December, 2009
Through my very caring work study, Jerry and I learned of a potential private adoption of a little 5 mo old boy. Shannon talked with the birthmother, who agreed that she could not take care of the boy.
She was supposed to come to Olney with her son to meet me and decide if this is what she wanted to do.
When Shannon went to find the birthmom, all signs of her were gone. Family said she was in prison.
Through many ups and downs, we found out that this option was not going to happen.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Papers ready to go to the State
November 29, 2009
All papers are ready to go to their respective states for the State seal. We also received notification today of our Fingerprint appointments.
We sent our home study and concurrent adoption agreement to FTIA and CSS. We have not heard much out of CSS lately, time to do some checking.
All papers are ready to go to their respective states for the State seal. We also received notification today of our Fingerprint appointments.
We sent our home study and concurrent adoption agreement to FTIA and CSS. We have not heard much out of CSS lately, time to do some checking.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Change of Game Plan
November, 2009
After our picking names from the Waiting Child list, and not having success with a placement, Jerry and I have decided that this process may not be for us.
We had a conference call with Betty and Cindy. We decided that we should not be looking at the list. That the Beijing staff should watch for potential referrals for us based on the criteria we selected.
After our picking names from the Waiting Child list, and not having success with a placement, Jerry and I have decided that this process may not be for us.
We had a conference call with Betty and Cindy. We decided that we should not be looking at the list. That the Beijing staff should watch for potential referrals for us based on the criteria we selected.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Shu Qiyuan
October 26, 2009
After hours of perusing shared files, Jerry and I requested to lock a file for Shu Qiyuan. He is adorable, but has medical issues beyond the scope of what we originally felt we could handle. We are going to send the file to Dr. Keck for review and feedback.
October 27, 2009
Wow, this is an emotional roller coaster. We fell for little Qiyuan, and already felt love for him, but after taking into consideration opinions of medical staff, we decided this was more than what we can handle. He had a myelomengocele.
Jerry and I have decided that this may not be for us. The emotional high of finding a child we want more information on, to finding out that the child was already taken, or had much deeper issues than originally indicated.
After hours of perusing shared files, Jerry and I requested to lock a file for Shu Qiyuan. He is adorable, but has medical issues beyond the scope of what we originally felt we could handle. We are going to send the file to Dr. Keck for review and feedback.
October 27, 2009
Wow, this is an emotional roller coaster. We fell for little Qiyuan, and already felt love for him, but after taking into consideration opinions of medical staff, we decided this was more than what we can handle. He had a myelomengocele.
Jerry and I have decided that this may not be for us. The emotional high of finding a child we want more information on, to finding out that the child was already taken, or had much deeper issues than originally indicated.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Shu Qiu Shi
October 21, 2009
We inquired today about an adorable little boy with Delayed Growth. His name is Shu Qiu Shi.
October 23, 2009
We found out today that this little boy has already found his forever family. We will continue looking on the shared file list.
We inquired today about an adorable little boy with Delayed Growth. His name is Shu Qiu Shi.
October 23, 2009
We found out today that this little boy has already found his forever family. We will continue looking on the shared file list.
Because They Waited
October 23, 2009
We completed several workbooks of information for FTIA, but also paid and received training called "Because They Waited" by the Heart of the Matters Seminars.
These trainings were very educational because they opened our eyes to how to deal with different challenges that orphaned or foster care children face including attachment disorder, developmental delays, and more.
Okay, so the ladies on the videos DROVE ME CRAZY, but it was great information!
We completed several workbooks of information for FTIA, but also paid and received training called "Because They Waited" by the Heart of the Matters Seminars.
These trainings were very educational because they opened our eyes to how to deal with different challenges that orphaned or foster care children face including attachment disorder, developmental delays, and more.
Okay, so the ladies on the videos DROVE ME CRAZY, but it was great information!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Passports are in!
October 19, 2009
Our passports were in the mail today! YIPPEEE! We scanned the front pages and sent off to FTIA.
Our passports were in the mail today! YIPPEEE! We scanned the front pages and sent off to FTIA.
Home Study is IN OUR HANDS!
October 19, 2009
We received our home study! First major step toward finding our child is completed!
We received our home study! First major step toward finding our child is completed!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Paperwork, WOW!
October, 2009
We never could have imagined the massive amounts of paper pushing it takes for international adoption. Once we get the necessary paperwork together, some must be notarized, then get the state seal, lastly, the documents must go to the Chinese Consulate for authentication.
We have completed training sessions via DVD and workbooks. We have learned a lot about Less than optimal care and the impact it has on young children. We also were able to learn many tips to encourage bonding between our child and us.
We never could have imagined the massive amounts of paper pushing it takes for international adoption. Once we get the necessary paperwork together, some must be notarized, then get the state seal, lastly, the documents must go to the Chinese Consulate for authentication.
We have completed training sessions via DVD and workbooks. We have learned a lot about Less than optimal care and the impact it has on young children. We also were able to learn many tips to encourage bonding between our child and us.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Julie Keck, Riley's Children Hospital
October 7, 2009
We had a consulatation conference call with Dr. Keck. She gave us background on what to expect with each condition on the special needs list, as well as confirming conditions we felt we could handle in our family.
We had a consulatation conference call with Dr. Keck. She gave us background on what to expect with each condition on the special needs list, as well as confirming conditions we felt we could handle in our family.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Welcome to FTIA
September 30, 2009
We received our welcome to FTIA notice today. We received a password for tracking our adoption through them--called MYFTIA. We also joined discussion board groups for China adoption through FTIA. This should help with commonly asked questions.
We received our welcome to FTIA notice today. We received a password for tracking our adoption through them--called MYFTIA. We also joined discussion board groups for China adoption through FTIA. This should help with commonly asked questions.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Wingert's Story
September 26, 2009
Today, we went to Olney, and were priveledged to hear the Wingert's adoption story, learn more about adoption from China, and the Waiting Child program. We also were able to meet their beautiful daughter, Cali.
Today, we went to Olney, and were priveledged to hear the Wingert's adoption story, learn more about adoption from China, and the Waiting Child program. We also were able to meet their beautiful daughter, Cali.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Visit to FTIA
September 24, 2009
We visited FTIA today. We got a tour of the very nice facility, and met Betty Betz. We have decided to pursue the Waiting Child program, and will be working on the Special Needs checklist. We also went out to lunch for Jerry's Birthday!
We visited FTIA today. We got a tour of the very nice facility, and met Betty Betz. We have decided to pursue the Waiting Child program, and will be working on the Special Needs checklist. We also went out to lunch for Jerry's Birthday!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Gayla's Motto
September 22, 2009
Gayla sent me an inspirational e-mail today with her motto:
"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."
Jerry and I have decided to pursue international adoption through China due to travel and budget constraints. We are discussing pursuing the Waiting Child program through China.
Today, our CSS file was assigned to Reta Kendall.
Gayla sent me an inspirational e-mail today with her motto:
"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break."
Jerry and I have decided to pursue international adoption through China due to travel and budget constraints. We are discussing pursuing the Waiting Child program through China.
Today, our CSS file was assigned to Reta Kendall.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Home Study Part 2
September 17, 2009
Our home study visit was completed last night, we now are completing our ecomaps, genograms, and signing up for fingerprinting.
We have decided to pursue international adoption as well as domestic adoption through Catholic Social Services.
We plan to talk to coordinators at FTIA over the different countries, but are leaning to China or Russia. Hopefully something someone says will help us to make our decision.
Our home study visit was completed last night, we now are completing our ecomaps, genograms, and signing up for fingerprinting.
We have decided to pursue international adoption as well as domestic adoption through Catholic Social Services.
We plan to talk to coordinators at FTIA over the different countries, but are leaning to China or Russia. Hopefully something someone says will help us to make our decision.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Home Study
August 24, 2009
After calling several places, trying to locate a place that would provide Home Study services, I am getting frustrated. Maybe this isn't what is planned for us, how will we know?
August 27, 2009
Gayla explained to Denise that we were having trouble locating a Home Study service, so Denise called Families Thru International Adoption. This is an agency based out of Evansville, IN.
Denise contacted me to let me know that they would complete a home study for us. Cindy Scheller, FTIA Social Worker, would complete our home study.
September 1, 2009
The process is getting started. We are setting a date for the home study (September 16 - 600 PM) and starting to get reference letters, employment letters, criminal history checks, birth certificates, marriage license, budgets, balance sheet, medical histories, and other paperwork together for the home study.
After calling several places, trying to locate a place that would provide Home Study services, I am getting frustrated. Maybe this isn't what is planned for us, how will we know?
August 27, 2009
Gayla explained to Denise that we were having trouble locating a Home Study service, so Denise called Families Thru International Adoption. This is an agency based out of Evansville, IN.
Denise contacted me to let me know that they would complete a home study for us. Cindy Scheller, FTIA Social Worker, would complete our home study.
September 1, 2009
The process is getting started. We are setting a date for the home study (September 16 - 600 PM) and starting to get reference letters, employment letters, criminal history checks, birth certificates, marriage license, budgets, balance sheet, medical histories, and other paperwork together for the home study.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Adoption Forum at Mt. Carmel
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Jerry and I went Mt. Carmel and talked with Gayla and Denise Brown of Catholic Social Services. Denise said she would be very interested in working with Jerry and I as we were open to children of any race.
Jerry was so quiet this day, but I could tell there were questions in his head. He was ready to learn more, and so was I.
Jerry and I went Mt. Carmel and talked with Gayla and Denise Brown of Catholic Social Services. Denise said she would be very interested in working with Jerry and I as we were open to children of any race.
Jerry was so quiet this day, but I could tell there were questions in his head. He was ready to learn more, and so was I.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Meeting Gayla
Friday, August 21, 2009 - 11 am
This morning, during my Intermediate Keyboarding class, I met a woman whom I believe that God put into our lives for a purpose.
Shasta had Ms. Hallam in class before mine, and they were talking, the talk led to children, and Gayla shared with Shasta her stories of helping others adopt children. Gayla has helped many adopt privately internationally, and has adopted children herself. Between classes Shasta ran to me and told me what she had found out during class, and we went on to our next classes. Shasta knew how hard that we had been trying to have children, and knew we just did not know where to start with adoption.
Gayla Hallam sat in the front row today, and at the end of the class we began talking. I admitted to her after class that I was the friend Shasta had talked to her about. We talked through lunchtime, and she invited Jerry and I to an adoption forum that she would be speaking about on August 22 in Mt. Carmel.
I think today may have just changed my life forever.
This morning, during my Intermediate Keyboarding class, I met a woman whom I believe that God put into our lives for a purpose.
Shasta had Ms. Hallam in class before mine, and they were talking, the talk led to children, and Gayla shared with Shasta her stories of helping others adopt children. Gayla has helped many adopt privately internationally, and has adopted children herself. Between classes Shasta ran to me and told me what she had found out during class, and we went on to our next classes. Shasta knew how hard that we had been trying to have children, and knew we just did not know where to start with adoption.
Gayla Hallam sat in the front row today, and at the end of the class we began talking. I admitted to her after class that I was the friend Shasta had talked to her about. We talked through lunchtime, and she invited Jerry and I to an adoption forum that she would be speaking about on August 22 in Mt. Carmel.
I think today may have just changed my life forever.
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