Adoptive Parent Classes.

We have been attending Adoptive Couple Classes through our agency taught by members of the local FSA (families supporting adoption) chapter. The Couple Mic and Nicole have been great and I love their positive attitude they bring to class even though their story has had lots of bumps along the way.
In our first class we went over the general process of adoption. Applying, waiting/finding, possible failed placement, placement and finalization. This class could have been really overwhelming, but it really wasn't. I feel like I have done my homework pretty well and I'm surprised at what I already know. Of coarse there was a lot that we learned and it was super beneficial.
The second class was all about infertility. I feel lucky that I have been able to be pretty open up to this point about our infertility so telling our story wasn't too hard. What it mainly comes down to for us is that we are missing something and we want to grow our family so much. We love that adoption can help us achieve this. The class was awesome, everyone's stories had a little heartbreak and we all understood each other so much. There were some stories that made us all laugh so hard. We talked about all the crazy comments we have received and all the weird things that we have tried because maybe, just maybe it might work. haha. I just feel so much love for all the couples in our class already. We are rooting for them!
The third class was today. It was a panel. There was one birth mother and two adoptive couples. I love hearing from birth mothers. I know that every one is different, but they are all so selfless. They are so strong to be able to put what they want aside and do what is needed for these babies. I seriously do not know how to express my admiration for our birth mother already. I love her and I don't even know her yet. We pray for her every night.  One couple that was there talked about open adoption and I was glad our parents could be there to hear it. Kyle and I have decided that open adoption is definitely an option for us and I wanted our families to be educated about what may be in our future. The last person to speak was a woman with two trans-racial adoptions. Kyle and I have chosen to  have no race restrictions and I was excited to hear about her experiences. She and her husband are white and her two adopted sons are black. Her family is so beautiful! I'm excited to see what is in store for us! Overall the class was very educating and I love hearing more stories and learning more!
We were so glad that our parents came for the class! I forgot to get a picture of Charlene, but she was there too!

Our last class is Tuesday. Kyle said today that he doesn't want them to end and I totally feel the same way! I'm glad we can start getting involved with our local FSA group so we can continue to learn from other families and spend time with others who have adoption in their life.

Urgency

As soon as we decided to adopt we started feeling this intense sense of urgency about the process. First it was "how do we earn the money?". We have been so blessed! Through our yard sale and other miracles I feel like Heavenly Father practically handed us the money. I cry every time I think about how many people have been willing to chip in and help us out. There are so many good people around us.

Now we are in the middle of the paperwork and I still feel that urgency. I have had so many dreams about adoption. There was one night that I didn't sleep a full hour because I kept having dreams that woke me up. I remember laying in bed practically shaking because of how they made me feel. It is a little weird to me that none of my worrying is from being scared about actually adopting, it is because I feel like we may miss an opportunity from not moving fast enough. I'm a little obsessed to say the least. Kyle has been the calming force for me. He too feels the urgency, but helps me realize that we are moving at a good pace.
I want you all to know that I am not assuming that because we feel this way we think we will get placed quickly (can we hope... yes) we know that realistically we could be waiting for years. If that happens then I guess I will just learn a little more patients, and that is okay.

Guest Post: Melissa

Kyle's cousin Melissa asked me if she could do a guest post and I loved the idea. We babysat for them for a week last month and it was a lot of fun! Thanks for the opportunity Melissa!

A Testimonial

I am Kyle’s cousin. Recently, my husband and I went on vacation for two weeks. Kyle and Andrea watched my kids for several days during that time. My husband’s parents and one of our older nieces also took turns taking caring of my children.

All three of my children, ages 5, 7, and 9, separately told me that they liked having Kyle and Andrea the best. They played with my kids, apparently much more than the other caretakers did, even when there were three adults here part of the time. They took them to all their activities and appointments. They made sure that the meals were taken care of. All three children said that they had the best food when Kyle and Andrea were in charge of cooking it. My daughter also said that Andrea could fix her hair the best. They all said that if we ever go away again that they really want Kyle and Andrea to be the ones to watch them.

Please bear in mind that my children love the other caretakers a lot, and they said that they had a pretty good time with them as well. Also, one of my children has severe separation anxiety, and another has mild separation anxiety, so for that child to keep talking about how much fun he had with adults other than his parents (for an extended period of time anyway)  is a pretty big deal. Also, Kyle and Andrea are not used to our children or our home or our busy schedule, so for them to just jump in and do so well with everything is pretty amazing!

So that is my little testimonial that Kyle and Andrea would be really great parents. They have so many good qualities, and I have so much love and respect for them.

Summer is here!

Today is an awesome day!

Kyle finished his last final this morning and he is FREE for the rest of the summer!!

I Thought it would be fun to celebrate with a surprise so I packed a lunch before he got home so we could go on a picnic! I also got him his yearly fishing licence so he can start having some fun! 

(Us at the park)

 We went on a walk right after our picnic and saw this beautiful tree... isn't it gorgeous?

 I don't have to work till later and I have been wanting a little garden this year so I planted a few flowers! There were several pots hanging around our apartment that no one uses so I was able to use them. I'm excited to see how they will grow, I hope they end up as pretty as my mom's pots.

We will be planting tomatoes in a barrel as well this year but that won't  be for a week or two.

We are so excited for summer! We will finally have time to kick some paperwork butt and get approved!