Just because...
7/28/11
Signing Off...
Tomorrow we leave for vacation to the mountains of Colorado with a few brief stops along the way. We will be leaving the wretched heat of Oklahoma behind and enjoying cooler weather. We will be teaching the boys to fish in the rivers, boating on the lakes, riding horses, hiking and spending time in a cabin without internet, television and most likely no cell phone service. We will be signing off from the outside world. Just us and the great outdoors.
The Griswolds are hitting the road for a good ol' fun family vacation in the new family truckster.
The Griswolds are hitting the road for a good ol' fun family vacation in the new family truckster.
7/26/11
Summer Camp
This summer is Brice's first experience with summer camp. He decided he would spend one week this summer riding horses. He is spending the mornings each day this week riding horses and learning how to care for them and their stables. He is loving it. Yesterday afternoon after his first day of camp he was covered from head to toe in dirt and who knows what else. He couldn't wait to get his boots on this morning and head back.
When I asked him yesterday if he made any new friends he said, "Yes, Panther. I love Panther." Panther is one of the horses.
When I asked him yesterday if he made any new friends he said, "Yes, Panther. I love Panther." Panther is one of the horses.
Leading Panther into the arena.
First Post Placement
We had our first of three post placement visits last night. The visit truly could have lasted about 30 minutes but because we can chat with our social worker forever she left about 2 1/2 hours later.
Our post placement visits consist of general questions about the baby and the rest of the family. For example,
How is everyone adjusting? Any jealousy from the boys?
How many ounces of formula is she eating?
How is she sleeping?
Any problems with her health, eating, or otherwise?
Any worries or concerns?
Has she met all our family? Has our extended family accepted her?
What are her latest height and weight measurements?
That is about it. She did ask us for a couple of outdated forms that we needed to resign and resubmit. Otherwise, she will be back in about a month to complete our second visit.
Post placement visits are generally the easiest part of the process. You get to spend a little time bragging about your newest addition and your social worker will take notes and add it to the home study report.
Our post placement visits consist of general questions about the baby and the rest of the family. For example,
How is everyone adjusting? Any jealousy from the boys?
How many ounces of formula is she eating?
How is she sleeping?
Any problems with her health, eating, or otherwise?
Any worries or concerns?
Has she met all our family? Has our extended family accepted her?
What are her latest height and weight measurements?
That is about it. She did ask us for a couple of outdated forms that we needed to resign and resubmit. Otherwise, she will be back in about a month to complete our second visit.
Post placement visits are generally the easiest part of the process. You get to spend a little time bragging about your newest addition and your social worker will take notes and add it to the home study report.
7/25/11
7/24/11
Just So Happy
I cannot find the time to blog lately. I am too busy smiling. For the first time in the last decade we are not actively trying to have a child. For the first time in the last six years we are not actively pursuing adoption or keeping our adoption "stuff" together and current.
We made our way through the trenches and came out the other side. We were able to adopt three healthy, beautiful babies within six years. I do not believe that is common. Many adoptive parents wait that amount of time attempting to adopt their first. We are so fortunate.
When my kids are grumpy and they finally get over it they will say "Mom, I'm happy." I am happy too. So happy you could not slap the smile off of my face.
As we were trying to go to sleep last night and I heard the pitter patter of little feet sneaking through the darkness heading toward our room I laid there smiling. This is the greatest time of our lives. Life is good.
Our family is complete. Our hearts no longer ache for one more. We are a family of five. We are just so happy.
We made our way through the trenches and came out the other side. We were able to adopt three healthy, beautiful babies within six years. I do not believe that is common. Many adoptive parents wait that amount of time attempting to adopt their first. We are so fortunate.
When my kids are grumpy and they finally get over it they will say "Mom, I'm happy." I am happy too. So happy you could not slap the smile off of my face.
As we were trying to go to sleep last night and I heard the pitter patter of little feet sneaking through the darkness heading toward our room I laid there smiling. This is the greatest time of our lives. Life is good.
Our family is complete. Our hearts no longer ache for one more. We are a family of five. We are just so happy.
7/19/11
Being Reminded
When you adopt you can sometimes forget your child is adopted, happens all the time. It can happen when you are at the doctor's office and asked does he/she have a family history of...
It is a knee jerk reaction to answer, uh yes my mother had... Then you stop yourself and say never mind he/she is adopted. We do not know of a family history or we do not have a family history.
Last night we got another reminder. We have been busy planning our Griswold family road trip and making reservations for stops along the road. Suddenly, I remember we have not notified the agency.
Yep, we have to notify the agency if we go on vacation. Actually, it is an informal process but still serves as a reminder.
When your family is formed through adoption we continue to have hoops to jump through even after our sweet children come home. Of course we all know we have post placement visits and a court finalization hearing, but here is another one.
Our children are not technically our children until the finalization hearing. When adopting through an agency (which is the only experience we have so I claim no knowledge otherwise) our child's legal guardian is the agency. If we want to leave the state...we have to notify the agency. We have to get their permission.
Of course, this really is not a big deal. It is not a formal process. Our agency has always said have a safe trip.
So I sent an email to our wonderful social worker and told her our plans. Of course she said go and have a good time but I am also fairly certain she has to document our travel. A note to our file. She probably printed my email and added it to Avenn's adoption file.
Just another additional step, a little difference between our family and those formed biologically.
It is a knee jerk reaction to answer, uh yes my mother had... Then you stop yourself and say never mind he/she is adopted. We do not know of a family history or we do not have a family history.
Last night we got another reminder. We have been busy planning our Griswold family road trip and making reservations for stops along the road. Suddenly, I remember we have not notified the agency.
Yep, we have to notify the agency if we go on vacation. Actually, it is an informal process but still serves as a reminder.
When your family is formed through adoption we continue to have hoops to jump through even after our sweet children come home. Of course we all know we have post placement visits and a court finalization hearing, but here is another one.
Our children are not technically our children until the finalization hearing. When adopting through an agency (which is the only experience we have so I claim no knowledge otherwise) our child's legal guardian is the agency. If we want to leave the state...we have to notify the agency. We have to get their permission.
Of course, this really is not a big deal. It is not a formal process. Our agency has always said have a safe trip.
So I sent an email to our wonderful social worker and told her our plans. Of course she said go and have a good time but I am also fairly certain she has to document our travel. A note to our file. She probably printed my email and added it to Avenn's adoption file.
Just another additional step, a little difference between our family and those formed biologically.
7/17/11
On the Road Again...
Just can't wait to get on the road again...
We were able to get my new SUV this weekend. Same version as the old one just a newer model with a few extras.
The local dealerships did not have what we wanted in stock so we had to wait for it to be shipped from Missouri. So thankful to have my wheels back.
We were able to go and see what the hoodlums had done to my vehicle and a took a few photos. The photos do not do their handiwork justice.
Nearly every surface was scratched, dented, dinged or just ripped apart. I believe the interior damage is probably what would have cost so much to replace and repair which ended up totaling the vehicle. Hoodlums.
I believe the boys like my new car or at least like having a DVD player.
We also took time to move the renovation leftovers in the garage out of the way so my new ride is safe and sound parked indoors.
Since we are back on the road again. We have decided a Griswold driving vacation is in order. You may remember last October we hit the road for New Mexico and Colorado. Well the extreme heat here in Oklahoma has driven us west again. We plan to head for the mountains and find a nice cabin near a lake to hang out for a little while. Of course we will do all the Griswold like stop and see area attractions on the way. I can't wait. We'll be loading up in about 2 weeks!
We were able to get my new SUV this weekend. Same version as the old one just a newer model with a few extras.
The local dealerships did not have what we wanted in stock so we had to wait for it to be shipped from Missouri. So thankful to have my wheels back.
We were able to go and see what the hoodlums had done to my vehicle and a took a few photos. The photos do not do their handiwork justice.
I believe the boys like my new car or at least like having a DVD player.
Since we are back on the road again. We have decided a Griswold driving vacation is in order. You may remember last October we hit the road for New Mexico and Colorado. Well the extreme heat here in Oklahoma has driven us west again. We plan to head for the mountains and find a nice cabin near a lake to hang out for a little while. Of course we will do all the Griswold like stop and see area attractions on the way. I can't wait. We'll be loading up in about 2 weeks!
7/15/11
Deleted!
I am happy to announce I was able to remove Greg and Jessica from the Waiting to Adopt section on the sidebar of my blog. Two days ago they became parents to a beautiful baby girl. The TPR (termination of parental rights) was signed yesterday. Congratulations Greg and Jessica!
If you would like to be added to the Waiting to Adopt list on the sidebar of my blog please email (adoptivemomma2@yahoo.com) your blog or website address.
If you would like to be added to the Waiting to Adopt list on the sidebar of my blog please email (adoptivemomma2@yahoo.com) your blog or website address.
Perfect Baby...Out!
Her reign is over. Avenn is no longer the perfect baby. She had a couple of rough nights. She had several nights she decided she wanted to stay up and party until the wee hours, although last night she was back on track. Last night she was down by 9:00 p.m. and slept until 4:30 a.m. It is a little after eight and she is still asleep this morning. Hopefully she has decided she is not a night owl.
I guess we will keep her. :)
Today she is one month old. I know...I cannot believe it either. A whole month has passed already! Unbelievable.
She continues to change almost daily. She is so alert and a happy little girl.
The boys are still my helpers and want to hold their baby "seester".
I guess we will keep her. :)
Today she is one month old. I know...I cannot believe it either. A whole month has passed already! Unbelievable.
She continues to change almost daily. She is so alert and a happy little girl.
The boys are still my helpers and want to hold their baby "seester".
Happy Birthday!
My mother in law's birthday was yesterday. We want to make sure and give her a shout out! Happy Birthday Grandma Mitchell!!
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