! There's also a bunch of clothes hanging in the closet. We should be set for at least a few days with any gender or age. I love my friends. :)

Happy March 1st!

Where is the time going? It seems 2010 just started and we're already in the third month! Summer will be here before we know it. :)

Not a lot new. We're just waiting on background checks and they should call us for the home study soon. We do have our Adoption Core Training this week. Next month is the Foster Core Training. I'm excited! Another step out of the way.

We did put the cribs together this weekend. We also found a great dresser on Craigslist (LOVE Craigslist! lol). I'll get pictures soon.

So the process is moving. Slowly, but moving. :) Can't complain about that! :)

A little something...

I was browsing eBay tonight and we made our first baby purchase! We found this beautiful crib bedding set for an unbelievable price! Seriously, 12 pieces for under $30. We'll hold off on a second set until we know what gender the second child is. If it's a boy we'll probably get him a sports set (Randy will love that!). Anyway, there's a pic of the set (it's a stock pic, but the set is brand new).

Moving Forward!

We turned in our application packet today!!! Rob and Randy dropped it off this afternoon. She gave us a few more things to fill out and a few things we missed. (oops! lol) No biggie, though. At least they can get started on background checks. From what I hear that's one of the biggest things that holds things up. Also, they can send paperwork out to our references. (you all are awesome, you know! Not trying to brown nose or anything, just sayin'! lol) They are extremely busy right now so it may take a bit to get to us. She said that just this week they've gotten SEVEN application packets! Yeah, potential foster/adopt parents! You ROCK!

Now to get ready for the homestudy! There are a few spots that still need to be decluttered and organized. Nothing we can't handle. :)

Things are moving forward! It's getting more exciting all the time! :)