I am so thankful for the adoption support group we have joined. Unfortunately we were unable to attend last night's monthly meeting, however the leaders still sent us e-mails of encouragement and gave us tips on what we need to do next. I'm so blessed to have a support like this, that is helping us through all these steps. I am hoping that we get a lot of bills paid off this summer, and then we can seriously start to tackle our home study and pay for it. LOL.
Life wise, we're just busy as ever. The school year is winding down and I am fortunate enough to have sub jobs going all the way till the end of school! I can't believe it's summer already, however you wouldn't know it with the weather we've had...we've had one day of sun in June so far! blech!
I have two interviews this week for a permanent teaching job! Keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
Hope everyone is doing well! Remember to be thankful for little blessings!
~Beth
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
Special Delivery Part Deux
Matt and I had such a great time at Special Delivery last Monday. We learned so much and the environment was so positive and helpful. I feel discouraged by most of the people we have talked to about adoption, and I know it is a process...but going to Special Delivery, I felt for the first time that I was hearing positive side of things.
One of the things I really liked and appreciate about S.D. is that they really are there for the mothers who are giving up their babies. Where as most agencies and lawyers we have heard from don't really talk much about the birth moms, or about how positive it is to keep in contact with the birth mom. As soon as the birth mother decides that she wants to give her child up for adoption, she begins her grieving...it's almost like her child has died. S.D. does so much for the moms (both those that choose to raise their children and those who decide to give their child up for adoption). They have support groups, other people who take these mothers in after they have their child, and a special ceremony where the families come together and celebrate the adoption of the baby. I really like the idea of having the birth mom be like a cousin to our family, before and after the child is born. There were some really great things others have done to include the mom's, so that they are not feeling not only guilty about giving up their baby, but feel like they are in a way, part of the family as well. A couple of the ideas I really liked was to let the mom think of a middle name for the child they are carrying. What person doesn't think of names while they are pregnant. That way, the child would have something the birth mom gave them, and would carry it with them. Another thing I really liked was including the birth mom in decorating the nursery, and registering for baby shower items together, and picking out the outfit the baby would come home in from the hospital.
The ladies who run S.D. also cautioned that there would be a period of awkwardness after the baby was born and handed over to the adopting parents. They were really close, and now it's grieving and panic all set in b/c they only have a limited amount of time before the baby is fully in the adoptive parents care. There were so many positive stories of both bio mom's and dad's who wanted to come and be active in the lives of their kiddo.
S.D. seems to have a great track record as far as adoptions coming out of their facility. Just since Dec of 2011, they have had 3 adoptions. Catholic Community Services only had 3 in the whole year last year. S.D. doesn't play favorites, nor do they charge for their services. They simply hang onto parent biographies and present the families to the mother, and from there, the mother chooses. This is something we could totally get rolling, but we would need to get our homestudy done first...and well...that's expensive.
We need to have $1500 at least for this step...I am hoping we can save up this amount of money by the end of the year. We really want to have children, and while I had hoped to be a parent by Christmas this year, it's not looking like that is in the plan for right now. But who knows, there is a lot of time between now and then, and I still could get hired as a full time teacher.
So I am just keeping my nose to the grind... I've been watching Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss edition, and this show is so inspirational... I appreciate that these people lose everything on their own (except for the skin removal at the end)- But they are holding down a job, and still working out...making time for themselves and because they go through these transformations slowly and purposefully, they stay healthy, even a year or more after taping.
I've begun to not bring "bad" foods into the house as of late. I have some ice cream to finish up, but that is it. We do have chips, but they are whole grain, sweet potato chips...and I"m going to begin making recipes from www.skinnytaste.com This website has really awesome food, and it's not only good for you, it tastes nummy!
I'm giving myself a goal to lose 30lbs by the end of this summer. I began tracking food and exercises on myfitnesspal.com - which is a really awesome site by the way. It's interesting to see the meals I think are good for me, and realizing that, eh, not so much. LOL... Now that the weather is getting nicer, I plan on being more active- and with summer camp around the corner, I plan on putting myself more out there in terms of being more physical and playing around and running. I am on my feet all day (except for when I drive)- but I don't always make sure I am out, running around.
My goal is to be getting up early in the morning (5:30amish) and going to the gym, or at least going out for a walk in the morning. Another goal I have is to actually take the time to eat breakfast- and not just take it in the car and eat it on the way to work. Finally, my last goal I want to implement is eating 5 small meals a day...because I have PCOS, I need to treat my body as if I have diabetes and keep my sugar levels balanced.
Now you know my goals... hopefully I will be able to stick to them. I really wish I had a work out buddy or someone to help me along in this process...but I want to be healthier, not only for myself and all the scary things I might deal with health wise down the road; but for my future kids. I've always had a lot of energy, but I want to show that, and be more active, instead of just wanting to do something all the time...and instead of using that energy surfing the net or playing WOW.
I'm excited for what will be.
One of the things I really liked and appreciate about S.D. is that they really are there for the mothers who are giving up their babies. Where as most agencies and lawyers we have heard from don't really talk much about the birth moms, or about how positive it is to keep in contact with the birth mom. As soon as the birth mother decides that she wants to give her child up for adoption, she begins her grieving...it's almost like her child has died. S.D. does so much for the moms (both those that choose to raise their children and those who decide to give their child up for adoption). They have support groups, other people who take these mothers in after they have their child, and a special ceremony where the families come together and celebrate the adoption of the baby. I really like the idea of having the birth mom be like a cousin to our family, before and after the child is born. There were some really great things others have done to include the mom's, so that they are not feeling not only guilty about giving up their baby, but feel like they are in a way, part of the family as well. A couple of the ideas I really liked was to let the mom think of a middle name for the child they are carrying. What person doesn't think of names while they are pregnant. That way, the child would have something the birth mom gave them, and would carry it with them. Another thing I really liked was including the birth mom in decorating the nursery, and registering for baby shower items together, and picking out the outfit the baby would come home in from the hospital.
The ladies who run S.D. also cautioned that there would be a period of awkwardness after the baby was born and handed over to the adopting parents. They were really close, and now it's grieving and panic all set in b/c they only have a limited amount of time before the baby is fully in the adoptive parents care. There were so many positive stories of both bio mom's and dad's who wanted to come and be active in the lives of their kiddo.
S.D. seems to have a great track record as far as adoptions coming out of their facility. Just since Dec of 2011, they have had 3 adoptions. Catholic Community Services only had 3 in the whole year last year. S.D. doesn't play favorites, nor do they charge for their services. They simply hang onto parent biographies and present the families to the mother, and from there, the mother chooses. This is something we could totally get rolling, but we would need to get our homestudy done first...and well...that's expensive.
We need to have $1500 at least for this step...I am hoping we can save up this amount of money by the end of the year. We really want to have children, and while I had hoped to be a parent by Christmas this year, it's not looking like that is in the plan for right now. But who knows, there is a lot of time between now and then, and I still could get hired as a full time teacher.
So I am just keeping my nose to the grind... I've been watching Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss edition, and this show is so inspirational... I appreciate that these people lose everything on their own (except for the skin removal at the end)- But they are holding down a job, and still working out...making time for themselves and because they go through these transformations slowly and purposefully, they stay healthy, even a year or more after taping.
I've begun to not bring "bad" foods into the house as of late. I have some ice cream to finish up, but that is it. We do have chips, but they are whole grain, sweet potato chips...and I"m going to begin making recipes from www.skinnytaste.com This website has really awesome food, and it's not only good for you, it tastes nummy!
I'm giving myself a goal to lose 30lbs by the end of this summer. I began tracking food and exercises on myfitnesspal.com - which is a really awesome site by the way. It's interesting to see the meals I think are good for me, and realizing that, eh, not so much. LOL... Now that the weather is getting nicer, I plan on being more active- and with summer camp around the corner, I plan on putting myself more out there in terms of being more physical and playing around and running. I am on my feet all day (except for when I drive)- but I don't always make sure I am out, running around.
My goal is to be getting up early in the morning (5:30amish) and going to the gym, or at least going out for a walk in the morning. Another goal I have is to actually take the time to eat breakfast- and not just take it in the car and eat it on the way to work. Finally, my last goal I want to implement is eating 5 small meals a day...because I have PCOS, I need to treat my body as if I have diabetes and keep my sugar levels balanced.
Now you know my goals... hopefully I will be able to stick to them. I really wish I had a work out buddy or someone to help me along in this process...but I want to be healthier, not only for myself and all the scary things I might deal with health wise down the road; but for my future kids. I've always had a lot of energy, but I want to show that, and be more active, instead of just wanting to do something all the time...and instead of using that energy surfing the net or playing WOW.
I'm excited for what will be.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Special Delivery
Tomorrow evening Matt and I will be attending an adoption info meeting at a local home for mothers who find themselves with child. They must be at least 18 years old, commit to carrying the child to full term, and also must meet some other requirements. They have support groups for before, during and after adoption and having a child, as well as support groups for grandmothers whose daughters have given their children up for adoption. The house also helps to support mothers who decide to keep their children as well.
Last year, I, along with the help of my parish organized a 'baby shower' for Special Delivery, and were able to donate some much needed items for these mothers. Again in February of this year, we also put together Shoe Boxes of Love, which held little lotions, soaps, gift cards, jewelry, note cards, etc in them...and we donated that to the mothers as well. Little did I know at the time, we'd be attending one of their adoption seminars.
They are a Non-Profit Christian organization. They do not charge for any of their services, however, we are still on our own with getting the home study complete. Which reminds me, I still need to really research that... Anyways, we have had to fill out a bunch of papers and write narratives for this meeting already...They say that they keep our file on "file" and when birth mothers come to them, they try and match potential adoptive parents. They even host an "adoption party" once the adoption is final... I really hope that God is calling us down this path...and that we have a little one soon to call our very own.
I will write more about our meeting tomorrow.
On another note, I had a job interview today for teaching a 3rd grade gifted program. I will hear on Friday...Keep us in your prayers, we really need them!
God Bless,
~Beth
Last year, I, along with the help of my parish organized a 'baby shower' for Special Delivery, and were able to donate some much needed items for these mothers. Again in February of this year, we also put together Shoe Boxes of Love, which held little lotions, soaps, gift cards, jewelry, note cards, etc in them...and we donated that to the mothers as well. Little did I know at the time, we'd be attending one of their adoption seminars.
They are a Non-Profit Christian organization. They do not charge for any of their services, however, we are still on our own with getting the home study complete. Which reminds me, I still need to really research that... Anyways, we have had to fill out a bunch of papers and write narratives for this meeting already...They say that they keep our file on "file" and when birth mothers come to them, they try and match potential adoptive parents. They even host an "adoption party" once the adoption is final... I really hope that God is calling us down this path...and that we have a little one soon to call our very own.
I will write more about our meeting tomorrow.
On another note, I had a job interview today for teaching a 3rd grade gifted program. I will hear on Friday...Keep us in your prayers, we really need them!
God Bless,
~Beth
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