[sbozer]

My dh and I are are ready to send in our application to LDSFS we are just waiting for our Bishop to give us back his letter so that I can submit them together. I am so excited to get this whole process started!

I am wondering though, how long does it take to be "available" for bmoms to view our profile? Is there any way to speed up that process? Are there things that I should be doing now that will help speed things up? Does AZ require aparents to take classes? I have never done this before, so I am nervous about the long wait. If I can feel like I am doing something to help things along I think that might help.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

S

[S Beck]

Hi S. How exciting for you!! My dh and I were placed with a beautiful daughter three months ago through LDSFS in AZ. While you are waiting to complete your home study you should really start working on your birth parent letter and your portfolio. These two things are what the bparent(s) see when they are choosing the family. Be prayerful as you complete them. I was surprised at how difficult the bparent letter was to complete. Look at the other portfolios on LDSFS website to get some ideas of how to begin.

We asked a lot of people ways to "speed up the process", however, there just isn't a way to do so. Do the paperwork as quickly as possible but be prepared to wait after you have finished.

Good luck to you - and try not to get discouraged. Enjoy these moments and cherish them. You have begun the journey to finding your sweet little one. If you have any questions, I would love to talk to you more - feel free to private message me.

May God Bless You!

S.

[juliehf]

Our situation was a little bit different. We did not go through LDSFS. Our daughter was literally handed to us by her non- LDS mother and then we hired a private attorney to complete the adoption.

I can't be of much help but, I will keep you in our prayers and be patience. It will be you first lesson in patience as a parent!!! Believe me... you will need it!!!

Good Luck!!!

[aspenhall]

After LDSFS recieves all the referral letters from friends/bishop... you are accepted and start the "homestudy" process. after the homestudy process is done, you can be accepted by LDSFS and your profiles will be activated...

Here's where it gets tricky... The 'homestudy" oughta be called a "lifestudy". There is FBI background checks (takes 60-90 days) get started on those... and a 40+ questionaire to be filled out by you and hubby (each seperately). The case worker usually comes out to your house to see your home and brings all the "homestudy" paperwork with her at that time. You must also get medical checkups signed by doctor and fill out a matching sheet.. for example ..what race/age/gender child...and how open are you to downs syndrome, ADD, schizophrenia, Hearing Impairment...etc.... not just in the child, but also the bmom and bdad. Half the things, I'D never HEARD of before. It will depend ALMOST entirely on YOUR ability to get the paperwork done... took me a month just to do the questionaire..took DH 4 months.... Get the FBI check done FIRST THING...it is the only thing you wait on someone else for. Also get your internet profile started. It won't be activated till you are, so use your spare time to work on it and revise it while you wait. Most couples nowdays are chosen vis the internet profile. After you have been accepted and activated, it takes on average 18 months to be chosen for a child...HOWEVER I personally know one couple was picked EVEN BEFORE THEIR HOMESTUDY WAS COMPLETED...and another has been waiting *8* years....

Here is the FIRST few questions on the big questionaire (all essay questions) BTW the only the CW's EVER see these completed....

1. Describe your personality, strengths and weaknesses.
2. Describe your hopes, goals, and aspirations.
3. Describe your spouse’s personality, strengths, and weaknesses.
4. Describe your parents including education, occupation, personality, interests, etc
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I retyped it into microsoft word so that I'd have more space and so that I could edit and make revisons easier.. AND the questions don't get any easier...
The CW's that you will *never* meet use this to "get to know" you (along with your profile) so that they can effectively match you with bparents.... It's important to be completly honest

[sbozer]

Thanks everyone for the helpful advise!I can't wait to get started! I know this will be a test of my ability to wait and wait some more. I am just anxious to meet with LDSFS to get started.

I do not look forward to those questions, that will be tough. I'm sure I will get it done quickly but I do wonder how long it will take dh

Thanks again!
S