Monday, February 28, 2011

We're that friend!

Over the last few weeks I’ve begun to realized my husband and I are quickly becoming “that couple who are adopting through Foster Care” as family, friends, and co-workers mention to us they have told someone they know about our story. When we first began telling people about our struggles with infertility and our eventual decision to adopt we heard all about the “I know someone who…” stories. These stories are usually an assortment of good, bad, and the ugly…all told with the spin of the storyteller’s opinion and always with the best intention in mind. Sometimes you wonder to yourself “was it really that good/easy/scary/painful/bad?” and maybe, just maybe…true?

Now we get to the point of the blog. Anyone who knows me, knows I need another hobby or blog like I need to gain 10 pounds BUT I think it’s important to have a place where I can share my story in my own words to those who care to read it. Now those we know in real life who care for an update can check this out, if they tell someone about us and they want to be updated…send them here. Then there will be those who just happen to stumble across this, to them I have a special message – I hope the stars have aligned and fate has brought us together in some way so that you can find comfort or insight in some piece of information I share here.

As I sit here days away from being licensed as a Foster Parent where we’ll officially enter the waiting pool, I’m making no promises on the frequency this will be updated. I will share information as the mood strikes or when there is a significant event in our process. Out of respect for the privacy of both my husband, myself, and our future children I will not share medical diagnosis or known/suspected abuse for any involved. I will share our experience with treatments when the topics arise and our feelings on the process.

Now that all that has been taken care of I’ll get to the meat of the content for this first entry. I’ve seen people’s faces and quick intake of breath or audible groan when I begin to discuss the steps we’ve taken to get to the point we are today in the adoption process. The important thing I want everyone to understand is that my husband and I both DO NOT feel this has been too much, too intrusive, or too long. We have filled out countless forms and questions, proof of you name it, and interviews until we’re out of words.
Has it been a lot of work? Yes.
Do we think it’s been too much? No
We can see a reason for everything we’ve provided and understand why we need to give it. They clearly layout what you need to do so it’s like being handed a big to do list. You just start plugging away and get it done. It beats the hell out of I’m going to take all these shots, doctor appointments, meditations, and spend thousands of dollars then maybe, just maybe we’ll be successful in getting pregnant. This is a sure thing, it’s just a matter of when.

Same goes for the classes. We have taken close to 60 hours of training as part of our process. If there was another class offered we might groan at having to sit in a class after a full day of work but we’d gladly take it. Not a single minute of our time has been wasted in the classes we’ve taken…it’s all been great information, not to mention FREE.

If you’ve made it this far I hope something was useful. That’s all for now folks!

1 comment:

  1. Sarah- I wish you AND your husband the best of luck with being foster parents, and hopefully very soon, adoptive parents!! You will be amazing, and the opportunities you are giving to that child in need- Priceless. Congrats again!! This fills my heart with joy to hear! :)

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