The Low Down & Great News From A Friend...

Monday is gonna be a BIG DAY, y'all!

We got a call yesterday from The Office. A firm decision will be made tomorrow and we should know by Monday. For sure.

ALSO...

Our dear friend Cloudmaster from Life Goes On & On told us last night during Adoption Angles THEY FINALLY GOT WORD.. Little (S) will be officially ADOPTED on Monday the 15th!!! AND GET THIS.. in his county, the 15th is when they are celebrating National Adoption Day. Their ceremony will be held as an event at children's museum!!! What started out as "just fostering" nearly 3 years ago ended up being truly life changing for CM & his wife.

PLEASE surf over and congratulate them!

It's official.. MONDAYS ROCK! :)

Hey Hey Hey...

Duane, ReRun and Rog came by to give an update on...you guessed it:

What's Happening! (sorry, I couldn't resist..)

Y'all ready?

Zip, Zilch, Nada, Nothing.

Sigh.

As instructed, I left a message yesterday with the worker but have yet to hear back. No news is good news? Blown off? Dunno.. yet. As soon as I hear I will update..

Until then..

Let's Dance Like ReRun!


Because really, if you can't have a little fun what's the point, right?

The Big Day...

Yep.. it's almost time..



Today is the day we find out the latest on the case. As I've said before, it's a total long shot. They have a bunch of great potential families in the running and honestly, that gives me peace. Whomever is chosen will be a perfect match and they know the children (yes, it's sibs) best. After all, their well being is what's most important.

Stay Tuned!

The Countdown Officially Begins..

Hey, The Cookie SAYS SO!

It's a sign, right?

RIGHT?!

Tick Tock..

And the waiting drags on.. Have I mentioned patience is so NOT my forte? Ya, I think I have...

Ground Zero

I was going to call this post "Twin$ G@ne Wild" but shivered at the thought of the creepy Google searches that would find their way to my little blog. This was once the bland room where I contemplated our future while sitting on the floor. My heart ached and the wait seemed unending.

It is now a place where imaginations flow and laughter spills out the door. Yes, it gets picked up every night but the in-between moments of wild 4 1/2 year olds was sure worth the wait.

Calm, Cool & Collected..

NOT!!! (My picture in the sidebar pretty much hits the nail right on the head).

Last night I got about 2 hours of sleep. My little mind was spinning (still is, as a matter of fact). The call we are waiting on could end up being life changing. Totally epic. When DH got home tonight we talked about the day and I told him how beat I am:

DH: Why?

Me: Um, the twins. (insert internal eye roll and big fat, "Duh" here).

DH: (still perplexed)

Me: Well, if we do get them it's huge.. LIFE ALTERING HUGE! For one thing, because of the age range we've chosen I've had to hold off on decorating and their room is fairly bare. If they do come I will have almost zero time to make it comfortable...

On and on I ranted, all the while DH cocking his head to and fro like our dobe when he hears a high pitched noise.

DH: So you're stressing about stressing over something that may not even come to pass. Yes?

Me: Yes.

DH: Backs away slowly.

I've already popped 2 Tylenol PMs and hope they kick in soon. Must.stop.thinking.now. It's in His hands and whatever will be will be.

I'm getting slleeeeppppyyy.

Nantie Is Thiiis Close ------> <--------

... To getting approved! The last bit of paperwork needing to be turned in (her physical) was completed today. She's dropping it in the mail to "D" tomorrow and, once received, she'll be a card carrying club member. Unlike our process she does not need to go in front of the board for review.

Now, if the dang phone would just RING...

Our Countdown

I try not to look at The Countdown on the sidebar but today it caught my eye and actually gave me a good giggle.

The List & A Legacy

I've been pondering a post I wrote for The Classy Closet. It was about how much I believe we are affected by the environment we grow up in. For some of you stopping by my little blog for the first time, I found out just shy of my 30th birthday that I was adopted. Almost a year after Mama passed away a family friend unknowingly mentioned my adoption in a hastily written note. She obviously thought I had been told.

I was like my parents in so many ways to say I was shocked is an understatement.

DH and I may not share DNA with our adopted child(ren) but how we raise them will have an impact on their lives. What we expose them to can become lifelong interests and memories. I've been thinking about the things my parents encouraged that I hope to pass on:

**A Love For Reading. I was the kid that spent summer nights under her covers with a flashlight devouring books. My imagination was transported by "A Wrinkle In Time", "Charlotte's Web" and I could hardly contain my squeals of laughter from "Mrs Piggle Wiggle". I loved the library and B. Dalton bookstores. I think it's a shame the aroma of Starbucks overwhelms the smell of books at Barnes & Noble.

**Sports. I was an over the top tomboy and loved all things sports. They (almost always) kept me out of trouble and focused.

**Music Appreciation. Honestly I sucked at playing instruments. I gave the violin and clarinet a whirl in elementary school and was a total failure. I couldn't play but learned to love and respect music just the same. For the record, I did find out later in life I have a pretty decent singing voice which is now reserved for future lullaby's.

**A Love For Man's Best Friend. DH and I were raised with dogs and our herd is part of the family. Some of the most stressful times of my life have been soothed by a smile from our mastiff-lab-goofball mix or a nudge and kiss from our husky. Bad things seem to melt away after a long walk with a true companion.

**Faith. I will train them up in my faith and what they decide to do with it as adults is up to them. Like Mama, I will pray they stay the course.

**Take Road Trips. We never flew as a family.. we always drove. Some of my best memories started in the wee hours of the morning leaving our home in the '68 Dart. Mom, Dad, me, 2 toy poodles and Goldie (our gold fish.. I couldn't bear to leave her behind).

**The Value of a Dollar. DH is the hardest working man I've ever met (next to Dad) and we're both cut from the same work ethic cloth. In life, we believe it's very important to pull your own weight.

The list grows daily as more things come to mind. DH and I may not be able to give our adopted children our heritage but we sure can leave them a legacy.

The Call That Didn't Come

During Nantie's last home study visit, "D" asked if we had gotten any calls for emergency placements. For the record, we have not (trust me, ya'll will know). Come to find out, "D" had heard they were going to call us on a set of 3 month old twin girls both with broken bones. If that isn't hearbreaking I don't know what is. They were working hard to place the girls with family and were obviously successful.

Please keep the defenseless, innocent ones in your prayers.

Sunday Funday

Over the last week Missy and My Kiwi puppy-sat for our min pin rescue. His name is Tonka and he's an absolute doll. A handful, yes, but a doll nonetheless.

The Good Lord made puppies adorable for a reason!

Like a baby, he was up every few hours to potty (or play). This little man has a big bark/shriek when required. He gets along wonderfully with all dogs big and small (from our dobe, to the cairn terriers, the poo-mixes, Nantie's Dalmatian and our 3 pinheads). At the end of the day in typical miniature pinscher fashion (when he's all tuckered out) Tonka finds a warm blankie, a welcoming lap and is out for the count. He's going to make someone an excellent companion.

Missy and MK were headed to Denver this morning and dropped him off with us. His real foster mom is set to arrive home from Chicago today and is our charge in the meantime. Here's a little bit of fun our Rusty, senior foster girl Coco and little Tonka had this morning:



Aren't they cute?!

These distractions have been really good for me. I've tried to keep myself busy and my mind off the silent phone. I wandered into the extra bedroom this morning and lamented over it's bland, white walls and stark, old furniture. It's impossible to decorate when you've chosen an age range of 3 months to 5 years old. I could really use some retail therapy right about now.

I know, I know.. must remember the "P" word (patience). So today I'll play with the puppy and the rest of our Motley Crew and focus on the good: Puppy breath, silly pounces, little shark teeth, et al.

New Years Hope

Typically before Thanksgiving we draw names for Secret Santas. There are 7 of us (Missy, My Kiwi, Momsie, Big Daddy, Nantie, DH and I) and it's near impossible to shop for everyone. Expensive, to boot. This year with finances being as tight as they are, we decided not to do SS and keep it "simple".

Well, SOME of us were listening, anyway. Momsie, Big Daddy and Missy let loose as usual. Rebels!

I had to share one of the many meaningful and heartfelt gifts we received this year. The card was to DH and I and said simply, "New Years Hope":

That's right, our first baby gift. This beautiful frame will hopefully contain a picture soon and sit proudly amongst our family photos.

A Year Ago Today..

.. We took our first baby steps in this long journey. On December 5th, 2007 we attended the Family Share Night put on by the county. As with most big events in our lives, family came along. Momsie and Big Daddy went as well. We heard many different perspectives from people within the system.. foster parents, social workers, fost/adopt families, families that adopted outside their race, families that adopted special needs children. They had me from, "Hello".. it was DH that needed convincing and they done good. ;o)

I think the in laws were pretty unsure about the whole idea going into the dinner and even more so afterwards. As always, the county made it abundantly clear that reunification is their main goal. Foster to adopt is a huge risk and life changing. We totally understand that some people think we're nuts (and we are, so it's okay). Our family and friends to support us 100% they just don't want to see us get hurt.

It has been a long year. From training in January, Home Study through summer to our certification in July. We got the call on the girls in August but our gut reaction was it wasn't a good match and have waited for that phone to ring since. No matter how you slice it, the waiting stinks but it's well worth it.

Nantie completed training and awaits a call from "D" to continue with her Home Study. The holiday may have held things up and she doesn't want to push by calling and bothering her. I, on the other hand, have no problem dropping her a "Howdy Do!" email and see where things are at. I'm definitely more confident with my little blue (certification) card in my wallet.

SO, today is a milestone. A little stepping stone in a long journey. I firmly believe we are right where we are supposed to be and look forward to things to come. It's all in His hands.

A Week In Review

Although it was a jam packed week, it still felt fairly uneventful. We had our group meeting on Tuesday night and it was great to be with everyone. No speaker again so it was just talking (venting) about daily happenings. It was a real mix.. one couple had just adopted, several are in the midst of court dealings and visitations with the bio families, one got a placement a week after certification, a fost/adopt couple just had their placement (of 10 months) return home and a handful of us were waiting for The Call. There was a wide range of emotions, for sure.

Nantie actually met our new Placement Worker ("E") during training and LOVED her. E called me this week to officially introduce herself and was really nice. I'm volunteering for the Family Share Night at the beginning of next month and look forward to meeting her there. Speaking of Nantie, she has one last day of training tomorrow (an extra day has been added since we did ours) and then she'll be done. It will be interesting to hear what all when down.

That's about it.. oh yeah.. except..

TGIF!!

The Happenings

It took us a total of 7 months to get certified. Longer than average because we had 2 trips scheduled (as did our Home Study Worker) and we had to fence in a area in the back. There is an irrigation ditch on the backside of our property (it doesn't run full all the time but there was concern that a little one could wander back). Pictured is it's construction in progress. That took some time to complete as DH did it himself (and did an amazing job as always).

Nantie is on the fast track. She already has her CPR certification, gotten her finger printing done and sent in. Her training class is tomorrow, Saturday then one more day next week. "D" is going to start her home study during breaks at training.

Remember the awesome Family Share Night dinner we attended last year that kicked off this journey? I'm excited to be volunteering for it this year. Nothing fancy.. just put up and tear down.

Things are moving right along.. now if the phone would just RING!!

Things Are Movin' Right Along..

Auntie (now also known as "Nantie" for Nanny-Auntie..LOL) has been contacted by her home study worker and already received some of her info (fingerprint cards, etc). She waits to hear back from a recruiter on the date of the training class this month (the big 2 day, 16 hour, mind numbing, heart wrenching training course). "D" (her home study worker) is one of the trainers and will be getting together with her for an hour or so (during breaks) to get a head start on her home study. A weee bit bass-ackwards (which is no surprise since that's pretty much we roll anyway).

Other than that, the phone is absolutely silent (especially now that the election is over.. thank the Good Lord above!).

The weather is cccccold and really starting to feel like winter is coming. It's crazy how fast time comes and goes.. a year ago right now I was playing out how I was going to present the adoption information to DH, hoping and praying I could get him on board. At that time my thoughts were consumed by both getting pregnant AND finding the perfect Plan B (adoption). By then I was thoroughly convinced fost/adopt was the road to take and fairly sure we were not going to get pregnant. How in the WORLD was I going to find the right words to express to my DH how right this type of adoption felt in my heart?

Obviously, the words came (and were Heaven Sent).

Now I sit here with training courses under my belt, books read (yet more on the nightstand), blogs scoured, back round searches completed, home study done and a thumbs up from The Board. A little blue card placed carefully in my wallet declares I've been certified since July. I stare at the phone, daring it to ring. My how time flies.

I wonder what we'll have under our belts this time NEXT year!

:o)



Hey now.. don't forget!! You only have a few days left to win one of TWO $25 gift cards to TARGET!!!

Home Study, Take 2

So, I left a message for J's supervisor on Monday but didn't hear back. I left a message again today.. this time, she called back fairly quickly. I told her about Auntie moving in and what a God Send she will be. At first I think she thought I was just saying that Auntie would be helping us out and just watching the kiddo(s). That equates to a fairly painless 10 minutes at a sheriff station getting fingerprints done and having a back round check done by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

THEN, it dawned on her I said Auntie was moving in.

That boils down to a whole new home study done for her, the training courses and CPR. She took Auntie's name, address and phone number and said she was assigning "D" (our former home study worker) to her case. "D" was totally nice so that's good. HOPEFULLY this can be put on the FAST TRACK and done quickly and painlessly. AH HA! There is no such thing in this system.

I did get a name of our new worker ("E") that is taking "J's" place. They are going to call soon and set up a time for all of us waiting families to get together with her and get to know each other over dinner. Hopefully no alcohol will be served.. it could get ugly (I'm kidding.. er, kind of).

We're still listed on "The Board" (not the Black List, so they say~after my glass of wine at the big shin ding I actually asked) and are considered for each case as it comes in.

REPEATING OVER AND OVER.. all.in.His.time. (why is it never in sync with OUR time!?). LOL



DON'T FORGET: You can post a daily guess and win one of two $25 gift cards from TARGET!!!! GO HERE NOW

More Answered Prayers

One of my big concerns once a child is placed with us is transportation. Since we are out of county, I am responsible for getting the kiddo(s) to and from visitations, doctors offices, etc. Had we been in county, they have people that do that for you (pick them up from day care, take them to their various appointments and bring them back). We have been told they would do their best to help but the bulk of the transports are on us.

There could very well be weekly court appointed visits which means I will have to take off a 1/2 day of work once maybe even twice a week. This could go on for a year. Oy. Thank the Good Lord I have wonderful bosses that are okay with that but it's still a monstrous bite out of the ole paycheck. Plus my lead foot and the gas gussling suv. On top of all that running, what if the little one gets sick and has to be picked up from day care pronto? We have family nearby but all have really busy lives. I'm sure they would be happy to help in a pinch BUT I needed a solid plan.

I had been trying not to stress about it and have been praying like never before. I know in my heart this is the path we're to be on and it would somehow work out. Have faith..

This weekend, my prayers were answered.

Matt's wonderful Auntie G has moved back to Colorado and is looking for a place to live. Her home here in town is rented out for a year. She needs to find a job to cover her own rent and a place where she has enough room for herself and her lovely Dalmation, Miss Oreo.

A few months back we had offered to have her come live with us. We have plenty of room for her, Miss O and all their stuff. This weekend we revisited that idea. Why not come live with us and, instead of looking for a place to rent and a job, watch baby during the day?!?? That would alleviate me having to miss work and wage, baby won't have to be in day care all day and Auntie's needs are covered as well.

Sweet relief.

I have a call in to J's supervisor (since I still don't know who our new placement worker is yet) as we need to get Auntie certified. Anyone that spends more than 3 hours a week with kids in foster care need to have a home study done, as well.

Once again, God Rocks!




DON'T FORGET: You can post a daily guess and win one of two $25 gift cards from TARGET!!!! GO HERE NOW