[joskimo]

tomorrow, we travel to where our matched child is at. In the morning we meet with our state for the "full disclosure" meeting. Then early afternoon we meet him, spend the afternoon with him at a Halloween party held at the case management place he gets services, spend the whole weekend with him.

Scared, nervous, excited, nausious, ack!

If all goes well we transition him home in 2 weeks. He doesn't know that date, it's in the pocket to see how it goes and how her processes it.

[DannieAS]

I'll be thinking of you this weekend. I'm going to pack up and stay with my parents for the weekend (yeah they live a whole mile away) since it's Halloween and I don't want to be by myself so may not come back to a.com til Monday or Sunday evening.

I hope things go well. I hope it's the weekend where you really know that this little guy belongs with you!

[parenting-over-40]

Blessings to all involved. We will be thinking about you. Enjoy the weekend and try to just take it all in. Please let us know how it goes.

[crick]

Hope it is going well and your nerves allowed for SOME fun.

Let us know how it went!!!

Dannie....you need a laptop!

[DannieAS]

Originally Posted by crick

Dannie....you need a laptop!

ha ha ha....well my parents do have a computer, however, they are a tad bit more conservative than I in our Religion....so even though I'm a Seventh-Day-Adventist, every so often I'll go online during Sabbath hours (sundown friday-sundown saturday), however, my parents do believe that things like TV, Computer, Newspaper seperate family and good rest...so no "outside family seperating activities" go on at their house during Sabbath hours and I do follow their house rules while I'm there.

It's not that big of a deal, one of the only reasons I stay in my church is because growing up, our family really focused on each other during Sabbath hours...we went to the beach, park, played games at the house etc. so it's actually fond memories for me....plus, now that I'm grown-up it's great to have a religious excuse for why I don't work during the Sabbath....I actually feel like I recharge and get more done during the week this way.

Anyways sorry for going off the OP's topic.....it's Sunday so I hope you come back and update us on how the weekend went.

[chloroxsis]

I suspect you to be emotionally exhausted from the whole weekend, but you will be on cloud nine. I hope it goes well. I hope you come back so in love with your little boy. I'll be looking for your report!

[joskimo]

what an exhausting couple of days! For the most part it went well, he's a sweet guy. He's definitely got issues, but we knew that going into it. The toughest day was Saturday - we had our youngest daughter and him both for the full day - 2 special needs kids on a high-energy day like Halloween, really it was a recipe for disaster. They bickered some, jockied for attention - I think pretty normal stuff, then again, we all have a lot of adjusting to do.

So I'm not feeling too scared off, I feel like if we are aware and can meet his needs head on then we are empowered. I definitely see a little guy who needs a forever family, and he has some sweetness. It was not all smooth sailing, and really I think that's good - if it had been a wonderful weekend with this kiddo who I know has a long list of diagnosis then I would think that would be more troubling.

Tonight he meets with his CM, SW, and clinician. I've asked for a report tomorrow. If all goes well then he moves down 11/16 (yikes!).

By the way, for those of you who helped me come up with a list for the school - thanks! That was a great meeting and one I'd encourage every adoptive parent (of an older child) to do. His case manager has definitely been painting a more rosy picture than the school did, I'm still not scared off, but feel more armed with knowledge. They really do a diservice by making things sound better. What if he has some real issues at school when he moves here? If I didn't meet with the school I might not have known he already has some of those issues and blamed the transition for EVERYTHING. Very interesting.

[DannieAS]

WOW! 11/16 huh? Well I'm just glad that even though it was an exhaustive trip, you feel confident about it. I'm very happy that you had a good meeting with the school.

If after transition you want more IEP support or questions...feel free to pm me.

I'm really rooting for you

[chloroxsis]

You are back! And you have a son coming in two weeks! Congratulations! It sounds like it was a good time, but a very real time. It's good to know what you are getting into. I think you will feel very rewarded when this child begins to blossom in your loving home.

I think going to the school is a great idea. I'm putting that on my list! It never occured to me. And it will certainly help to know what is transition issue and what's just a child issue.

Rest up before your new addition comes. It will be fun to hear you planning for him.

[chloroxsis]

You are back! And you have a son coming in two weeks! Congratulations! It sounds like it was a good time, but a very real time. It's good to know what you are getting into. I think you will feel very rewarded when this child begins to blossom in your loving home.

I think going to the school is a great idea. I'm putting that on my list! It never occured to me. And it will certainly help to know what is transition issue and what's just a child issue.

Rest up before your new addition comes. It will be fun to hear you planning for him.

[parenting-over-40]

Congratulations! So happy for you. Praying the transition goes as smoothly as possible for all.