Just checking in to see how everyone is doing!

Any news?

We're still waiting for the supervisor to sign off on our homestudy. I'm getting impatient!

[szypzz]

Sorry I haven't been around much. I thought we were all set and just waiting for our foster care license and a child to be placed, but found out the homestudy is not officially done yet. It made me really down for a while. It's just such a roller coaster of emotion from one day to the next. So currently we are waiting, waiting, waiting.

I checked out some books on raising boys from the library, since we are hoping for a boy. I wanted to see what the "experts" say the difference is. I"m not very far in yet, so I don't have many words of wisdom to share.

tzwc3x - we definitely work at the same place. Where's your office?

Kare - from what I know the first visit should be short and just getting to know each other with you asking for the child to share - life books, etc - and you maybe having a few pictures to bring. Also I've read in several places that other children should NOT be brought on the very first visit. - just mho

Good to catch up with all of you. Glad to see the number of older child adoptees in MI!!!

I thought we were all set and just waiting for our foster care license and a child to be placed, but found out the homestudy is not officially done yet. It made me really down for a while. It's just such a roller coaster of emotion from one day to the next. So currently we are waiting, waiting, waiting.

We're waiting waiting too! Our CW was here last week Monday and said the homestudy was done, all her boss needed to do was sign off on it. It's still not signed off on. I suppose the holiday is slowing things down.

I keep reminding myself not to rush. Our child may not be available yet!

[szypzz]

I know, it's really disappointing none-the-less. But I do think that maybe this is happening for a reason. We really wanted a school age child, so he would be in school. ;-) But with summer vacation starting soon, maybe this is how it's supposed to be...maybe he'll come to us at the end of summer break instead of now. I'm just not good at waiting. Everytime I go passed the room that we have set up I think, shouldn't someone be enjoying this???

Oh well enough of my griping for now.

The homestudy is DONE and APPROVED and the supervisor has signed it!! We are waiting to receive our copy!

[mckenna]

i get so excited when i see a post from jl cauling or szypzz, i can almost see their excitment when they post. i cannot wait to hear that a child has been placed in your homes.

I'm having a down day today and your post really cheered me up.

thanks!

[ndkaff]

My husband and I live in Macomb twp.

[Kare]

It's good to hear Jl Cauling that you have your homestudy done. It's such a good feeling to have that behind you. Now when a child becomes available, you'll be all set.

I want to say that we have finally found a match! He's 13, and we're in the process of coming up with a date to meet his therapist, his social worker, and of course him. They told me that the first visit with him would be short (1/2 hour to an hour). My social worker feels that I can bring my daughter because she is 17.

(My husband graduated from Troy High in the 70's.)

[kpm]

Congradulations Kare! How long did you wait for a match?

My homestudy has been done since February, which is not really very long, but it seems like forever.

It sounds like Troy High School must have been a great place. So many adoptive parents from there.

Keep us updated on your progress.

Happy to hear about your match! I can't wait to hear how the visit goes!

keep us posted!

[Kare]

Our homestudy was completed right before Christmas. It seemed like it was taking forever. The thing that helped me get through it was reading books on parenting the hurt child, attachment, etc. That kept me busy, and also getting the room ready.

I think it helped that we could take in an older child, especially a boy.

Even though the wait seems unbearable, you will get a child and it will definitely be worth it!

DH will NOT let me do anything to the room. I've brought home carpet samples, paint chips, furniture samples. He won't let me do anything. It's making me crazy!

At a minimum, I would like to buy a bed and dresser, paint the room a neutral color and put in new carpeting.

He's probably right about waiting, but it's still tough!

[Kare]

Hello,
We finally have our first visit planned. It's May 12--we'll get to talk to his therapist, social worker, and then we'll get to spend time with him! My social worker has been great. She's told me everything--to send a few pictures now, and then have more of our family, house, town, etc. for the visit. We're also sending a note telling him we're looking forward to this visit, and she mentioned bringing a gift.

We're excited!.

[szypzz]

HOW EXCITING!! Congrats! Let us know how it all goes. I have to admit I'm more than a little jealous.

Any details you can give us, boy or girl, age, ...