Todd met with our home study case worker yesterday for his individual meeting. He said the 2 hours flew by... I can only imagine all the things that they talked about! My individual meeting is tomorrow...and we'll be one step closer to finishing this step.
Our good friends Steve and Jenny are also going through the adoption process. They are using our same home study case worker and we just found out they will be in the same 12 hours of class that we have to take in the next few weeks. So that is exciting! It is amazing that we have not only been called to do this, but also have been given such good friends to travel this road with us. It is so wonderful to have people to talk to that have the same feelings, excitements, fears, and questions that you do... it gives us a real sense of peace as well as confidence in this decision.
We tried to file our government form yesterday and I realized that all these years what I thought was my birth certificate, really wasn't. It was good enough for some things but it is not the official certificate, it is a registration form stating that their is a certificate on file in the county where I was born!! UUGGGHH!! So I had to order original copies of my certificate and now have to wait for them to arrive before we can file our papers. Hopefully it will be here next week (I did a priority order). Glad I carefully guarded a document all these years that really wasn't all that important!!! :)
The kids are so excited. Noah went to the dentist yesterday and when he was done he got a new toothbrush. Then he picked out one for Caleb and one for Meg. They thought he was finished and he said "no I have another sister... I need one for Ellen" So now Ellen has a toothbrush all ready and waiting for her in the kids bathroom.
I also saw a post on a message board yesterday that completely touched my heart... it said "The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you". We know there are some who do not think this journey is where we should go, but we are trusting so much in this belief, that it is God's will leading us on this journey, and because we are following His call He will protect us through the process and beyond.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Great family weekend
Lots of good family time this weekend which was exactly what we needed. It has been a hectic summer and it was nice to just have some time to relax, take the kids on a bike ride, take walks, play outside, go to church and spend time with some great friends.
Not too much progress on the Ellen front. Todd is getting his passport application in the mail today and once we get a copy of our marriage license, mine will be in the mail on Wednesday. Everyone in the family is currently getting a physical as well... which is good because they boys will need them for school and Meg needed a 2 year check up as well. I have a couple questions in to our adoption agency about when to file certain forms to keep the process moving.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the weekend was Space Chimps... not the award winning movie I had been hoping for... but the boys liked it and so that is all that matters. But take my advice and wait for it to come out on HBO (I can't even recommend you rent it!!!)
Not too much progress on the Ellen front. Todd is getting his passport application in the mail today and once we get a copy of our marriage license, mine will be in the mail on Wednesday. Everyone in the family is currently getting a physical as well... which is good because they boys will need them for school and Meg needed a 2 year check up as well. I have a couple questions in to our adoption agency about when to file certain forms to keep the process moving.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment of the weekend was Space Chimps... not the award winning movie I had been hoping for... but the boys liked it and so that is all that matters. But take my advice and wait for it to come out on HBO (I can't even recommend you rent it!!!)
Friday, July 18, 2008
Our home study progress and paperwork, paperwork, paperwork
Well we have finished the application for the home study. I think combined Todd and I wrote about 30 pages of thoughts regarding our family, parenting and opinions on a variety of subjects. It was all very thought provoking and gave us some really good things to talk about. I am going to make an effort to get the toilet paper roll on correctly so I don't continue to annoy him with this pet peeve!!
I was under the impression that the homestudy was a big part of the process, but have come to realize that it is a small part of a big process... and the paperwork is endless. But we'll get there and it is all worth it to have Ellen home in the end.
We have been very fortunate to have good friends who are going through this process as well. They live close, our kids are the best of friends and now we are sharing this journey as well. We also have friends that have just gone through the adoption process and were over for dinner the other night and gave us some much encouragemetn and insight. God has really taken care of giving us the support we need all the way around.
The kids continue to make a long list of things we are going to do when Ellen gets here... she will be a busy girl. I find myself wondering about her all the time. Things like, "What is she doing right now?" or if I am making dinner I'll think "has she ever had tacos, or chicken or (insert whatever I am making)."
so today begins Medical exams, and more forms to complete. I am hoping to sneak in a showing of Space Chimps with the boys. I am not sure who is more excited about the movie... Caleb, Noah or me!!!
I was under the impression that the homestudy was a big part of the process, but have come to realize that it is a small part of a big process... and the paperwork is endless. But we'll get there and it is all worth it to have Ellen home in the end.
We have been very fortunate to have good friends who are going through this process as well. They live close, our kids are the best of friends and now we are sharing this journey as well. We also have friends that have just gone through the adoption process and were over for dinner the other night and gave us some much encouragemetn and insight. God has really taken care of giving us the support we need all the way around.
The kids continue to make a long list of things we are going to do when Ellen gets here... she will be a busy girl. I find myself wondering about her all the time. Things like, "What is she doing right now?" or if I am making dinner I'll think "has she ever had tacos, or chicken or (insert whatever I am making)."
so today begins Medical exams, and more forms to complete. I am hoping to sneak in a showing of Space Chimps with the boys. I am not sure who is more excited about the movie... Caleb, Noah or me!!!
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Home Study is underway!
Well it has been a really busy week with the 4th of July, Meg's 2nd birthday and out of town guests visting for the week! I would say things will return to normal soon, but really... I don't think things are ever really "normal" in our house!
The home study began last Wednesday. It was fantastic. Our social worker, Kathy, could not have been nicer. We have 5 appointments, including that first one. Todd and I have one more together at the office, then we each meet with her separately, then she visits the house to do an "inspection" of sorts and to talk to the kids. We also have lots of paperwork to fill out. The one form is a bunch of questions like "describe your parenting philosophy" and "describe your marriage"... things you just can't sit down and fill out. One of the questions is "what do you dislike the most about your spouse"... I asked Todd what his answer is going to be and he said "she puts the toilet paper on backwards sometimes"... I told him I cann't believe he would be so harsh. :)
All 5 of our appointments will be completed by Aug 1st. Then we have the 12 hours of parenting class that concludes Aug 20th. Then Kathy will submit our home study to the state so we can be licensed as adoptive parents (this is required in Illinois). So things are underway.
The response from family and friends has been incredible. People asking how they can help, what we need, what they can do. We have been so blessed with the support we have in place.
The kids talk about Ellen all the time. Caleb told us yesterday that he is going to let Ellen sleep in his bed with him so that she is not scared in her new house!
We are off to the pool to enjoy the last day Jannie and Papa are here visiting. It is beautiful outside... so it should be fun!
The home study began last Wednesday. It was fantastic. Our social worker, Kathy, could not have been nicer. We have 5 appointments, including that first one. Todd and I have one more together at the office, then we each meet with her separately, then she visits the house to do an "inspection" of sorts and to talk to the kids. We also have lots of paperwork to fill out. The one form is a bunch of questions like "describe your parenting philosophy" and "describe your marriage"... things you just can't sit down and fill out. One of the questions is "what do you dislike the most about your spouse"... I asked Todd what his answer is going to be and he said "she puts the toilet paper on backwards sometimes"... I told him I cann't believe he would be so harsh. :)
All 5 of our appointments will be completed by Aug 1st. Then we have the 12 hours of parenting class that concludes Aug 20th. Then Kathy will submit our home study to the state so we can be licensed as adoptive parents (this is required in Illinois). So things are underway.
The response from family and friends has been incredible. People asking how they can help, what we need, what they can do. We have been so blessed with the support we have in place.
The kids talk about Ellen all the time. Caleb told us yesterday that he is going to let Ellen sleep in his bed with him so that she is not scared in her new house!
We are off to the pool to enjoy the last day Jannie and Papa are here visiting. It is beautiful outside... so it should be fun!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Our homestudy begins tomorrow
I cannot wait to get this process underway. I think everything will feel a little more "real" once we get started. We are hoping it will be done by August 20th. We also have 12 hours of parent training that we need to complete before our homestudy is finished.
We haven't even started to paperwork yet, but just looking at the applications for different grants and loans, it is all pretty overwhelming. But I am sure we'll figure it all out.
On a side note, we took the kids to the dentist this morning. That was a fiasco! Luckily the dentist is an awesome guy who was a college fraternity brother of Todd's. His staff is wonderful and didn't seem to mind the chaos my kids were causing in the waiting room. It was Noah's 2nd visit and we found out he has a cavity that needs to be filled in a few weeks. Caleb checked out fine. Next up is yearly check-ups for all the kids, then we may tackle the eye doctor if we are feeling brave!!!
We haven't even started to paperwork yet, but just looking at the applications for different grants and loans, it is all pretty overwhelming. But I am sure we'll figure it all out.
On a side note, we took the kids to the dentist this morning. That was a fiasco! Luckily the dentist is an awesome guy who was a college fraternity brother of Todd's. His staff is wonderful and didn't seem to mind the chaos my kids were causing in the waiting room. It was Noah's 2nd visit and we found out he has a cavity that needs to be filled in a few weeks. Caleb checked out fine. Next up is yearly check-ups for all the kids, then we may tackle the eye doctor if we are feeling brave!!!
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Journey Begins
In an effort to always have a house full of noise, laughter, chaos and love we have decided to grow our family to include child #4. We have been so blessed to have Noah, Caleb and Meg and want to add another personality to the mix. After a lot of prayer, talk, prayer, research, prayer, more talk and prayer we have decided that God wants us to open our hearts and family to another child with special needs. Since we are so familiar with Down Syndrome, and would love for Meg to have a sister, we have decided to focus on a adding a little girl around Meg's age (she'll be 2 on July 5th) who also has DS. We figure it will not only be the perfect sister, but a life long best friend for both of them.
After some research and the help of the wonderful Executive Director of reecesrainbow.com we have identified a little girl in Ukraine who appears to be a perfect match for our family. She was 2 in Feb and looks quite a bit like our Meg... we already love her.
Last week we were watching a video of the orphanage in Ukraine where we are hoping to adopt. Noah saw the video and proceded to ask several questions about the kids in the video and their school. We talked about how those kids never leave and how they don't have families. He said "who keeps an eye on them?" and I said their teachers. He then asked several more questions. Then he said that since they don't have families we need to keep an eye on them. I questioned it for a bit saying things like "Where will they sleep?" (he pointed out we have extra beds) "Where will they sit in the van?" (he pointed out we have a whole back seat that isn't being used) I then said that sometimes I am too busy with Meg and Caleb to read to him or do puzzles as often as he'd like, his response was "Mom, I will be in kindergarden soon, I am learning to read, and I'll help. Mom, we have to keep an eye on them." So now Noah believes this whole thing is his idea (which is great) and at prayer he'll say "And God, keep an eye on my new sister until she is here for us to keep an eye on her." What an amazing little guy.
Things are beginning to get underway. We have been approved by an adoption agency out of Iowa who have experience in Ukraine adoption. We also have contacted a local agency to complete our homestudy. The first of our 5 home study meetings begins on July 2nd. We are hopeful to have the home study and required parent training sessions completed by Aug 20th and then we will go from there.
We are very excited that God has lead us in this direction and are anxious to have our new addition home as soon as possible. It will be a long journey, but we are grateful to have such wonderful friends and family members to share the walk with us.
After some research and the help of the wonderful Executive Director of reecesrainbow.com we have identified a little girl in Ukraine who appears to be a perfect match for our family. She was 2 in Feb and looks quite a bit like our Meg... we already love her.
Last week we were watching a video of the orphanage in Ukraine where we are hoping to adopt. Noah saw the video and proceded to ask several questions about the kids in the video and their school. We talked about how those kids never leave and how they don't have families. He said "who keeps an eye on them?" and I said their teachers. He then asked several more questions. Then he said that since they don't have families we need to keep an eye on them. I questioned it for a bit saying things like "Where will they sleep?" (he pointed out we have extra beds) "Where will they sit in the van?" (he pointed out we have a whole back seat that isn't being used) I then said that sometimes I am too busy with Meg and Caleb to read to him or do puzzles as often as he'd like, his response was "Mom, I will be in kindergarden soon, I am learning to read, and I'll help. Mom, we have to keep an eye on them." So now Noah believes this whole thing is his idea (which is great) and at prayer he'll say "And God, keep an eye on my new sister until she is here for us to keep an eye on her." What an amazing little guy.
Things are beginning to get underway. We have been approved by an adoption agency out of Iowa who have experience in Ukraine adoption. We also have contacted a local agency to complete our homestudy. The first of our 5 home study meetings begins on July 2nd. We are hopeful to have the home study and required parent training sessions completed by Aug 20th and then we will go from there.
We are very excited that God has lead us in this direction and are anxious to have our new addition home as soon as possible. It will be a long journey, but we are grateful to have such wonderful friends and family members to share the walk with us.
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