[Jerry]

I haven't checked in for some time. Between work and home we've just been swamped with things to do!!LOL!! I wanted to let you all know how we're doing now.
We picked up the girls Saturday and they are now here permanently. For an interstate adoption placement it did move quickly. We have spent a lot of time and money traveling back and forth to WV to visit with the girls (1200 mile 4 day trips). They did visit us on Mother's Day weekend. Everything has gone well with appropriate concerns and fears on their part. We have talked extensively with their fosterparents (both of whom are just wondeful folks) and have learned a great deal about the girls. I was concerned about ICPC taking a long time to approve the placement, so after we had decided to move forward and WV sent their ICPC office the paperwork I decided to track down our state contact for ICPC. As it turns out this was a good move. What can typically happen (at least in our state) is the state office does not have current data in your file, if they have your file at all. Our state only had our origional homestudy from almost five years ago. I was able to locate the ICPC contact through state databases and called him. I explained who I was and asked about the ICPC placement process. He was very helpful and said he had set up with a private agency to do another homestudy since ours was so old....hmmmm. I explained that we had kept our home open and current and was confused as to why he would identify us as needing another homestudy. He was unaware that we were still active and I told him that I would have our local office FAX our updates to him that day. I checked in a few days later and he had received the updates and we were "good to go" on our end. He only needed some info from WV. I called the girls cw and she said she had received the info request from her ICPC office. Since there was quite a bit of info required it would take her a few days. She let me know on one of our visits she had completed the info request and would FAX it that day (Saturday) as well as send it back through her ICPC office. I called our ICPC office when we returned and he pulled the file to find the FAX. He said he would call me back later that day. He called back in less than an hour and said he had everything he needed to approve. He couldn't FAX the ICPC document, but he would call the ICPC office in WV and give them verbal approval. This all took less than three weeks.
We have a very good relationship with our local office and they have been very helpful throughout this process. I think that good relationship has gone a long way throughout making this move along so well.
We certainly aren't the best or the worst foster adopt parents, but we do work hard at keeping the lines of communication open with those that can help us and our children.
As far as the girls go we're entering the "fit," or "everyone finding their place" stage. We'll move slowly allowing the girls to get comfortable with their new home and family, as well as allowing us to get that "comfy old jeans feel" for our new family. It will take time, patience and understanding for the next few years, but we feel very good about the girls and their issues. Not to say their behavior is above reproach, but we can manage it.
I don't like being called by my first name, but it's not fair to "make" them call me Dad" when they don't feel like I'm Dad. So, that's the first milestone I have on my little internal chart. When they do start calling my Dad, I'll know we're on our way! The oldest does on and off, but the youngest will take time. Her FP said it took almost 4 months before they heard "Daddy."
That's where we're at here. It's going well. We were able to facilitate a fairly quick interstate placement. I can only say that after talking with the key players it did work because we were able to communicate our needs and support their requirements. thought this might help someone facing the similar circumstances.

[lambeausam]

Glad to hear the girls are finally home. I wish all of you the best!

[Dianna]

Hooray!!! So glad things are going well for your family Jerry at long last. I guess everything happens in its time. Very Best Wishes.

[po]

so happy for you. Those girls don't realize how lucky they are to have parents like you and the Misses. I think it takes at least 6 months to get kids really comfortable. Some will call you mom and dad from the first day and we have had some that did not call us anything. I think we are past the age to adopt, but fostering works for us. I wish everyone the best in their quest to adopt. Our foster placement has been here for 8 months. She has been in care 15 out of the last 17 months. Lots of things to work through yet.

[Katey]

Jerry, Mrs. Jerry, and family,

Congratulations!! and continued good wishes. KC