[Brat]

Thank you, Red and Cathy. I'm relatively new here, but I think you should be able to post wherever you want. This is forum is for support of AA parents, and that's what you just did!

Yes, I am feeling better today, Red! I spoke to someone at the agency we are applying with, and it seems that things are moving along. It's all God's timing, and I really wish I could learn to rest in that. When I read stories like yours, I realize that I need to learn to roll with the punches. You're one strong lady!

[joymom]

Personally, I'm a big fan of "SHOPPING THERAPY". I always felt that buying a few things was my version of "nesting". Actually, I kinda got pushed into it because friends/family gave us 2 showers before our eldest arrived! This time, (#3!), we're doing the "practical" (clothes ready, bassinet, etc) just in case, but not so much decorating. I've splurged on a couple of outfits and it makes my heart beat faster as I go through the check-out line because I feel like I have the most wonderful 'secret'.... I'm shopping for our daughter!

[toni7]

Hi just wanted to share - we have our nursery set, our car seat ready (not in the car) and clothes in the armoir - We read in Raising an adopted child that getting the nursery ready was healthy and wise for it is embraching the child to come. Even though we have had one adoption fall through there are no regrets - I look forward to the day God brings us our child...

[derwil629]

I totally agree..We've decided to try IVF one cycle,but we too are getting a nursery together...like I said earlier on this post the average couple starts buying things for the baby as soon as they leave the doctors office..it starts off with small things and you work your way up to the big things like cribs,stroller etc..so whats so different with adoption..I feel adoption should be looked at just like a regular birth..you are pregnant 9 months almost as long as it may take to be placed with a baby through adoption,you start bonding with the unknown child immediately... the same should go for an adopted child...Embrace the whole parenting experience,don't leave anything out...shopping for the child,baby shower,announcements everything..this is going to be your baby..have a little fun

[toni7]

Thanks for your post and congratulations with your IVF cycle - if you have any questions are thoughts while you are going through the experience let me know - I actually not only have been through it, but also worked for a intfertility center

[crysmith]

Brat:

I just wanted to encourage you to hold on....

As I mentioned earlier my homestudy isn't anywhere near over and I don't know how long it will take to be placed, but I know that IT WILL HAPPEN!! The same applies to you.

I am believing and praying for ALL OF US! I just finished registering at Target, I have a stack of books "ready to read" to my new baby and I think I've printed everything possible about discipline, raising adopted kids, etc... from the internet :-)

Claim it...and it is yours....I pray that you will be filled with joy and excitement about the blessings coming your way!!!

GET READY!

[Brat]

Thank you so much for your post! It is confirmation to me that God is in control of our adoption process. Here you are encouraging me again, just at the right time, just as you did several days ago. You see, today, we had our first homestudy interview and this is exactly what I needed to hear. I am cautious yet happy, and have never felt closer to having our baby before. My husband was sitting in the living room once we got home, and I actually started to say to him, "What about names?" But I just couldn't go there yet....

Thank you, again, for reaching out to me!

God's timing is amazing, huh?

[ren]

Hi Brat,

Yes, God's timing is truly amazing. I am so grateful to be able to read your posts and know that I am not the only feeling the emotions that I do. I will definitely be praying for you. This week is the last interview to complete our homestudy. I am very excited but I haven't even chosen an agency!!! Anyway, like crysmith said, it will happen. We will all just keep praying and believing.

Renae

[mamacrina]

So glad I found this thread. Here I sit, sad, forlorn, probably with my lip out, feeling sorry for myself. We just got (unofficially) approved and immediately hit the photo listing in our state. Found two sweet little girls...and when the sw called about them, they were both placed. Sigh. I am happy for the little ones, though.

But the nursery has been finished for two months. :0) Painted, decorated, complete with daybed and a crib. I love it. When I sit on the daybed, I can see me rocking my child, or reading her to sleep. I have bought various sized clothes from ebay, and lots of cloth diapers and covers from all over the internet (cause I am set on cloth diapering). When another package arrives, I am excited to have something, anything that signifies that a baby will be here soon.

So, thank you for the encouraging words and the "ok" to go ahead and dream!

Hugs to you all, Crina

[crysmith]

We all need encouragement sometimes, that's normal. I know that we will all be blessed with the baby "just for us". The waiting is the hardest part but think of the wonderful gift at the end when our baby arrives.

The hardest thing about the process of adoption is that so many things are "out of our hands". I don't know about you all, but I am definitely someone who likes to have "control" over my life. What this process has taught me, and is still teaching me, is that I must be patient and trust that God has the power to move mountains. I've done all that I was supposed to do (the paperwork) and the rest is out of my hands.

Wishing you all true miracles and blessings! :-)

[May4u2nvme]

I am so excited I just had to share the news. We had pretty much finished the nursery a few months ago. But we have since made some changes and re-did closets and put in new doors through out the house. Hopefullly tonight my HD will be able to texture the new closets, and tomorow I can re-paint them. Also since we have decided to try and adopt a infant and a toddler we remodled our family to include the office in it, and free up a room for a toddler. So now I can start decorating the "toddler room" wich I think will help ease the wait. We are almost there, we have finally finished all of our classes, and we are going to send in our paper work this week (after I make sone final copies) Once our paper work is in all we have to do is wait for our home study wich I have been told will be complete with in a month. Then we just need to go through the lists of waiting kids in our state, and find our babies. I am so happy I just needed to share. For me especially it has been easier to be able to start on the nursery and at least be able to walk by and see that we are in route- to being pareants, and that we are ready. God bless you all.

May