Our Family: August 2008

WE ARE OFFICIALLY SEARCHING AND WAITING!!!!!!!!!

We got our approval letter and packet today!! I spoke with our SW and she said that we could start searching other counties and states right away! WoooHooo!!!!!! We have been waiting for this point. I of corse jumped right on the computer and made 2 inquires on 2 cases that we had seen online but couldn’t inquire about since we didn’t have our HS to fax them.

We are so excited and then getting a little discouraged at the same time because there just doesn’t seem to be any available kids out there. When you see one and just start to get your hopes up, you get to the part in the profile where it says that this child is placed with Foster Parents that intend on adopting them. After calling a few different caseworkers to inquire about this, we find out that if the parents file for subsidy, legally the state has to list the child on their public registry. I know that there is a child/children out there somewhere that is meant for our family but the waiting is going to be the hardest part.

I now know why so many couples turn to private agencies and pay small fortunes to be matched with birth mothers. Months or a year of searching and waiting will be torture. ((God, please be with us and give us the patiencs that we need to endure this process and not give up.))

First Day of School

So, the boys started school and had a good first week. We are still waiting to hear about our HS and make sure it all went well. Heartland had said that typically you had to wait 3 to 6 months before going out of county and give them a chance to place with you first. But one of the other families said that since we wanted younger children, they were not making us wait being that they don’t have any children under the age of 5 in our counties. So, I guess we will find out soon enough.

I am attaching some pics from the boys first day and week of school!

Our Home Study is Complete!!! WooHoo!!

Well, our Home Study is finally Complete!!! Whewwwwwwwww
Jen (our SW) was sooooo nice and it all went totally smooth. We had so much help over the weekend and even up till the morning of, Miss Jo showed up at 7am that morning to help me make things look nice ((well, as much as U can with boxes everywhere)) and make sure I didn’t get nervous. We have such wonderful family and friends!!! So, she was here for aprox. 2hrs & 45min. Of corse, I just chatter away when I get nervous so I am sure I talked her ear off. She said not to worry, that we were approved and would get our final copy in a few weeks. The boys did great even though “C” told her that he wanted a boy so that he could name him Ben Ten after his favorite Alien Force Super Hero. So, now I guess we just wait for HeartLand to find us a match and if not, I guess we will start checking the online listings. It was so funny, Larry seemed giddier then I was after she left. Hopefully our wait won’t be that long.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME TO HELP US FIX UP THE HOUSE. WE LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!

Before and after room pics & Fixer Uper weekend!

Below are the before and after bedroom pics of the house and pics from our Fixer Uper weekend! We still have a ton of un-packing to do but for the most part, it is starting to feel like home!