Here Comes Santa Claus
Tags: Adoption, Foster Care, Foster Care; Adoption
Posted: May 16, 2005 at 9:57 pm
I feel like a kid the day before Christmas. I know something great is coming, and I know I’m going to love it, but i’m not sure exactly what it is. This is going to be the best Christmas ever.
I haven’t lost my mind – I know it is only May and December. The Christmas I’m talking about is our adoption. It never ceases to amaze me how God smiles on us and gives us little nudges and little blessings along the way. Besides, this year, Christmas could come in July.
I got a call yesterday from The Adoption Lady – she is an angel that God has sent to guide us through this whole thing – and she wanted to tell me about a “situation”. There’s a little boy who is two years old and currently in foster care. His birth mother is pregnant and due in July. The agency is looking for a home to place both boys in a Legal Risk Adoption. She wanted to make sure that we would be interested before she pushed for this to happen – OF COURSE WE’RE INTERESTED!!!! 
Now, let me say for the record that I believe God already has our children picked out and I have NO DOUBT that He will faithfully lead us to each other. So, if this one doesn’t happen, then these kids belong to someone else. What excites me the most is to see God at work – this situation is a reminder to me that He is still in control and He will make this all happen in His time. It also has me thinking that He can and may just make it happen really fast, so we need to be ready!
I also want to say, for the official record, that my heart breaks when I pray for my kids. I believe that at least one of them is most likely already here on earth and I shudder to think of the situation he/she may be in. I pray for God’s protection for him/her and also for the birthparents. It is an amazing thing how God has given me compassion for the birthparents – I can usually be found guilty of being judgemental but not when it comes to this. I don’t know the circumstances that people go through that make them who they are. When I pray for these kids, any of them, I pray that God will work out what is best for the children. These two boys are a perfect example, as much as I would love to claim them as our own – they belong to God and He already has a plan for their lives. I pray for His will and for the best He has for them, not for me. I don’t know and can not judge when a parent may be able to pull it together and be what their kids need them to be – only God can know that. I’ll leave the judging up to Him but I’ll continue to pray.
Christmas is coming….the lights are out, the carolers are singing….there are presents under the tree and stockings hung by the fireplace… Christmas is coming….can you feel it?
Ps 118:29
29 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good!His faithful love endures forever. NLT
Obsessed or Possessed?
Tags: Adoption, Foster Care, Foster Care; Adoption
Posted: May 18, 2005 at 10:04 pm
I can’t think about much else these days. I’m going to be a mom. It sounds wierd to even write it – me, a mommy. My husband will be a daddy. It’s overwhelming! And it could happen in less than 3 months. Wow. I know I am totally rambling here, but I just can’t help it. I drive a fun vehicle that is not suitable for carting small kids around so we’ve put an ad in the paper to sale it. We’re going to buy a mini-van! Yikes! I’ll let you in on a little secret…..I am THRILLED! I can’t say that to just anyone, it is a mini-van afterall and I swore I’d never drive one. But I can’t wait. I can’t wait to drive my kids around in our mini-van! I can’t wait to have a car messy from spilled cherios and juice and …. I just can’t wait!
I joke with my friends about how we’re trying to take all the naps we can because I know before long we won’t be able to take any. I laugh and just agree when they tell me I will miss it. You want to know another secret? I can’t wait for the day that I am so tired and can not take a nap because I have a little one to take care of. I know I will get frusturated and tired and I can’t wait for the tears to come…..to cry out of exhaustion and frustration over my children. Secretly, I just can’t wait.
Don’t get me wrong, I know things will not always be perfect – i don’t expect them to be. I don’t want them to be. I know there will be days when I feel like I just can’t go on….but I can’t wait. Am I crazy?
The lady who will be doing our Home Study called tonight to let me know what to expect. We won’t talk again until towards the middle/end of June when we finish our classes. She wanted to let me know that she works fast and doesn’t stretch the home study or the paperwork out for months at a time. That both thrilled and terrified me. So deep breath, and here…….. we……….. go…………..
Dashing through the snow…
Tags: Adoption, Foster Care, Foster Care; Adoption
Posted: May 24, 2005 at 10:07 pm
….in a one horse open sleigh, or in our case, in a white mini-van! If you’re confused, you probably haven’t read Here Comes Santa Claus. Christmas is coming – though the minivan can hardly be compared to a sleigh, soon it will carry the most precious gifts!
I look in the rearview mirror at the empty seats behind me and I smile. Six months ago, those empty seats would have been a reminder of an empty womb and a bottomless hole in my heart; time and perspective can change everything. Now I look at those empty seats and I see hope – I see a future – I see God’s Grace.
We attended our fist “real” parenting class tonight and focused mainly on how a child feels when he or she is removed from his/her home. Think about that for a minute – what plans do you have for tomorrow and the next day? Imagine being taken away from everything that is familiar to you – the birthday party that was scheduled for next Saturday, your best friend next door, even your mom and dad. It’s all gone in a heartbeat. Regardless of the condition you live in, you are terrified when you’re taken away. I wonder what that is like for a 1 year old….a 2 year old? Pray for our kids, wherever they are tonight. Pray that God will protect them and give them a sense of peace in whatever situation they are in. Pray that someone is hugging them and showering them with kisses.
Christmas is coming not only for us, but also for them. Pray that God paves the way for us to find each other. Pray that God prepares us to be as much of a gift to them as we know they will be to us.
*We bought the minivan to make room for our growing family – to make room for the gifts we believe God has for us. I wonder how often I’ve missed out on His blessings because I wasn’t willing to make room for them? Is there something you need to get rid of to make room for more of Him?
tags: Waiting/Preparing, prayer 1 comment
Scrapbook Pages
Tags: Adoption, Foster Care, Foster Care; Adoption
Posted: July 2, 2005 at 2:54 pm
Okay guys, I’m off for the weekend with some friends at the lake. Before I go, I wanted to share a couple of pages with you from the mini scrapbook I have to do for the adoption. We had to put some pages together with pictures, that showed a little about ourselves and our families – this is so our agency is able to “introduce” us to CPS and any other workers involved in a case. Anyway, to make a long story short, here are two of those pages. First, the dogs:
The second page is my favorite. Now, I know there are many more people than what I could fit on this page who are excited to meet our babies! We tried to be fare and include our parents, a sibling for each of us and we threw in some friends just to mix it up a bit! ha ha We’re trying to look well-rounded!
Anyway, I hope everyone has a FABULOUS holiday weekend! Be safe and stop and thank God for our Independence, our Freedom, and for those who still fight for it today.
tags: Waiting/Preparing 4 comments
Yes, Brittany, Life Jackets do float
Tags: Adoption, Foster Care, Foster Care; Adoption
Posted: July 5, 2005 at 2:16 pm
As we were floating in the lake this weekend, I looked at Daddy-O and said, “guess we won’t get to do things like this after we get the kids, huh?” Don’t get me wrong, i know we’ll still have lots of fun and get to do stuff together without the kids sometimes, but it really hit me.
It’s hard to imagine how different life will be, but it’s also very exciting. This Thursday, at 5:30, our case worker is coming back for the final home visit. After this visit, there really isn’t much else to do. I’ll be sure to let you know once we have our meeting and know exactly what to expect next.
When we got to the lake house, our friend’s mom told us that there was now a celebrity who owned a home on the lake. Patrick Dempsey recently bought a place there and, as luck would have it, we saw him on the jet ski! In fact, and you know i have to add this, he waved at me. That was my big brush with fame.
Before I go, one last thing. Big thanks to my friend, Brigitte, who brought me the best Adoption book today! It is so cute! It’s actually for kids and will make a great story book for our kids when they get a little older.
And I have to include my favorite quote from the weekend: says Brittany, (looking for something to float on before jumping in the water) while holding a LIFE JACKET in her hands, “Will this float?”
tags: Misc, Waiting/Preparing 5 comments
Last Call
Tags: Adoption, Foster Care, Foster Care; Adoption
Posted: July 7, 2005 at 8:24 pm
Tonight was our final meeting with the case worker. I think I was a little off on my estimates of when we might be totally finished. Here’s the run down:
- Paper has to be finished – our case worker has to finish everything up and this may take her a week or more b/c she has 2 other cases that are being fasttracked
- Case Worker will present us to the committee for approval – Committee meets on Monday nights. It isn’t likely that our paper work will be finished before Monday, July 11 but hopefully it will be by Monday, July 18. It is possible that we won’t be presented until July 25, but realistically, I’m thinking July 18 is probably it.
- Once we’re approved, and we are assuming that we will be, then our paper work will be gone over with a “fine tooth comb” by the director. She’ll make any necessary corrections and then both she and the case worker have to sign off on it. This could take a week, could take two. We’re at their mercy.
- Once that happens, then everything is submitted to the state so that we can get our license to be foster parents. If I remember correctly, this can take up to 2 weeks as well.
- For now, all we can do is wait.
Realistically, we should be through and licensed by the end of August – possibly mid-August. I know it seems frustrating, but God’s timing is perfect. Please pray that all involved (case worker, committe, director) will do what is necessary at each step so that we can get through this process as smoothly and as quickly as possible. Remember, God is in control. Even of the paperwork!
Phil 4:6-7
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. NLT
tags: Adoption, Waiting/Preparing 4 comments
All Striped Out
Tags: Adoption, Foster Care, Foster Care; Adoption
Posted: July 9, 2005 at 11:15 pm
I almost spelled the title, “All Stripped Out”…guess that would have gotten your attention, huh?
Hey Judy, Tina says you like the bigger font….I hear that the eyesight is the first to go…….
The stripes in the nursery are coming right along. It’s starting to come together but I’m still not finished. Keep in mind when you look at the picture that the colors are difficult to capture with my camera AND when I am all finished, you won’t see as much of the darker yellow color. Anyway, I’m tired but I hope to finish this tomorrow. Next, I want to paint the playroom.
It’s so exciting to be preparing a nursery – I still can’t believe we have a room designated as “the nursery” in our house. It’s crazy. Ironically, I am in NO HURRY and almost relieved to know we have at least another month and half or so before we can get kids. (remind me of that in a few weeks when I’m tired of waiting) I don’t know why I’m feeling that way now, I guess maybe it’s just sinking in that it won’t be long before we do have children – 24/7. It’s a little scary to think that my Sunday afternoon naps may soon be a thing of the past. (at least for a while)
It’s not just the naps and trips and time alone that concerns me. It’s the fact that we will be responsible for another human life. A child will depend on us for food, shelter, clothes, love, etc… It’s that word DEPEND that gets me – it will be up to us to provide a safe, loving home for that child 24/7. Did I mention the part about us being responsible for another human life? Does that scare the crap out of anyone else out there?
Anyway, the latest pictures of the nursery:
Speechless
Tags: Adoption, Foster Care, Foster Care; Adoption
What do you think?
Tags: Adoption, Foster Care, Foster Care; Adoption
Posted: July 19, 2005 at 11:22 am
If we have a girl, here’s the bedding we’ll use – i think it goes well!
Now, you’ll have to use your imagination on this one. If we have a boy, keep in mind all the dark pink will painted over with dark blue and light pink with light blue. But here’s what we’ll use:
tags: Waiting/Preparing 4 comments
What do we do when?
Tags: Adoption, Foster Care, Foster Care; Adoption
Posted: July 21, 2005 at 11:25 am
Today, I am overwhelmed with the “what do we do when we get home with them” thought. I mean, I’ve thought about going to pick up our kids – I’ve considered that it will be awkward at first and that the kids may even be afraid and very shy at first. I’ve thought about all that but I have just today begun to think about what comes next.
I mean, what do we do when we get home? I guess we should show them their rooms, depending on their age. Maybe the dogs will be a good diversion? What the heck do we do with them once we’re all back at home? WHAT DO WE DO?
WHAT DO WE DO?
Now I have visions of people coming over to see us and everyone watching Daddy-O and I to see how we’re reacting and what we’re doing. Let’s assume we figure out what to do when we get home and everyone is safe and comfortable blah blah blah. What about the next morning when we wake up, what do we do then?
TELL ME, WHAT DO WE DO?