Well... by the looks of things around the blog I got busy :) I can't believe it has been since August that I last updated on our journey.
I don't have time for a long post but just a quick update will work for tonight!
Little Baby Brother is still with us... and will be FOREVER. Just a few weeks ago as we were going to head to severance trial his birth mom chose to relinquish her parental rights. We were in total shock. We had of course hoped that this would happen but in no way did we think it would. So grateful for her courage in placing her sons needs ahead of her own.
He is adorable. Laid back and grinning all the time. His smile is infectious and I cannot wait to see the little boy he becomes.
We also are busy with our two preschoolers and the twins just turned one this past week! So yeah ~ Crazy busy over here with the kiddos but it has been amazing.
Little Baby Brother will conclude our foster journey for now... perhaps in 20 years we may do it again but I have all that my hands {and sanity!} can handle these days.
I will go back and try to share some of the ups and downs of the past few months soon.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Here we go
A few months ago we started another foster care adventure. I hinted at it in my last post but in case you missed it we are fostering Tank's baby brother. He came to us from the hospital at only two days old. Who knows what the future holds but I can say that reunification is not what is best for the baby and is not looking likely. We are happy (and exhausted... and probably a little crazy too) to be adding to our family some more.
I have to say this time though that my heart is just going through ups and downs. So much more is invested when you are hoping to adopt a sibling of a child that is already legally yours. So much more is at stake. We are grateful for this time and the opportunity the boys get to have in knowing each other at such a young age.
So truly, truly blessed.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Signed. Sealed. Delivered.
He's OURS!
Our adoption for Tank was finalized today! I can't begin to tell you how grateful we are to have him as a part of our forever family. He was full of personality at the adoption hearing and had everyone (including our amazing Judge) giggling!
Our foster journey is not over but for now we aren't accepting any new placements. Between two toddlers who tag-team me throughout the day and two new babies (remember... twins!?)... I am spent. Who knows what the future holds though ;)
I find these posts around the blogosphere particulary interesting... you know, for no reason, right...
Thursday, January 19, 2012
I think we can, I think we can...
Our case is moving along - although it may be at a snail's pace :)
We have met with our adoptions case manager once... soon to be twice! And have completed all the necessary Subsidy paperwork. We hand it over to the case manager in the next week. We've hired an attorney. We've sent them all the documents they've asked for (our birth certificates, marriage license and a copy of the Adoption Certificate). Once the Subsidy Application has been officially filed with the case manager's report the Attorney can file the Petition for Adoption. Since Tank has been with us over a year now (holy cow!) we should be able to get an expedited hearing within 60 days.
It's strange think that this seeming long process could be over in just a few short months. We will be very happy once we have a piece of paper from the Court that says he's ours FOREVER.
And if all that paperwork isn't enough we are also going through our licensing renewal - which should also be done by the end of the month! And don't forget that we are expecting twins in the next month or two. Yep, full on crazy over here.
The boys are getting excited for the babies. Okay, let's face it. They are two. They have no clue what's happening but they sure do get a kick out of my big belly and the fact that it can't be hidden under many of my maternity shirts anymore. It's exciting to know that both boys get to be "big brothers" together. I am excited for the permanency our family will have. What a relief it will be when finalization comes and we are a happy little family of SIX. (And yes, we want more kiddos... just maybe not next week ;))
So that's us in a nutshell. I am loving all the posts that I have read lately on fostering. Even if I am not posting over here I promise you I am reading all of your blogs - quite religiously - courtesy of my Google Reader.
We have met with our adoptions case manager once... soon to be twice! And have completed all the necessary Subsidy paperwork. We hand it over to the case manager in the next week. We've hired an attorney. We've sent them all the documents they've asked for (our birth certificates, marriage license and a copy of the Adoption Certificate). Once the Subsidy Application has been officially filed with the case manager's report the Attorney can file the Petition for Adoption. Since Tank has been with us over a year now (holy cow!) we should be able to get an expedited hearing within 60 days.
It's strange think that this seeming long process could be over in just a few short months. We will be very happy once we have a piece of paper from the Court that says he's ours FOREVER.
And if all that paperwork isn't enough we are also going through our licensing renewal - which should also be done by the end of the month! And don't forget that we are expecting twins in the next month or two. Yep, full on crazy over here.
The boys are getting excited for the babies. Okay, let's face it. They are two. They have no clue what's happening but they sure do get a kick out of my big belly and the fact that it can't be hidden under many of my maternity shirts anymore. It's exciting to know that both boys get to be "big brothers" together. I am excited for the permanency our family will have. What a relief it will be when finalization comes and we are a happy little family of SIX. (And yes, we want more kiddos... just maybe not next week ;))
So that's us in a nutshell. I am loving all the posts that I have read lately on fostering. Even if I am not posting over here I promise you I am reading all of your blogs - quite religiously - courtesy of my Google Reader.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Quick Question
Yes, I know... I haven't blogged in what seems like forever. And I definitely owe anyone who is still reading this little blog an update :)
First though I have a question for all of you :)
I have a good friend that would like to foster. (Thank you Mama Foster, Tammy over at I Must be Trippin, and Maggie at Popp Life for your posts this past week! I forwarded them around and see what happens ;))
My friend lives in Washington State.
Can anyone recommend her best route to become a foster parent in that state? It appears you can foster through the State or through private agencies. We know what we have found online... we just wanted a little personal experience to help out. So if you or someone you know fosters in WA -- please let us know through which Agency and how they have liked it :)
Thank you!
Feel free to leave comments on this post or email me over at fostermamajulie [at] gmail
Monday, November 7, 2011
Adoption Certificate
We FINALLY got our adoption certification in the mail today. We turned in all the paperwork and homestudy over a month ago... maybe even two... so we've been waiting all this time for the Court to review it and a Judge to sign off. Yay!
That's one more thing that can be check marked off the list in order to adopt Tank.
At this point we have done EVERYTHING that we can do to make it happen. Now it is just a waiting game for the case to get going in the Adoptions Department. We still have Subsidy paperwork to fill out -- getting paperwork from the doctor/dentist/behavioral health professionals involved to help with this.
We know who are adoptions case manager is - the case has officially transferred over from on-going. Hooray! But we still haven't had our initial "visit"
One question I wanted to put out there for all those adoptive parents - the case file.
I know that we will get to see it. What information should we look for? What do you wish you knew more about? Is there anything you later regretted not knowing that was in there?
So excited that things are moving along!
oh and a twins update -- we're expecting a boy and a girl! so many blessings all at once. The Lord is good :) Even if He likes to choose His own timing in it all...
That's one more thing that can be check marked off the list in order to adopt Tank.
At this point we have done EVERYTHING that we can do to make it happen. Now it is just a waiting game for the case to get going in the Adoptions Department. We still have Subsidy paperwork to fill out -- getting paperwork from the doctor/dentist/behavioral health professionals involved to help with this.
We know who are adoptions case manager is - the case has officially transferred over from on-going. Hooray! But we still haven't had our initial "visit"
One question I wanted to put out there for all those adoptive parents - the case file.
I know that we will get to see it. What information should we look for? What do you wish you knew more about? Is there anything you later regretted not knowing that was in there?
So excited that things are moving along!
oh and a twins update -- we're expecting a boy and a girl! so many blessings all at once. The Lord is good :) Even if He likes to choose His own timing in it all...
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Shock
Tank's birth father was killed this past week. I can hardly even believe it. I was notified by a few different birth family members just days after it had happened. When I originally got the news I was driving in my car. I nearly had to pull over because I was crying so hard. I couldn't understand why it affected me so much. I was in disbelief and couldn't believe that it was over just like that.
After my last post I think it is apparent that I hoped for a someday reunion for Tank and his birth father. In some ways I had hoped that he would turn his life around and really do something with himself. That someday he would tell our Tank how sorry he was and tell him to be a good man. A good father.
I think I just wanted that opportunity.
And now that has been taken away. Forever.
The details are a bit grey but essentially he was shot multiple times - no suspects, no cause - no other information. I think it is obvious that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time... but I would say that was typical for him from what I have been told. It is so sad.
I am sorry that we now have to share this awful tradgedy with Tank when he is older. All I can do is pray that his birth mother does not meet the same fate. I pray that she changes her life. Does not hold on to bitterness and can stand up for herself and rise above her situation. I can't imagine losing her as well. I want our Tank to have a link to his past.
Yep, total shock.
After my last post I think it is apparent that I hoped for a someday reunion for Tank and his birth father. In some ways I had hoped that he would turn his life around and really do something with himself. That someday he would tell our Tank how sorry he was and tell him to be a good man. A good father.
I think I just wanted that opportunity.
And now that has been taken away. Forever.
The details are a bit grey but essentially he was shot multiple times - no suspects, no cause - no other information. I think it is obvious that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time... but I would say that was typical for him from what I have been told. It is so sad.
I am sorry that we now have to share this awful tradgedy with Tank when he is older. All I can do is pray that his birth mother does not meet the same fate. I pray that she changes her life. Does not hold on to bitterness and can stand up for herself and rise above her situation. I can't imagine losing her as well. I want our Tank to have a link to his past.
Yep, total shock.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)