The portfolio is finally done and hopefully we should have the final, hands-on book next week!
Both of us would admit that writing and reflecting about ourselves was the most difficult and yet heart-warming project we have done. At the same time I feel that it as invoked emotions in myself that I was not aware of; for myself, my families, Bobby, the birthmother who selects us and our future child.
There is no manual in life yet alone how to begin and deal with an adoption. I feel much stronger about our situtation and our releationship by diving head first into this project and cannot wait until we get the phone call that we have someone that is interested and trusting enough to placce their child with us.
Please know that we believe we have the best families and friends in the world and couldn't do this without you. You guys are always in our thoughts and the first we will call when we move ahead on our newest adventure!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Pictures are like reflecting pools...
What a couple of crazy months it has been!
We have slowly been working on the portfolio and the picture layout is FINALLY done! Not only is the portfolio done but I also have great new photos of my newest niece, Stokley Michelle, but our photos that have been thrown in a giant box are now organized and half are scanned into our computer system. I was amazed at some; how young we look (lol) and the memories that they invoke. Some we seemed so carefree and others are just a reminder of how far we have come.
Last month our family all came up to help get the house ready for our homestudy on the 20th. I was DISGUSTED at how much dust and dirt were behind the stove and washer and dryer. But everyone was a trooper and helped get it presentable. And no, the social worker wasn't going to pull a Mary Poppins; I think I was just nervous about the visit and was taking stress out on the house. It turned out to be a good spring cleaning though! Unfortunately, the snow that weekend pushed the homestudy back to the following week; the 27th.
We were able to have the homestudy on the 27th and it wasn't as bad as we were expecting it to be. When all was said and done; I think we were a little perplexed as to why we couldn't just fill out an application and fax to an agency. She was very nice though and seemed to genuinely care about us and told us that everything would work out and we would make great parents.
We were able to have the homestudy on the 27th and it wasn't as bad as we were expecting it to be. When all was said and done; I think we were a little perplexed as to why we couldn't just fill out an application and fax to an agency. She was very nice though and seemed to genuinely care about us and told us that everything would work out and we would make great parents.
So once the portfolios are completed and we get those in the mail to the attorney and others that we have lined up to help us locate a birth mother; we just have to wait.....and maybe start shopping.....just don't let Bobby know!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Taking our seats-check; seatbelts on-check.....
If the last couple of weeks are any indication as to how this adoption process will be; then we are on the biggest, fastest, wildest rollar coaster ride that we have ever been on!!!!
We started the morning of the 16th off really well; trying to look professional and ourselves all at the same time while we ran around the house trying to finish up before we needed to leave on time to meet with the attorney and her assistant at the law office. As I write, I don't know that we really carried on any sort of converstation regarding how this meeting was going to take place. We parked and then just somewhat stared at the building; not because we were scared or wondering what the hell we were doing; we just couldn't figure out which door to go into! We decided to take the one on the top floor of the parking garage since that seemed like the logical choice; the name of the law firm was on the door. We walk into the office; all business and no fun type faces and then the secretary seemed confused and really nice at the same time; she had us wait in the lobby of the floor. We seemed really intimidated and out of our element then; flat screen on the walls, plush leather seating and magazines arranged ever so and then we just kinda looked at each other with this "oh my God" look on our faces and when we realized we were on the wrong floor; well...we sorta felt like giant asses! Once we were taken downstairs we met with the attorney, Jill Bremyer and her assistant Kathrine.
We listened to her speak about the majority of her work and why she has been doing this for over 25 years. She talked alot about the birth moms and situations that she has run into and described how the process works for her clients. We spent about an hour and half with her learning more about the adoption process and the laws of Kansas and asked questions about certain things that came up along the way. On the way home we talked about the visit and realized that the attorney was right; this will definately be a rollar coaster ride that is different for everyone; there are going to be twist and turns and times we probably will want to throw up and cry but in the end we will be looking forward to getting off and look back and be so thrilled that we got on that special ride and would do it all over again if need be.
With our seatbelts on....the first loop is: portfolio completion and the second loop is: home study!!!!!
We started the morning of the 16th off really well; trying to look professional and ourselves all at the same time while we ran around the house trying to finish up before we needed to leave on time to meet with the attorney and her assistant at the law office. As I write, I don't know that we really carried on any sort of converstation regarding how this meeting was going to take place. We parked and then just somewhat stared at the building; not because we were scared or wondering what the hell we were doing; we just couldn't figure out which door to go into! We decided to take the one on the top floor of the parking garage since that seemed like the logical choice; the name of the law firm was on the door. We walk into the office; all business and no fun type faces and then the secretary seemed confused and really nice at the same time; she had us wait in the lobby of the floor. We seemed really intimidated and out of our element then; flat screen on the walls, plush leather seating and magazines arranged ever so and then we just kinda looked at each other with this "oh my God" look on our faces and when we realized we were on the wrong floor; well...we sorta felt like giant asses! Once we were taken downstairs we met with the attorney, Jill Bremyer and her assistant Kathrine.
We listened to her speak about the majority of her work and why she has been doing this for over 25 years. She talked alot about the birth moms and situations that she has run into and described how the process works for her clients. We spent about an hour and half with her learning more about the adoption process and the laws of Kansas and asked questions about certain things that came up along the way. On the way home we talked about the visit and realized that the attorney was right; this will definately be a rollar coaster ride that is different for everyone; there are going to be twist and turns and times we probably will want to throw up and cry but in the end we will be looking forward to getting off and look back and be so thrilled that we got on that special ride and would do it all over again if need be.
With our seatbelts on....the first loop is: portfolio completion and the second loop is: home study!!!!!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
New Year; New Beginnings
I am struggling at the moment to write my thoughts.
If only the rights words could describe how I felt as well as Bobby on the 30th of January it would sum this entire first entry and the meaning behind the beginning of this blog.
We decided as a couple back in November to look into the adoption process. Over the last couple of months we have been slowly getting information and ideas about the best people to help us with this decision and how to begin. With the help of my older sister and the best mother-in-law in the world; we decided to work with an attorney out of McPherson, Kansas. The only daunting aspect of this journey was the amount of money we would need to save and if this would hold us back any. With a little luck from our tax preparer and a LOT of luck from above, we will have more than enough to start the process.
So, next Tuesday, the 16th of February, we begin our journey down a road that we have chosen in the hopes of bringing home a little son or daughter to add to our family in little tiny Gypsum.
I know the possibilities are endless and we have definitely learned that things happen for a reason. I also know that we will get through this because we have the best families in the world standing right beside us rooting us on as we begin.
If only the rights words could describe how I felt as well as Bobby on the 30th of January it would sum this entire first entry and the meaning behind the beginning of this blog.
We decided as a couple back in November to look into the adoption process. Over the last couple of months we have been slowly getting information and ideas about the best people to help us with this decision and how to begin. With the help of my older sister and the best mother-in-law in the world; we decided to work with an attorney out of McPherson, Kansas. The only daunting aspect of this journey was the amount of money we would need to save and if this would hold us back any. With a little luck from our tax preparer and a LOT of luck from above, we will have more than enough to start the process.
So, next Tuesday, the 16th of February, we begin our journey down a road that we have chosen in the hopes of bringing home a little son or daughter to add to our family in little tiny Gypsum.
I know the possibilities are endless and we have definitely learned that things happen for a reason. I also know that we will get through this because we have the best families in the world standing right beside us rooting us on as we begin.
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