Hey all.
I figured I'd drop in and give you an update. We're the ones that are adopting from TX, but live in NC. We are adopting 5 more kids, in addition to our 3 bio. I'll have 8 kids under the age of 11. Why does this make me so giddy?!?!?
I suprised my husband at the airport (just getting back from a TDY-temporary deployment-he's US Air Force) with a pack of cigars and the kids' pictures. The reaction was great. He teared up and all of his troops were shaking his hand and giving him hugs. They all knew he was waiting for a call about them while being gone.
So, we got selected on Feb. 5th from the staffing. The childrens' BOX of information got mailed to our social worker soon after. We recieved the info on Feb.15th. We sat down and devoured it, and feel like we know more about our kids now, and what they've been through. I did have a couple of questions, about sexual activity being written up. I felt that the kids were just goofing off, and being written up for it (example- one girl was written up for wiggling her but while dancing, without having permission to do so). In my eye, it looked as if the foster mom was somewhat uptight. but i wanted to make sure what the situation was, and not just my heart wanting these kids. does that make sense?
the call with the kids' worker went fantastically. it really eased a lot of my fears. I feel more comfortable, more confident in the fact that this was a good match. I am trying to stay on the optimistic side, that the kids will really do well here at our house.
So, after we read the profiles, we called back with a "definite yes." And now the ICPC paperwork will start. they won't let us visit them until it has gone through. I asked how long of a wait...she said they hope to get papers submitted FROM TX to NC by the 28th, and then the wait begins.
Anybody know how fast NC works with ICPC. I've heard that it used to be slow, but has gotten tremendously better?
Yes, Tx wants 3 visits still. However, we found out that they can move along rather smoothly, if everybody isdoing well. that's the kicker. IF everyone is adjusting and handling it all well, then they can all take place simultaneously technically. One visit has to be an afternoon visit, when you first meet the kids. THe 2nd visit has to be an overnight visit (BTW...anybody have any pointers on how to do 8 kids and 2 adults in a hotel? we have an RV, but i doubt they'll let us use that). and the 3rd visit has to be out here to our house in NC. The first and the second visit usually take place over the same weekend. And then she mentioned, that if things were going well, and we were in state, then she'd just let us take the kids home with us for the 3rd visit right then. I told her we'd be okay with that if everyone else is (the state and the psych state of the kids). So that is a possibility she says. She really thinks they are going to do well out here and with us, so she is preparing for this all to go rather fast, if we are okay with it. No sense in dragging it out if we are ready for them to come, and the kids are ready to go with us.
So right now, we are running around like chickens' with our heads cut off.
making bookshelves, coat racks, buying more bikes, husband is going to make bunk beds next weekend....i'm nesting/spring cleaning x 10! cleaning out closets, and making space wherever we can find it.
So, right now we wait on ICPC paperwork to get sent to NC, have it received, and then a go ahead to plan our first visit. If the paperwork gets to NC by the 28th, then I'm thinking we'll possibly meet our kids (and then the possibility of taking them hometoo) durring the 2nd or 3rd week of March.