Well, I finished up the challenging profile book and we were so happy with how it turned out! We had to order only one so that it could be approved and then we will keep that one as a keepsake. Remember that this is the book that potential birthparents will look through to select us. As people ask about how things are going, they are surprised to find out that we are birthparent selected. I love it!
When our case worker reviewed it, she did mention that the background design we chose might be distracting. I had to be front with her...we don't want to change it. We think it tells more about our personalities. We are not solid colored people :) Of course, we will do what she says...but we will see. We are in the process of setting up a review session. We had several people read through everything and nobody mentioned the background as a distraction.
On another note, our Home Study assessment has been completed for several weeks and she should finish typing everything up...hopefully soon :) No rush, not!
The highlight of the month so far has bee my principal asking me if I have thought about who would do my long term sub leave when Little Miracle comes. EEP! A retired teacher from my school actually mentioned to me that she would be interested...so we talked and she is a GO! I hated not to be able to tell her a tentative date...but she didn't seem to mind. I told her the other day that she has certainly become an important person in this process. Yippee~one day it will happen. Stay calm, my heart.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Can't believe it...
has been so long since I last updated the blog!
Tons have been going on, but I will start with our final home study meeting. I cleaned the house and took Meredith's advice and didn't worry about cleaning out the cabinets~but I did clean out all the rest of the closets that seemed to have been neglected. Not to alarm you, but we have handguns in our house. They are Ty's toys, and I knew that we needed to have a safe for them. Well we didn't get one. My case worker messaged me and said that we also needed "all other safety devices." I immediately went frantic over what that meant. I didn't know if I needed outlet covers, door knob grippers, and all that stuff that comes when baby gets mobile. I didn't want anything to not be perfect, but I came to the conclusion that I wasn't going out and getting that stuff then. We did get a fire extinguisher though. That just seemed to push me over the edge. I was tired, done, and decided that I was washing my hands of everything that we had done to prepare for this. The meeting and inspection went really smooth. She asked us final questions that she need clarifying, discussed the interim house from previous meeting, and then the biggie preferences sheet came up. This was a CRAZY set of papers. We had to select YES/NO/WILL CONSIDER on many types of things. We like to say that we are open and we are, but we are firm on a few areas. It doesn't mean that we are picky, racists, or unwilling parents nor are we looking for the perfect child. God has the perfect child to fit into our family, perfectly, forever. We have surveyed, prayed, completed activities, and discussed all of our characteristics. Here are some of the areas that were on the sheets: multiples, gender, transracial, personality disorders in birthmom/father/extended family, blindness, hearing impairment, LD in family, mental disorders in family, rape, incest, HIV, STDS, physical impairments in child...and the list goes on and on. I mean wow, this was intense. Then we had to put on paper about how often we want birthparents to visit, have a part in naming, where visits will take place, etc. We got through it and then we showed our case worker our profile book that we (mostly I) worked on. She wanted us to change several things, about it being to "wordy." She said that people don't really read now and just are looking for a quick snapshot-something that will catch his/her eye.
Our caseworker had to go out of town and we did too, and so she will be coming back by to look at our cable locks for the guns and to pick up the profile book. We made ours through Snapfish. She will take it to the CLT office and then if everything is good, then we will order three more to keep in the branches.
After that, we will OFFICIALLY be able to be seen by potential birthparents!!!!! I can't believe it.
The box from Snapfish can't come fast enough!
Tons have been going on, but I will start with our final home study meeting. I cleaned the house and took Meredith's advice and didn't worry about cleaning out the cabinets~but I did clean out all the rest of the closets that seemed to have been neglected. Not to alarm you, but we have handguns in our house. They are Ty's toys, and I knew that we needed to have a safe for them. Well we didn't get one. My case worker messaged me and said that we also needed "all other safety devices." I immediately went frantic over what that meant. I didn't know if I needed outlet covers, door knob grippers, and all that stuff that comes when baby gets mobile. I didn't want anything to not be perfect, but I came to the conclusion that I wasn't going out and getting that stuff then. We did get a fire extinguisher though. That just seemed to push me over the edge. I was tired, done, and decided that I was washing my hands of everything that we had done to prepare for this. The meeting and inspection went really smooth. She asked us final questions that she need clarifying, discussed the interim house from previous meeting, and then the biggie preferences sheet came up. This was a CRAZY set of papers. We had to select YES/NO/WILL CONSIDER on many types of things. We like to say that we are open and we are, but we are firm on a few areas. It doesn't mean that we are picky, racists, or unwilling parents nor are we looking for the perfect child. God has the perfect child to fit into our family, perfectly, forever. We have surveyed, prayed, completed activities, and discussed all of our characteristics. Here are some of the areas that were on the sheets: multiples, gender, transracial, personality disorders in birthmom/father/extended family, blindness, hearing impairment, LD in family, mental disorders in family, rape, incest, HIV, STDS, physical impairments in child...and the list goes on and on. I mean wow, this was intense. Then we had to put on paper about how often we want birthparents to visit, have a part in naming, where visits will take place, etc. We got through it and then we showed our case worker our profile book that we (mostly I) worked on. She wanted us to change several things, about it being to "wordy." She said that people don't really read now and just are looking for a quick snapshot-something that will catch his/her eye.
Our caseworker had to go out of town and we did too, and so she will be coming back by to look at our cable locks for the guns and to pick up the profile book. We made ours through Snapfish. She will take it to the CLT office and then if everything is good, then we will order three more to keep in the branches.
After that, we will OFFICIALLY be able to be seen by potential birthparents!!!!! I can't believe it.
The box from Snapfish can't come fast enough!
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Final this week...
I can't believe that this Thursday will be our FINAL Home Study meeting! It is so surreal to me, well to us actually.
Our case worker met with our lead minister on Wednesday, and according to him it went well. Those of you who know Bill, will appreciate the funny and sarcastic emails that we exchanged regarding this meeting. I was very impressed about how prompt he was!
I have been working on our profile book and it has gone very smoothly so far. So much will ride on this book created by us, printed from Snapfish. This will be what potential birthparents will look through to decide on a plan for their baby.
On the way up to PA we completed our preferences sheet. This sheet will give birth counselors a "yes/no" answer to issues and concerns and what type of child we are willing to accept into our family. While I would love to just answer yes to get a child faster, I know that isn't in the plans that God has for us.
He has already orchestrated so much on our journey and he has the perfect family picked out to complete our family! I have to trust Him and his timing. While on our trip, I saw the cutest wall hanging that I wanted to buy but the lettering wasn't very readable. It said: God dreams a bigger dream than you can dream for yourself. I want that to be stamped, sealed, and etched in my heart now more than ever!!!
After this meeting Thursday, if our assessment is approved, we will be a waiting couple for a placement to be adoptive parents!!!!!!
Our case worker met with our lead minister on Wednesday, and according to him it went well. Those of you who know Bill, will appreciate the funny and sarcastic emails that we exchanged regarding this meeting. I was very impressed about how prompt he was!
I have been working on our profile book and it has gone very smoothly so far. So much will ride on this book created by us, printed from Snapfish. This will be what potential birthparents will look through to decide on a plan for their baby.
On the way up to PA we completed our preferences sheet. This sheet will give birth counselors a "yes/no" answer to issues and concerns and what type of child we are willing to accept into our family. While I would love to just answer yes to get a child faster, I know that isn't in the plans that God has for us.
He has already orchestrated so much on our journey and he has the perfect family picked out to complete our family! I have to trust Him and his timing. While on our trip, I saw the cutest wall hanging that I wanted to buy but the lettering wasn't very readable. It said: God dreams a bigger dream than you can dream for yourself. I want that to be stamped, sealed, and etched in my heart now more than ever!!!
After this meeting Thursday, if our assessment is approved, we will be a waiting couple for a placement to be adoptive parents!!!!!!
Friday, June 15, 2012
No Worries...
Yesterday was my first day of summer break and all I wanted to do was lay around in my jammies, drink coffee, watch the Today Show, and veg. Instead, I cleaned scrubbed all the nook and crannies of this house to get ready for our case worker interrogation visit.
I was not actually that nervous and didn't review through the mounds of adoption books to search for the right answers to tell her. I did make one mistake...get on mtv.com and watch the Teen Mom: Adoption Special. That wasn't too smart. I didn't want my mascara smeared and show that I am in Ty's words "a basket case". I have been fascinated by Katelynn and Tyler's story (I did get to chat with her on FB through Bethany earlier this year) because they used Bethany and her little one lives in Charlotte now. She is such an inspiration to other moms and have been influential into their decision to adopt, and (wink, wink) go through Bethany.
When our case worker arrived, my interview was first. I was so glad that she wanted to sit on the couch and even gave her one of those lap desks to use :). You know me, the hostess with the mostest.
We talked alot and the time seemed to go by quickly somewhat. When Ty got home from work, he went upstairs to pack for our trip and it was kind of weird talking about our marriage with him upstairs. I did feel kind of weird then and I began thinking about how he must feel upstairs.
I was talking with her for about two and a half hours and then I decided I needed to make a trip to Target and Kohls while she met with Ty. Ty text me about 8:30 and said that he was done. Yikes!
We have our last meeting scheduled for the 25th, but I would like to move it to the 28th because our profile book has to be approved by her before we print it. At that meeting she will inspect the house, go over our preference sheet, and finalize any questions she has before she writes up our assessment. Then WE WILL WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Over our vacation with Ty's family I am going to have to work on our profile book through Snapfish. I like doing that kind of thing, so it should be fun. However, this book will be SUPER important because our birthmother will select us based on this book. No pressure.
I was not actually that nervous and didn't review through the mounds of adoption books to search for the right answers to tell her. I did make one mistake...get on mtv.com and watch the Teen Mom: Adoption Special. That wasn't too smart. I didn't want my mascara smeared and show that I am in Ty's words "a basket case". I have been fascinated by Katelynn and Tyler's story (I did get to chat with her on FB through Bethany earlier this year) because they used Bethany and her little one lives in Charlotte now. She is such an inspiration to other moms and have been influential into their decision to adopt, and (wink, wink) go through Bethany.
When our case worker arrived, my interview was first. I was so glad that she wanted to sit on the couch and even gave her one of those lap desks to use :). You know me, the hostess with the mostest.
We talked alot and the time seemed to go by quickly somewhat. When Ty got home from work, he went upstairs to pack for our trip and it was kind of weird talking about our marriage with him upstairs. I did feel kind of weird then and I began thinking about how he must feel upstairs.
I was talking with her for about two and a half hours and then I decided I needed to make a trip to Target and Kohls while she met with Ty. Ty text me about 8:30 and said that he was done. Yikes!
We have our last meeting scheduled for the 25th, but I would like to move it to the 28th because our profile book has to be approved by her before we print it. At that meeting she will inspect the house, go over our preference sheet, and finalize any questions she has before she writes up our assessment. Then WE WILL WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Over our vacation with Ty's family I am going to have to work on our profile book through Snapfish. I like doing that kind of thing, so it should be fun. However, this book will be SUPER important because our birthmother will select us based on this book. No pressure.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Second one is coming...
This Thursday is going to be our second Home Study assessment meeting. Our case worker will meet with me at 1:00 at our house and then she will meet with Ty at 3:00.
I am very curious about what we will discuss and how we will do.
I am going to be honest, myself, and keep an open mind. That is all I can do.
EEK! We are getting closer. I must remember that nothing worth it is ever easy.
Thanks for your continued prayers and support.
I am very curious about what we will discuss and how we will do.
I am going to be honest, myself, and keep an open mind. That is all I can do.
EEK! We are getting closer. I must remember that nothing worth it is ever easy.
Thanks for your continued prayers and support.
Monday, June 4, 2012
One is done...
We survived our first Home Assessment meeting. We had to be at the meeting at 3:00 and as I left school, many co-workers were saying that they were praying for us. I so needed that!
I stopped on my way to get my adoption file because our case worker needed a certain paper, although our file was complete. That began to freak me out a bit.
The interview started with Ty and I reading some scripture and prayer~Colossians 1:9, Psalm 21:6, and Isaiah 12:2-3. What a perfect way to start the meeting.
I was somewhat nervous at first and we had to start with our journey that led us to adoption. That certainly took a while. It was very detailed and personal, but they already know so much. When we were discussing that, it brought back a lot of memories and recounted more of our journey that we so safely tucked away in our minds and hearts. We also talked about what we understand about adoption, the birth mother, and how we are going to discuss adoption with our child. Our case worker did say that Ty needed to answer some of the questions first because I was so extroverted. Hee, hee. We did joke and laugh and we all got along great. Ty and I did disagree or have different opinions about one thing...but that's okay, just something that we have to discuss.
I honestly didn't really know what we could talk about for right at three hours, but we managed to do it. I did feel my armpits get sweaty, well, because I was sweating bullets the entire time. I think they set the thermostat hot to sweat it out of you like in an interrogation.
We tentatively set up the remaining meetings. I am hoping that we can meet on the 14th and then finish up on the 25th. If not, then we will have to go into July. I really want to be done before then.
The next meeting we will be doing the preferences sheet and then come to our house for separate interviews with each of us, yikes. Then we have the official home visit....and then after she gets everything typed up, we WAIT!
Thanks for your prayers, I felt them today.
I stopped on my way to get my adoption file because our case worker needed a certain paper, although our file was complete. That began to freak me out a bit.
The interview started with Ty and I reading some scripture and prayer~Colossians 1:9, Psalm 21:6, and Isaiah 12:2-3. What a perfect way to start the meeting.
I was somewhat nervous at first and we had to start with our journey that led us to adoption. That certainly took a while. It was very detailed and personal, but they already know so much. When we were discussing that, it brought back a lot of memories and recounted more of our journey that we so safely tucked away in our minds and hearts. We also talked about what we understand about adoption, the birth mother, and how we are going to discuss adoption with our child. Our case worker did say that Ty needed to answer some of the questions first because I was so extroverted. Hee, hee. We did joke and laugh and we all got along great. Ty and I did disagree or have different opinions about one thing...but that's okay, just something that we have to discuss.
I honestly didn't really know what we could talk about for right at three hours, but we managed to do it. I did feel my armpits get sweaty, well, because I was sweating bullets the entire time. I think they set the thermostat hot to sweat it out of you like in an interrogation.
We tentatively set up the remaining meetings. I am hoping that we can meet on the 14th and then finish up on the 25th. If not, then we will have to go into July. I really want to be done before then.
The next meeting we will be doing the preferences sheet and then come to our house for separate interviews with each of us, yikes. Then we have the official home visit....and then after she gets everything typed up, we WAIT!
Thanks for your prayers, I felt them today.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Here we go...
We were supposed to have our first two Home Assessment meetings on the 24th and the 31st. God sure does have an amazing plan...their is NO way that we could have done that these past two weeks. My baby brother is getting married this Saturday and with all the things that I have to do for the wedding, I don't think that it would have gone well.
These meetings are so very important to our adoption journey, and I know that we need to be fully focused on these three hour meetings...
Someone in our case worker's family had to have surgery, so now our first meeting is this Monday, June 4th. Please pray for us as we start this last leg before the waiting game of being matched with a birthmother!
These meetings are so very important to our adoption journey, and I know that we need to be fully focused on these three hour meetings...
Someone in our case worker's family had to have surgery, so now our first meeting is this Monday, June 4th. Please pray for us as we start this last leg before the waiting game of being matched with a birthmother!
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