We had a great family conversation over dinner. We told him that we would be building our family through adoption. He had lots and lots of questions, but overall I think he is excited about it.
I tried to answers his questions as best as possible - and I was impressed about what kinds of questions.
He did not ask things like boy or girl, how old, etc. He asked very grown up questions: Like: will they have visits with their parents? - How long is the process? - Can I go to the classes also, it will help me better understand these children. - What kinds of children are in the "system"?
And my favorite - "What can I do to help"
He is really turning into a fine young man.
Friday, October 24, 2008
"knowing someone" is not always a good thing
My neighbor works for the Dept of C.hildren's S.ervices in my state. She has been great about answering my questions about the process.
I originally spoke to her on Oct 8th to get basic information. We talked for a while. At the end of our conversation, she said that she would bring home a application and leave it in my mailbox.
I was thinking, "great, we will get the process started soon"
Fast forward to this past Sunday (Oct 19th), she still has not left anything. I have to admit, I was trying to make my presence known - on Sunday, I saw that she was raking leaves, so I went to get something from my car and started chatting about random things.
She mentions that she has not forgotten about the app, it has just been hectic at work. She then tells me that there is a training class (required) that is starting on Nov 3rd and that she could probably get me into that class if my apps are completed before the end of the month.
She reminds me that she will give me the apps asap. If we do not do this training class, we either have to wait 3-4 months for the next class in my area, or travel to another county for the classes.
So, here is it - Oct 24, and she still has not left the application. I would call myself, but I know what her to feel that I went around her back. But, the end of the month is next week and we are running out of time.
So frustrating!
I originally spoke to her on Oct 8th to get basic information. We talked for a while. At the end of our conversation, she said that she would bring home a application and leave it in my mailbox.
I was thinking, "great, we will get the process started soon"
Fast forward to this past Sunday (Oct 19th), she still has not left anything. I have to admit, I was trying to make my presence known - on Sunday, I saw that she was raking leaves, so I went to get something from my car and started chatting about random things.
She mentions that she has not forgotten about the app, it has just been hectic at work. She then tells me that there is a training class (required) that is starting on Nov 3rd and that she could probably get me into that class if my apps are completed before the end of the month.
She reminds me that she will give me the apps asap. If we do not do this training class, we either have to wait 3-4 months for the next class in my area, or travel to another county for the classes.
So, here is it - Oct 24, and she still has not left the application. I would call myself, but I know what her to feel that I went around her back. But, the end of the month is next week and we are running out of time.
So frustrating!
"knowing someone" is not always a good thing
My neighbor works for the Dept of C.hildren's S.ervices in my state. She has been great about answering my questions about the process.
I originally spoke to her on Oct 8th to get basic information. We talked for a while. At the end of our conversation, she said that she would bring home a application and leave it in my mailbox.
I was thinking, "great, we will get the process started soon"
Fast forward to this past Sunday (Oct 19th), she still has not left anything. I have to admit, I was trying to make my presence known - on Sunday, I saw that she was raking leaves, so I went to get something from my car and started chatting about random things.
She mentions that she has not forgotten about the app, it has just been hectic at work. She then tells me that there is a training class (required) that is starting on Nov 3rd and that she could probably get me into that class if my apps are completed before the end of the month.
She reminds me that she will give me the apps asap. If we do not do this training class, we either have to wait 3-4 months for the next class in my area, or travel to another county for the classes.
So, here is it - Oct 24, and she still has not left the application. I would call myself, but I know what her to feel that I went around her back. But, the end of the month is next week and we are running out of time.
So frustrating!
I originally spoke to her on Oct 8th to get basic information. We talked for a while. At the end of our conversation, she said that she would bring home a application and leave it in my mailbox.
I was thinking, "great, we will get the process started soon"
Fast forward to this past Sunday (Oct 19th), she still has not left anything. I have to admit, I was trying to make my presence known - on Sunday, I saw that she was raking leaves, so I went to get something from my car and started chatting about random things.
She mentions that she has not forgotten about the app, it has just been hectic at work. She then tells me that there is a training class (required) that is starting on Nov 3rd and that she could probably get me into that class if my apps are completed before the end of the month.
She reminds me that she will give me the apps asap. If we do not do this training class, we either have to wait 3-4 months for the next class in my area, or travel to another county for the classes.
So, here is it - Oct 24, and she still has not left the application. I would call myself, but I know what her to feel that I went around her back. But, the end of the month is next week and we are running out of time.
So frustrating!
Monday, October 20, 2008
What is "Punky Power"
Punky Brewster was a sitcom in the 80's that dealt with adoption through the foster care system.
Penelope "Punky" Brewster is a warm, funny and bright girl. Her father walked out on her family, then her mother abandoned her at a shopping center, leaving Punky alone with her only companion, her faithful dog.
Afterwards, Punky discovered a vacant apartment in a local building. The building was managed by photographer Henry Warnimont, an old and grumpy widower. Once Henry discovers Punky in the empty apartment across from his, he hears her story and he takes her in.
The relationship between the two blossoms, despite red tape from social workers, who ultimately rally to Henry's side. In the end, Henry officially adopts Punky.
After a while, Punky determined that intelligence, common sense and a strong will can get one out of any problem - she called it Punky Power.
So, I thought it was fitting that this new blog is called Punky Powers as we will also be building our family with adoption through the foster care system.
Penelope "Punky" Brewster is a warm, funny and bright girl. Her father walked out on her family, then her mother abandoned her at a shopping center, leaving Punky alone with her only companion, her faithful dog.
Afterwards, Punky discovered a vacant apartment in a local building. The building was managed by photographer Henry Warnimont, an old and grumpy widower. Once Henry discovers Punky in the empty apartment across from his, he hears her story and he takes her in.
The relationship between the two blossoms, despite red tape from social workers, who ultimately rally to Henry's side. In the end, Henry officially adopts Punky.
After a while, Punky determined that intelligence, common sense and a strong will can get one out of any problem - she called it Punky Power.
So, I thought it was fitting that this new blog is called Punky Powers as we will also be building our family with adoption through the foster care system.
We are ADOPTING!!!
A few posts ago, I blogged that we thought we made a decision regarding adoption. But, still at the time it was still a maybe.
Well, that maybe has turned into a full and total YES!!!!!
We will be adopting from the foster care system in our state. As I said before, my neighbor works for the Dept of Children Services and was able to really answer lots of my questions.
We spoke to her last week about everything and anything regarding adoption. When we spoke, she said she would leave me an app that week. Nothing happened, I just assumed she was busy (she was). I saw her yesterday and we started chatting again about random things (not adoption). She then told me that she did not forget about me and will be getting the apps to me this week. She then said that there is a training class (required) that is starting on Nov 3rd. And she could put us in that class if we had our apps in before the end of the month. Last time we spoke, I told her we were not sure if we were going to do it right away or wait.
They only offer the class 3-4 times a year. If we did not do it now, we would either have to wait a few months for training, or go to another county.
I went inside and spoke to my husband about the classes and he said, "well, let's do it now then"
I went back and told my neighbor that we are ready. She promised that she would give me an app this week.
We can start training before we are an approved family - but the app needs to be at least submitted before the training.
What is great is that we can do our home evaluation, references, fingerprinting, background checks, medical stuff, etc all at the same time as classes.
The classes are requied (and a good idea) and last 9 weeks.
Once approved, it is possible that it would be quick. Right now, my area does not have enough families for the children in the area. They have to usually go to another county and ask families from other areas to take children.
So, there is a definate need in my area - which of course does work in our favor.
Of course being a little more open to the type of child (age, sex, etc) will make the process quicker. We are also open to a sibling group, which sometimes makes it quicker.
At this point, we will accept a child from 0-5 yrs old, boy or girl, or a silbing group of 2. I know there are other children out there that do not fall into the above, but those I listed are a better fit for our family.
According to my neighbor, it is totally possible that we have a child(ren) in 4-6 months, maybe less!!!!!
We are not totally giving up on IVF w/PGD, but like everyone knows, this does not guarantee a pregnancy and does not guarantee that I will not have yet another m/c.
Plus, it is a lot more expensive than any other treatments that we have done to date, money that we do not have.
We are not totally saying we are not EVER going to do ivf, but right now and this second, that answer is "maybe, maybe not"
I have started a new blog - it is totally blank right now. It will detail the process and everything we go through to make our family complete. It is going to be:
Punky Powers - I need all the powers I can get :)
Well, that maybe has turned into a full and total YES!!!!!
We will be adopting from the foster care system in our state. As I said before, my neighbor works for the Dept of Children Services and was able to really answer lots of my questions.
We spoke to her last week about everything and anything regarding adoption. When we spoke, she said she would leave me an app that week. Nothing happened, I just assumed she was busy (she was). I saw her yesterday and we started chatting again about random things (not adoption). She then told me that she did not forget about me and will be getting the apps to me this week. She then said that there is a training class (required) that is starting on Nov 3rd. And she could put us in that class if we had our apps in before the end of the month. Last time we spoke, I told her we were not sure if we were going to do it right away or wait.
They only offer the class 3-4 times a year. If we did not do it now, we would either have to wait a few months for training, or go to another county.
I went inside and spoke to my husband about the classes and he said, "well, let's do it now then"
I went back and told my neighbor that we are ready. She promised that she would give me an app this week.
We can start training before we are an approved family - but the app needs to be at least submitted before the training.
What is great is that we can do our home evaluation, references, fingerprinting, background checks, medical stuff, etc all at the same time as classes.
The classes are requied (and a good idea) and last 9 weeks.
Once approved, it is possible that it would be quick. Right now, my area does not have enough families for the children in the area. They have to usually go to another county and ask families from other areas to take children.
So, there is a definate need in my area - which of course does work in our favor.
Of course being a little more open to the type of child (age, sex, etc) will make the process quicker. We are also open to a sibling group, which sometimes makes it quicker.
At this point, we will accept a child from 0-5 yrs old, boy or girl, or a silbing group of 2. I know there are other children out there that do not fall into the above, but those I listed are a better fit for our family.
According to my neighbor, it is totally possible that we have a child(ren) in 4-6 months, maybe less!!!!!
We are not totally giving up on IVF w/PGD, but like everyone knows, this does not guarantee a pregnancy and does not guarantee that I will not have yet another m/c.
Plus, it is a lot more expensive than any other treatments that we have done to date, money that we do not have.
We are not totally saying we are not EVER going to do ivf, but right now and this second, that answer is "maybe, maybe not"
I have started a new blog - it is totally blank right now. It will detail the process and everything we go through to make our family complete. It is going to be:
Punky Powers - I need all the powers I can get :)
Friday, October 17, 2008
My first due date
My first due date is Oct 29th. After my first loss, I thought FOR SURE my due date would really not bother me too much because I was sure I would be pregnant again.
Well, I was pregnant again, and again. That does not mean that I am pregnant on my due date.
I would be on matenity leave right now, the nursery woud be set up, Colin would be preparing for a sibling.
The family would be full of anticipation, filled with excitement.
I am sure that Colin would be wondering if the baby would be born of his birthday.
My shower would have happened months ago and I am sure by now I would have organized everything nice.
The spare room (AKA baby's room) would be cleared out and decorated for a baby. I refuse to clear out the room. An empty room is just too hard to look at every day.
My sister announced she was pregnant on the same day I did. She was about 4 weeks behind me. I am sure we would be looking foward to having cousins so close in age.
My belly would be big and round, and I am sure I would be very uncomfortable right now. Trust me, I would take all the uncomfortablness in the world if that meant I got to bring a child into our family.
What will I feel as my other dates come and go.
October 29, March 3, May 28
Well, I was pregnant again, and again. That does not mean that I am pregnant on my due date.
I would be on matenity leave right now, the nursery woud be set up, Colin would be preparing for a sibling.
The family would be full of anticipation, filled with excitement.
I am sure that Colin would be wondering if the baby would be born of his birthday.
My shower would have happened months ago and I am sure by now I would have organized everything nice.
The spare room (AKA baby's room) would be cleared out and decorated for a baby. I refuse to clear out the room. An empty room is just too hard to look at every day.
My sister announced she was pregnant on the same day I did. She was about 4 weeks behind me. I am sure we would be looking foward to having cousins so close in age.
My belly would be big and round, and I am sure I would be very uncomfortable right now. Trust me, I would take all the uncomfortablness in the world if that meant I got to bring a child into our family.
What will I feel as my other dates come and go.
October 29, March 3, May 28
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
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