[Jenkay]

Hi Kelli

Yes we met her this past weekend. We spent a few hours with her on Friday night and all day Sunday with her. Great kid. Very shy but she started opening up later in the day. She had her gaurd up at the foster home but by the end of the day Sunday it was gone. As soon as we took her home it came right back. It will take time.

I would think fostering first would be great because then you would get to know them without the pressure of deciding before you know them. However the TPR process is so unpredictable that might be difficult to go through, but I'm finding there is no easy way. R's file was very repetitive and somewhat vague and hard to read so I'm not sure how much we really get out of those anyway.

[Mommy2NoneHopefully1]

Well, they sent out a small little life summary to the top 3 families that were up for him to make sure we wanted to procede. It was NOT de-identified. It had his last name clear as day. My 11 year old brother was also adopted thru CPS & his "De-identified" file had his parents last names along with siblings. So it seems like a waste to me but I understand. The thought of him waiting is bad. But he's not 10 like YOURS thats just devastating to a childs heart & ego. It makes me sad. Im trying to be happy, but my heart breaks to bring him home. I have 2 photos that are from his original broadcast in May, I kept all the broadcasts. Thats the only reason I know what he looks like. Its just hard to wait to get that call. Then wait to read his file, then wait to talk to the foster family & his case worker. Then wait to meet him, then wait for permanent placement. I just try to remember how I felt when I wasn't matched & thats all I wanted. But i guess those feelings change. Friday will be 2 weeks & still not a photo, nothing. Not even an estimate on the file.

[athikers]

We pulling double duty... as we wait to finalize on our daughter we are submitting homestudies for our future son. There is a matching meeting tomorrow for the child we think will be ours... we shall see

[rascalchico]

Hi. I am so glad this thread was started. I have been trying to get licensed since the beginning of this year. SIGH. I had all of my paperwork and PRIDE training done by March. However, I just was assigned a caseworker and will have my final visit this Friday, October 24th. I have my rooms ready, a nursery ready, everything I can think of. I am hoping to adopt a sibling set from foster care, hopefully 2 little girls. I would also consider a little boy. I would love to have an infant in the configuration. I cannot concieve children and my lifelong dream has been to be a mother. I want to be a mom so bad. I am hoping that I can become one by the holidays.

January 2008-started the adoption process
March 2008-finished all paperwork and PRIDE training
October 2008-assigned a caseworker and completion of homestudy
And now I pray, dream and wait.....

[rascalchico]

Hi. I am so glad this thread was started. I have been trying to get licensed since the beginning of this year. SIGH. I had all of my paperwork and PRIDE training done by March. However, I just was assigned a caseworker and will have my final visit this Friday, October 24th. I have my rooms ready, a nursery ready, everything I can think of. I am hoping to adopt a sibling set from foster care, hopefully 2 little girls. I would also consider a little boy. I would love to have an infant in the configuration. I cannot concieve children and my lifelong dream has been to be a mother. I want to be a mom so bad. I am hoping that I can become one by the holidays!

[athikers]

We're matched!!! Now we're waiting for the disclosure

[irelady10]

I've been following this thread for awhile now...now i can finally post some amazing news! my fs's bios signed an identified surrender today, naming me as the one to adopt the baby...I am overjoyed!! He has been with me his entire life (minus 10 days) and its feels-well, i don't really have words to explain how it feels- to know that this baby, in a few short months, will officially, legally, lovingly be my forever son!!!

[sergekel]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

Yes we met her this past weekend. .

wow. How fun!

I know you were getting cold feet there....do you feel more comfortable moving forward now that you've met her?

Yeah, I can see the shyness...especially in an older kid like that. My 10-year old is way into board games and stuff...which could be helpful for you if she likes them. They're a great way to break the ice and get a few laughs.

It can get so awkward getting to know someone when the conversation is more or less a quiz, "How's school??....Tell me about your friends...what do you want to be when you grow up...what do you like to do??"

When do you get to visit again?/ What happens now?

[sergekel]

Welcome and here's hoping for little ones by Holiday time!!

[sergekel]

Originally Posted by athikers

We're matched!!! Now we're waiting for the disclosure

Oh, I am so happy for you!!!

Hope all the red tape goes very quickly for you so your family can be together very, very soon...

[sergekel]

Originally Posted by irelady10

in a few short months, will officially, legally, lovingly be my forever son!!!

Hooray!! congratulations!!

[crystalp]

Hi everyone! I'd like to join this thread, if I could. We are doing foster to adopt (not straight adoption), and have been licensed and waiting for a placement for over 2 months. We are open to up to 2 kids ages 2 and under. It looks like you all are doing straight adoption, so if this isn't the thread for me just tell me.

[HappyHopefulMommy]

crystal - I have been thinking of you and hoping you get a placement soon. I know it can be SO frustrating to wait. This is a great thread. Some of us are doing foster to adopt, not just straight adopt. Even though our kids birth parents have all been TPR'd, they are still "foster" for now.

[crystalp]

Thanks Noelle! No news yet. Waiting is just so hard!

[athikers]

We received our son's file... it was actually not as bad as we expected. We are hoping to get down to meet him in three weeks!!! YEAH!!