[JL Cauling]

I'm hoping the Ohio worker will see the light, but I'm also not sure we can trust her at this point. KWIM?

[JL Cauling]

Last week we went to Ohio and were presented with the child I mentioned previously. So far we really like what we are hearing.

We are close to making a decision hopefully we will know by mid week!!

Prayers, positive thoughts and crossed fingers are appreciated

[itznett]

Including you in my prayers....hope all goes well.
Nett

[Grrltrouble]

that's great jl! i'm sending all manner of good vibes your way as you decide.

[szypzz]

I'm so glad to hear that things are moving for you. Best of luck and you're all in our prayers.

[JL Cauling]

I appreciate all of the good wishes! I will keep you posted!

[JL Cauling]

We decided that we are going to take him! Our first meeting with him is this Sunday. We are taking him and his foster mother out to dinner. We thought that would be a good way for him to get to know us, while feeling secure with his foster mom AND seeing that we are all interested in his well being.

We're very excited!

Also, if you have any ideas for ways to spend the day with him while in toledo, OH in the winter, we are open to suggestions!!

[mckenna]

how exciting, i am so happy for you! i know this has been a long journey, and it is just beginning. that is great you are taking the foster parents out too, that will be a great way to break the ice.

[itznett]

That is super. I wish you all the best. Keep us posted

[szypzz]

This is such great news! Taking the foster mom is a very nice idea.

One idea for Toledo is to go to COSI. It's a children's hands on science institute. It is very cool and they're are many activities to choose from. We took our 10-year-old daughter, our 7-year-old son, and my 22-year-old Down's Syndrome sister-in-law and each one had a great time. My husband and I had a great time too. There's a mini rock wall, a sports center with many different activites (like timing how fast you run, figuring out your vertical leap, seeing how long you can balance on one foot), an optical illusion center (with a strobe light room where your shadow stays on the wall, a room where all the portions look correct but really it's all on a slant) and tons more.

If you need anymore information, just let me know. And congrats again!

[Grrltrouble]

finished homestudy at end of november with a contract worker that the agency hired. STILL have not seen it. i have had one voicemail from "my" social worker more than a month ago telling me that i'm approved but they have revisions to do. and that, i believe, only because i left messages with her and the director. (squeeky wheel, right?) i'm getting very frustrated.
what is the etiquette or process of changing agencies? if i pry my homestudy out of their hands, can i go to another place? i really liked this one until i realized that their slow process was going to be this slow. they all receive state money for doing homestudies, etc., right? if i left, it wouldn't somehow be screwing my original agency would it?
or is this typical of the treatment i would get anywhere? i know that adoption is a slow process, but i've pretty much lost trust that i am even going to ever be put into the pool of waiting families at this place. i'v never even talked to my social worker. how would she know whether or not i would be perfect for a particular kid? any thoughts on what i should be doing?

[itznett]

Hi there,
Not really sure what to tell you. I am also not sure why they are making revisions without your concent. I had to read and sign my homstudy whenit was completed and there have never been any changes to it without without me knowing about it and re-signing.

I would try and contact the supervisor of the agency to see if you can get some answers.

As for changing agencies. I'm not sure how that works. Even if you manage to get a copy of the one you have now, another agency may want to do their own. Sorry I haven't been much help. Keep us posted and keep your chin up.

[thewatsonelf]

I have to tell you all I have so enjoyed reading this thread! I am from MI as well, Livingston County. My DH and I adopted an infant girl instate this summer.

What is it with Ohio, anyway? We know they hate Michigan drivers, but they sure seem very adoption unfriendly as well!

[itznett]

Nice to have to aboard Lisa. Have a great day!
Nett

[Grrltrouble]

ok. i feel better. i left my worker a very freaked out msg a couple of days ago. she called back and we talked and she's coming over in a couple of weeks. we'll finish everything up. apparently i've been on the waiting families list for a while, even though i don't have a copy of my homestudy yet. so it's all good. she told me to breathe. hahahahaha