Brady + Ellen = Foster & Adoptive Parents

Many people say the best things in life are worth waiting for. We have learned this over the years as we have struggled to have children. Almost two years ago we were mourning the loss of our only pregnancy and trying to accept what we would never know. Would our kids have red hair? Would they go bald early? I think about all of my beautiful nieces an nephews and how amazing it is to see what Mom + Dad can =. I don't know if I will ever stop wondering "what if". I think it will always be buried somewhere. Today however, I wonder "who needs me".
Earlier in the summer we received a phone call from our counties Family Services Division. (I had submitted a request for information in the spring, never received any, and forgot about it.) The lady on the phone wanted to know if we were by chance still interested in State Foster and Adoption. I didn't hesitate to say 'yes'. So began many months of classes, mountains of paperwork, lots of references, and a parade of home visits. (which are still not finished) We are now waiting on our license from the state to come through and we are in business! Our end goal is obviously adoption and we have licensed for birth - 3 years. So what happens now? Our social worker, a marvelous lady named Martha, will contact us if any child meeting our age criteria comes into Foster care with a petition filed to terminate parental rights. We will get as much background information as she can get and then decide if this would be an ideal situation for us. It sounds bizarre, I know - who 'decides' if a baby is right for them??? Well, as we have learned alot can happen in the first few years of a child's life and we have to be honest with ourselves about what we are capable of taking on. Once we have a child in our home, we will have to wait 6 months to finalize the adoption through the state. That is after parental rights are terminated. Which we have also learned is no easy matter. It can take years after the initial petition to terminate is filed to actually be completed. There is not alot of planning we can do other than some basics - we bought a crib/toddler bed combo and changer/dresser combo. Lillian & Dale bought us a car seat/stroller combo. I have a few outfits of mostly infant sizes. Boy? Girl? Age? Don't know, not worried - it'll be quite the last minute adventure when we get a call!! We are extremely lucky to have family around us to help out and provide support.
Please be aware that for privacy and safety reasons we will not be posting any pictures of or information about having a child to Facebook and we ask that you don't either. My plan is to use this blog to share pictures and updates!
Love to all-
Ellen

Back to It

I am a football widow once again...Brady's team started practice this evening (Go Panthers!!!) and I am energized to keep up with this blog I started. I have begun preparing for school - our first day of meetings is 8/12 and students start 8/16. I am looking forward to a great year, I love, love, love middle school! Brady is at Benton High School again this year and his feelings about that are mixed. I have been dieting and exercising like a new woman (which is what I am aiming for!). So far I have dropped 20lbs and 17 total inches!!! Go me! And yes, the rumors are true....I bought a bicycle. No further comment on that. :) We have so enjoyed our summer of doing absolutely whatever we want, being teachers rocks!! I had a blast visiting Andy, Erica, and Co. in Georgia and we are planning on visiting in Michigan the first week of August!!

SHOUT OUTS:
Erica - You ROCK!
Andy - Wake the crap up!!!!
Beth - Love you Master of Disaster!

Ellen

The snow days of our lives...

Early out because of snow....Exciting!
Two consecutive days off because of below zero weather....Sweet!
A four-day weekend with my husband....like a second honeymoon! :0
Teaching in the midwest....Priceless!

Snow days are God's way of telling Teachers....you'll survive until May!

I have enjoyed these snow days so much! This is the first school year we have been teaching in the same district so it is great to have the same holidays and snow days! Brady has still had to juggle a few Basketball practices in, but it has been worth it, his Freshmen team is undefeated!