Friday, February 26, 2010

The easy part is done...

So we got our application and I am super pumped to just get it done and send it back. We went in and got finger printed on Tuesday... hopefully there isn't something in my past that I have blocked out ;) We have signed a TON of authorization forms and filled in basic information on the both of us. The hard part is looming. We have a Adoption Study Questionnaire that needs to be filled out with 47 questions on it, and not with one word answers.

Here's a sampling of the things we need to answer before we can be considered for adoption:

1. Describe the family in which you were raised, including parents, siblings, and extended family: Do you think I can say they are all crazy but I love them?

2. Describe the arrangements in your Will or plans for your children should something happen to you: Did you all figure out arrangements in your will before you thought about having a child... I doubt it. But if you did... good for you, your approved!

3. How would you advocate for your child in the school system?: Really, I never once thought about this... did our parents really ADVOCATE for us???

4. How does your family and support network feel about your adoption plan?: I don't know, ask them. Am I suppose to come right out and ask people, or just answer how I THINK they feel. What if they are supportive to my face and not really supportive in the end?

5. Discuss how you will make a child part of your family: Seriously... did you and your hubby sit down when you were pregnant and ask yourselves this question???

6. Describe your plans to assist your child to understand and value his/her racial and cultural background: Yep, my parents never did this....

7.How do you plan to raise your child (religious affiliation), and how do you plan to resolve any conflicts if you child has different religious beliefs?: Again, did you all think about this stuff, or is it just me??

While I do often as the question WHY... I totally get the process. I understand WHY we have to answer these kinds of questions and what they are trying to get at.

Anyway, next time you think you want to have a kid, sit down and ask yourself these 7 questions, and then let me know when you are done... there are 40 more! When you done with those questions, I'll review them and tell you if you are approved. :)

Wish us luck!

Friday, February 19, 2010

It's here!

Finally!!!!

Got the information on Wednesday... sorry it took me so long to update. It's been a LONG week for me. I started looking through everything, and there is a LOT of stuff we need to fill out. People joke all the time at the shelter I work at that adopting an animal is worse than adopting a child (in the paperwork aspect)... they have no idea what they are talking about.

If all goes as planned we'll have our application done and in the mail in about a month. Then we'll attend the training days on April 15-16th. After completing that we'll be paired with our social worker and start the home study and interviewing process. That takes a couple of months depending on scheduling. SOOOO.... that means if all goes as planned that we could be approved and waiting to be matched by the end of June!

Someone could literally be pregnant with our child RIGHT NOW! I get goose bumps every time I think about it!

Off to start reading over my pile of paperwork!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Power of Positive Thinking...

So every time I post saying that I'm getting anxious and impatient for something to happen, something happens! So I thought that I would post how badly I really want our adoption paperwork to arrive so I can really get started on this entire process.....

SO I HOPE THIS WORKS!

Once we get the paperwork, I'll be working like a mad-women to get everything in order so we can hopefully be approved by early spring and have our home study done by early summer. My mind has been spinning trying to come up with creative ways to raise some funds for our first big investment in the process (the home study). I'll keep you all posted if I come up with something. For right now, I'm still trying to focus on our BIG garage sale this summer.... man I hope we sell lots of CRAP!