[JewelMarie]

I usually don't post on this thread but I recently found it and the information here is quite useful. I was just matched with a 9 year old girl. I am enjoying reading all the information to keep building on all the questions which I have. I am quite excited.

[momofmykids]

Congrats, JewelMarie! It touches my heart when someone is willing to take an older child.

God bless you!
Mark 9:37

[Elissa1111]

Congratulations on your match! Best wishes for you on this amazing journey.

Elissa

[allboys4me]

best of luck. If you dont mind me asking how long did it take before you had your child? Are you adopting her or fostering? thanks
KS

[JewelMarie]

Allboy: I am adopting her. I don't know how long it will take. I am adopting her through the foster care system. I have disclosure meetings to attend before visits start.
I started to whole process in August 2003, and got matched in Dec. 2004.

[Dmommab]

Congratulations!!!!!

[tlc4kidz]

YIPPEEEE!! What a gift for you and for her!!!

[JewelMarie]

I have A's room ready; it gave me something to do this past weekend, to clean house and get the room ready. Spoke to my cw today briefly, she kept telling me to focus on the disclosure meetings rather than having the room ready. I know she wants me to just think about the next stage, but what's wrong with looking ahead and putting things together. I am focus on the meetings, and will find out tomorrow as to the date; hope they are able to confirm the dates for the original date they give me. I guess I am just wanting to think ahead and imagine what it will be like. All I can do is imagine and I don't think that I will even come close to what will actually happen. I have to review the file tonight and sort through all my questions to ask cw tomorrow. I am just excited and now that I am off for a couple weeks, I have time to think. I asked my cw this morning if all of this is for real. She said yes. lol.... I don't think the reality will hit on another level until I need her, then when she comes home it will hit on another level. I am just excited; don't know what to do with my excitement, but that is alright.

[Lorraine123]

Congratulations! How exciting!! If you have any questions as you go through the file, feel free to ask us. Many of us have been right where you are....

[JewelMarie]

The meetings are set for next week. Yippeee, I am so excited! Praise God.

[sfbaymom2000]

Congratulations!

We were matched two weeks ago, and M has been home now for a week. It is a wonderful time, and very exciting, but very draining and exhausting. Line up whatever help you can (meals, errands, etc), and be prepared to let a lot of things fall by the wayside. My house is always "lived in" but now it is constantly like a tonado went through!

Did you make a photo album for the child? Ours showed our cat and had her narrate the book "My name is T...and I would like you to meet my family..." It showed pic's of us, our house from the front, yard, playroom, M's room. She really enjoyed looking at it at the foster home in between visits.

Also, we were advised to bring an interactive gift for the first vist, something we would do with her. It worked great!

For the presentations be sure to aske tons of questions and ask to speak to the current foster mom. Good luck to you!

[JewelMarie]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay. I was away since last week Thursday and now I am in the city visiting my daughter. We have the 8 hours disclosure meetings yesterday. Today, I met my daughter for the first time ever. What a meeting and visit. We chatted about her interest, laughted a lot, put together one of the puzzles I gave her and hugged. Yes, we hugged! It was amazing. I will never take these clothes off again! lol. Anyway, visit two is tonight, a swim trip. Visit three might be tomorrow morning; then I return home. It will take about a 4 to 6 weeks transition time before she moves home permanently. I am good with all of that; it gives us time to gradually ease into things. Oh after she moves home, it will take another 6 months to finalize the adoption.

Well I need to go and rest. I will keep you posted. I am still in awe and shock. Oh by the way, she saw the album and there is another for her still to see.

Jewel

[bjolly]

congratulations, Jewel! how exciting! I'm so glad it's going well.

Beth

[mommyoftwo]

Jewel...Im so glad that things are going well. Rest up and enjoy the time with your daughter!!!

[lambeausam]

Jewel, I am so glad things are going well this far. How long does it take for you to get to where she is living?

Sam