Phone Call from the Social Worker

....was no big deal. She needed more info for her report, which I assume is now in the process of being approved.

I am really enjoying my two weeks of Christmas break. In general the worst thing about student teaching is the lack of money.... but it's nice to spend time at home as well.

We kept our niece last night. One major problem we had is that she will NOT go to sleep unless you are with her. You have to lay in bed with her until she falls asleep, and then you can escape to your own bed.

I have a feeling that will just be tip of the iceberg for us when our foster kids arrive.

I hope everyone has a wonderful New Years. I will probably make this blog private in a few weeks - our college professors suggest that things like blogs, facebook and other networking sites be kept out of our students' range :) If you are interested in continuing to read (because obviously you have nothing else to do :), please e-mail me at brandik2002@yahoo.com.

Greg went for a pre-interview test at one of the major local cities. We are hoping he will get called for an interview. He also heard from a major water company today about a possible job but ended up playing phone tag. Please pray that something will pan out for him... and that we would be patient and continue to trust God and HIS timing! He has provided so far!

Happy Birthday Momma-sita!

Today is my Mom's birthday. We all went to Outback to celebrate.

The closer Greg and I get to becoming parents, the more I realize how much my parents did for me. And yes, I know I have no clue about what being a parent really means. But I get the idea.

Mom, thank you for your patience, love and support.

Happy 36th Birthday! :) I hope I look that good when I'm your age!

Home Study Update .... and D, G & S

I got an e-mail December 12th from our social worker, saying she was still working on our paperwork.

I got another e-mail from her today saying she had everything typed up but needed to clarify some things with us and would call us this Sunday at 5 P.M.

Alrighty then!

So much for getting calls by now :)

It's a good thing that God's timing is perfect - or else I'd be really impatient by now!!

I spoke to the great-grandmother of D, G & S. I told her we were still praying about the kids but that our biggest setback was a room for the youngest, a girl. We have planned on buying a bigger home after I get a teaching job. That, or adding onto our home seem to be the only options at this point. We'll see what God has in store. I will not be calling the great-grandmother or CPS about the kids until our home study is complete.

Homestudy #2 Complete - Now for the Wait!

Our second visit was over in less than 20 minutes. The social worker was great. We asked her what was next, and when we could expect placements. She said she would call me when we were approved and at that point we would be placed on a waiting list. I wish I had more information about the list, but I will try to find out when she calls. It would be nice to know how many people are on the list before us, how many want little babies, etc.

I have been working on the kids room. I found some things called "wall pops" that some of the teachers at my school use. They are like big stickers that stay sticky and peel on and off easily. I got them in dots and squares in green, orange, navy, and a combo of the three. I have been experimenting with them and will post pictures when I'm done. I also got khaki duvet covers and pillow shams for the bunk beds. My "plan" is to make coordinating throw pillows for the beds. We shall see, I am no Martha Stewart! I want the room to be colorful but low budget. That way if it gets torn up I won't be resentful about money spent.

Two more weeks of classes! I will be visiting the High School until December 19Th. I have a couple of projects to work on for this week. I should have done them during the Thanksgiving Break but I am a lazy girl.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, I know I did.

Homestudy #2

Our social worker is coming back tomorrow at 2 pm to check the house. Greg and his Dad are child proofing our many cabinets as I type. They are almost done with the kitchen and still have two bathrooms to do. My Dad is coming to replace a bedroom door (our past dog had a run in with it) and replace a shelf in the laundry room so I can pile up all of our drugs and cleaning supplies.

The house is a total disaster.... and I am not looking forward to cleaning it.

On a brighter note, I presented and turned in my last project before Thanksgiving. OH yes, there are more projects due! However, I got to research and present a topic of my choice so I did "Motivating and Advocating Children in Foster Care". When I told the class I had chosen the topic because we were being licensed for foster care, they applauded. I certainly wasn't expecting that but it was very touching. I had a lot of class discussion and questions afterwards and I think it made an impact. A few things that I discovered in my research:

Most school officials and teachers do not see any differences between low income students and children in foster care

• Children in foster care are more likely to fail a grade
• Children in foster care are more likely to be disciplined
• Children in foster care are less likely to graduate

Scary stuff. Especially when so many of them are "aging out" of the system. BTW, there were around 34,000 children in foster care in 2007.

How many can YOU take?

Homestudy Complete - Sorta :)

We had our homestudy Saturday. The social worker was really nice. Mostly she just interviewed us. She gave us her checklist for what she'll be looking for as far as the house is concerned, and will be coming back on the 22ND.

Basically she said that as long as the house was in order she had no concerns. Because of the wide age range we have (newborn through 12) she said we would be getting plenty of calls. Oh, and by the way, we can expect to start getting calls somewhere around the middle of December to early January! That is both scary and exciting to us. It's funny because we've been working toward this goal since April and it's really just starting to hit us: we're going to have kids in our house. We're going to be responsible for being their role model, feeding them nutritious meals, screening their television time, disciplining them and most importantly: introducing them to Jesus. I hope we're up for this!

I still haven't talked to D, G&S's great grandmother yet. I feel very conflicted about this whole situation.... Part of me wonders if maybe they weren't adopted by the foster family so that we could adopt them. But then logic takes hold: can we handle THREE KIDS? (Shoot, can we even handle one? Will we have a clue?) Where will the little girl sleep? We only have one bedroom. We would have to transition them into a new town, new schools, new church, new doctors, new therapists. Oh yeah, and new parents! My heart just aches for these three, and their great grandmother, who is constantly praying for these precious children to find a good Christian home to grow up in.

Greg and I want to be in God's will. Now we just have to listen to Him and find out what He wants us to do.

2 Days Till the Homestudy! And updates on D,G&S

So the house is a wreck, my projects aren't done, and I still haven't studied for my test Saturday. This test costs $120 to take so I REALLY need to pass it the first time :)

I got a card from the great-grandmother of D,G&S. She says she talked to the CPS agent and the kids are still available for adoption. I don't know if this is good news or not.... my guess is that the foster parents who had the two younger kids decided they couldn't take on all three.

Unfortunately, I don't know if we can either.

I need to call the great-grandmother but I dread it. She is such a sweet lady and I know she is so heart broken about these kids. Please pray for her. In her note she said she'd asked CPS if she could see the kids, and of course their answer was "no". I would really like to know why the foster family decided against adopting all of the kids. There could be a lot of reasons, like behavior problems, personal problems, personality differences with other kids in the house, etc.

Either way, all I can concentrate on right now is getting our stuff done. Did I mention my house is a wreck? :)

Homestudy - Change of Plans

*Prayer Request* Our homestudy has been moved up to November 8Th. This is the same day I have a huge exam in the morning. I also have a big project due on the 11Th. The caseworker will be here at 11 a.m. I hope to be out of my exam by noon. She is going to interview Greg first and then us together when I get home. Lindsey has to work that Saturday (highly unusual) but if she is not home in time, the caseworker will reschedule with her. I was hoping they would just move the homestudy to the 22ND or 29Th, but they want to take care of it now.

No pressure! This gal will be watching NO TV, dragging her husband away from the TV, and staying very busy for the next two weeks!

**Blessing**Just as I was wondering how we were going to pay for extra stuff for the house to get ready for the homestudy, I got a check in the mail from my Aunt. It was perfect timing and couldn't be needed more right now. Thank you Lord for the faithful who allow themselves to be used by you! What an incredible, humbling and encouraging experience. Thank you Auntie!

Homestudy Scheduled

November 15Th.

No big deal, I only have a mid-term, one major project and my content exit exam before then :)

Holy Smokes....

Our caseworker seems nice (as far as I can tell through e-mail). I just hope we can get the house ready before then!

I think we are bending toward getting the kids now. Again, the argument is: why would getting kids during my Residency (when I am still under the help and supervision of a mentor teacher) be any more difficult than my first year of teaching (on my own and from what I hear, very stressful)?

Or, if we're going for a "stress-free" time to adopt, we could just wait until AFTER my first year of teaching... no big deal, just another year and a half of waiting, right?

I don't think so! Keep in mind that it wouldn't just be us waiting, but our kids sitting in foster care, waiting for us.

Greg is getting older (he says so himself) and will be 40 before we know it. We are both ready and want kids. Having and raising them is stressful no matter when, so why not do it now?

However accepting any placements will not happen until Greg has a full-time job.

Did anyone watch 20/20 last night? There was a very disturbing story about a family who was in the process of adopting a little boy from foster care when he died of salt poisoning. The Mom was convicted of capital murder and given a life sentence. You can read more here. There is also a link on the website to the 20/20 special. Please pray for this Texas family, especially for the Dad who is home with their remaining five children.

It's Home Study Time!

When we turned in our paperwork we were told the agency recruiter would not be back from her cruise. So we assumed our file would not be finalized until she came back.

Wrong!

I got a call from a nice lady named Becky who informed me of a few things we were missing from our file and our car insurance form had expired. I e-mailed everything to her, and she wrote back that our status was now "home study ready". So we could get a call at any time.

I really thought we wouldn't have to worry about a home study until late November or December. Don't ask me why....

Now I'm freaking out because we have a ton of things to do before our house is ready to be inspected. We need to child proof the place, replace a door, finish our molding in the living room, take down the ceiling fan in the kids' room and put up a new light fixture, get bedding, put locks on tons of doors and a few million other things that I can't think of right now.

Oh yeah, and I have tests and other school work to worry about as well :)

Greg is still looking for a job. The pool business is almost officially dead so he is ramping up for a serious job hunt. Please pray for him in this area. It would be really great if he found something before the home study.

But God is good, and He provides. And when it's all said and done, we are ready to be "Mom and Dad"!

Paperwork Completed and Turned In

Whew! We dropped our paperwork off at the agency today. Of course the recruiter is on a cruise until the 24Th so it will just sit on her desk until she gets back. That's okay though.

So maybe we'll have a home study in November and total approval in December or January. We are still debating on whether to accept placements while I am doing my student teaching. Honestly though, I can't imagine my residency will be any more difficult than my first year of teaching, so why put it off?

Now we need to prepare for the home study. We have a lot to get done on the house.

I was substitute teaching in a local elementary school when I came in contact with a 2nd grader there who is a foster child. He was very sweet to all of the special ed kids I was taking care of. However within 10 minutes the principal "set him off" and he threw a trash can at the principal. I have a feeling our life is going to be very interesting once we have a placement!

Paperwork, Blessings and Life

I haven't posted in a long time..... Life is VERY busy right now.

Student teaching is a BLAST. I am also sub-ing when I don't have a ton of homework, which has been interesting. Tomorrow and Tuesday I will work as a sub for my mentor teacher. Woohoo!

(Prayer Request) Since I quit my job August 15th things have gotten interesting. Two weeks ago, my A/C went out. Our mechanic is fabulous and loaned me his truck. We are expecting a call this coming week about the cost....

(Blessing).... I mentioned Greg quit his job on the same day I did. His Dad runs a pool business and Greg has been working with "Papaw". Between this and working part-time as a valet, we have not touched our savings (except $120 I needed to pay to take a stinking test!).

(Prayer Request) The pool business, while it has been so good to us, is starting to die off for the season. Greg is beginning a job search in earnest.

(Blessing) So our fridge went out. Not the freezer, just the fridge part. Lindsey's friend does fridge repair and suggested we defrost the whole thing. And it worked! Yeah, baby! We mentioned the fridge issue at church and a couple called, saying their daughter had a really nice fridge she was selling for $200. We decided not to buy it since ours was working again, and just hope for the best. They called us back the next day and said their daughter felt led to GIVE US THE FRIDGE. We are working out a time to pick it up. It is a side-by-side that has a water and ice cube dispenser in front. Funny story: I am really thrilled about the water/cube feature because as a child I always thought only really "rich people" had fridges like that. Ha, ha.

(Blessing) My sub paperwork for the school district I teach for came in ONE day before my mentor had to put in for a sub for Monday and Tuesday. I literally got an e-mail Friday afternoon, just in the nick of time. This was really nice since I'd been waiting for that e-mail for about a month. Now I will get paid for two days, when I would have to be there anyway for free.

God is really, REALLY good. He always provides.

Now for more news:

WE ARE FINISHED WITH OUR PAPERWORK!

We just need to print out our applications and take everything to the agency. I am planning on doing that this week.

We are going to talk to our agency about going ahead with the home study but not accepting placements until the first of next year. We don't even see each other.... I'm not sure how we would take care of a child. This is disappointing to us, but we have to think about what is best for the kids we would bring into our home. It's not about US, right? :)

I'm just ready to meet my kids. And I know they need me too....

No Fun Being the Newbie

I had my first day of student teaching today. Not that I did any teaching or even observed any teaching, I went to my first "staff development meeting". It wasn't as boring as it sounds. My mentor teacher is friendly and invited me to lunch with some more seasoned teachers.

I consider myself to be pretty friendly.... but it was so hard today. I think part of the reason was a splitting headache (people with bad allergies should NOT spray paint dressers - especially when the end result looks bad anyway! :). I also think I felt a little awkward.... I'm used to walking into the same job for 7 years... and the job before that another 7 years. I am a creature of habit. I surround myself with people I know and who know me. But this will change... and become more comfortable. Tomorrow I'm heading back to the school to help decorate and organize the classroom. I'm praying that I will worry less about fitting in and just absorb this experience like a sponge and become the best student teacher I can.

My mentor teacher is having a desk put into her class for me and I will have a room key and a faculty parking sticker. I know that may sound silly to some, what's the big deal, right? But I have been going to school a LONG time (I may have already mentioned that :) to be a teacher. So it feels like I am finally getting a teensy-weensy slice of the pie (And I LOVE pie!).

The principal of my school made several references to his church and faith. I would work there just to work with him. He seems very genuine and all of the teachers like him.

I'm still cleaning out the kids' room.... how did we accumulate this much junk in only 3 years?! Our bedroom is getting pretty crowded. I'm hoping this weekend we can get Greg's application finished, print off photos of the house and take it to the agency. Please continue to pray for us as we seek God's will in our schedules. On a brighter note I have a friend who is giving us a crib, stroller, car seat and base. And probably more stuff. We want to have anything we might need on hand for a newborn to 12 year old, but it is impossible to buy everything. God is blessing us through friends with many items that we won't have to buy ourselves.

Three Years Ago Today

On August 6, 2005 at 3PM I walked down the aisle and married the man of my dreams.

It really does seem like yesterday.

I woke my parents and sister up at 6 AM. I couldn't sleep and thought we should all go to breakfast. Although no one was really happy with me at the time I think we can all look back on that last "family" meal (minus Greg) together with fondness.

Looking back, one thing that is clear to me now is how naive I was about marriage. That girl in the white dress was not only thinner (ha!) but very idealistic. I have been surprised at how difficult marriage is - but so worth the work!

I can also see looking back how God prepared Greg and I for marriage and for each other. It was worth the wait and in God's perfect time.

Happy Anniversary to my mate, my Macho Man, my friend, and my forever love. I wouldn't trade these three years for anything.

Love,

Brandi

For Richer, For Poorer...

I put in my notice this Monday. My last day will be August 15th (unless my Boss fills my position before then, it looks like he might - but I hope not). Also as of this Monday, Greg is looking for a job. Go-getter that he is, he contacted his old part-time job at the valet company and will be doing that in the evenings the first week of August. Until then he is searching for his next career. I think this is actually a blessing in many ways. First of all, it's no secret that I hated the sales job. He was gone every evening, every Saturday and stressed all the time. Plus he will have time to finish up some of the stuff around our house we need done before the homestudy. I would never have dreamed it would take us this long to get licensed.

Good news and updates: Greg did his physical! YES! And we are on page 17 of 23 of his application. Now I just have to gather the new items CPS is requesting and we're done.

VBS starts Sunday. I am teaching and looking forward to it.

It's also worth noting that our dear friends Royce and Dawn welcomed their third child into the world on Monday, Kenzie Michelle. We are taking them dinner tonight so I'll try to get pictures. She is completely beautiful of course.

Happy Friday!

New Stuff Needed, and More Drama

CPS is now requiring four additional items in the application process:

Documentation of Education
Documentation of Verifiable Income
Photograph of all sides of your home
Last 10yrs of residence

Interesting. Of course I wrote our agency back asking exactly what forms or copies she wanted for "documentation of education".... and does a pay stub equal verifiable income? Just make a list of our residences in the last 10 years?

I'm sure I'm making things more complicated than they really are. But geesh, photographs of ALL sides of our house? Just curious, WHY? Do they need just one set of photographs?

But we'll do it.

As far as drama, Greg is looking for a new job. And I am giving notice here this Friday. So we may both be unemployed soon and ineligible for foster care anyway!

Of course this is all in God's hands. We are willing to do whatever He wants, and know He will provide.

Oh, and the good news is that Greg's application has been located. Whew! So we will finish that up and he will go to the Dr. under threat of bodily harm from me!!

On a lighter note, we got to keep our great-niece this weekend. She was a hoot. I can see why people don't want to take on sibling groups, one is definitely easier. I think that 2 is definitely a max for us until I'm done student teaching. One was hard enough... she snuck into the office, found a permanent marker I'd left on the desk ( I know, DUH!), and marked her face. Luckily I caught her just in time and managed to SCRUB it off. Her next escapade included "brushing" her hair with my round brush and getting it stuck. I know this sounds terrible but I did get pictures of her with the hairbrush. She is looking at me like, "Aunt Brandi, WHAT are you DOING?".

Good times.

When she left the house was really quiet. Whenever the Lord wants to send those kids, I think we're ready :)

Rio Bend

Focus on the Family aired a two day conversation with (former) Congressman Tom Delay and his wife. They are huge advocates for foster care kids and have raised money to build a foster care "community". It is an amazing layout that focuses on neglected and abused kids in foster care.

The houses are about 4600 sq. ft. and have about 7-8 rooms. Each room is large and holds 2 children. Each child has their own bed, dresser, and each room has it's own bathroom. The community also has it's own chapel, swimming pool, workout center and more.

The community is located in Richmond, TX, about 4 hours from the DFW community and is called Rio Bend. You can check out their website here.

The Delay's have been foster parents to three foster children. Mrs. Delay has also worked as a CASA volunteer in the past.

Same 'Ole Same Here

Nothing new to report on the adoption front. We are still waiting on Greg's physical and application. The really bad news is I had Greg 1/2 way through his application and now I can't find it. Anywhere. Looks like we might be starting over - not good!

In the meanwhile, we set up the bunk beds, managed to break the zipper on the futon mattress and my fabulous mother-in-law repaired it. Seeing those beds in the office is so eerie. It makes me believe that we may actually have kids in there one day! My next move is to clean out my closet, move Greg and I into one dresser (pray for us, please! hehe!) and move our office furniture into our bedroom.

I think we have narrowed our age range from newborn to 12. Actually we said 6 months to 12 years.... but if a new baby comes, so be it :) With those age limitations we are open to any race or gender. We are going to limit ourselves to sibling groups of two. I would love to do more, but I don't want to push things with student teaching and school. In a perfect world we would get one older child and their toddler sibling. While we are definitely burdened for older kids, we would love to have at least one "baby" (2 or younger).

I am also preparing to give notice at work NEXT FRIDAY. I am a nervous wreck. I've had a job since I was 14.... and I really don't like being broke. It's funny because the A/C on my car is going out ($300?) and Greg needs some kind of valves on his truck ($1000?). I told him either God is helping us out BEFORE I'm unemployed or Satan really doesn't want me in the classroom and is trying to scare us - Or maybe I am giving my teaching skills too much credit there :)

Last but not least, Greg is considering a job change. This is scary mostly because of health insurance... neither of us will have any for awhile. I'm praying that his new job has instant or quick benefits. And that he will enjoy what he does.

Father, I know that You are in charge and know exactly what we need. Forgive me for my lack of faith!

"O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you" - Psalm 84:12

Updates

On the adoption front, all we need at this time is Greg's physical and application. Of course we still have a ton of stuff to do in the house before our home study. I have been giving Greg a hard time about "slowing down" our adoption process but he is working hard right now. Please pray for how I can help and encourage him.

Other big news is that I have my student teaching assignment. It's in a great school district in a new school. Several kids from our church go there and I'm already teasing them about "see you at lunch" :) I thought they were going to have a heart attack!

If all goes well my last day of work will be August 15Th. I am applying to school districts throughout the metroplex for substitute positions.

Happy Wednesday!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the man who....

...can fix anything

...always knows where North, South, East & West are

...went to every volleyball game I played and games I cheered at

...is tough as nails

...always calls back

...provides for his family

...is almost as stubborn as me

...is a fabulous father

...drinks coffee when it's 100 degrees

...can "cut a rug" for a white boy

...creates beautiful things with his hands

...gives the best hugs

...assured me of a safe childhood

...has the same crooked pinky fingers I do

...will make the greatest Grandpa

I love you, Dad!

Thank you for all you do for us. Our lives are better because you are in them.

-Brandi

Famous Adoptees, Adopters, and Birth Parents

I thought this was an interesting list... although it's not completely up-to-date... Madonna's not on it :) You can find links and read about each person in detail at http://celebrities.adoption.com/



Adopted Persons:


Andy Berlin - entrepreneur: chairman of Berlin Cameron & Partners

Anthony Williams - politician

Aristotle - philosopher

Art Linkletter - comedian

Bo Diddley - musician, performer

Buffy Sainte-Marie - musician, actress

Carl-Theodor Dreyer - Danish film director

Charlotte Anne Lopez - Miss Teen USA

Christina Crawford - author

Clarissa Pinkola Estes - author

Crazy Horse - Lakota war chief

Dan O'Brien - decathlete

Daunte Culpepper - football player

Dave Thomas - entrepreneur: founder of Wendy's

Debbie Harry - singer

D.M.C. - hip hop artist

Edgar Allan Poe - poet, writer

Edward Albee - playwright

Eleanor Roosevelt - First Lady

Eric Dickerson - athlete

Faith Daniels - news anchor

Faith Hill - country singer

Freddie Bartholomew - actor

George Washington Carver - inventor

Greg Louganis - athlete

James MacArthur - actor

James Michener - author

Jean Jacques Rousseau - philosopher

Jesse Jackson - minister

Jesus - adopted by Joseph the carpenter (Bible)

Jett Williams - country singer and author

Jim Palmer - athlete

John J. Audubon - naturalist

John Hancock - politician

John Lennon - musician

Langston Hughes - poet and writer

Larry Ellison - entrepreneur: chief executive of Oracle

Lee Majors - actor

Leo Tolstoy - writer

Les Brown - motivational speaker

Lynnette Cole - Miss USA 2000

Malcolm X - civil rights leader

Mark Acre - athlete

Matthew Laborteaux - actor

Melissa Gilbert - actress

Michael Reagan - author, talk show host

Moses - Biblical leader

Nancy Reagan - First Lady

Nat King Cole - singer

Nelson Mandela - politician

Patrick Labyorteaux - actor

Peter and Kitty Carruthers - figure skaters

President Gerald Ford - politician

President William Clinton - politician

Priscilla Presley - actress

Ray Liotta - actor

Reno - performance artist, comedian

Sarah McLachlan - singer

Scott Hamilton - figure skater

Sen. Paull H. Shin - politician

Sen. Robert Byrd - politician

Steve Jobs - entrepreneur: co-founder of Apple computer

Surya Bonaly - figure skater

Tim Green - football player/commentator

Tim McGraw - country singer

Tom Monaghan - entrepreneur

Tommy Davidson - comedian

Victoria Rowell - actress

Wilson Riles - educator



Birth Parents:


Andy Kaufman - actor

Clark Gable - actor

David Crosby - singer

Faith Ireland - judge

Hank Williams, Sr. - country music legend

Kate Mulgrew - actress

Joni Mitchell - singer

Roseanne Barr - actress

Mercedes Ruehl - actress

Strom Thurmond - politician


Adoptive Parents:



Al Roker - news anchor

Alfre Woodard - actress

Alexander the Great - King of Macedonia, 356-323 B.C.

Angelina Jolie - actress

Art Buchwald - comedian

Barbara Walters - journalist

Ben Stein - actor and game show host

Bette Davis - actress

Billy Bob Thornton - actor, writer, singer

Bob (and Delores) Hope - entertainer

Brooke Adams - actress

Burt Reynolds - actor

Calista Flockhart - actress

Cecil B. De Mille - film director

Charles Bronson - actor

Chelsea Noble - actress

Connie Chung - news anchor

Dale Evans - singer

Dan Marino - athlete

Dan Wilson - athlete

David E. Kelley - television producer

Diane Keaton - actress

Dianne Wiest - actress

Donna Mills - actress

Ed McMahon - entertainer

Edie Falco - actress

Erma Bombeck - author

Estelle Parsons - actress

Eve Arden - actress

Father George Clements - minister

Gail Sheehy - writer

Gary Merrill - actor

George Burns - comedian

George Lucas - film director

Gloria Swanson - actress

Gracie Allen - comedian

Harpo Marx - actor

Harry Belafonte - singer

Hedy Lamarr - actress

Helen Hayes - actress

Henry Fonda - actor

Hugh Jackman - actor

Isabella Rossellini - -actress

Jamie Lee Curtis - actress

Jane Fonda - actress

Jane Wyman - actress

Jann Wenner - publisher

Jill Ireland - actress

Jill Krementz - author

JoBeth Williams - actress

Joan Didion - author

Joan Fontaine - actress

John DeLorean - entrepreneur

John Denver - singer

John Gregory Dunne - author

Josephine Baker - singer and dancer

Judy Woodruff - news anchor

Julie Andrews - actress

Karen Grassle - actress

Karl Wallenda - acrobat

Kate Capshaw - actress

Kate Jackson - actress

Kirby Puckett - athlete

Kirk Cameron - actor

Kirstie Alley - actress

Kris Kristofferson - singer

Kurt Vonnegut - author

Linda Ronstadt - singer

Loni Anderson - actress

Louis Gossett, Jr - actor.

Magic Johnson - athlete

Marcia Wallace - actress

Marie Osmond - singer

Maury Povich - news anchor

Meg Ryan - actress

Mercedes Ruehl - actress

Mia Farrow - actress

Michelle Pfeiffer - actress

Natalie Williams - athlete

Nell Carter - entertainer

Nicole Kidman - actress

Oscar de la Renta - designer

Ozzy (and Sharon) Osbourne - musician

Parker Stevenson - actor

Patti LaBelle - singer

Paul Newman - actor

Paula Poundstone - comedian

Pearl Bailey - singer

Peter Falk - actor

President Ronald Reagan - politician

Regina Belle - singer

Richard King Mellon - financier

Robert Fulghum - writer

Rosie O'Donnell - actress

Roy Rogers - entertainer

Sally Jessy Raphaël - talk show host

Sammy Davis, Jr. - entertainer

Sen. Jesse Helms - politician

Sen. John McCain - politician

Sen. Lloyd Bentsen - politician

Sen. Paul Simon - politician

Sen. Paull H. Shin - politician

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson - Texas

Sharon Stone - actress

Sir Christopher Guest - actor

Stephen Spielberg - film director

Steven Curtis Chapman - Christian musician

Susan Ruttan - actress

Taurean Blacque - actor

Ted Danson - actor

Teri Garr - actress

Tom Cruise - actor

Valerie Harper - actress

Walt (and Lily) Disney - founder of Disneyland

William Delahunt - politician

Willie Mays - athlete

Dessert AND a Good Cause

If you've never had a Wendy's frosty, now is the time to try one. For every frosty purchased this Father's Day weekend, Wendy's is donating 50 cents to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. This foundation works to find families for children in foster care.

Supervised Childcare Requirement - Check!

How can you be scared of a face like this?

We spent 6-1/2 hours (1 more than we even needed!) yesterday with an incredible foster family. They had us over for BBQ and we even met some of their extended family. This foster family has two biological children, one with Muscular Dystrophy. They are licensed to be a therapeutic home (working with high need children) and request children with disabilities. They are fostering 7 and 4 year old brothers. The 7 year old had his toes removed from both feet before being taken from his biological mother. I don't know all the details, but I do know it wasn't an accident. As horrifying as that sounds, there are still more reasons these children were removed from their "home".

We all know these stories exist. It's another thing to hear these stories and meet these little heroes face-to-face. The boys are adorable and thriving in their foster home. The family showed us how they set up their home, how they set standards as soon as the boys came in, gave us tips on dealing with caseworkers and CPS, and basically just gave us a better idea over all of what to expect. We heard about the first year the boys were in the house, and experiences they had trying to settle the kids into their home: screaming, acting out, trying to regulate medication, dealing with court issues and family who "wanted" the boys, etc.

Foster families keep telling us to hang in there for the first year, then it will get better. It sounds like we'd better fasten our seat belts and get ready for a wild ride!

One thing that did come up is that one of the boys is VERY afraid of dogs. I hadn't thought about that being an issue, both of our great-nieces were afraid of our dogs but when we gradually introduced them it became a non-issue. However Maggie is huge and I can see how she would be intimidating. On the other hand, I will not send a child out of our home (in their eyes: rejection) over my dog. I love my dogs, it makes me feel sick to think about giving them up. My parents offered to keep Maggie for us if it ever becomes an issue.

Grandma Jacobs

We lost my Grandmother Tuesday, May 27th. She had battled heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's for many years.

Although she lived in Ohio she always made an effort to come see us in the summers on her motorcycle. I love this photo of her with my Dad and Aunt.

I'm glad not many people read this blog: The lack of audience allows me to unleash really bad poetry....but trust me it's from the heart.

My Grandmother was a tough lady, but she had a soft side too. She loved us a lot and we loved her too. I will miss her.

I love you, Grandma.

_____________________________________

"Motorcycle Grandma"

By Brandi Spann

I will always remember lying by the pool of the hotel
Splashing in the water every summer
You always came
We loved you with your soft hugs,
Your raspy voice that called our Dad "Denny"
Holidays found us apart but you always remembered
Christmas and birthdays were never overlooked
And even through the distance we loved you


Later we would wait by the window in anticipation of the roar
The roar of your motorcycle coming down our street
We were so proud of our Motorcycle Grandma
and bragged about you to our friends
We loved with you with your kisses,
Your turquoise jewelry and your leopard prints
and even when you had to go
we loved you through the distance


Then you sent for us on an airplane
and that time we came to you
You made everything exciting and new
In many ways you were so strong
through heartache, loss
Strong but also fragile
you held on so many times
and always there was the distance


I can see you now
happy and content with the Lover of your soul
You have a healthy heart and clear mind
One day we will join you there
Through the promise of the Son
Until then we will remember
We know you had to go
and we will love you always, even through the distance

Update on D, G & S

***Note: if you have any contact with the kids' family, or anyone who does, specifically Ms. Edna, I'm asking that this NOT BE SHARED***

I talked to the CPS supervisor yesterday about the kids. The foster Mom who has the two younger children is considering adopting all 3. Evidently the oldest will come live with them this summer after school is out. The two younger kids are very attached to their foster Mom so this is great news for them.

I'll remind you that the foster parents have first choice once the parental rights are severed. This is why Greg and I are being licensed to foster-to-adopt. I asked the CPS Supervisor if I could check in with her again once we are licensed to find out what the foster Mom had decided and she said that was fine.

Please pray for this family and specifically for the oldest boy. If it's God's will that the kids be reunited within this family, I hope it is a smooth transition for them.

We have been praying for these kids - their picture is on our fridge. We want God's best for them, and if that is with another family we know that God has another child/children planned for us.

Happy Birthday Sweetheart

Today is Greg's 38th Birthday.

There are so many things I can say to describe what he means to me. Above all he is my best friend, mate, my everything.

Among other things, Greg recieved a grill from his parents, my parents and my sister, who was the master mind. He loved it.

Happy Birthday to my Macho Man! I love you!

Updates....

Most people are wondering where we are on getting licensed.

We have a few more things to take care of:

Greg's fingerprint results
Greg needs a physical
We have to finish filling out our 23 page, long answer applications.
Do 5 hours of supervised childcare - we're still waiting on a list of families
Turn everything in.

Once everything is done, we'll be scheduled for a homestudy.

Once the homestudy is complete, the social worker needs time to write it up. Evidently it is 20+ pages about US. Boring, I know. Once our agency approves the homestudy it goes to CPS for approval.

In the meanwhile, we're still finishing stuff around the house and trying to get a room ready for the "kids".

_________________________________________

Another cool thing that happened...

One of the hardest things in preparing for the adoption has been giving up my office. In many ways it has been a sanctuary. When I study I need SILENCE. So I've been worried about moving our computer out into the kitchen (common family area).

Well my In-Laws bought me a laptop.

Yep.

How cool is that? How cool are they? I'm going to have to post a more flattering picture of them on the blog now :)

We are going to look into getting wireless internet so I can study and write anywhere I want in the house.

Thank you Mimi and Papaw!

Grades are In

I passed grammar.

No summer school.

God is so good.

And yes, I am up at 6:40 AM checking my grades.

D, G & S.....

I've called the caseworker manager on three separate occasions in the past week and 1/2. She has not returned my phone calls. I'm going to try her again on my way home from work. I'm thinking either a) this woman doesn't return phone calls or b) they've already been adopted so she is ignoring my messages and moving onto bigger and better things.

Either way I'd just like to know their status.... and I want to see if she'll tell me what level of foster care they are in... after all she told me to call as often as I liked :) Silly woman!

Wish me luck!

Blessings and Energy

The people who gave us the bunk beds are also including both mattresses. We got the futon mattress when we picked up the bed, then I got a text message yesterday saying we could have the twin mattress as well, it was too long for a regular bed. Ironically I was just discussing mattress shopping with Greg! Although I am the 2nd hand Queen, I do balk when it comes to items like used mattresses. However, I think it's different when you know the family they came from. Plus they can be cleaned and there are mattress covers. It's amazing how God is already providing for our needs!

Does anyone know if futons need twin or full sized bedding?

We kept our two great-neices this past weekend. It was fun AND extremely exhausting. It was a real eye opener to both Greg and I that we need to start getting in shape NOW. Oh, and I also now know that you should feed your kids before you put their church clothes on them! Geesh. We took the girls for pancakes Sunday morning and I thought I was going to have a heart attack watching 3 year old Astrid and 1 year old Ryah drop food on their new dresses :) I know, I know - eventually I'll get over stuff like that - but hey, that's my hard earned money! We took them to a place where we eat breakfast a lot... the girls behind the counter said, "Wow, we've never seen you bring your kids with you before". It was a little disturbing... where did they think we'd kept our kids?... but also very cool :)

I love it!

National Foster Care Prayer Vigil

Evidently May is Foster Care Month.

Focus on the Family, Family Life & Shaohannah's Hope are organizing a Prayer Vigil for Foster children. For anyone who is interested:

There are only two locations in Texas: Tyler and Irving.

The Irving vigil takes place on May 23rd, 6-8 pm at:

Irving Bible Church
2435 Kinwest Parkway
Irving, TX
Room West C&D

For directions go here.

Happy Mother's Day!

(Revised to add: I forgot to post this after I wrote it, sorry it's late.)
Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers and soon to be Moms out there! Isn't my Momma a cutie? And yes, there is a strong family resemblance :)

Only in the last few years have I begun to understand the sacrifices my Mother made, and how she has contributed to the person I am. Because of my Mom, I grew up grounded in the knowledge of Jesus Christ and know Him as my personal Savior. Because of my Mom, I am careful with money. Because of my Mom, it never occured to me that I wouldn't go to college. Because of my Mom, I understand humility (although I struggle to live in it). Because of my Mom, l love to read. Because of my Mom, I can make spaghetti. Had it been up to my Mom, I would know how to cook something other than spaghetti - not for her lack of trying! I could go on and on.

Thank you, Mom, for putting up with me: my ingratitude, smart mouth, harsh words, selfish nature, know-it-all & bossy personality. Thank you for the hugs and kisses, support and for always believing that I could accomplish anything. Thank you for listening to me sing and sing and sing for hours until you thought your ears would bleed. Thank you for watching me cheer through football games when I know you would have loved to be anywhere else.

Thank you for encouraging Greg and I through the adoption process. Thank you for being excited about your future Grandkids.

You've been an wonderful Mother - I know you'll be an incredible Grandmother.

Love,
Brandi

The Outman Family and David Need Just $1 From Each of Us

I found this family through another blog today. They are adopting a little boy with Down's Syndrome from Europe and need help funding their adoption. They are asking for only $1 in donations from each person. I think this is a great idea.

If you have just a dollar (or more) to spare, please go here to help David come home and get the medical care and love he so desperately needs.

You can read more about this family and their adoption journey here.

It is a bug bite? Is the chicken pox? No it's....

... a reaction from my TB test. 99% of people have no problems.... just my luck :) And yes, my skin REALLY is that white :) However, I am definitely TB free so that is a good thing! I have been trying to solicit sympathy over this "gigantic" spot on my arm but Greg and Lindsey aren't buying it!

You probably won't either and I don't blame you.... oh well, you can't blame a girl for trying!

We are getting free bunkbeds from a friend of Lindsey's. They are the metal type that is twin on top and full size on the bottom. Now we just need a twin bed, 3 mattresses, bedding, and a dresser and we'll be set on kids furniture. We also need to replace a window blind my dog Annie (no longer with us) tore up and a light fixture on the ceiling fan that has always been broken. I've decided not to paint the room until we know for certain who will be staying in it. Then they can choose a color they want. I started to clean out the office (soon to be the kids' room) closet and boy do I have my work cut out for me. I asked Greg to get some of his larger stuff out of that closet and into his. When he tried to put it off, I told him, "the kids don't want YOUR crap in THEIR closet". He thought that was pretty funny. I will try to post some before and after pictures.

I picked up some board games and a few younger kid puzzles, along with a baseball and brand new baseball gloves at our church yardsale. They are so cute sitting on the closet shelf.

I am going to get fingerprinted tonight after work. Greg has an appointment for next week. We both have to go to the Dr. to get "Physician Statements" signed. Greg's going Friday, I'm going next Monday. Our to-do list is getting shorter and shorter.

A friend pointed out to me that my blog states many negative things about CPS. I agree and want to clarify this a little if I can. First, people who work for CPS do not do it for the money. I believe with all my heart that the caseworkers do love kids and want to help. However, with 100 + kids on their caseload (which should ideally be around 25), burn out is high and many begin to make desperate yet unethical decisions. In the case of many CPS workers, they are eventually up against a wall, too many kids, not enough time. Either way, CPS does end up with a bad reputation.

I do not believe that CPS is evil. I believe that many caseworkers are highly educated and in the end want the best for the kids in their care. They have rules and guidelines that I respect.

On a lighter note, I tried to convince Greg the other day that I was due a Mother's Day gift this weekend. After all, technically my kids are already out there somewhere... just not with me yet... right? Don't worry, he didn't fall for it!

Foster Care Motivations

If you had told me several years ago I was eventually going to become a foster Mom, I would have laughed at you. I've been around foster kids. They are broken. They can be mean - verbally and physically. They are VERY ungrateful. They falsely accuse their foster parents. Sometimes, they just don't care.

And so I've been asked, "What changed your mind"?

The answer is simple: God.

You see, we are not going through all of this to impress anyone. We are not doing this because we care if people think we are capable of doing it - although many good friends have strongly encouraged us on this journey. We are doing this because God has spoken to both Greg and I, and He's telling us that our kids are in the Texas State Foster Program - and that we need to get them out.

Foster-to-adopt is the best option for people who are looking to adopt foster kids. The statistics show that clearly. So we are preparing to tackle that obstacle until we find our kids. And it's important to point out that we are fostering in order to adopt. Fostering is not our main goal. We are building a group of trusted mentors to call up on for advice and preparation. Trust me when I say that we have not ventured into this journey without much prayer and deliberation. Or because someone else thought of it so now we suddenly want to do it.

The truth is that sometimes God leads us where we never thought we'd go. I have met many missionaries, most of whom would tell you they never dreamed of being in the ministry, not to mention living overseas. But once they did, they can never imagine their lives differently. We have met families who've adopted through the state. They tell us to hang in for a rough first year. Then prepare to fall in love and never be able to imagine your life without that child/children.

Following God's will is very serious business. When someone uses the phrase, "I felt/feel God leading", I always pause. Those words carry a heavy meaning, and one I am not willing to question. Only in the face of godly and respected counsel would I question what I believe to be God's will or calling.

In 2004 I spent a few weeks in Cambodia. They were some of the most amazing, life changing weeks I have ever experienced. Just before I left I had been "dating" someone who was completely inappropriate for me. That man stopped talking to me a few weeks before I left. I felt hurt, but I tried to moved on. One night in Cambodia I went to a worship service where many of us lead worship and one of the seminary students with us preached through an interpreter. The student was an accomplished speaker. He was a great guy who loved the Lord. While I listened to his sermon, I could hear a thought whispering through my mind. It was almost audible. It was saying, "Brandi, don't you want to hold out for My best? Don't you trust Me to provide you with your perfect mate? Listen to this guy, wouldn't it be nice if you could find a good Christian man who loves Me like you do? Please, trust Me and hold out for My best". I stopped worrying about that guy I was dating after that. I gave God my love life that night and four weeks after I came home from Cambodia I met Greg.

I tell you this story to make this point: I have never heard God's literal voice. But I have felt Him speak directly to my heart and trust me, it's something you can't ignore. And so I know now, as I have for many years, that God wants us to adopt. He is promising Greg and I that if we are faithful and trust Him, we're going to find our kids right where He leads us.

Is it going to be all fun? No. Are we going to be June and Ward Cleaver with our perfect kids and perfect parenting skills? No. Can we completely comprehend what we are getting ourselves into? Definitely not! But, we have the Creator of the universe in our corner.

My money is on us.


"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
Romans 8:31

Classes are FINISHED and Papers are Written

So, if anyone has any choking issues or find yourself unable to breathe, give me a call! Greg and I are officially CPR certified. I have always wanted to learn CPR but never stopped and did it. Now I am completely prepared to perform the Heimlich Maneuver, so need to fear eating dinner at my house :)

It also looks like I am TB free so far. Always a good thing.

The CPR course included a first-aid "class". By the way, don't put butter on burns. Oh yes, I am so wise and full of information now, you'll all be calling me for my invaluable help with all your kids. Not! However I did learn that making a paste from baking soda and water will take the burn out of an insect bite. So will chewed tobacco, according to our instructor :)

My papers are written. I worked on one until 1 AM and woke up again at 6 AM to continue. I will confess: I finished it this afternoon at work. I know! I'm bad!

But I'm so glad to be done I don't care! I will turn them in at 5:30 and 7:00 then go home and do nothing.

It was really stressful but I'm glad we got all the classes done this month.

Of course now this frees up my schedule to get the house home study ready as well as a million other things.

If anyone loves yard sales we are having one at our church this Saturday. All proceeds go to missionaries. It's Sublett Road Baptist, in Arlington at the corner of Kelly Elliott and Sublett. If you can't find it let me know. I think our youth are also doing a car wash.

I'm also trying to brainstorm ideas for making new foster kids feel more comfortable and at home with us. One family gave me the idea of framing a photo of each kid on the wall as soon as you can. We also have some ladies at our church that can embroider names on fabric and I was thinking maybe personalized pillows would be cool, that the kids can take with them. A foster family that I worshipped with in Weatherford made garden stones with each child's hand print in them with their name. You can get kits at Michaels. I definitely think that is an awesome idea. And maybe signs for the bedroom door with their name on it. What else? I'm willing to try just about anything to help make the transition smoother for these kids.

Just One More To Go....and My Exam is OVER-sorta...

We had another class tonight. It was supposed to run from 6-10. However the teacher did not show for some reason, so the foster recruiter taught instead and did a great job. It turns out that she was a foster group Mom and has fostered over 300 kids in her day. I had no idea! What an unspoken hero. Oh, and she kept almost all teenage girls. Very brave!

Tonights class was a "management" class to teach us how to keep our cool when our kids make us crazy :) We got into groups, read scenarios and answered as a group how we would respond. It was interesting, especially with Joyce, the foster recruiter I referred to above, supplementing each scenario with a crazy story from her own experiences. Very enlightening AND amusing.

I took my grammar exam today... as usual I studied most on stuff that was not on the test. I honestly have no idea how I did. Fortunately this teacher gives partial credit or I'd have dropped this class long ago. Now I have a take-home essay to complete.

Tommorrow night is our last night of class... CPR certification and a TB test (wish me luck:)

PRIDE #4 is History!

We completed PRIDE #4, "Pre-Service" training yesterday. ALL DAY yesterday :) Basically they walked us through our foster agreements. Then we learned about abuse... Shaken Baby Syndrome, SIDS, Sexual Abuse, etc. Needless to say it was not fun stuff.

An estimated 80% of children in foster care have been sexually abused. I am still trying to wrap my mind around that unspeakable horror.

As I have said in past posts, we have met many amazing people so far along the journey. Another couple, Martin and Holly, have been in all our PRIDE classes so far. They are a young couple who've been married one year longer than us. Yesterday Holly and Martin pulled Greg and I aside and wanted to share a dream Holly had about us. I know many people scoff at the importance/significance of dreams but I can show you many times God used dreams or visions to make Himself heard in the Bible. Anyway, in Holly's dream Greg was jumping up and down like a kid (nothing new there) and I was sitting calmly at a table concentrating on something. She said when she woke up she began to ask God to reveal any importance from this dream to her. Holly said that she began to feel that she was supposed to share with us that we are matched perfectly and that our personalities and parenting styles would compliment each other. I was very impressed that she would share and really felt like it was more confirmation from the Holy Spirit. Since we have been so stressed lately it was very encouraging to hear the Lord speaking to us through someone.

I took Friday off with no trouble, my Boss never mentioned it again. I finished a research paper. If anyone wants to proof read it for me let me know! Today and most of tomorrow I will finish studying for my grammar test. If you guys could pray for me at 3 PM I would really appreciate and covet those prayers!

I am beginning to think that the stress of "becoming" a parent pales in comparison of grammar exams.... :)

OH! We found out another cool piece of info: caucasian children 6 and older, Minority children 2 and older, and Special Needs children are eligible to receive monthly support, continued Medicaid coverage AND free college tuition through a Texas state college AFTER their adoption is finalized. This is supposed to be an incentive to help adopt out hard age groups. Although my first instinct was that we shouldn't "sponge" off the system... I began to realize that any money we might receive could help supplement our income while I was in school, and anything else could be saved for the kids' college needs: books, dorms, etc. Or help pay for private school if I decide to keep working. Not to mention that Medicaid would cover expensive essentials like braces... either way, we're paying for it out of our tax dollars. If the state is going to give this money away, we are going to accept it to help our kids get a top notch education.

I'm going to study now. I'm glad this will all be over Wednesday. I'm already beginning to slip into "I don't care" mode!

3 Down....3 To Go!

Last night we took a PRIDE class called PMAB. Please don't ask me what that stands for. Basically the class taught us what to do when a child confronts us verbally or physically. Basically you are not allowed to spank a foster child, or use any force against them unless you are putting them in a hold. And, say you're in Target and your foster child is screaming at the tops of his or her lungs, while lying on the floor, if that child is 5 or older you are not allowed to pick them up and carry them out. We also learned some techniques for getting out of an argument when you've told the child no and they won't give up. All in all it was very interesting and we got some creative ideas we never would have thought of.

We learned some moves to protect ourselves in the case that a child attacks us physically. I got really good at practicing my chokehold on Greg :) We met a family that fosters full-time and has 12 boys in their home. They assured us that being attacked physically is common. That was just what I wanted to hear - NOT! :) Oh well. They have been fostering for 5 years and have used other agencies. They said this one is the best so far, which assured us more than ever that we are in the right place.We are coming into contact with so many courageous, selfless and amazing people on this journey.

We had a lot of fun in the PMAB class... we haven't done a lot on our own lately so coming to these classes has been a chance to just hang out together. It was funny because on our way there last night I asked Greg if he had noticed that there is never any prayer at any of the classes. Even when they fed us Saturday lunch, no one gathered us together for prayer. Well at the end of our class last night our teacher closed us out in prayer. Now that's what I'm talking about!

I would like to apologize for all the "Venting" I've been doing... however I'm just trying to be honest. I guess I can't hide the fact that deep down, I'm a crybaby :) I'm hoping other people interested in fostering to adopt will find this blog and get a realistic idea of what the process is like. I would also like people to read through the lines... and see that even though I am constantly freaking out, the end results show that God was always in control.

Another Class Down

We went to the "Medicine" class last night. Although it was less about medicine and more about mental disorders. That's fine, if any of my kids are on meds you'd better believe I will be an expert on that medication :)

Going to this class was interesting... Greg and I ended up having a meltdown Sunday evening. We were trying to look at our finances AFTER I quit my job and it was not pretty. Then Greg was looking at his sales for this month, which are not pretty after missing so many appointments for these classes and being sick. We ended up fighting and really not speaking until Monday afternoon. A few other things happened to escalate things but this is the short version. It was a little ironic actually because I had been talking to my adoption hero friend Rachel about keeping your marriage together during adoption Sunday afternoon at lunch. Satan must've been hanging out at Cici's that day :)

Anyway, I woke up that morning deciding that we needed to put these classes off until June (the next time they're offered). Obviously my marriage is more important and must come first. It was a VERY bad morning. As I was packing my lunch before work I came across a picture of D, G & S on the fridge which caused a small breakdown. I had another small breakdown (and blessing) when my adoption hero friend Rachel wrote me that her 5 year old Liberian boy is praying for my kids to come home. How sweet is that? However, as you can tell by the title of this blog, the adoption training goes on! I decided to call Greg before I contacted the agency. When he called we made up and I asked him if he wanted to put off the classes and he said no. I love my husband!

So all was well until I emailed my teacher asking if I could drop off a digital recorder for her to record class last night. Ordinarily I wouldn't ask but we were reviewing for our final test. She said no. Then I started freaking out again. Talk about faith of a mustard seed, sometimes I wonder just how small my faith is.

I talked to Greg at 4:30 and he was in downtown Dallas on his way to an appointment. Our class started at 6. Another breakdown :) So I get home around 5 and start praying, "Lord, PLEASE tell me I didn't miss my final review for nothing....". Not even 5 minutes later Greg calls and says he is on his way home. Evidently the customer couldn't pass the credit check. Now I'm saying God gave these people bad credit, but hey it did work to my advantage :)

I do have another prayer request (always some drama in my life lately). I gave my boss a list of dates I wanted off a month ago. They include this Friday and next Monday so that I can catch up on studying for my test Monday. Plus I need to take my test early in the day Monday since I have another adoption class that evening. My boss called me into his office today and wanted to know why I wanted each day off. I told him about this Friday and Monday and he questioned why I needed all of Friday to study. I assured him it was necessary. At that point I wasn't amused so I told him I didn't remember why I wanted the rest of the dates off. He told me to come back when I did. Thank goodness I had to leave for lunch then or I might be sending you this message from the unemployment line :) I guess my question is: Does he have a right to ask me WHAT my vacation is for? I have never had to state a reason for asking for vacation time at any other company, I just requested the time off. If they could give it to me, great, if not, I'd deal with it. Now a leave of absence or sick time, sure, they deserve an explanation. But should I have to JUSTIFY asking for vacation days? Oh, and I was just asking for single days off, not a week at a time. So let me know if I am wrong on this or not. I don't know what I'm going to do if he tells me no for Friday. For the sake of my sanity I am counting on having that time to study. I really need to pass this test or I'll be in summer school all of July.

Hmm... better bust out with my new favorite verse:

"O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you" -Psalm 84:12

So Tired...

Well we took our first adoption class today. It went well and we met a lot of really nice couples. We also got a LOT of information and feel like we're in overdrive!

More than ever I am concerned that we may not have the full story on D, G & S. We heard more stories of CPS misleading people about kids' histories and behaviors. However, I didn't realize that most CPS caseworkers in Texas have over 100 kids on their caseload. No wonder the burnout rate is so high... it's already an emotionally crippling job without more work than 3 people could handle.

As we are licensed we will stay open to all options in case precious D, G & S don't work out or are adopted by someone else. Greg and I will be praying about how to fill out our paper work in these next two weeks. At this point if we foster-to-adopt it will have to be school aged children so that I can finish school and student teach. We do know that we are not concerned about gender or ethnicity.

We also heard an incredible story of a family that adopted a 17 year old. I glanced back at him to find him watching me and we were both crying. There are so many ways God can use us in this journey and we can't wait to find out how!

On another note, we found out today that we each need 5 hours of supervised childcare within an agency foster or adoptive home. So we get to go watch someone else's kids for FIVE HOURS (when?? when will we fit this in?) while they evaluate us. While I can see the wisdom in this it feels like one more thing to add to our already overflowing plate.

Another thing we learned is during our home study Greg's guns will be an issue. Guns and ammo have to be locked in separate locations. (I guess if someone breaks into our home we'll just ask them to hold on while we unload both boxes and load the gun!) The agency suggests a gun safe or locked metal box. We decided today that we'll give Greg's shot gun to his parents to keep in their gun safe and buy TWO lock boxes for the handgun and ammo.

We will also need to finish our living room before the home study. For those who don't know, we bought a fixer upper and are still working on it. The house had wall-to-wall carpeting in the living room. We stained the concrete which leaves 5-1/2" of bare wood showing all around the walls where molding would normally be. You'd have to see it to understand. It's good though because this forces us to get back into house repair mode. And I'm going to talk to my Dad about finishing the mantel for our fireplace.

In summary:

We need to get physicals. $$
We need to take TB tests. $$
We need to get fingerprinted. $$
We need to have the city come inspect our home. $$
We need to child proof our home. $$
We need to gun proof our home. $$
We need to complete repairs on our home. $$
We need a fire extinguisher for our home. $$
Oh yeah, and we need to save money so I can quit my job in August. $$

Why did I think adopting through the state would be affordable? :)

And so I turn again to my new favorite scripture:

"Oh Lord Almighty, Blessed is the man who trusts in you"
Psalm 84:12

Test 4

Is passed. Barely. And I do mean barely. Okay, I'll just come out with it: I made a 70. And I was excited to get that, believe me. I am such an underachiever.

Thank you God! I couldn't have done it on my own.

Last but certainly not least is my comprehensive final on the 28th which is 40% of my grade.

Please keep praying!

Agency Interview

Everything went well. The agency recruiter and I think the guy in charge of the agency came to our house. They pulled up right behind me. It was a 30 minute visit...unfortunately they wanted to see the room the kids would stay in, AKA our messy office!

God really took care of this one... my boss didn't ask too many questions about why I needed to leave early (especially since I wasn't completely forthright with him but that's another story). Greg is STILL sick, although he did go to the doctor, so he was already home.

The guy in charge, (Mike/Dave?) warned us that rarely do people get the kids they request. He didn't explain clearly why that was the case. We'll see - it's all in God's hands, statistics are thrown out the window in my opinion. Either way we accept God's will.

One thing that did disturb me a little was Mike/Dave's warning that social workers tend to sugar coat their description of kids to make them seem more adoptable. That is not fair to the kids or the parents. Greg pointed out we have 60 days after they come home with us to change our minds, so how is lying to us from the beginning good for any situation? It's not like we wouldn't find out the truth eventually - after the kids are excited about having a Mom and Dad.

HOWEVER I do feel better knowing that not only have I spoken with the caseworker, I have also received information from her supervisor. Hopefully I was given honest feedback. And Mike/Dave (how can I NOT know the guys name when I just met him 2 hours ago? Honestly!) also admitted that since the kids not being on the TARE/State adoption website was a good sign.

Mike/Dave also agreed that we needed an additional bedroom. If push comes to shove, we will need a bigger house. Greg will NOT agree to add a bedroom onto this one. Lindsey and I talked about it, and if we do end up with D, G & S she will move in with my parents until we upgrade the house. I would rather not buy/sell anything until I am in my teaching job.

Okay, so now I will start to gather our paperwork and we start classes this Saturday. And somewhere in between I'll write a 10 page research paper and study for my comprehensive grammar test :) God, You are in control here - 'cause I'm certainly not!!