I wish that I had some good news to report on the adoption front, but I do not. There have been some possibilities, including one that we felt fairly certain about, but in the end, none of them worked out. I know that means they were not "Our" child, but I am sure I would have loved them anyway. So, I guess I will try to be patient and wait on the wonderful, beautiful child that God has out there waiting for us.
On another note, we are packing for vacation! Yea! However, I am beginning to think that God is messing with me. We had a vacation scheduled in April, but the day before I flew out, our area was devastated by tornadoes, and even though we were fortunate enough to not have any damage, we also did not have power. We did have a generator, but since that requires someone to be here to run it, we decided to stay here and salvage our freezers full of food. So now we are booked for another vacation, this time on Tybee Island, and now there is a hurricane headed up the east coast. Geez! I guess we will be putting life to the expression "come hail or high water" because we are going on vacation. I need this trip so badly! After the crazy year we have had, some time away is just what the doctor ordered.
Maybe the next time I post I will have some exciting baby news to share, but until then, please continue to remember us in your prayers, and our baby, where ever they are.
Thanks!
Mel
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
Waiting....
So, the homestudy is behind us. No problem (just like everyone told me). The social worker was very nice, and she didn't even run a white gloved finger over the ceiling fan blades, or comment on how well I had done ironing my curtians. I guess I went a bit overboard, but I didn't want to take a chance. So, now that all of the paperwork is in place (for the most part), and our profile books and information have arrived at the faciliators office, we are ready and waiting, literaly!
I was crazy to think that the waiting was going to be the "easy" part of this process! In my naive mind, I thought that it would be easier when all of the busy work was through. But this waiting with nothing to do is not as easy as I thought it would be. We have been clients for exactly 3 weeks, and I have called exactly 3 times, every Friday, to check on the progress. When I called today, I found out that our profle book had been presented this week to a birthmom who is expectng a little girl, but that she selected a couple from California. I am trying not to be too upset, and to look at the glass as 1/2 full. We have already been presented and it has only been 3 weeks, and now that another couple has been matched (and I really am happy for them....40% happy, 60% jealous), that is one less couple that we are "competing" against, so to speak.
I know that God knows the child that we are meant to parent, and I am trusting Him. With that said, I can't help by wish He would hurry up and bring that child to us. I am praying for patience, but also for us to be matched quickly....is that contradictory?
I was crazy to think that the waiting was going to be the "easy" part of this process! In my naive mind, I thought that it would be easier when all of the busy work was through. But this waiting with nothing to do is not as easy as I thought it would be. We have been clients for exactly 3 weeks, and I have called exactly 3 times, every Friday, to check on the progress. When I called today, I found out that our profle book had been presented this week to a birthmom who is expectng a little girl, but that she selected a couple from California. I am trying not to be too upset, and to look at the glass as 1/2 full. We have already been presented and it has only been 3 weeks, and now that another couple has been matched (and I really am happy for them....40% happy, 60% jealous), that is one less couple that we are "competing" against, so to speak.
I know that God knows the child that we are meant to parent, and I am trusting Him. With that said, I can't help by wish He would hurry up and bring that child to us. I am praying for patience, but also for us to be matched quickly....is that contradictory?
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Profile books, legal consulations, and Home Study-Oh My!
Well, for those of you who don't know, Josh and I are going to be parents!! But, true to form, we are not going about it in the traditional way. We have decided to adopt! We and our families are very excited and anxious to meet the new addition to our family.
After speaking with several couples who have also adopted, we have chosen to use an adoption facilitator. In essence, what she does is "find babies." We have created a profile book, which is to be delivered next week, detailing our life and our desire to have a child. This will be sent to the facilitator, along with lots of paperwork (and of course $$), who will then present it to potential birth mothers, who will use this to choose adoptive parents for their child.
In the mean time, we are continuing to plug away at the massive amount of paper work that goes along with the adoption journey. As a whole, it is very overwhelming, but we have been able to take small amounts at a time, and finally, it seems the end is in site!
Next up, is what is possibly the most intimidating part of the process-the home study. The purpose of a home study is to ensure that children are being brought into a safe home environment. Sounds simple enough, right? WRONG! Before you can schedule the home study visit (performed by a social worker), you have to fill out an enormous amount of paperwork, including information on all of your family members, your occupation, finances, medical health, criminal record (or hopefully lack there of), and letters of recommendation from friends and family. Our home study is scheduled for this Thursday. Yikes!! I am so nervous, and poor Josh-his to-do list is growing by the day. I know deep down that it will go well, but I still feel that it is necessary to have the house pressure washed, the baseboards cleaned, and every closet re-organized.
After that, we are on the downhill slope (for now, at least). We will hopefully have our profile books submitted by the end of this week, and we have scheduled a consultation with our attorney the follow week to start the legal part of the process.
After months of preparation, all aspects are seeming to come together quickly, and at the same time, which is both wonderful and scary. We will continue to try to take things one day at a time, and just have faith that things will go smoothly and quickly.
After speaking with several couples who have also adopted, we have chosen to use an adoption facilitator. In essence, what she does is "find babies." We have created a profile book, which is to be delivered next week, detailing our life and our desire to have a child. This will be sent to the facilitator, along with lots of paperwork (and of course $$), who will then present it to potential birth mothers, who will use this to choose adoptive parents for their child.
In the mean time, we are continuing to plug away at the massive amount of paper work that goes along with the adoption journey. As a whole, it is very overwhelming, but we have been able to take small amounts at a time, and finally, it seems the end is in site!
Next up, is what is possibly the most intimidating part of the process-the home study. The purpose of a home study is to ensure that children are being brought into a safe home environment. Sounds simple enough, right? WRONG! Before you can schedule the home study visit (performed by a social worker), you have to fill out an enormous amount of paperwork, including information on all of your family members, your occupation, finances, medical health, criminal record (or hopefully lack there of), and letters of recommendation from friends and family. Our home study is scheduled for this Thursday. Yikes!! I am so nervous, and poor Josh-his to-do list is growing by the day. I know deep down that it will go well, but I still feel that it is necessary to have the house pressure washed, the baseboards cleaned, and every closet re-organized.
After that, we are on the downhill slope (for now, at least). We will hopefully have our profile books submitted by the end of this week, and we have scheduled a consultation with our attorney the follow week to start the legal part of the process.
After months of preparation, all aspects are seeming to come together quickly, and at the same time, which is both wonderful and scary. We will continue to try to take things one day at a time, and just have faith that things will go smoothly and quickly.
Friday, June 19, 2009
My new love
After spending a tremendous amount of time lost and driving aimlessly on Tuesday, my sweet husband went out and bought me a TomTom. This invention is the greatest! Tom has cut my driving time in half in the field, and my frustration and stress levels by at least 95%. Wednesday and Thursday were wonderful! But, like any other relationship, as the new wears off, you take off the rose colored glasses, you begin to see things differently. For instance, Tom directing me to the wrong Kershaw street in Hoaks Bluff was excusable (in his defence, there are two, spelled the same....go figure). But today was another story. After he tried to send me home (almost the middle of Boaz) from Sardis by way of Duck Springs, I am beginning to see his true colors. We have decided to take some time apart this weekend. I think it will be good for us, but I predict on Monday, when I am faced with a stack of random addresses I will be begging for his forgiveness.........that's the way love goes, right?
Anyway, thanks for indulging my silliness!
Mel
Anyway, thanks for indulging my silliness!
Mel
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Settling in
Hey guys!! We made it! The move is over, and most of our belonging are unpacked...I just don't know where they are!! We had so much help moving in, and I am truly greatful to everyone. We were really totally liveable by Sunday-with a fully functioning kitchen (and we arrived at the new house late Friday afternoon). We ran into a few minor plumbing kinks (no water to the fridge hook up, hot/cold switched in the master, leaky sink) but all of that has been worked out. We can't believe how much bigger this house feels! I need more furniture! (:-) We have started on the fence, so that Bear can move out of his pen. Things are falling into place.
Josh has started classes, and I have been on the job a couple of weeks. Things are going great! I couldn't ask for better hours....start at 9 in the a.m. done by 2 or 3!! I can't believe I ever considered not taking this job!
Now our biggest dilemma is whether to put in a pool, or buy a boat? Those of you who know Josh know his vote....Both!! He has been laying boat trader magazines around for a while, so that might be the choice for now, but who knows? Stay tuned!! And thanks again for all of you who helped us! We really appreciate you, more than you will ever know!
Loves!!
Mel
Josh has started classes, and I have been on the job a couple of weeks. Things are going great! I couldn't ask for better hours....start at 9 in the a.m. done by 2 or 3!! I can't believe I ever considered not taking this job!
Now our biggest dilemma is whether to put in a pool, or buy a boat? Those of you who know Josh know his vote....Both!! He has been laying boat trader magazines around for a while, so that might be the choice for now, but who knows? Stay tuned!! And thanks again for all of you who helped us! We really appreciate you, more than you will ever know!
Loves!!
Mel
Thursday, May 21, 2009
MOVING DAY!
I can't believe it is here!! I am happy, sad, excited, nervous, and stressed all at the same time. We picked up the moving truck (the largest they have) yesterday, and have started putting all "non essential" items in (i.e. I had to beg Josh to leave the bed and fridge off for now, since we aren't leaving for at least another 24 hours!). My inlaws (bless their hearts) are coming down today to help us load everything, and then tomorrow we will make the move. I can't believe I will be spending my last night in this house! I love this house so much! We have had so many memories and so many good times here! I know this is the right thing to do, but it certainly is difficult.
Since Josh will probably pack the computer as soon as I put it down and turn my back, I won't be on for a while!
Keep us in your prayers! And thanks in advance to everyone who has volunteered to help us move, here and in north Alabama. Yall are awesome!
Mel
Since Josh will probably pack the computer as soon as I put it down and turn my back, I won't be on for a while!
Keep us in your prayers! And thanks in advance to everyone who has volunteered to help us move, here and in north Alabama. Yall are awesome!
Mel
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
A loop hole
Ok, so I was flipping out, thinking that I was going to be homeless in a few short days, if this deal in Mobile doesn't close soon (which it appears is NOT going to happen). But, thanks to an awesome idea by my Mom, and our great real estate agent's help, we are going to be able to rent the new house from the sellers until closing! That makes me feel so much better! I did not want to have to move our stuff from this house to a storage unit, only to turn around and move it from the storage unit to our new house in a few days. Looks like we won't be homeless after all! Yea!
Feeling better,
Mel
Feeling better,
Mel
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