And There it is....

Got the call, and here is the story.

Carrot top was featured on "Thursday's Child", for our state's adoption advocacy initiative. This was taped long before we had inquired about him. However, it JUST aired this week. The SW said "that due to overwhelming response to his case, they have decide to put him on hold until all home studies can be read and reviewed."

So we wait. AGAIN! For all home studies to be received, read, and reviewed.

BACK TO SQUARE ONE!

When you decide to do this, you put in the training and hours needed to become a certified adoptive or licensed home. You then, Naively, think that you will be getting "THE CALL" the very next day. No such luck.

We have been at it for a full year now. There is no end in sight. So, we will continue to wait...for carrot top, for "M". For just the right fit.

**SIGH**

NOTHIN'!!!

Yes, I have called...and left messages. Two now.
I know that the Sw was not in the office yesterday, but...sigh!
I am taking that as a sign in THE OTHER FAMILIES favor. Oh Woe Is Me..sigh (again)!
So, it is back to looking, and waiting, and hoping, and waiting, and calling, and waiting some more.

I am determined to post some good news.
Hmmmm...Let's see.

Oh, My daughter's birthday is Sunday! Alyssa is turning 15, and signed up for Driver's Education (that is NOT good news). As I mentioned in an earlier post, we are having a Rock Band fest tonight, and going to the theatre tomorrow. Woo Hoo!

So, Happy Birthday Gracie Mae!! I love you with all of my heart!

XOXOXOXO

Ring Damn It!

It is like watching water boil...you wait and wait and wait!

Still no call or email. That's gotta be bad, huh?

Hump Day Grumps!

So it is officially mid-week.

Hump Day, and I have the grumps.

I haven't heard a word about our carrot top. I was told that I would have more info by "mid-week". Now, I am not so naive to think that our boy is the only boy on this SW's case load. I know how over worked and underpaid she is. Andy-The-Great and I have been waiting and wading through all the bureaucratic sludge for a year now. I am anxious to see the light at the end.

I was also told that my Ex husband would not be doing anything for my 15 year old's birthday this weekend. He said that she is to busy. WHAT?!? In what world is handing your child a card and some cash acceptable? So, I am scampering to throw together a Rock-Band fest on Friday night for a bunch of teen-agers. I must be nuts!!! Saturday we are taking her to see SWEENEY TODD at the Portland Players. I think that Andy and I will love it as much as she will. We are getting a sitter and going out like real adults do (or so I am told). At least I am making sure that it doesn't go unnoticed.

Finally, why is it that the last two nights in a row, my youngest children think that 2:30 in the morning is "get up time"? If it is dark...WE SLEEP!!! There is not enough coffee in the world to help me.

Planting a seed

Spent the weekend planting our veggies. A lot of hard work, but very rewarding. To stand there and see the seedlings ready to grow fruit for our family. Now, a little luck that they will survive. Spring time in Maine can be up and down temperature wise.

Isn't that they way with everything. You plant a seed of thought or hope, and wish it the best. Take care of it the best way you know how...and cross your fingers!

I am glad that I had things to keep me busy. It made the long weekend blow by. I only thought about the match meeting on Friday a few times. I am hoping that we hear something today. The boy's SW told me that the meeting was on Friday morning and that we should get a packet of personal history by mid-week this week. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL MID-WEEK to see if we have been picked. Is she crazy!?!

I will do the best I can, NOT to make her insane. Not call every few min's. At least let her take her coat off this morning before checking in.

Andy-the-great and I will be attending another Meet & Greet, June 6th. We are not big fans of this type of gathering. Last time we attended, there were about 25 children awaiting families, and about 30 families, and their children, looking to adopt. We had to almost stand in line to connect with a child in waiting.

I understand the concept, and if families were limited to a smaller group, it may work better.

We are attending, however, because our carrot top will meet us there. For the first time. We will arrive a bit earlier than the other families, and have our own few moments with him. It is not expected for him to be there very long. He has to travel an hour and a half, to get there. Yuck! I can imagine that he won't be at his best. Doesn't matter to me. We have no real expectations.

Just crossing our fingers, and hoping he will grow. Grow in our care...

The Wiating Child's Lullabye

KISSES IN THE WIND

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.You are here each day with me, at least that's how it seems.I know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long.But remember child, I love you so and God will keep you strong.Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...Because tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until I can be with you.I promise you, my darling, I'm doing all that I can do.Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.But for tonight, just as always, I blow you kisses in the wind.May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.And let the angels bring the kisses that I send to you each night.

--written by Pamela Durkota

Another Call...

YEA, Sunny Day!

It is going to be close to 90 degrees today, I am told. WOOT! The kids are already out playing. I am drinking coffee and chatting with you fine people.

All is right with the world.

So, I got a called yesterday about a possible match. She said first thing, "I am not afraid of large families, like most SW's."

Okay. I guess that I was unaware of the stigma placed on larger families. I thought that the fact that I am home all day, we are good parents, and people would speak louder than how many children we had.

Anyway...I am not going to say much about it, other than

He is a five year old RED HEAD.

I don't want to jinx it. WISH US LUCK!!!

Meet My Son!

After visiting my blog last night, my son Ty (age 11) noticed that there was not quite enough news about him posted. He said that all of my "Bluddies", blog buddies, are interest in him TOO.

So, meet my son!

He is almost 12, and will forever be my baby. I did not think that I would have any others. So, I poured my heart and soul into this "last baby ever".

He slept with me until nearly 9. I still cut his meat, but on Andy's advice, I am trying to stop that.

Ty questions me about EVERYTHING. He wants to make sure that he is doing it correctly, and he apologizes about others just so his Mama will feel better.

He will kill any creepy crawler that I need shooed. Ty still kisses and hugs me every night. He laughs loud, and loves me hard!!!

He once asked me how I thought his future wife would feel to have me come on their honeymoon. LOL!

I shall remind him of this on his wedding day!

Ty is incredibly smart, but only does the bare minimum needed. He is athletic. Modest. Kind. Funny. Sarcastic. And, he looks just like his father. Almost as if I had no part in him at all. But, I was there. 32 hours of labor. 2 1/2 hours of pushing that melon out of my body.

He is mine. My boy. My love.

Wee little peeps...

Andy and I are raising chickens.

Yup. You heard me correctly. Chickens.

As if 6 children, two dogs, and two cats weren't enough. I decided to raise chickens for eggs. I am even considering a pig, and maybe a cow.

We are also growing a larger garden this year. You know... tomatoes, corn, beans, squash, cukes, and herbs. Strawberries, and melon.

Our own little homestead.

Becoming more self sufficient, and saving money in the long run. Also teaching our children about the value of hard work. The reward at the end.

And, I am just plain NUTS!

So, Andy and I modified our adoption license. From JUST adoption, to Foster/Adopt. We had ANOTHER state visit and inspection yesterday. They asked about us doing reunification work, and I just don't think I have that in me. I have followed many of your blogs, the ones that so nobly do reunification fostering, and I just don't see how I can watch them leave. Many will return again to the system. This I will think long and hard about.

So, at this point we will foster to adopt. Or do long term fostering. Cases that point toward TPR. This, again, is no guarantee. I do feel that this will give us a better chance of finding the right fit.

It will be three weeks before we will have our license to start, and who knows from there. You think that you will get your license...and the following day....have a placement. NOPE!

It is a long process.

We are anxious to be able to start this journey. I think that it is something that I am meant to do, and I am excited!

Just Like Her Mom...I hope!

This is a picture of my oldest daughter, Alyssa. Alyssa the strong, stubborn, opinionated, smart, sarcastic, and mouthy girl. The theatre geek and reader of all that is written. The over achieving, straight "A" receiving fruit of my womb.

I struggle with this beauty.

I struggle to get her to drop the attitude, and "Just do what I say, damn it!" I struggle with the eye rolling, and sighing. The "I know, MOM!"

I struggle with the fact that she is going places.

This girl that I would hold for hours on end, and watch sleep. My girl that would sing, "I am the most beautiful girl in the world...la la la". The child that would call me her "bestest" friend.

She will, in a few short years, leave her mother. Move out into the world and realize all of her dreams. I have never known a child to be so determined to do just that.

Alyssa is the kindest, most giving, and most loving soul.

She will give her last bite (not to me, but...) to someone in need.

I am continually enamored by her beauty.

I made her. She grew inside of my body. I raised her to love. To stand up for herself and what she believes (however, I pay for it now). To work hard and laugh loud. To give, and to receive with thanks. To dream.

AND TO LOVE HER MOTHER ALWAYS!!

A fine Farewell....

That's it! It's officially a Junker! We have known it for sometime, but were holding on as long as we could!

Our 1994 Chevy Suburban (POS) is going to the scrap heap! In order to get it inspected, we were quoted $1200.

$!@#!!!

$1200.00 worth of repair to make the vehicle worth $2000.00.

YEAH RIGHT!

So, at this point we are driving my mother-in-laws car. It seats 5. We look like clowns at a circus, spilling out of that thing!

So, we are searching. For a car that will hold all of our brood, and be affordable.

LMAO!!!

Farewell, sweet prince!