Today we started working on some of the paperwork that we were given during our most recent class.
It's overwhelming...although I fully realize that this bit of paperwork is nothing compared to what we will be getting during the home study process. I guess it feels overwhelming because, well...it just makes things even more real.
Yeah, I know, every little step forward is going to be another wake-up call that this is really happening. Some day I'll be used to it...nah, who am I kidding?! I'll never be used to it!!
But by the time we wade through the sea of paperwork, we'll be fully aware of our beliefs, wishes, and desires involving parenthood, as well as our financial situation, home situation, marriage situation...the list goes on, and on. All good...evaluating life...all good...moving forward...all good. :)
Next class ~ Thursday, February 2nd.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Orientation Class | Family Dynamics of Open Adoption
Tonight was our first "Orientation" Class...which was supposed to be LAST Thursday, but instead Mother Nature interrupted those plans by bringing us the first snow storm of the winter season (gotta love Midwestern winters!).
The class size was larger than I expected, if I remember correctly there were 8 other couples besides us. Due to last week's class being cancelled, in this week's class we covered topics that are normally covered in week 2 because the guest speakers were already booked for this week. So, tonight we met an adoptive family that consisted of dad, mom, their 9 yr. old biological son, and their 1 yr. old adopted son...plus the birth mom, who is currently a high school senior. We found it to be very interesting and informative!
The birth mom spoke about things such as: what brought her to adoption, how difficult it was, how things are going for her now, what made her choose this family over the other 2 profiles she viewed, among other things. The adoptive parents spoke about what brought them to adoption after having a biological child, how the open adoption process has worked (and continues to work) for them, how long their wait was before being matched, and many other things. Plus we were all given a chance to ask questions of both the adoptive parents and the birth mom. This took up a majority of the class, then after this family left, the caseworkers explained a little more background on this family, discussed a few other topics and then we had a quick discussion on when our "make up" class will be in place of the class time we missed last week. We were also given more paperwork that needs to be filled out...I know there will be MUCH more paperwork to come!
Overall, I thought tonight's session was great, and I can't wait for the next one! The caseworkers will be in contact with each of us for confirm the reschedule date for this....so, for right now, we just have to hang tight for a few days before we have more info!
The class size was larger than I expected, if I remember correctly there were 8 other couples besides us. Due to last week's class being cancelled, in this week's class we covered topics that are normally covered in week 2 because the guest speakers were already booked for this week. So, tonight we met an adoptive family that consisted of dad, mom, their 9 yr. old biological son, and their 1 yr. old adopted son...plus the birth mom, who is currently a high school senior. We found it to be very interesting and informative!
The birth mom spoke about things such as: what brought her to adoption, how difficult it was, how things are going for her now, what made her choose this family over the other 2 profiles she viewed, among other things. The adoptive parents spoke about what brought them to adoption after having a biological child, how the open adoption process has worked (and continues to work) for them, how long their wait was before being matched, and many other things. Plus we were all given a chance to ask questions of both the adoptive parents and the birth mom. This took up a majority of the class, then after this family left, the caseworkers explained a little more background on this family, discussed a few other topics and then we had a quick discussion on when our "make up" class will be in place of the class time we missed last week. We were also given more paperwork that needs to be filled out...I know there will be MUCH more paperwork to come!
Overall, I thought tonight's session was great, and I can't wait for the next one! The caseworkers will be in contact with each of us for confirm the reschedule date for this....so, for right now, we just have to hang tight for a few days before we have more info!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
First snow fall...
So, today was supposed to be our first orientation class. Mother Nature had other plans. After going this far into the winter with no snow, and almost hitting a record on the latest in the season for a snow fall (not just flurries), today of all days we get SNOW.
It's been snowing here since early this morning (6AM) and it's STILL snowing (at 6PM)!! Needless to say, we got a call around 11AM from our case worker letting us know that they were canceling tonight's class. :(
As much as I love snow days, I'm going to pray that next Thursday there is NO SNOW!!! I want to get this ball rolling!!!!
It's been snowing here since early this morning (6AM) and it's STILL snowing (at 6PM)!! Needless to say, we got a call around 11AM from our case worker letting us know that they were canceling tonight's class. :(
As much as I love snow days, I'm going to pray that next Thursday there is NO SNOW!!! I want to get this ball rolling!!!!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The checklist
Let the whirlwind begin! Our first of two orientation classes begins tomorrow night. How am I feeling? Nervous. Excited. Happy. Scared. A lot of feelings are running through my veins!
We have a checklist of things that we need to bring with us tomorrow night. I've just about got them all ready and in a folder:
We have a checklist of things that we need to bring with us tomorrow night. I've just about got them all ready and in a folder:
- Copy of marriage certificate
- First page of most recent US 1040 tax form
- Proof of pet inoculations
- Proof of life insurance
- Photo of the two of us
- Check for payment of orientation classes
We had to scramble to get a photo of the two of us together. I'm not one for being in FRONT of the camera, since I'm an aspiring photographer, I'd much rather be TAKING the pictures...so the last decent photo of the two of us together was (gasp) 5 years ago?! So, mom came over during Rob's dinner break to take a couple quick snapshots. I just uploaded them to walgreens.com (another taboo thing for this photographer), and Rob will be picking them up tomorrow afternoon! I know you're curious...so, I won't keep you in suspense any longer....here's the dang the photo! Say cheese!!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Where do I begin?
I've decided to start a family blog with high hopes of sharing exciting news in the future...the way off future.
As most of you who will read this know, Rob and I have been married for 8 years (together for 10). My dream has always been to be a mom. Plain and simple. That's all I really cared about...not a fabulous career, not a fancy house, not a glamorous lifestyle. I just wanted to be a mom!!!
Only a few short months after we got married, we began a journey to start a family. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what a long, difficult, and often times painful road that would lead us down.
After almost a full year of trying, I finally consulted with my doctor. That brought on a battery of tests, taking my temperature every morning to chart my cycles, fertility drugs, and eventually being referred on to a fertility specialist. After consulting with the specialist, and getting approval from insurance, we started down thewild scary road of IVF. Many doctor appointments, medications which included the use of many needles (my fears of needles disappeared after giving myself way too many dang shots!), sonograms, sleepless nights, night sweats, CRAZY hormones...and three, yes THREE, rounds of IVF later - we are still battling the scars of unexplained infertility.
After deciding that I no longer wanted to go through the stress of IVF - we decided it was time to quit....
About a year after our last round of IVF, a dear friend put us in touch with a family that had two adorable little girls who's mother was young and had pretty much abandoned them (leaving them in the care of family) and she had agreed to let us adopt them. As we geared up for the potential of adopting these beauties, we spent a great deal of time getting to know them and their extended family (minus the mother), things were starting to look up for us - or so we thought. That happiness did not last long...just as we were about to begin the initial paperwork with the attorney and court system, the mom came back in the picture and announced that she had changed her mind. Many tears and a couple years later, our hearts still ache with the sadness of our empty house.
As we've sat back and pondered our future without the giggles, rumblings, hugs & kisses of children in our home...many conversations (and sometimes squabbles) later, we've decided to once again venture down the road to adoption. This time through an agency. This time with, hopefully, a joyous outcome!
With that being said...we've had 2 meetings already with Catholic Charities in Peoria, IL. We have a wonderful caseworker and we are set to begin the group Orientation Classes next week for their domestic infant adoption program...I don't think I could be more nervous, or excited! I just hope and pray that things go our way on this journey "To Fill This House"!!!!
With much love,
Kendra
As most of you who will read this know, Rob and I have been married for 8 years (together for 10). My dream has always been to be a mom. Plain and simple. That's all I really cared about...not a fabulous career, not a fancy house, not a glamorous lifestyle. I just wanted to be a mom!!!
Only a few short months after we got married, we began a journey to start a family. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined what a long, difficult, and often times painful road that would lead us down.
After almost a full year of trying, I finally consulted with my doctor. That brought on a battery of tests, taking my temperature every morning to chart my cycles, fertility drugs, and eventually being referred on to a fertility specialist. After consulting with the specialist, and getting approval from insurance, we started down the
After deciding that I no longer wanted to go through the stress of IVF - we decided it was time to quit....
About a year after our last round of IVF, a dear friend put us in touch with a family that had two adorable little girls who's mother was young and had pretty much abandoned them (leaving them in the care of family) and she had agreed to let us adopt them. As we geared up for the potential of adopting these beauties, we spent a great deal of time getting to know them and their extended family (minus the mother), things were starting to look up for us - or so we thought. That happiness did not last long...just as we were about to begin the initial paperwork with the attorney and court system, the mom came back in the picture and announced that she had changed her mind. Many tears and a couple years later, our hearts still ache with the sadness of our empty house.
As we've sat back and pondered our future without the giggles, rumblings, hugs & kisses of children in our home...many conversations (and sometimes squabbles) later, we've decided to once again venture down the road to adoption. This time through an agency. This time with, hopefully, a joyous outcome!
With that being said...we've had 2 meetings already with Catholic Charities in Peoria, IL. We have a wonderful caseworker and we are set to begin the group Orientation Classes next week for their domestic infant adoption program...I don't think I could be more nervous, or excited! I just hope and pray that things go our way on this journey "To Fill This House"!!!!
With much love,
Kendra
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