Thursday, 25 April 2013

April 25 2013

April 25 2013

Tonight we're taking our first webinar through the AFABC.  It is a two part course; one session is tonight and the next is next Thursday.  The title of the webinar  is "Transitioning children into Adoption".  Each session costs $17 for members (including fees). Here is the blurb from the website: 

"Foster and adoptive parents all have key roles in successfully preparing and transitioning children and youth from foster care into adoption. If you are a foster parent or a prospective adoptive parent, this two-part webinar series is for you!

Part One: The Process
Learn about the critical roles of both foster and adoptive parents throughout the transition process from the moment the child is registered for adoption to the final adoption decree in British Columbia. Includes the roles of various social workers, and the foster and adoptive parents during the adoption process. This live webinar will include questions from the online audience.

Part Two: A Transition Toolkit Learn practical strategies and tools for foster parents and adoptive parents to engage in a partnership to support the adoptee to settle more positively into their new family. This live webinar will include questions from the online audience. "

I'm looking forward to it. I really love all the different resources available. At the end of May/beginning of June there is a course on attachment that we're really looking forward to as well.

We looked over our Adoption Questionnaire again to make sure that we haven't changed our minds at all since we filled it out last month.  We still felt the same about 99.9% of the questions as we did before - which I think is great.   We made one minor change (Checked off one more box than we had checked off before) and both of us have signed it now.  We also filled out our consent forms for them to check out our background.  I believe all of our references are in now, so the last piece of paperwork  we have for this step (to the best of my knowledge) is the medical questionnaires.  We are mailing in our questionnaire & consent form along with a letter I wrote to go with it.  The letter says:

" We received your package with the adoption questionnaire, consent forms, and medical forms in the mail.  You had given them to us on our first visit also, and we have completed and attached everything except the medical forms.  Unfortunately our family doctor is away until the middle of May, but we wanted to send the rest of the forms to you in hopes that we can get further in the process while waiting to get the physician’s report completed. 

When you were away on holidays I asked the adoption co-ordinator about where I might find a schedule for the AEP courses (online or in person) and she sent a reply saying “There is funding for the North for a few AEP Self Study Plus courses. When your social worker is back touch bases with her and she can speak with her supervisor and have you added to the list. I think there will be a couple this summer.”  We are very interested in being added to the list.
Thank you very much for the work you do. "

I wanted to make sure she had this information in writing to help her stay organized with our case.  Hopefully we will get into the courses ASAP.

Sunday, 21 April 2013

April 21 2013

April 21 2013

We're back from a wonderful family vacation.  Cal and I went with his family to LA & on a cruise of the California coast.  I was pretty apprehensive to begin with, but everyone was on their best behaviour and it turned out pretty splendid. 

We arrived home to find that our books from the AFABC came.  They're due back on the 15th of May, so I've definitely got some reading ahead of me. 

We also received a packet in the mail from our social worker.  She sent us the same information she's already given us. Which frustrates me, but I have to be patient and understanding.  She's busy, and probably has a difficult case load. I'm going to be loving and patient and understanding.

I also read the adoption newsletter AFABC sent to us a few weeks ago.  There was a lot of information about the mothers who have given their children up for adoption.  It really made me think of the people on the other side of the equation - which was heart breaking, and very important for me.  God is showing us amazing things all over the place.

My friend has a sister that just gave birth to a baby.  This baby was immediately placed in foster care due to his mother being a drug addict.  She has asked that my friend take her child until she is cleaned up and ready to take him back.  My friend gives me updates as the process is proceeding (slowly) and I've been here to listen and try to help.  She has no idea we're in the process of adopting, and she has no idea how much the things she is saying and doing is helping me around every corner.  I think I'm doing a fair job of helping her as well, because I actually have first hand knowledge of how the system is to work with.  The Lord gives us such wonderful people and situations to help us through our life.  Seeing the pain in the family first hand is also very eye opening.  The child/children we'll be bringing into our lives will likely have families who love them and miss them as well.  It helps me to understand the idea of openness in an adoption more than I could ever have understood before.

Saturday, 6 April 2013

April 5 2013

April 5 2013

Not much happening right now, besides a lot of waiting. 

I've started reading Adopted for Life by Russell Moore.  He's great.  Not only is the book a good reference for a Christian thinking about adoption, it also put our "Spiritual Adoption" into an amazingly easy to follow way. 

To throw a curve ball at me, my body decided to act like normal women's bodies do, for two months in a row.  In my memory (which sucks since having my little munchkin, but still...) I don't remember having two "monthly gifts" in a row EVER.  Cal says he remembers in happening, though rarely.  I am interested to see if it arrives again next month "on time".  In spite of this I'm still 100% positive that we're making the right decision in adopting.  So much so that I'm actually afraid that I might get pregnant.  It's an odd flip to the old feelings of worry that I would never give birth.  I'd rather not go back on birth control, because to be completely honest it makes me BONKERS.

I think when we get back from holidays we're going to search out a new family doctor.  Cal has wanted to make a switch for a long time, and I think I'm finally ready agree with him.  My doctor actually delivered me, but I don't think that we're a very good match anymore.  Cal feels he is very arrogant, and I feel he's a little to ready to brush things aside that may be important.  Now that we aren't looking for a doctor that does maternity there are more options available to us.

Wednesday, 3 April 2013

April 3 2013

April 3 2013

One reference in and three more to go!

That makes me very excited. 

OH! And Adopted for Life by Russell more is on Kindle - we're totally buying it so we can read it on our holiday next week.

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

April 2 2013

April 2 2013

Finished the third part of the "Adoption for Life" Series last night.  I'm realllllly looking forward to reading Russell Moore's book!  Unfortunately they don't have a copy at the local library.  One of my favourite things that he said in the broadcast was in response to "are you trying to cultivate a Russian culture in your boys?" His reply was basically: No, they are part of our family - ENTIRELY.  They will be brought up as our biological children are - as a Moore.  As an American. 

That's pretty much exactly how I feel, and why we're shying away from adopting a child with an aboriginal background.  The idea of cultural plans and such don't suit our family - we are Canadian and that is all, and that is how we want to raise our kids.  Maybe once we get further into the adoption process we'll find out that would still be an option with children from other cultures. 

My friend (and reference) Rachelle told me about a blog last night - a facebook page - called His Hands His Feet Today https://www.facebook.com/HisHandsHisFeetToday.  It is a family's page which discusses the children they've adopted.  They were led to adopt and have adopted 12 children; some were adopted internationally and some were adopted in the US.  I've fallen in love with the family and some of the posts on the page make my heart break.  (I cried - A LOT) Some of their children have special needs, some of them have needs so great that they have a very short life expectancy.  These are the stories that have been featured lately because of their current circumstances.  My heart hurts for them, and is lifted by their obedience to God.

Two of their children have already left to be with God. They adopted their daughter Selah at birth, she lived 55 days before going to the Lord.  The adoption was finalized just days before she died.  Their son Josiah passed away just days ago.  He was a gorgeous baby boy with BIG beautiful eyes.  He lived until he was 11 months old.  I think it takes a very special heart and calling to do what they are doing - Adopting babies with such serious special needs that they will not live.  They have amazing attitudes, and their children say amazing things.  I'm really enjoying (and learning a thing or two) reading their stories and I look forward to reading about them more in the future. 

Spoke to Andre last night - He hasn't recieved the reference package yet.  Hoping he'll get it this week.