Happy Holidays ... Good News to Share

Happy Holidays to our family and friends. We recently rec'd confirmation that we will be contracted in January. So what does 'contracted' mean?? It means that we will finally be approved (in the system) to accept children in our home. As you know, because we are going through the state, we have to 'foster to adopt'. This is a major milestone for us and we are very excited. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers throughout 'our Journey'.

BTW, I just completed a profile book of our family. It looks great.

Happy Holidays and Continued Blessings.

Praying for Patience ...

All,

I know that its been a while since my last post, but quite honestly nothing much has changed. We've completed EVERYTHING that we needed to complete and now its just a matter of waiting. Trying not to annoy our CW, I have reached out to him a few times to see when he think we would be contracted. His last response was and I quote "I would say after the New Year." While we wanted to wait until after my daughter's 10th birthday (November), 'after the New Year' is very disappointing ... especially since he advised that he "hates writing up homestudies" and that he "doesn't do well with deadlines."

God is really teaching us patience with this process for we have NO control over the outcome. Our assurance is knowing that we are walking in 'his will' and 'his will' will be done and in "his time."

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And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9 (King James Version)

Second AND Final Home Visit a Success!

All,

Thank you for your continued prayers and words of encouragement.

Our 2nd AND Final Home Visit just concluded < 1 hour ago. I am pleased to report that it went extremely well! Instead of lasting 4 1/2 hrs it was only 3 1/2!!! Well, the actual Home Study took ~ 2 hrs, but you know my husband (aka Mr. Talky Talk) and our CW, had to have a post business chit chat :-)

So what's next ...
1. CP has to complete the write up re: his findings/assessment and submit to his Supervisor
2. CP's Supervisor reviews the Home Study and supplemental documents to ensure accuracy and completeness.
3. If no issues with #2, we are APPROVED!

I've advised CP that our preference for approval is the November timeframe as our daughter is turning 10. We have a Disney Cruise planned for her special day and I want her to enjoy it to the fullest. After all, it may be her last 'solo' birthday event as our only child.

So b/t November - December, we may have an addition to our family. I have from now thru November to get the nursery together :-) ... wish me luck!

"our Journey" is progressing nicely :-)

Home Visit #2 Rescheduled

Received an email today from CP indicating that he has to cancel our 2nd Home Visit for the 15th. No explanation provided. It was only after I responded that he offered an alternate date ... the 24th. Not sure what to make of it and trying not to over react. So the 24th is the date ... same time, same place. More to come ...

"our Journey" continues ... what a journey it is :-)

Home Visit #2 ... September 15th!

Ok, is it just us or does it feel like we've just completed #1??? We rec'd an email today from our Case Worker, CP, advising us of his schedule for Visit #2. Not really sure what to expect but will contact CP on Monday. Will update all accordingly. Wow, things are really moving along ... guess we better expedite the nursery.

"our Journey" continues ... stay tuned!

First Home Study Visit a HUGE Success ...

... in fact, it lasted 4+ hours thanks to my husband and our male Case Worker bonding over sports!

After a long weekend (Labor Day) of cleaning, painting, rearranging furniture, discarding old medicines, relocating cleaning supplies to 'unreachable areas', and prayer, I am pleased to announce that our first home study visit was a huge success. This visit was the first time that we met our Case Worker , C Perry (CP). Highlights from the visit include:

1. Getting to know each other
2. Collecting Paperwork (yes, more paperwork!)
3. Reviewing our family profile, background, and our interest in 'foster to adopt'
4. Profiles of the situations we are likely to face (THIS WAS VERY SCAREY!)
5. Tour of our house while testing every smoke detector, checking for safety kit(s), and locations of medicines & cleaning supplies (*BTW, we have to buy a fire extinguisher)
6. Conversation with our daughter about the process

All the above lasted over 4 hours ... majority of the time was spent just getting to know each other. CP stated that he'd NEVER spent this much time doing a home visit and that he enjoyed his time with us.

CP will be back in a few weeks to do the last visit. Hoping its a little shorter :-).

We appreaciate all the prayers and support. They really paid off.

"our Journey" continues ...

Moving Forward ... 1st Home Study Visit Scheduled!

Rec'd 'the' call today from our Case Worker ... our first Home Study visit is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2 at 6:00 pm!!! Lots to do to get ready ...
1. Complete the rest of our forms :-)
2. Buy first aid kit(s)
3. Install safety locks on cabinets
4. Store cleaning supplies in a safe place
5. Etc., Etc.

... glad we have a long weekend to prepare (Labor Day Weekend)!

Will send an update on Tuesday. Keep us in your prayers .

... "our Journey" continues.

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1 Corinthians 14:40 (King James Version)
Let all things be done decently and in order.

"Zero to One"

When asked how many children we wanted, we always replied “Zero to One” … if we had “Zero”, that was fine and if we slipped and had “One”, that would be it. Well we slipped (to God be the Glory) and had our beautiful daughter. She is truly a miracle … a manifestation of God’s grace and mercy. Born prematurely at 31 weeks weighing 2 lbs 7 ½ ozs, she is a precious gift from God. Having survived such an ordeal, we were determined to stop at “One.” Now fast forward 9 years … here we are on “our Journey” to adopt.

After years of prayer, God finally gave all three of us (yes our daughter too) confirmation to expand our family via adoption.

Obviously so much has happened b/t then & now … we’ve celebrated in the births of others, mourned the loss of loved ones & friends, rejoiced in our triumphs, learned from our mistakes, connected with other adoptive families, grew in grace, had multiple jobs, lived in multiple states, attended multiple churches, met wonderful friends, etc., and now we are excited to be on this journey, “our Journey” to adopt.

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Genesis 1:28 (New International Version)
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, " plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Matthew 18:5 (New International Version)
"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me."

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