[ChelseaCherieL]

I can't explain the emotions I am feeling before I even have went to our first Foster meeting on Dec. 8th. I know that this is a path we will travel, I feel it in my soul.

My name is Angie, and this is my first post. I was adopted when I was 1 month old. My birth mom was 15 and from Colorado. I was born in Ohio and spent the 1st month of my life in fostercare.

I know that to me..now, foster care when I was 1 mth didn't impact me the way it does older children. However...I never..NEVER forgot about the foster parents, I don't remember and will never know. That they had it in there heart to take care of a newborn, to love, care for all to relinguish.

My husband Scott and I have been married 13 years and have 3 boys.

Our dream is to foster to adopt a baby girl. We also have no problem fostering on an emergency base or very short term. If fostering is all we ever do then I know that in my heart that I was fullfilled and gave a child love, care and affection

I am so excited, I can hardly wait for the meeting alone starting the process and getting this rolling. It seems from looking at everyones dates from the time they started the process till placements that it can take almost a YEAR!!! IS that for REAL?

There are many abreviations I do not know if you know them and can help me out, I would be very happy and grateful for that!

[jphollen]

Some people have gotten placements a lot sooner than others. It really depends on your area.

Good luck! I hope things move quickly for you!

[Boulderbabe]

You're in for the best, worst, most fun, hardest, most loving, most bureaucratic thing you've ever done! All of that at once!

How long it takes to be licensed depends on your state, and how speedy your social worker is. But plan on at least six months, what with the FBI background check taking longer now and the classes you'll need to attend.

Good luck! I hope you have a baby to love very soon!

[Jenzebelle]

I'm so glad you put this message up. We are jut getting started too.
About a year ago I had read a magazine article about an older woman who only fostered babies and I thought that there could be no better "job" on earth for me. I haven't had the joy of caring for a little one for several years and I have missed it deeply.

We have two teenagers, and while my daughter is ready to hop on a plane and volunteer at an orphanage in the Ukraine, she wasn't thrilled with the idea of helping others at home. We decided to go forward anyway. We feel it would be good for them to learn about the care of infants, besides working on the whole self-centered thing. They have moved past their objections & my daughter is already getting excited too. It's cute to watch.

Me, myself, I'm about 95% excited, thrilled, & blessed out of my socks, and about 5% scared.

We began with an agency in Los Angeles County and are now working on the BIG stack of application stuff. They list on their website that the process (foster) can take 3 months. I do know living in LA county we have extra class hours and steps, but it will be soooo worth it!

[Withay]

Welcome to all our 'newbies'.

For a list of acronyms used you can click on the 'quick links' button at the upper right side of this page. Go down toward the bottom and there will be the word 'acronyms'. Click on it and you will be taken to a page that lists many of the acronyms used here.

If you can't find one that you are curious about, please don't hesitate to ask. You can start a thread asking about a specific abbreviation or acronym, or PM me or another moderator and we will be happy to help.

[ChelseaCherieL]

It's nice to meet you! I've combed this site endless and it's amazing all the information and stories, what better place to be for resource and honest answers I couldn't sleep last night, this has consumed with withs much positive energy that I"m wide awake!

[csisemore]

It's so good to hear someone else is just beginning like us. We start Dec. 3 This Wednesday!!!! I too am nervous and excited.

We have already completed our paperwork and fingerprints/ background checks.

The question is... What will Wednesday bring?? What will we learn? And who will we meet?

Our last class is Jan 28.

[ChelseaCherieL]

I always loved forums! Such a great way to network and meet others and get honest feedback.
I am going to call the foster place today and see if there is anything I can get started before the informational meeting.

I also want to read up about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, that is a concern of mine when we are looking to foster/adopt a infant. I will also find plenty of information on this board as well I'm sure!