Committee Date

John was on the phone with the foster parents for 3 hours last night. I think it goes without saying that they are great people who are easy to talk to. She told us we were her pick, unfortunately she doesn't have a say in the final decision. So we continue to make countless phone calls trying to schmooze those who do have a say. The committee date is set for February 3. That means all fingers and toes crossed, all prayer groups engaged, and all good juju is required to be sent this way.....let's make this happen people!

Still waiting

No news to report yet. We are still hoping that the committee will be scheduled for the end of the January and when (notice I said "when" not "if'") we get selected the girl's move would happen over the next 3 weeks or so following that. In the mean time it is taking every ounce of strength I have to refrain from shopping, especially with all the fantastic post Christmas sales going on.

On a completely unrelated side note...can you believe there are bathing suits in the stores already?

Closing down and starting fresh

We were informed this month that our adoption agency is closing down and our account will be transferred over to another agency. We were highly apprehensive of this at first, we shopped other agencies, but ultimately decided to tough it out. As of January 1st we will be clients of Christian family adoptions.


On a HUGE and much more positive note, we have been selected to be part of our first adoption committee. For those of you unfamiliar with this process I will briefly explain. We get bulletins of the waiting children, read through bulletins, submit on who you think would be a good fit, wait months and months, maybe hear back from the agency maybe not =) until one day the phone rings and it's your husband saying"Guess what? We've been selected to go to committee on M & R." I proceed to sit silently for a few seconds, John asks if I'm there and then I blurt out a million Shut ups! Shut the f up and Nu uh, No way, Really? My heart beating so fast, I finally settle in to it long enough to begin giggling and ask how he's feeling. "Committee" is a panel of people who select the adoptive parents. I picture it being much like People's court. The committee members up front, raised up above everyone else. Our caseworker down below trying to convince them we are the best choice, the other caseworkers doing the same for their clients. Foster parents, therapists, CASAs, and family members testifying as to who they connected with best over the phone and who they want to see win this case. 3 families are selected and our caseworkers in essence "compete" for us in committee....may the best family win!

I've talked to our therapist and pediatrician, the girl's foster mom and case worker, the only one left to talk to is the girl's therapist. So far I'm feeling really confident all the conversations went smoothly. The case worker did say this would be a "tough" committee, but I know we've got this! Our committee date would be set for some time in January. As soon I hear anything I'll let you know.

Tidbit of news

We received a call from the agency yesterday saying that we can enroll into the special needs infant program in conjunction with the state adoption. We have to attend a class on how to parent medically fragile infants as well as watch a training DVD from the agency. That's at least one more step in the right direction. On a side note: I will be trick-or-treating and filling a stocking for someone other than my husband next holiday season!

AHHHHH!!!

I'm so annoyed and frustrated with our agency right now. I can not believe that after leaving numerous messages our agency rep can not find the time to call us back.....even when it means there is more money in it for them (which I'm positive they do not deserve)

2 months and 28 days later

I just realized how long it's been since I've logged on and written. Weight Watchers is still going strong, I'm down 20 and I think John is down 35 or so. This past week has been a challenge and I think we each gained a few pounds back. Time to re motivate! After tomorrow that is, as I do have to finish off the rest of that sweet sweet delicious Halloween candy. No news on the adoption front, yet another few months have passed with out any apparent progress. We have a few calls in to the agency to find out about enrolling in the special needs infant program along with being in the state program. (In)Fertility treatment is clipping along. Have a specialist assigned, ran a few preliminary tests, have to loose 20 more pounds by January, and then the bring on the drugs.

New focus

To keep my mind off of adoption, is that possible, and prepare for parenting John and I have decided that it's time to get a little healthier. He's been feeling blah for a while now and my epiphany came while I was watching Dance your ass off, pint of Ben and Jerry's in hand, and realized that the people on the show weigh less than I do! So, we're on day 2 and so far so good. We've gotten up an hour early and walked together before John leaves for work, had grilled veggies for dinner last night, weighed out and counted John's food for lunch. Overall I think it's going ok. I'm home during the day so it requires slightly more self discipline not to snack all day. Wish me luck. My cousin told me we would be great parents because we are young at heart. And as I told her this young at heart mama can't run fast or far anymore let alone keep up with a toddler. Time to work my ass off, literally.