[lilyiniowa]

Oh yes, our lives have changed dramatically. But I love it and wouldn't change a thing. Their sister A arrived here on the 2nd of August. Being 9 she has been more challenging than the boys, but we expected that. My days are very hectic now and I am no longer a night owl. LOL

Hubby and I are really enjoying them

Sorry it took so long to get back my puter was broke again

[eightnotenough]

Well there hasnt been a post lately from us Iowans so I thought I would update everyone as to where DH and I are at. We just finished our 5th MAPP class and 5 more to go.... They are going by so fast. But also very informational. Our First homestudy visit is this coming tuesday and I have to say Iam very nervous. I think it is the fear of the unknown. We are looking for a 0-3 child , I have three bio boys so a girl would be cool but a little boy would be nice as well, I would really like to adopt a premiee or a drug exposed infant. any one have advice? Iam hitting this waiting point that is driving me crazy,

Thanks for listening
Lori

[beeba7597]

The homestudy is a piece of cake. They just come in and ask you some questions and then they take a look around the house. Nothing to worry about. My husband and I just completed our MAPP classes on the 7th. We have had a child in our home since May 28th which we brought him home from the hospital. He was a drug exposed child in the womb for 7 1/2 months of the pregnancy. He is very lucky. He does not have any symptoms of the drugs right now. We will probably see the symptoms as he gets older. We are hoping to adopt him but bio mom is fighting for all of her kids. There are more and more infants that come into the system right out of the hospital so good luck.

[eightnotenough]

Thanks for the reply. I hope things go well for you with your little one. It is sad in one way that there are more babies out there, good for us, I guess maybe the right little one will be here soon.
BEEBA - are you foster/adopting? My DH and I are looking to just adopt but not sure yet ... any advice.?

Thanks
Lori

[Bosley]

Ladies, I applaud you for the role you are taking in the lives of children! As my children get older, my DH and I will discuss becoming foster parents as well. There is a soft place in my heart for troubled youth, and my best friend was once placed in a foster home when we were teens (the happiest she was during high school).

Good luck to you all and God Bless

[beeba7597]

We are fostering to adopt! I know it is gonna be hard when the child might go back to the bio parents but that is something that we are gonna have to deal with. Hope for the best.

[Mysticah]

Hi all!

I just found this thread and I am hoping I can chime in! I have been spending my time over on the other side where everyone is getting babies placed with them thru private adoptions.

A little about me............We have adopted 1 girl from DHS. It has been 5 yrs now. We don't do foster-adopt because we just can't handle them being here, getting attached and leaving us.

In March we finished our last PS-MAPP class to do the adoption thru the state all over again! In the time we started this process Jan-now........some friends have adopted their 6 international child. So this waiting on the state is driving me crazy!

We were approved in July and so far, nothing. I have sent out homestudy to a few counties and nothing. So we wait.

Our daughter is 11 now. (Almost 12) We have been through everything imaginable with her...........so we waited until things straightened out before we tried it again.

I'm glad I found this thread!

[beeba7597]

MYSTICAH

What age range are you wanting to adopt. That might be the the biggest hold up!

Beeba

[Mysticah]

0-6 years old. Our daughter was 6 and we felt that was 'too old'. She had so much happen to her prior to that age. We want to try to get to them earlier........................... Try.

We have been through so much with her, that is why we waited 5 yrs to try again. I have been exhausted from what she put us through. We had to wait until we were totally ready to do it again.

[beeba7597]

MYSTICAH

Well that should be a big enough age range to where there are a lot of kids out there to adopt. It all depends on who you are working with at DHS. Some are really good to work with and some are not so good. Here are a few websites that our worker gave us on kids that need adopted. www.iakids.org and www. adoptuskids.com I have checked out both websites and they are really good ones. On adoptuskids, they want you to register so they can match you with the best child that will fit into your family. Hope this helps out some.


BEEBA

[Mysticah]

I watch iakids.org all the time. Our dd was never posted on there, so there are many that are not listed. I did inquire about a little boy. When I inquired, the sw said she had a placement and was trying to get his pic removed for some time now.........

Thanks for the thoughts............believe me, I've been there, done that. I should be a pro the second time around! lol

[eightnotenough]

I have to admit it is really nice to be able to chat with people who have or are going through the same as my DH and I. We have our 6th MAPP meeting tonight and then our 1st visit from the SW for our homestudy tomorrow night. We started this process in May and so far it seems like it has been moving fairly quickly but now that it is getting closer to the end of the class and knowing that there will be who knows how long of a wait afterthat is starting to drive me crazy. I live in Linn county so Iam not sure how quickly things move after the classes are done.
My DH and I also just want to adopt I know we would get wait to attached and lose the focus of the foster Parents responsibilities.

I will keep you posted as to what is happening hope you do the same.

Lori

[Bosley]

Do any of you ladies live in the vicinity of Waverly, IA? I was born and adopted from there June 29, 1969 and am currently searching for inforamtion on my bparents (does the name Eckhart ring any bells with anybody)?

[Mysticah]

Bosley, sorry not near Waverly. I am in Cerro Gordo County. I have heard the name Eckhart, but I am not sure where or who.

Eightnotenough, good luck in your classes! You are lucky they have them thru the summer down there! Ours are fall and spring only. Do you have other children at this point?

[beeba7597]

Bosley

Sorry I am born and raised in Warren county. My best friend, her family is in Waverly. I will ask her if that name sounds familar. Good Luck finding your bio family.