Some of you have asked if it is possible or how you could get notified when we post new information on our blog. I don't know exactly how this works as I honestly don't use it, but I have stolen this information from my sister-in-laws blog (Thanks Brandi) for you to read and see if you'd like to do it. I'm also not sure if the link is going to work as I copied it over from Brandi's blog and I've never blogged a link before so if not you may have to type it in the address bar yourself.
Here is the info from Brandi's blog and the link:
Google Reader
If you like to read people's blogs, but only want to when they have new material...then Google Reader is for you! Instead of checking someones blog 100 times a day waiting for that new post, you can be notified when they have posted something new!It's my new best friend. And instead of trying to explain it, here is a link to someones blog that explains it in simple terms:
http://thepipers.wordpress.com/2008/04/28/what-is-rss-a-step-by-step-guide-to-google-reader/
I hope this is helpful and will work for you all. I am already compiling a list of 'stuff' to blog about while we are in the excruciating (I mean fabulously relaxing) waiting period. The time in between being put into the active pool where birth mothers can see our portfolio and the time we get the phone call telling us we have a baby!!! Many fun exciting things such as our infertility journey, what race - sex - age - etc.. of baby we are going to be looking for, and much much more. Stay tuned.
family pic
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Portfolio
Mark took our completed portfolio to our lawyers office today with a couple of questions:
1) What do you think?
2) Will we get to know each time somebody looks at our portfolio?
3) When we get chosen how will we find out?
The answers were:
1) I love the hard cover and pages are a really good quality. I've never seen one done like this. "you nailed it!"
(YEAH!!! big sigh of relief)
2) No, it is to much of an emotional roller coaster if you know each time somebody looks at it.
(I understand this and I'm sure he is right - I just want to make sure it is getting seen and not collecting dust)
3) you will get a phone call. (a watch pot never boils right? you better believe I'm going to jump every time the phone rings from now on)
Just wanted to share. Thanks again for all your love and support.
1) What do you think?
2) Will we get to know each time somebody looks at our portfolio?
3) When we get chosen how will we find out?
The answers were:
1) I love the hard cover and pages are a really good quality. I've never seen one done like this. "you nailed it!"
(YEAH!!! big sigh of relief)
2) No, it is to much of an emotional roller coaster if you know each time somebody looks at it.
(I understand this and I'm sure he is right - I just want to make sure it is getting seen and not collecting dust)
3) you will get a phone call. (a watch pot never boils right? you better believe I'm going to jump every time the phone rings from now on)
Just wanted to share. Thanks again for all your love and support.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
What's next?
A lot of you have asked us what is next - so here it is:
We WAIT AND PRAY.
We have jumped through all the hoops there are for us at this point. Now our portfolio can be shown to prospective mothers and we can pray that a baby is in the works for us. My first prayer is that there is already a healthy baby growing for us, but I'm trying to remain patient. God will bless Mark and I with a child when the time is right, I truly believe this was all in the plans for us and that it is going to happen. Well I know it is going to happen, it is just when that I don't know.
All your prayers, well wishes, and lit candles are appreciated so much. All your prayers have helped Mark and I make it through this stage of our lives. I don't know what else to say, but THANKS.
We WAIT AND PRAY.
We have jumped through all the hoops there are for us at this point. Now our portfolio can be shown to prospective mothers and we can pray that a baby is in the works for us. My first prayer is that there is already a healthy baby growing for us, but I'm trying to remain patient. God will bless Mark and I with a child when the time is right, I truly believe this was all in the plans for us and that it is going to happen. Well I know it is going to happen, it is just when that I don't know.
All your prayers, well wishes, and lit candles are appreciated so much. All your prayers have helped Mark and I make it through this stage of our lives. I don't know what else to say, but THANKS.
Monday, March 23, 2009
IT'S OVER :)
Well, it is over!
The lady was very nice and we had a nice conversation. She did not just sit and watch us live our lives which was a blessing. She had a L O N G list of questions to ask us about our families, us and our marriage. I had to laugh at Mark he had to list on the spot ALL of his family members ages. I did too. I actually am the one who screwed up the most (not really a screw up just kinda a funny) I went first and I guessed the number of years my parents had been married, (the first question she asked me) and I wasn't on that train of thought so I guessed completely wrong because I said 29 or 30. Then we got to my siblings and started with the oldest and I said Nicole and she is 31. She said, "um... and your parents have only been married for 29 years? " So embarrassed, but then I looked it up and did the math.
If you thought that was bad get this. She asks if I have any history of drug use? Any history of alcohol use? any history of abuse as a child? And of course I'm saying, No... No... NO... Then she says any history of domestic violence? and I say No... then take a drink of my water and choke on it. (I hate when it goes down the wrong pipe) Can you say bad timing.
Anyway - she asked us a million questions, which all went well and we had a pretty easy conversation.
Now - she writes this all up and gets our child abuse background check back in the mail and mails a copy to our lawyer and one copy to us and then we will be placed on the ACTIVE list. YEAH!!! She said at the latest this will all be done by the end of April.
All for now, Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. Your comments have really helped Mark and I and we appreciate everyone of them.
The lady was very nice and we had a nice conversation. She did not just sit and watch us live our lives which was a blessing. She had a L O N G list of questions to ask us about our families, us and our marriage. I had to laugh at Mark he had to list on the spot ALL of his family members ages. I did too. I actually am the one who screwed up the most (not really a screw up just kinda a funny) I went first and I guessed the number of years my parents had been married, (the first question she asked me) and I wasn't on that train of thought so I guessed completely wrong because I said 29 or 30. Then we got to my siblings and started with the oldest and I said Nicole and she is 31. She said, "um... and your parents have only been married for 29 years? " So embarrassed, but then I looked it up and did the math.
If you thought that was bad get this. She asks if I have any history of drug use? Any history of alcohol use? any history of abuse as a child? And of course I'm saying, No... No... NO... Then she says any history of domestic violence? and I say No... then take a drink of my water and choke on it. (I hate when it goes down the wrong pipe) Can you say bad timing.
Anyway - she asked us a million questions, which all went well and we had a pretty easy conversation.
Now - she writes this all up and gets our child abuse background check back in the mail and mails a copy to our lawyer and one copy to us and then we will be placed on the ACTIVE list. YEAH!!! She said at the latest this will all be done by the end of April.
All for now, Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. Your comments have really helped Mark and I and we appreciate everyone of them.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
One Day
Tomorrow night at this time we are going to be doing our home study. (What ever that entails) I wish I knew more of what to expect, but I guess that is part of the experience. I got to see a lot of family over this past weekend with a bridal shower for Mark's brothers fiance, and a baby shower for my cousins wife and everyone that got to see our portfolio had good comments. I know they are all family and have to say that.
Mark will be getting back from Vegas tonight and is going to love to see the little list I'm creating for him of stuff he has to do on his day off tomorrow, while I'm at work. Dusting is the main one he gets to do :) Maybe I should leave the toilets too.
Anyway, I plan to post tomorrow night after the home study to let you all know how it went so if you are curious please check here for the update. This is our last hurdle and can't wait to be done jumping through hoops and get to the point where prospective mothers could see our portfolio.
Thanks for all your encouragement and prayers! We are so blessed to be surrounded by such supportive and loving people.
Mark will be getting back from Vegas tonight and is going to love to see the little list I'm creating for him of stuff he has to do on his day off tomorrow, while I'm at work. Dusting is the main one he gets to do :) Maybe I should leave the toilets too.
Anyway, I plan to post tomorrow night after the home study to let you all know how it went so if you are curious please check here for the update. This is our last hurdle and can't wait to be done jumping through hoops and get to the point where prospective mothers could see our portfolio.
Thanks for all your encouragement and prayers! We are so blessed to be surrounded by such supportive and loving people.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Countdown
3 days until the home study. I think we are pretty much ready to go. I have done WAY more cleaning than we needed, but it was a good excuse to go through all of our closets. We have moved so many times you wouldn't think we would have this much junk, but we sure do. We donated 4 large trash bags full of clothes to Goodwill, and threw away plenty. I went through our bathroom cabinets today and was shocked. I'm not sure what possessed me to do this, but through all of our trials at the center for reproductive medicine and through Dr. Ferris I kept all the pill bottles. I threw away 35 empty bottles today and our shot container which had approx 15 needles in it. When you say for better or for worse you never think that means that your husband is going to have to stick you with a needle. I shouldn't say that, Mark did much better with this than I did, and his strength helped me get through that time in our life. I am SOOOO thankful it is over.
Anyway, Monday at 7:00 p.m. our home study will underway. We've done our part - and can't wait for it to be over!
Anyway, Monday at 7:00 p.m. our home study will underway. We've done our part - and can't wait for it to be over!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Portfolio question
Yes, we are willing to share our portfolio. We actually just received it in the mail today and can't wait to share it. We only ordered the one copy for right now to show the lady who comes Monday for the home study. Then we will be handing that copy in to the lawyer so he can start showing it to prospective mom's. We will be ordering a second copy to have, share, and keep too.
Beth - I will be able to show it to you this weekend when you come for the shower.
THANKS for the question and for leaving comments - it really helps me know that this is worth it.
Beth - I will be able to show it to you this weekend when you come for the shower.
THANKS for the question and for leaving comments - it really helps me know that this is worth it.
Ready to go
Well, as of yesterday we have all the paper work done we need to do for the home study :) Our final step yesterday was to get fingerprinted. We tried to do this on Monday, but when we got to the county jail we found out they only do this on Tuesday's and Thursday's. We couldn't wait till Thursday because Mark is leaving town for Vegas today. (Pretty good birthday present wouldn't you say?) I wish that was my present I would win best wife award. Mark is going to Vegas for his brother Matt's bachelor party. Anyway - we went to get fingerprinted yesterday and I was SOOOOO glad Mark came with me. You have to go to the county jail and not only that you are going to the same small room as the registered offenders. Not my cup of tea, but we got it done and are ready to go. There is still some house cleaning to go, but other than that we are good. We have finished our portfolio as well and have it ordered and it should be showing up on my door step by tomorrow!
From what I understand after we have our home study Monday and turn our portfolio in we are ready to play the waiting game. Other than spreading the word and praying we won't have much to do. '
In case I've never said, after this it is just up to a birth mother to pick us. If we fit her qualifications as for what she is looking for in parents then she will get to see our portfolio along with any others that fit her requirements and then she will hopefully pick us. (NO pressure on the portfolio huh) There is no order or set amount of time to wait. It could be a month it could be 3 years - we have no idea. That is why it is so important to spread the word yourself too. It is in God's hands now.
From what I understand after we have our home study Monday and turn our portfolio in we are ready to play the waiting game. Other than spreading the word and praying we won't have much to do. '
In case I've never said, after this it is just up to a birth mother to pick us. If we fit her qualifications as for what she is looking for in parents then she will get to see our portfolio along with any others that fit her requirements and then she will hopefully pick us. (NO pressure on the portfolio huh) There is no order or set amount of time to wait. It could be a month it could be 3 years - we have no idea. That is why it is so important to spread the word yourself too. It is in God's hands now.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Leaving comments
Hello,
I just found out that there may be some problems for you all when you are trying to leave comments. If you have tried to leave a comment and you can't find it there may be a reason. My mom and sister told me that the first time they are trying to leave a comment you get a small message (that is easy to miss) saying that this can not be posted please try again. Then if they just click post again it works, but they are having to hit it twice.
I hope this helps anyone that may be having issues with this. Thanks for all your wonderful comments, they are really nice and make this process just a little easier.
I just found out that there may be some problems for you all when you are trying to leave comments. If you have tried to leave a comment and you can't find it there may be a reason. My mom and sister told me that the first time they are trying to leave a comment you get a small message (that is easy to miss) saying that this can not be posted please try again. Then if they just click post again it works, but they are having to hit it twice.
I hope this helps anyone that may be having issues with this. Thanks for all your wonderful comments, they are really nice and make this process just a little easier.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Moving along
Hello everyone,
Just to keep you updated we are moving right along with our side of the process. We have been literally busing our butts to get this done as fast as possible. We finished our picture portfolio (which also contains our dear birth mother letter) last night at midnight and am going to order it tonight. I made it on an online program. I think there may be a way I can put a link to it from here, but that will have to come later. Mark did an excellent job on our letter with a little bit of help from me (especially on one paragraph) it is about him:)
Mark and I both have next week off so we will be completing everything else from the list at that time so it will be ready to go next Monday for our home study.
Just wanted to let you know what we were up to and thank you all for your support and prayers.
Just to keep you updated we are moving right along with our side of the process. We have been literally busing our butts to get this done as fast as possible. We finished our picture portfolio (which also contains our dear birth mother letter) last night at midnight and am going to order it tonight. I made it on an online program. I think there may be a way I can put a link to it from here, but that will have to come later. Mark did an excellent job on our letter with a little bit of help from me (especially on one paragraph) it is about him:)
Mark and I both have next week off so we will be completing everything else from the list at that time so it will be ready to go next Monday for our home study.
Just wanted to let you know what we were up to and thank you all for your support and prayers.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Please SHARE
Hello everyone,
This post is to encourage everyone who reads it to tell anyone and everyone they know that we are looking to adopt. I'm not asking you to harass people as that is not something I'm able to do, but our lawyer said something very powerful to me the other day and I keep thinking about it. And it is why I'm asking you to please spreed the word.
He said: "You have to remember that every woman that puts her baby up for adoption is somebodies sister, cousin, niece, neighbor, etc... so you never know" He is SO right - you never know if you tell your neighbor that we are looking to adopt and then they find out that their niece is pregnant and is going to put her baby up for adoption - they may think oh hey, our neighbors know someone who is looking for a baby.
It really does happen and the biggest piece of advice from ANYONE in the adoption world is - SPREAD THE WORD!
THANKS for helping us out.
This post is to encourage everyone who reads it to tell anyone and everyone they know that we are looking to adopt. I'm not asking you to harass people as that is not something I'm able to do, but our lawyer said something very powerful to me the other day and I keep thinking about it. And it is why I'm asking you to please spreed the word.
He said: "You have to remember that every woman that puts her baby up for adoption is somebodies sister, cousin, niece, neighbor, etc... so you never know" He is SO right - you never know if you tell your neighbor that we are looking to adopt and then they find out that their niece is pregnant and is going to put her baby up for adoption - they may think oh hey, our neighbors know someone who is looking for a baby.
It really does happen and the biggest piece of advice from ANYONE in the adoption world is - SPREAD THE WORD!
THANKS for helping us out.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
EXCITED!
I was pretty sure of this, but I found out for sure this morning that as long as the adoption gets finalized within 90 days of the baby being born my insurance will cover the birth mothers expenses! (minus co-pays and deductables of course) That is such a relief! That is my good news for the day.
We are still working on our rough draft of our cover letter and portfolio. We have 3 people that have agreed to write us letters of recommendations. So things are happening :)
We are still working on our rough draft of our cover letter and portfolio. We have 3 people that have agreed to write us letters of recommendations. So things are happening :)
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Step 2: The Home Study
I spoke with the home study lady last night that our lawyer recommended and we have it scheduled. We will be having our home study done on Monday the 23rd of March. She will be coming to our house for 2 hours that evening to visit with us and see our house. Her job is to put onto paper who we are: where we were born, parents, education, history, what our house is like, what kind of adoption we are open to, etc... (no pressure)
THEN: she needs just a few things from us:
1) Copy of our marriage licence
2) 1040 from our taxes
3) recent paycheck stubs
4) a budget
5) 3 letters of reference from (non-family members)
6) KBI - manual criminal clearance
7) get finger printed at the county jail
8) get child abuse clearance paperwork
9) get a doctors note stating you are healthy enough to adopt a baby
That's it. I know trust me it is a long list, but we are going to do our best to get it all done, by the 23rd so we can get it to her then and get our home study complete. We can not move into the "active pool" of prospective parents until we have this completed, along with our portfolio and letter to the birth mother. (which we are working on) I am thanking god that Mark is such a beautiful writer.
THEN: she needs just a few things from us:
1) Copy of our marriage licence
2) 1040 from our taxes
3) recent paycheck stubs
4) a budget
5) 3 letters of reference from (non-family members)
6) KBI - manual criminal clearance
7) get finger printed at the county jail
8) get child abuse clearance paperwork
9) get a doctors note stating you are healthy enough to adopt a baby
That's it. I know trust me it is a long list, but we are going to do our best to get it all done, by the 23rd so we can get it to her then and get our home study complete. We can not move into the "active pool" of prospective parents until we have this completed, along with our portfolio and letter to the birth mother. (which we are working on) I am thanking god that Mark is such a beautiful writer.
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