Hi Everyone,
I’m sorry I haven’t updated you since I’ve arrived in Houston. As you can imagine, it’s been a bit busy. It’s been so crazy since I left Ohio on Dec 26.
First, I went to visit my friend Kelly & Dan in Springfield, MO. They have opened a gym and it was so nice to see their progress. I’m very proud of them.
Then, off to Houston! When I arrived, the temp was around 65 and it’s remained at 65-70 degrees every day since I’ve arrived. The first day was a torrential downpour, but since then it has been absolutely beautiful. Really, to be honest, I couldn’t ask for better weather. I’ve already noticed a difference in my back pain and energy!
We know the summers will get stifling hot, so we managed to find a house to rent with a private pool & spa. We’ll move into it as soon as our stuff arrives, which is scheduled to be at the house on Jan 15.
Our new address will be:
823 Oak Harbor Dr
Houston, TX 77062
After we move, we’ll re-start the adoption process. The agency has been absolutely wonderful. They pray for us, and have been incredibly patient. They’ve even agreed to do something completely unorthodox and transfer our funds already paid to another program. We’ll be switching to an international program, and we’ll be sure to keep you all posted on the news.
I started work on Jan 3 (Monday). So far, it’s a really great place. The people are friendly & fun, and the company is more than fair. In my first week of employment, they’ve given me a laptop, an iPhone, and today, I got a bonus! That’s right – 4th day of work and got a bonus already! Unbelievable! I am enjoying the job; I’m back in my element. They love that I know what I’m doing, and I feel that my knowledge & experience is going to be put to good use. Best of all, I feel respected at work. So nice.
We found a renter for our house in Columbus!!! Wahooo! God is working miracles! A Columbus Firefighter signed a lease today, and moves in on Sunday. WOW! The new countertops & sink will be installed on Wednesday, after which Rob will hit the road and head to Houston!
And, the icing on the cake: I found a long-lost cousin that lives only about 10 minutes away from me. In a city where it takes about 1-1.5 hours to drive across town, depending on traffic, I have a relative only 10 minutes away! I met up with Mark last week, and had a chance to spend some time with him, his family & friends on his birthday. It’s fun to reminisce about our annual camping trips that we had during the summer. It’s a blast from the past, and lots of fun.
God is so amazing, and we are so excited about the way things are just coming together! We just follow in faith, and He provides more than we could have imagined. God can do anything—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! Ephesians 3:20.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Texas
Sorry for the length of time between updates. We have been preparing to move. I've received a job offer in Texas! No worries, the adoption will continue. AGCI has been so wonderful to us! They prayed for us, and agreed to let us transfer the monies we've already paid into another program. Since we have to be in Ohio for the USA Program, we will be transferring to an international program. We have not decided on which one, yet. The agency advised us to wait until we move and get settled before we make any decisions...so we are not making this big decision under stressful conditions. Good idea!
So, we leave this week after Christmas and I start my job on Jan 3, 2011. Rob will hopefully find a job soon, as it is a big town for aviation (there are 60 + airports!). I'll give you updates as we go along.
Thank you all for your continued love and support of our crazy lives!
So, we leave this week after Christmas and I start my job on Jan 3, 2011. Rob will hopefully find a job soon, as it is a big town for aviation (there are 60 + airports!). I'll give you updates as we go along.
Thank you all for your continued love and support of our crazy lives!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Deb
We talked to Deb Athans last night. She is the person we contact for all paperwork....and by the looks of the binder of paperwork, I'd say she'll be our new BFF.
Next steps: We have to arrange for fingerprinting, criminal background checks, parenting classes, Fire Inspection....as well as send some immediate paperwork to Deb. The immediate stuff is only about 5-10 pages, so not so bad. Though, we do need to start on those personal profiles (51 pages each), because, of course, they do take forever!
Next steps: We have to arrange for fingerprinting, criminal background checks, parenting classes, Fire Inspection....as well as send some immediate paperwork to Deb. The immediate stuff is only about 5-10 pages, so not so bad. Though, we do need to start on those personal profiles (51 pages each), because, of course, they do take forever!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Mercy gives hope...and hope is everything to a child
We have received our Adoptive Parent Home Study Packet! The saying on the front is "Mercy gives hope...and hope is everything to a child"
This saying reminds us of why we are doing this. There is a child out there with hope of finding his or her Forever Family, and God has planned for us to be the family for that child. It's something bigger than we can imagine, as only God can do. It's pretty amazing.
We have a VERY long road ahead of us....this home study packet is a 2 inch 3-ring binder of things to do. No kidding. We have to do the local, state and FBI criminal background checks, complete with fingerprints. Then there are the refererences, the statement of guardianship (should something happen to us), the home study visits, complete with fire department inspections, the 51 page personal profile.... no joke... - 51 pages. Then there is the Child Characteristics checklist, which is a 5 page document with 2 columns on each page (each column with about 50 questions) of what we will/will not consider. WOW!! You think you know yourself. The emotional part wants to check the boxes that we'll consider any child that God has planned for us....no matter what! The practical part says, "Hold on a minute! You know NOTHING about that - you even had to Google it to know what it means! How do you intend to deal with a child in that situation?!" So, I'm sure we'll learn a lot about ourselves and each other as we prayfully consider each line of this section of the home study. The financial and medical documents are only 2 pages long! Wahoo! But, then, there are the verifications for each of those. Well, nothing is going to be easy.
I would normally feel overwhelmed as I look at this binder, but our new BFF, Deb Athans at All God's Children will walk us through each step of this, and she has already been in touch with us to set up a time to talk about the first step. Thank goodness for Deb!!
Next step: Call Deb back.
More to follow.
This saying reminds us of why we are doing this. There is a child out there with hope of finding his or her Forever Family, and God has planned for us to be the family for that child. It's something bigger than we can imagine, as only God can do. It's pretty amazing.
We have a VERY long road ahead of us....this home study packet is a 2 inch 3-ring binder of things to do. No kidding. We have to do the local, state and FBI criminal background checks, complete with fingerprints. Then there are the refererences, the statement of guardianship (should something happen to us), the home study visits, complete with fire department inspections, the 51 page personal profile.... no joke... - 51 pages. Then there is the Child Characteristics checklist, which is a 5 page document with 2 columns on each page (each column with about 50 questions) of what we will/will not consider. WOW!! You think you know yourself. The emotional part wants to check the boxes that we'll consider any child that God has planned for us....no matter what! The practical part says, "Hold on a minute! You know NOTHING about that - you even had to Google it to know what it means! How do you intend to deal with a child in that situation?!" So, I'm sure we'll learn a lot about ourselves and each other as we prayfully consider each line of this section of the home study. The financial and medical documents are only 2 pages long! Wahoo! But, then, there are the verifications for each of those. Well, nothing is going to be easy.
I would normally feel overwhelmed as I look at this binder, but our new BFF, Deb Athans at All God's Children will walk us through each step of this, and she has already been in touch with us to set up a time to talk about the first step. Thank goodness for Deb!!
Next step: Call Deb back.
More to follow.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Paid
"Big" bill #1 paid. It hurt only a little. However, we almost immediately got news that we are authorized to start the home study process (yes - frantic cleaning in the house ensued)!!!
Aside from that; here is what we can expect:
Oregon has strict requirements. So, in order to meet them, we have to take a foster/adopt parent training.
Then comes the home study: minimum of 4 contact: individual and couple interviews and at least one visit in our home, resulting in at least six hours total.
Then, there are the Post Placement Reports: quarterly visits with letters from the social worker.
Oh - then the family photo album. Connie doesn't know this yet, but she'll be assigned to this. This is for the committe to select a child for us, and then it goes to the foster family once we are selected.
The requirements for the family album are:
The album should be geared toward the child(ren) and include the following:
Three notarized copies of the home study agency license
Three notarized copies of the social worker’s license
One original family photo album
Wow. We have a lot of stuff left to do!! This is pretty exciting. Cannot wait to meet our child and see who God has in mind for us.
Aside from that; here is what we can expect:
Oregon has strict requirements. So, in order to meet them, we have to take a foster/adopt parent training.
Then comes the home study: minimum of 4 contact: individual and couple interviews and at least one visit in our home, resulting in at least six hours total.
Then, there are the Post Placement Reports: quarterly visits with letters from the social worker.
Oh - then the family photo album. Connie doesn't know this yet, but she'll be assigned to this. This is for the committe to select a child for us, and then it goes to the foster family once we are selected.
The requirements for the family album are:
The album should be geared toward the child(ren) and include the following:
- A letter addressed to the child(ren)
- Pictures
- each member of the family
- family activities
- family gatherings
- pets
- the home
- the child’s room
- Captions identifying who/what is in the picture
Three notarized copies of the home study agency license
Three notarized copies of the social worker’s license
One original family photo album
Wow. We have a lot of stuff left to do!! This is pretty exciting. Cannot wait to meet our child and see who God has in mind for us.
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