I'm beginning to feel defeated by all this paper work. As soon as I think I'm finished (remember the exciting post about having five things left to do), I come up with another mile-long To-Do list!
Here's what I'm looking at, in no specific order, really:
-Follow-up with last reference for Love Basket
-Mail Missouri Background Forms (these were forgotten in Packet II)
-Photocopy Adam's CPR Card
-Obtain (read: find) my CPR Card
-Mail copies of both cards to LB
-Follow up with CSI Agent (on October 15th)
-Print Pictorial Essay for our records
-Print Family Autobiography for our records
-Print certificate from Adoption Learning Partners (our online class)
-Send copy of ALP certificate to LB
-Deliver forgotten forms and certificates to CSI (W-2s, Birth Certificates, Marriage License...to be presented at our final Pre-Adoption Home Study meeting)
-Finish LB Adoption Training (Discussion Panel, last part of disk 3)
-Get signatures from Adam (I have a stack of papers for him, it's been awhile...I bet he misses getting stacks of paper from me, you now, because it's so sexy)
-Sign and Send DVD Training Form (says we completed the training via DVD)
-Fill out Contact with Birth Parents worksheet (dun dun dun...)
Okay. That's my list. Hopefully I can tackle most of this over the weekend! I've been working non-stop on moving and can't believe how quickly time is going by while my adoption list grows and grows. I *think about it a LOT...but thinking and doing are NOT the same. (too bad, man).
I've had a million thoughts as I've been *not* doing things on my list and I can't even remember what all has gone through my head. Plenty of times I thought, "ooh, I should blog about this...it's kind of important." And then three days go by and I forget that I wanted to blog about...wait, what was it I was so caught up in yesterday?...So, yeah, that's how it goes when you're moving and adopting, and moving, and selling a house all at the same time.
I DID, however, think (and remember that I thought) about going back to school. There is a psychology class on my list of requirements that I was saving for when I transferred to a University. However, I *can* take it at the community college level. It's a class on child growth and development that I think would teach me an invaluable amount of information regarding the psychology and brain development of our new baby and how to implement the most important measures regarding attachment and bonding. I'm missing out on the first 9 months of this, so we will have some catching up to do from the get-go!
And then I realized, I have so much on my plate....how on EARTH would I handle going back to school right now? "Keep your feet on the ground. Keep your feet on the ground." "When you get bored, grab your To-Do list...don't ADD more hats to your head!"
So, now I'm sane again and dreaming of a day I go back to school. I'm happily dreaming, not feeling like I'm missing out on anything...just realize I miss school. Wait. Yes. Yes, I just said that I miss school. I'm pretty sure it hasn't even been a semester off and I could use at least another year off....but I already miss it. Beeeecause I'm a little bit crazy. But most of you already knew that.
Our gratitude continues as we receive phenomenal support! Please keep praying for us, for our Birth Parents, and for our BABY!!!! Baby Lewis seems so so very close. We're excited, pressing on, and enjoying life while we wait.
Showing posts with label Child Saving Institute Packet II. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Child Saving Institute Packet II. Show all posts
Friday, October 12, 2012
Friday, October 5, 2012
Two for One
I figured since it's been so long between posts that I would give you something else for today. I've been working on our Pictorial Essay and thought I would share a sneak peak. This is page two. I'm planning a similiar set of pages for myself, and then pictures of us together and some of Jovi. The whole project should be no more than 20 images. That's going to be tough with these great photos I have from Jennifer Jayne Photography! But, it can be done! Working on this project has me super excited for our profile book for Birth Mothers to view!
This is a screen shot, so the black on the sides won't be part of this page. The images on this page are all by Jennifer Jayne Photography and the verse in the corner was created by my artsy-tartsy graphic designer BFF, Nicole Koller. Oh, and the cute boy...he is courtesy of Greg and Debbie Lewis. ;)
This is a screen shot, so the black on the sides won't be part of this page. The images on this page are all by Jennifer Jayne Photography and the verse in the corner was created by my artsy-tartsy graphic designer BFF, Nicole Koller. Oh, and the cute boy...he is courtesy of Greg and Debbie Lewis. ;)
Moving Right Along
It's been a little quiet on the blog lately, but more than a little bit busy around the house...and the apartment...and the other apartment...
The house is still in negotiations, but it's empty and everything we own is here in Nebraska!
Our temporary, corporate apartment has been emptied (of the five things we had in there) and keys have been returned.
We are happily settling into our new apartment, which is beautiful (by the way), and things are slowly coming out of boxes, finding a new home. I have the biggest closet and bathroom I've ever had in my life. We have crown molding on our bedroom ceiling, and I'm already on a first-name basis with a maintenance guy who has a 24 hour turn-around policy for work orders. These are all firsts for me...and (in case you can't tell) I'm pretty excited about it!
Our new apartment is mostly brick, on a street facing other apartments (no pool gate, parking lots, or stores in view) and full of big, mature trees that are in full colorful attire for the season! I love moving in the Fall! Before now, we have moved in Winter and haven't had the best of experiences. Compared to those, this move was perfect. :)
Jovi is a pro at moving and finally gave up being anxious about a new place. She has had more "homes" (including doggy camps and hotels) in the last 6 months than I have in the last 10 years! She's happily snuggled and asleep in front of the window, on the arm of the chair, like a cat, as I type this.
Okay, on to adoption stuff. That's what this blog is for!
I've met with our agent from Child Savings Institute and completed my family tree history, talked about my feelings regarding every single even that has occurred in my life and the lives of each and every family member, and talked about how I chose my dog's name. (Remember...I told you I wasn't sure how that meeting was going to go, how relevant it really was, or why half those questions were anyone else's business....but I also said I was done complaining...repeat: I also said I was done complaining....one more time: I also said I was done complaining.) Okay, I'm good now. Moving on...
Most of our paperwork that came in, and then went back out, has arrived at its final destination. A couple references are missing, and a few things on my end are missing. But EVERYTHING government or physician related IS IN!! We had a specific set of documents (fingerprints, background checks, criminal histories) that were expected to take five to eight weeks. EACH of those items came in under three weeks from they day we sent them out!!! We're still ahead of schedule and things are still exciting!
I can't remember how much I've talked about CPR and First Aid training, but it's required for us as adoptive parents. There was a form in packet two that needed to be signed, saying that we attended and completed classes for CPR and First Aid. After a little memory search, a reminder from Adam, and a phone call to the agency...I realized that Adam is already up-to-date for his job. So we can just send in a copy of his card. And while my own certification is expired, it's something I've stayed on top of for the last 10 years and is considered current enough for me to send in a copy of my old card and call it good. Ideally, I will renew my certification soon...but it won't be an issue in the adoption process. (Woo! One less "to-do" on my list!)
On that note, due to my field of profession, we are exempt from taking parenting classes! (Thank you, Jesus! We don't have to spend a Saturday or two listening to some silly lady teach us how to put diapers on a baby doll and take turns giving said baby a bath or checking said baby's temperature with an ear thermometer...I took that class when I was 14, and I could have helped teach it then, too). Despite the exemption, we do have to submit some sort of form stating the important facts like when to call a doctor, what types of situations are considered emergencies, and when to call 911. We also need to list normal vs. fever/alarming body temperatures for a baby, and state our knowledge of basic infant care. So...I will basically copy and paste a chunk of my resume, have Adam add a little chartie-poo and voila. Done. Honey, please sign. AnnndThanks.
On a personal note (you know, because none of this other stuff we've covered for the last three months is at all personal)I've met with an adoption counselor and am establishing a great relationship with her in the midst of all of this paperwork, moving, preparing for a baby, and interviewing with social workers! She has been a priceless resource already and I'm excited to have her in my life right now and for the post-placement days to come.
For the Moment:
I have a long to-do list after touching base with both agents last week. Today, I have followed up on reference letters for both agencies, sent in our Family Autobiography (you know, the 27,000 questions we had to answer...I sent in one agency's, but FORGOT the other....) and am going down my list of last minute items for Packet II.
I need to print a copy of our Family Autobiography for my own records (which happen to be in a pretty three-ring binder with everything in page protectors, and divided by Packet number and categories such as forms, expenses, receipts, etc.)
I need to create our Pictorial Essay (now that I have our desktop and photos at hand, I can do that this weekend!!)
I need to print copies of the Pictorial Essay for Love Basket and one for myself
[Side Note: all this printing means I need to set up my printer in the apartment...after I find it in the back of the closet...which also means setting up my wireless home network so that my printer can communicate with my computer since we opted *not* to buy the $50.00 cable to manually connect the two devices (and breathe...)]
Also on the list is...wait for it....wait...PACKET III! What? Packet III? I thought there was Packet I and Packet II and then a training DVD. (yeah, that's what I thought, too).
Well, guess what! The training "DVD" is actually another folder as big as the last two and is full! "Packet III" (renamed, by Yours Truly, for its actual content) consists of THREE DVDs (about nine hours of viewing pleasure), articles on adoption, articles on parenting, power point slides, and additional handouts...all pieces of the in-person training we chose to opt out of due to the physical distance between us and Love Basket. They literally mail the day's' training to you. This is really nice, and really...a little more than I expected. Looks like "Power Weekend II" went from a weekend for unpacking every last item we own, to ALSO "attending" adoption training in our living room. Woo! Life is back to full speed and crazy to-do lists. Grab the caffeine, the quick dinners, ditch the snooze button and let's go!
Looking Ahead:
Our training is the last part of our paperwork checklist from Packet II. Once that is completed, we sign a form saying as much and send it to Love Basket. The only other form to send in is our Open Adoption Agreement which we will continue to hang onto until the very last second. Our training covers a LOT that will help us make decisions regarding our relationship with our Birth Parents and their relationship with our Baby. I'm looking forward to sorting through those emotions and coming to a peaceful decision about our future as a family of three+.
I think I've covered everything! As I type that very statement, I see a small stack of papers I haven't addressed. Tiny note, but still, I don't want you to think I'm leaving you out of the loop! ;) I need to send copies of our birth certificates, marriage license, and W-2 forms to our Home Study agency. Those forms have been sent to Love Basket already, but they were on the list of requirements for our first Home Study meeting and I had overlooked them. I have them in front of me and our agent is on a two-week vacation. So, they will stay in front of me...or, at least, in this folder that's in front of me, until our final meeting with her.
The (final) Home Study meeting is October 24th! We will cover Adam's family and personal history along with answering questions regarding our parenting philosophy, family traditions, core values, and morals we hope to instill into our children. "What does is mean to be a Lewis? To be in your family...what will it look like?" is the question that was posed when I was provided a mini-prep of what is to come. Alright then...I can do that for you. Thanks for the heads up on such a loaded question! I can't answer that five seconds after you ask. (oh...um...Adam, honey...I forgot to tell you...for our Home Study Meeting in a couple weeks, we need to able to discuss the above content and you need to decide what it means to you, to be a Lewis.) Okay! Now we're both prepared. ;)
Once the meeting is over, our agent will type up a report that summarizes all three meetings (totaling 8 hours spent together), and send it to Love Basket. Our adoption agent will review the Home Study and we will move forward in the process.
In an effort to keep your brain from hurting, I'm going to stop here. I'm sure there are details I've missed. After a three-week lapse, it's impossible to cover it all. Comment or email if you're missing anything! I'm happy to share whatever I may have skipped over!
Prayers continue to revolve around our Birth Parents and their joint decision to place their baby for adoption. Also, for peace on their journey through this process, and for a healthy Baby and healthy relationships for all of us.
Thank you for your continued support! We feel nothing but love in every comment, prayer, email, text, and phone call. Our support system is the best we could ask for! Feel AWESOME today! Because you are. ;)
Love, from the Lewises.
The house is still in negotiations, but it's empty and everything we own is here in Nebraska!
Our temporary, corporate apartment has been emptied (of the five things we had in there) and keys have been returned.
We are happily settling into our new apartment, which is beautiful (by the way), and things are slowly coming out of boxes, finding a new home. I have the biggest closet and bathroom I've ever had in my life. We have crown molding on our bedroom ceiling, and I'm already on a first-name basis with a maintenance guy who has a 24 hour turn-around policy for work orders. These are all firsts for me...and (in case you can't tell) I'm pretty excited about it!
Our new apartment is mostly brick, on a street facing other apartments (no pool gate, parking lots, or stores in view) and full of big, mature trees that are in full colorful attire for the season! I love moving in the Fall! Before now, we have moved in Winter and haven't had the best of experiences. Compared to those, this move was perfect. :)
Jovi is a pro at moving and finally gave up being anxious about a new place. She has had more "homes" (including doggy camps and hotels) in the last 6 months than I have in the last 10 years! She's happily snuggled and asleep in front of the window, on the arm of the chair, like a cat, as I type this.
Okay, on to adoption stuff. That's what this blog is for!
I've met with our agent from Child Savings Institute and completed my family tree history, talked about my feelings regarding every single even that has occurred in my life and the lives of each and every family member, and talked about how I chose my dog's name. (Remember...I told you I wasn't sure how that meeting was going to go, how relevant it really was, or why half those questions were anyone else's business....but I also said I was done complaining...repeat: I also said I was done complaining....one more time: I also said I was done complaining.) Okay, I'm good now. Moving on...
Most of our paperwork that came in, and then went back out, has arrived at its final destination. A couple references are missing, and a few things on my end are missing. But EVERYTHING government or physician related IS IN!! We had a specific set of documents (fingerprints, background checks, criminal histories) that were expected to take five to eight weeks. EACH of those items came in under three weeks from they day we sent them out!!! We're still ahead of schedule and things are still exciting!
I can't remember how much I've talked about CPR and First Aid training, but it's required for us as adoptive parents. There was a form in packet two that needed to be signed, saying that we attended and completed classes for CPR and First Aid. After a little memory search, a reminder from Adam, and a phone call to the agency...I realized that Adam is already up-to-date for his job. So we can just send in a copy of his card. And while my own certification is expired, it's something I've stayed on top of for the last 10 years and is considered current enough for me to send in a copy of my old card and call it good. Ideally, I will renew my certification soon...but it won't be an issue in the adoption process. (Woo! One less "to-do" on my list!)
On that note, due to my field of profession, we are exempt from taking parenting classes! (Thank you, Jesus! We don't have to spend a Saturday or two listening to some silly lady teach us how to put diapers on a baby doll and take turns giving said baby a bath or checking said baby's temperature with an ear thermometer...I took that class when I was 14, and I could have helped teach it then, too). Despite the exemption, we do have to submit some sort of form stating the important facts like when to call a doctor, what types of situations are considered emergencies, and when to call 911. We also need to list normal vs. fever/alarming body temperatures for a baby, and state our knowledge of basic infant care. So...I will basically copy and paste a chunk of my resume, have Adam add a little chartie-poo and voila. Done. Honey, please sign. AnnndThanks.
On a personal note (you know, because none of this other stuff we've covered for the last three months is at all personal)I've met with an adoption counselor and am establishing a great relationship with her in the midst of all of this paperwork, moving, preparing for a baby, and interviewing with social workers! She has been a priceless resource already and I'm excited to have her in my life right now and for the post-placement days to come.
For the Moment:
I have a long to-do list after touching base with both agents last week. Today, I have followed up on reference letters for both agencies, sent in our Family Autobiography (you know, the 27,000 questions we had to answer...I sent in one agency's, but FORGOT the other....) and am going down my list of last minute items for Packet II.
I need to print a copy of our Family Autobiography for my own records (which happen to be in a pretty three-ring binder with everything in page protectors, and divided by Packet number and categories such as forms, expenses, receipts, etc.)
I need to create our Pictorial Essay (now that I have our desktop and photos at hand, I can do that this weekend!!)
I need to print copies of the Pictorial Essay for Love Basket and one for myself
[Side Note: all this printing means I need to set up my printer in the apartment...after I find it in the back of the closet...which also means setting up my wireless home network so that my printer can communicate with my computer since we opted *not* to buy the $50.00 cable to manually connect the two devices (and breathe...)]
Also on the list is...wait for it....wait...PACKET III! What? Packet III? I thought there was Packet I and Packet II and then a training DVD. (yeah, that's what I thought, too).
Well, guess what! The training "DVD" is actually another folder as big as the last two and is full! "Packet III" (renamed, by Yours Truly, for its actual content) consists of THREE DVDs (about nine hours of viewing pleasure), articles on adoption, articles on parenting, power point slides, and additional handouts...all pieces of the in-person training we chose to opt out of due to the physical distance between us and Love Basket. They literally mail the day's' training to you. This is really nice, and really...a little more than I expected. Looks like "Power Weekend II" went from a weekend for unpacking every last item we own, to ALSO "attending" adoption training in our living room. Woo! Life is back to full speed and crazy to-do lists. Grab the caffeine, the quick dinners, ditch the snooze button and let's go!
Looking Ahead:
Our training is the last part of our paperwork checklist from Packet II. Once that is completed, we sign a form saying as much and send it to Love Basket. The only other form to send in is our Open Adoption Agreement which we will continue to hang onto until the very last second. Our training covers a LOT that will help us make decisions regarding our relationship with our Birth Parents and their relationship with our Baby. I'm looking forward to sorting through those emotions and coming to a peaceful decision about our future as a family of three+.
I think I've covered everything! As I type that very statement, I see a small stack of papers I haven't addressed. Tiny note, but still, I don't want you to think I'm leaving you out of the loop! ;) I need to send copies of our birth certificates, marriage license, and W-2 forms to our Home Study agency. Those forms have been sent to Love Basket already, but they were on the list of requirements for our first Home Study meeting and I had overlooked them. I have them in front of me and our agent is on a two-week vacation. So, they will stay in front of me...or, at least, in this folder that's in front of me, until our final meeting with her.
The (final) Home Study meeting is October 24th! We will cover Adam's family and personal history along with answering questions regarding our parenting philosophy, family traditions, core values, and morals we hope to instill into our children. "What does is mean to be a Lewis? To be in your family...what will it look like?" is the question that was posed when I was provided a mini-prep of what is to come. Alright then...I can do that for you. Thanks for the heads up on such a loaded question! I can't answer that five seconds after you ask. (oh...um...Adam, honey...I forgot to tell you...for our Home Study Meeting in a couple weeks, we need to able to discuss the above content and you need to decide what it means to you, to be a Lewis.) Okay! Now we're both prepared. ;)
Once the meeting is over, our agent will type up a report that summarizes all three meetings (totaling 8 hours spent together), and send it to Love Basket. Our adoption agent will review the Home Study and we will move forward in the process.
In an effort to keep your brain from hurting, I'm going to stop here. I'm sure there are details I've missed. After a three-week lapse, it's impossible to cover it all. Comment or email if you're missing anything! I'm happy to share whatever I may have skipped over!
Prayers continue to revolve around our Birth Parents and their joint decision to place their baby for adoption. Also, for peace on their journey through this process, and for a healthy Baby and healthy relationships for all of us.
Thank you for your continued support! We feel nothing but love in every comment, prayer, email, text, and phone call. Our support system is the best we could ask for! Feel AWESOME today! Because you are. ;)
Love, from the Lewises.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Kickin Bums and Takin' Names...wait...what?
As I sit here to address the latest happenings in the Baby Lewis story, my husband is across from me filling out his "Self Study" that has to be complete before he goes to bed tonight (which is about an hour from now...)and he is saying the sweetest things about how much free time he has, how much he loves to fill out paperwork, and how meaningful each of these questions are to him. You know, the questions I posted yesterday. And every answer he gives me aloud sounds thoughtful, deep, and completely sincere.
I will let you decide how much of the above is true. ;)
I did so much today, I feel like some of it happened days ago. This morning I went to the doctor's office to have my blood panel taken care of. I remembered to fast this time! Woo! I had my urinalysis taken care of, too. I had forgotten about that. Man, I love peeing in a tiny cup. Don't you? (I would elaborate here, but I have a lot to cover and I want to go to bed soon).
After the doctor, I headed to (wait, I can't remember...give me a second...oh!) I went to the State Patrol office to have my fingerprints scanned! That was really fun. I filled out a card with all my personal information and turned my hands over to the nice lady in the little room full of computers. She wiped my fingers with wet wipes (Huggies, to be exact...I looked) and told me to try not to help her roll them on the screen (that was more difficult than I thought it was going to be). This was way cooler than having black ink rolled onto my fingertips. She rolled each finger over a little panel on the computer that looked like a clear mouse on a laptop (you know, the little box you roll you thumb around on...yeah, that). She did this with all 10 phalanges of my hands, wiped them again with wet wipes (now I know how all those little kiddos feel when I'm constantly cleaning them...thank goodness she left my face alone!) and sent me on my way. Easy peasy. The printed cards went into an envelope and I headed to the post office.
On my way to the post office, I realized I didn't have time to get there, ship my fingerprints and the two other packages I had with me, and get to work on time so I decided to take Little E with me (he's 14 months old and loves doing anything that requires "going vroom" in my car and leaving the house). Before heading to work, I treated myself to Olive Garden. By myself. And I'm completely okay with that.
The trip to the post office went something like this:
E: "Byeee"
Me: "You wanna go 'bye'? Do you want to go back to the Post Office? You had fun last time."
E: "Yeah. Bye"
Me: Okay, let's go to the Post Office! We have boxes this time! You can help me mail them, and drop them in the bin...it's gonna be fun!"
E: "bye!"
"Bye" we go
Me: "E, I need you to hold my hand so we can walk inside (while balancing two boxes and the fingerprint envelope on one hip so I can bend down and hold his hand with the other...this is what yoga is helping with...)"
E: "No! Walk"
Me: "You can walk, but you need to hold my hand. Please?"
E: "I walk. Ehhhh" (whining as I try to hold his precious little hand)
Me: Okay, you can walk, but we're standing in the middle of the parking lot. Look! A car! Hurry! Hurry! Let's go! Hold my hand!"
E: (not buying the excitement or thrill of danger...) "ehhhhh! Walk!"
Me: Okay, here, take this. Can you hold this box for me? Let's take them inside. You don't have to hold my hand, but I need you to help. (If he's holding a box maybe he can't run away too quickly?)
E: (excited) "Walk!"
Me: "Yes! Walk! Walk! Walk!" (while marching into the Post Office looking awesome)
We weighed our packages, used the automated postal system that looks like an ATM (fun!) and Little E walked each item to the bin, dropped it into the little thingy that looks like the end of a construction vehicle of sorts, then smiled ear to ear as he lifted the handle and said "Byeeee" and gasped in amazement as it disappeared, leaving the construction looking thingy open. And repeat. Of course, on the way out, Little E had to say "Bye! Thanks." to everyone in line behind us. As soon as we hit the parking lot, "Vroom!" so we did....in my 2004, granny gold, Toyota Camry that he thinks is AWESOME. (So do I, but he will change his mind well before I do).
Later, while Little E took his nap, I received a phone call from my doctor regarding my blood work and to let me know that she finished my paper work today. (How sweet!) I sorted through my adoption folder for anything I could work on without a computer and came up dry. So I read my book. Oh, the book...
One day, when I write my first book, if it's about adoption, I will not say a single thing about how an adopted child isn't your actual child. I won't dwell on the fact that you aren't really the parent...for over 300 pages, and I won't offer advice by saying, "Psychologists say...." and not give you the name of someone with their full title. Even if I make it up, at least I'll make it look like I'm citing my "sources". I'm not a huge fan of this book (can you tell?), but I understand why I need to read it. I first opened it with a completely open and excited mindset. However, I quickly learned that taking every word to heart would ruin my child's chance of having a Mom without an adoption complex, so now I'm reading to finish, and only taking bits and pieces from this silly little guide to adoptive parenting. Hopefully the next book is better...and hopefully, when we switch, Adam will remember I'm not the one assigning the homework. He's gonna love this book as much as I do! Maybe more.
I also called on Grandmas today, Baby's...not mine. We need a certified copy of each of our birth certificates along with our marriage license. After learning that doing this myself, via the in-ter-net, would not be a convenient option, I delegated the task to our mothers. Each mom is getting a birth certificate and one mom is also requesting a copy of our marriage license (I won't tell you which one...remember, I'm going for at least a little mystery here). All three documents will be delivered by hand, or via snail mail, by this Friday. Yay for grandmas! ;)
Let's see...what else have we accomplished? Adam is almost finished with his Self Study and we're about to go over, well, I'm not exactly sure what...whatever needs to be "gone over" before our Home Study visit tomorrow. I have the day off since I only work afternoons and, well, the visit is in the afternoon, so Jovi and I are going to clean and prep and work our way to impressing the socks off this lady! Okay, I'm gonna work, Jovi is going to sit in the chair propped up on the pillows and claim the blanket while watching my every move with her tongue hanging out of the side of her mouth. I'll be sure to post pictures.
In addition to the Home Study, I have a La Leche League meeting tomorrow! I will post more of that on the appropriate page, but I'm kind of excited to go. The leader (whose name I have completely forgotten. Sweet.) said I will be the only adoptive mother there, but if I committed to being there, she would do research for me and be sure I felt included and welcome. Yay! That's fun! Hopefully I make new friends and they don't all hate me because I'm expecting a baby and don't look like a walking beach ball. Hey, I don't get that pretty little glow either...I think it's fair.
Next on the list:
-Type our autobiography for Love Basket
-Compose our Photo Essay for Love Basket
-Attend an online class with Adoption Learning Partners
-Find a CPR/First Aid training to attend in order to receive/update certification
After all of that, we get to move on to our Profile Book for birth mothers!!!
After tomorrow's Home Study visit, I should know more of what is required from CSI. It sounds like the packet from them was just to get us to this point...it didn't necessarily lay out everything like our Love Basket Packets. More to come on that as we know things.
***Interruption*** I just read my husband's answers to his Self Study...and he thinks I'm cute (how sweet)! And he says that this adoption process is one of the highlights of our relationship. (I guess he didn't appreciate my bad aim and shoe-throwing as much as I thought...)
I'm losing focus. Brain and body are falling asleep. If I missed anything, I'll cover it tomorrow.
I'll be back.
"Goodnight John Boy!"
"Good Night Mary Ellen."
Good night to our friends and family. ;)
I will let you decide how much of the above is true. ;)
I did so much today, I feel like some of it happened days ago. This morning I went to the doctor's office to have my blood panel taken care of. I remembered to fast this time! Woo! I had my urinalysis taken care of, too. I had forgotten about that. Man, I love peeing in a tiny cup. Don't you? (I would elaborate here, but I have a lot to cover and I want to go to bed soon).
After the doctor, I headed to (wait, I can't remember...give me a second...oh!) I went to the State Patrol office to have my fingerprints scanned! That was really fun. I filled out a card with all my personal information and turned my hands over to the nice lady in the little room full of computers. She wiped my fingers with wet wipes (Huggies, to be exact...I looked) and told me to try not to help her roll them on the screen (that was more difficult than I thought it was going to be). This was way cooler than having black ink rolled onto my fingertips. She rolled each finger over a little panel on the computer that looked like a clear mouse on a laptop (you know, the little box you roll you thumb around on...yeah, that). She did this with all 10 phalanges of my hands, wiped them again with wet wipes (now I know how all those little kiddos feel when I'm constantly cleaning them...thank goodness she left my face alone!) and sent me on my way. Easy peasy. The printed cards went into an envelope and I headed to the post office.
On my way to the post office, I realized I didn't have time to get there, ship my fingerprints and the two other packages I had with me, and get to work on time so I decided to take Little E with me (he's 14 months old and loves doing anything that requires "going vroom" in my car and leaving the house). Before heading to work, I treated myself to Olive Garden. By myself. And I'm completely okay with that.
The trip to the post office went something like this:
E: "Byeee"
Me: "You wanna go 'bye'? Do you want to go back to the Post Office? You had fun last time."
E: "Yeah. Bye"
Me: Okay, let's go to the Post Office! We have boxes this time! You can help me mail them, and drop them in the bin...it's gonna be fun!"
E: "bye!"
"Bye" we go
Me: "E, I need you to hold my hand so we can walk inside (while balancing two boxes and the fingerprint envelope on one hip so I can bend down and hold his hand with the other...this is what yoga is helping with...)"
E: "No! Walk"
Me: "You can walk, but you need to hold my hand. Please?"
E: "I walk. Ehhhh" (whining as I try to hold his precious little hand)
Me: Okay, you can walk, but we're standing in the middle of the parking lot. Look! A car! Hurry! Hurry! Let's go! Hold my hand!"
E: (not buying the excitement or thrill of danger...) "ehhhhh! Walk!"
Me: Okay, here, take this. Can you hold this box for me? Let's take them inside. You don't have to hold my hand, but I need you to help. (If he's holding a box maybe he can't run away too quickly?)
E: (excited) "Walk!"
Me: "Yes! Walk! Walk! Walk!" (while marching into the Post Office looking awesome)
We weighed our packages, used the automated postal system that looks like an ATM (fun!) and Little E walked each item to the bin, dropped it into the little thingy that looks like the end of a construction vehicle of sorts, then smiled ear to ear as he lifted the handle and said "Byeeee" and gasped in amazement as it disappeared, leaving the construction looking thingy open. And repeat. Of course, on the way out, Little E had to say "Bye! Thanks." to everyone in line behind us. As soon as we hit the parking lot, "Vroom!" so we did....in my 2004, granny gold, Toyota Camry that he thinks is AWESOME. (So do I, but he will change his mind well before I do).
Later, while Little E took his nap, I received a phone call from my doctor regarding my blood work and to let me know that she finished my paper work today. (How sweet!) I sorted through my adoption folder for anything I could work on without a computer and came up dry. So I read my book. Oh, the book...
One day, when I write my first book, if it's about adoption, I will not say a single thing about how an adopted child isn't your actual child. I won't dwell on the fact that you aren't really the parent...for over 300 pages, and I won't offer advice by saying, "Psychologists say...." and not give you the name of someone with their full title. Even if I make it up, at least I'll make it look like I'm citing my "sources". I'm not a huge fan of this book (can you tell?), but I understand why I need to read it. I first opened it with a completely open and excited mindset. However, I quickly learned that taking every word to heart would ruin my child's chance of having a Mom without an adoption complex, so now I'm reading to finish, and only taking bits and pieces from this silly little guide to adoptive parenting. Hopefully the next book is better...and hopefully, when we switch, Adam will remember I'm not the one assigning the homework. He's gonna love this book as much as I do! Maybe more.
I also called on Grandmas today, Baby's...not mine. We need a certified copy of each of our birth certificates along with our marriage license. After learning that doing this myself, via the in-ter-net, would not be a convenient option, I delegated the task to our mothers. Each mom is getting a birth certificate and one mom is also requesting a copy of our marriage license (I won't tell you which one...remember, I'm going for at least a little mystery here). All three documents will be delivered by hand, or via snail mail, by this Friday. Yay for grandmas! ;)
Let's see...what else have we accomplished? Adam is almost finished with his Self Study and we're about to go over, well, I'm not exactly sure what...whatever needs to be "gone over" before our Home Study visit tomorrow. I have the day off since I only work afternoons and, well, the visit is in the afternoon, so Jovi and I are going to clean and prep and work our way to impressing the socks off this lady! Okay, I'm gonna work, Jovi is going to sit in the chair propped up on the pillows and claim the blanket while watching my every move with her tongue hanging out of the side of her mouth. I'll be sure to post pictures.
In addition to the Home Study, I have a La Leche League meeting tomorrow! I will post more of that on the appropriate page, but I'm kind of excited to go. The leader (whose name I have completely forgotten. Sweet.) said I will be the only adoptive mother there, but if I committed to being there, she would do research for me and be sure I felt included and welcome. Yay! That's fun! Hopefully I make new friends and they don't all hate me because I'm expecting a baby and don't look like a walking beach ball. Hey, I don't get that pretty little glow either...I think it's fair.
Next on the list:
-Type our autobiography for Love Basket
-Compose our Photo Essay for Love Basket
-Attend an online class with Adoption Learning Partners
-Find a CPR/First Aid training to attend in order to receive/update certification
After all of that, we get to move on to our Profile Book for birth mothers!!!
After tomorrow's Home Study visit, I should know more of what is required from CSI. It sounds like the packet from them was just to get us to this point...it didn't necessarily lay out everything like our Love Basket Packets. More to come on that as we know things.
***Interruption*** I just read my husband's answers to his Self Study...and he thinks I'm cute (how sweet)! And he says that this adoption process is one of the highlights of our relationship. (I guess he didn't appreciate my bad aim and shoe-throwing as much as I thought...)
I'm losing focus. Brain and body are falling asleep. If I missed anything, I'll cover it tomorrow.
I'll be back.
"Goodnight John Boy!"
"Good Night Mary Ellen."
Good night to our friends and family. ;)
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