We were up north with the boys again last weekend. Had a great time with them and everything went really well. Stayed at a really nice lodge ... much better then the regular hotel. So much to do before they arrive ... the placement date has been moved up to March 21st.
Things are really happening fast now ... I just hope we can get things ready in time.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Second Visit
We had our second visit with the boys last weekend. It went really well but it sure is tiring. Lots of driving and lots of energy required to keep up with these two. We had them overnight on Saturday and everything went fine. The kids got alot more sleep than I did ... everytime they made any kind of noise I couldn't help but look up to make sure that they were ok. We went ice fishing and pulled them around on the sleigh ... Paul and I went to the pool for a few hours and had a great time.
Tried to go out to a restaurant with them a couple of times ... didn't work out to well. Its hard to get them to do anything for more than about 10 minutes. Can't wait until next time ... the plan is to have them for the entire weekend.
Went out mini-van shopping last night :)
Tried to go out to a restaurant with them a couple of times ... didn't work out to well. Its hard to get them to do anything for more than about 10 minutes. Can't wait until next time ... the plan is to have them for the entire weekend.
Went out mini-van shopping last night :)
Saturday, January 29, 2005
An Amazing Experience
I can't even think of any words to describe the experience of meeting our boys for the first time last weekend. Having them greet us at the door by jumping into our arms as their new Mommy and Daddy was an amazing thing. I don't know what I expected from the first visit but I was really suprised by how well we seemed to fit together.
I was struck by how much they needed us. All along I have been thinking somewhat selfeshly about the whole experience. I wanted a family so bad and I wanted the experience of being a Dad ... I never really thought that I was helping anyone else. It really struck me that the boys need us as much as we need them ... I feel so lucky to have been chosen to be given this chance ... it also feels really good to be in a position to be able to provide them with a good home where they will be loved unconditionally. I feel like I already have a different perspective on why I'm here and what really matters. My experience at work has changed some how ... even just this first week was different .... I felt like it had more meaning .... like I need to get the job done .... I now have the responsibility to provide for these two boys and my family ... it feels good.
I really enjoyed watching my wife interact with them. She has been waiting for so long for this chance to be a Mom and now that she is one everything I thought about how she would be has come true ... she was so good with them. The boys are great kids, full of energy, healthy, smart and loving. We had so much fun with them and I think they had a great time with us as well.
Even after just the first visit it was very difficult to leave them behind when we went back home. I'm preparing for this to get harder every visit. I don't think they are ready to come with us quite yet ... but I know the day will come when they will not understand why we are leaving without them. The next few months are going to be very exciting but very difficult at the same time.
One funny tidbit ... the boys think we live at the hotel. We had them on our own for a few hours and we dropped in to our room to get a few things. Never thought anything of it but after a few minutes the oldest one says "Where's my room?". They are definatelly a little confused and it will take some time for them to understand.
I can't wait to get them home.
I was struck by how much they needed us. All along I have been thinking somewhat selfeshly about the whole experience. I wanted a family so bad and I wanted the experience of being a Dad ... I never really thought that I was helping anyone else. It really struck me that the boys need us as much as we need them ... I feel so lucky to have been chosen to be given this chance ... it also feels really good to be in a position to be able to provide them with a good home where they will be loved unconditionally. I feel like I already have a different perspective on why I'm here and what really matters. My experience at work has changed some how ... even just this first week was different .... I felt like it had more meaning .... like I need to get the job done .... I now have the responsibility to provide for these two boys and my family ... it feels good.
I really enjoyed watching my wife interact with them. She has been waiting for so long for this chance to be a Mom and now that she is one everything I thought about how she would be has come true ... she was so good with them. The boys are great kids, full of energy, healthy, smart and loving. We had so much fun with them and I think they had a great time with us as well.
Even after just the first visit it was very difficult to leave them behind when we went back home. I'm preparing for this to get harder every visit. I don't think they are ready to come with us quite yet ... but I know the day will come when they will not understand why we are leaving without them. The next few months are going to be very exciting but very difficult at the same time.
One funny tidbit ... the boys think we live at the hotel. We had them on our own for a few hours and we dropped in to our room to get a few things. Never thought anything of it but after a few minutes the oldest one says "Where's my room?". They are definatelly a little confused and it will take some time for them to understand.
I can't wait to get them home.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Getting Close Now
Its 10 to 7 on a Sunday morning and I'm sitting here updating this Blog that no-one is reading. Only a few days now before we meet our new sons for the first time. We are leaving for Elliot Lake on Thursday for our first meeting with them over the weekend. Feeling really excited and extremely nervous at the same time ... will we be good enough for them. Will they run towards us or run away ... who knows? We were trying to pick out a toy to take up to them when we first meet them .... nothing I saw seemed good enough .... how can you possibily find that perfect gift. I am already starting to think of them as my own .. we have their picture up on the fridge and I can't help but look at it everytime I pass. I am constantly wondering what they are doing at a given moment.
Also thinking about how our lives are going to change ... it will be awhile before we can enjoy a quiet dinner/evening together. We will have to try to make time for ourselves sometime. Time seems to be passing by slowly as we wait for our first meeting.
Have talked to them on the phone already and have heared those little voices say "Hi Mommy" and "Hi Daddy" ... wow ... that was unexpected. We were worried so much at first about how the kids would adjust ... now its starting to seem like its us that will have to do the adjusting.
Also thinking about how our lives are going to change ... it will be awhile before we can enjoy a quiet dinner/evening together. We will have to try to make time for ourselves sometime. Time seems to be passing by slowly as we wait for our first meeting.
Have talked to them on the phone already and have heared those little voices say "Hi Mommy" and "Hi Daddy" ... wow ... that was unexpected. We were worried so much at first about how the kids would adjust ... now its starting to seem like its us that will have to do the adjusting.
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Hold on to your hats ....
Wow things are really happening now. We found out that we were matched up with two boys (ages 2 and 3) that we found out about at the adoption resource exchange. We have not met them yet but we expect to sometime early in the new year. They are so cute .. and they seem like they are doing really well. These kids are going to turn our lives upside down and inside out .. we can hardly wait. They seem like the perfect match for us ... lots of energy ... and ready to get involved in all kinds of activities. I can hardly wait to get them up north to the lake .... I just know that they will love it. It is such a good feeling to know that we have put all the pain behind us and we are moving on.
Friday, December 10, 2004
I Feel Like Shit
I feel like shit today for some reason. I took the day of work and didn't do anything. Lazy ass. I had alot of stuff to do but just didn't feel like doing anything ... not idea why. I have curling tonight so maybe that will help get me out of this funk.
Good news on the adoption front .. we found out that we are one of three couples being considered for the two boys (2 and 3). We meet with the social worker to find out more on Monday afternoon.
We have also been shortlisted for the set of 3 siblings (2 boys and a girl). OMG would they ever turn our lives upside down.
Excited but a little scared too .... life sometimes just doesn't lead you down all the paths that you expect.
Good news on the adoption front .. we found out that we are one of three couples being considered for the two boys (2 and 3). We meet with the social worker to find out more on Monday afternoon.
We have also been shortlisted for the set of 3 siblings (2 boys and a girl). OMG would they ever turn our lives upside down.
Excited but a little scared too .... life sometimes just doesn't lead you down all the paths that you expect.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Still waiting
Last couple of weekends have been busy. Two weekends ago we spent the entire weekend at an adoption retreat training weekend. We spent the entire weekend with 6 or 7 other couples learning about adoption. It was very emotional and at times difficult. We learned alot about potential problems with adoptive families. Many adopted children have alot of issues to deal with.
This past weekend we spent the entire weekend at something called the Adoption Resource Exchange. We expressed interested in four sets of siblings:
A girl and two boys (3 all at once .... this would send us for a loop thats for sure)
Two boys ... ages 2 and 3.
A brother and sister.
Things are moving faster now ... maybe we won't be waiting long?
This past weekend we spent the entire weekend at something called the Adoption Resource Exchange. We expressed interested in four sets of siblings:
A girl and two boys (3 all at once .... this would send us for a loop thats for sure)
Two boys ... ages 2 and 3.
A brother and sister.
Things are moving faster now ... maybe we won't be waiting long?
Saturday, October 30, 2004
International Adoption - Russia
We went to an international adoption seminar this morning to find out about adopting from Russia. The name of the agency that put on the seminar was called Adoption Horizons. Sounds really great ... expensive ..... but great. Total cost is about $38,000. Got to meet some families that have already gone through the whole process. It was really neat to see but also very emotional. You have to travel to Russia twice. It would be an amazing life experience.
Saturday, October 09, 2004
Our Homestudy Is Finished!
The social work/counsellor dropped off our completed homestudy report on Thursday night. Its great that it is finally over with but somewhat anti-climatic. It sort of feels like well ok now what.
We basically just have to wait now ... hopefully we will be matched up fairly quickly but I know that it could take some time.
We basically just have to wait now ... hopefully we will be matched up fairly quickly but I know that it could take some time.
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Last Homestudy Session
Just finished our last session with the social worker. She turned out to be really great but I'm still glad its over with. She just has to write her report and then we are off to find agencies and see if we can get a match somewhere. When we first started with this I wasn't really sure if I was ready buy now I am so confident (probably over confident). I feel like we are ready to start our family and accept whatever challenges come along with it.
It makes me so happy to see Wendy happy .......
It makes me so happy to see Wendy happy .......
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Our Profile
The next step for us was the create a profile to describe ourselves. This is our first attempt and it is still a work in progress. We are not really sure what to put into one of these things?
Steve & Wendy
Hello! Wow ….. what a decision for you to make ….. possibly the greatest decision you will ever make in your life! We can’t imagine how conflicted this decision would be for you but wish you the very best in your journey to find the best life for your child and hope that our profile gives you insight into us.
About us
We met in our first year of university. Steve was the guy upstairs with the loud stereo and I was the studious girl on the second floor. Although friends through university, we didn’t start dating until our 4th year. We knew within months of dating that we were meant to be together and plunged into marriage in 1994, only 4 months after graduation! We tend to laugh often and just enjoy our time together.
Steve speaks about Wendy
Wendy is the apple of my eye. I feel like we are a perfect match. She has a wonderful laugh and smile and truly lives life to its fullest despite its challenges. She is fun to be around and is instantly liked by everyone she meets. She enriches my life and the lives of many others every day.
Wendy is a teacher, not by training, but by her very nature. She has a love of science and the outdoors. She seems to notice the little things like an unusual flower, rock or animal that I would have just walked by –or more likely over- before I met her. She comes from a large family and we both enjoy spending time with them. She is eternally optimistic and always seems to be able to find some good in every person and every situation.
Wendy likes to cook, especially for a large group during the holidays
Wendy speaks about Steve
Steve is a very loving, romantic mathematical genius! Seriously, I really don’t know anyone who can do math like Steve! Steve’s a traffic engineer and relishes playing in traffic and trying to solve ridiculous problems like gridlock! The interesting twist is he’s not geeky or like an engineer. He is well liked at work and is truly a nice person, a guy who you can talk to without feeling belittled. He cherishes his family and enjoys playing with all of his 11 nephews and nieces. Children are drawn to him, either to read a book, play a game or just hang out. I think it’s mostly to with his quiet patience and that they sense his respect and love of their individual personalities. Steve enjoys the outdoors, although he’s a big fan of flushing toilets and showers. Understandably, he loves his Grandparent’s cottage and fishing at the "Lake’. He enjoys all types of music and is known to pick up the guitar and play a tune once and while.
Our interests as a couple
You would think that after moving over 32 times in university, we would be sick of travelling! Although, we love having a home base, we enjoy seeing the world and would relish to share these opportunities with our children. We also like playing tennis, curling, hiking and just about any outdoors activity. But I think, our favourite times together are unwinding on the couch after a day at work to discuss and laugh at our work and day’s activities.
Our Families
We are fortunate to have a very large circle of family to share our love and joy of becoming parents. Everyone was overjoyed with our ‘announcement’ of pursuing adoption. Although they may not be familiar with the details of our struggle with IVF, they know that this journey is extremely important to us and are very supportive.
Our Views on Adoption
We think that most families are formed at birth but we feel it is extra special to have our family formed this way. It makes us unique and special. For a long time, our focus was getting pregnant but have come to realize that those few months are really a small period in a lifetime with a child.
Steve & Wendy
Hello! Wow ….. what a decision for you to make ….. possibly the greatest decision you will ever make in your life! We can’t imagine how conflicted this decision would be for you but wish you the very best in your journey to find the best life for your child and hope that our profile gives you insight into us.
About us
We met in our first year of university. Steve was the guy upstairs with the loud stereo and I was the studious girl on the second floor. Although friends through university, we didn’t start dating until our 4th year. We knew within months of dating that we were meant to be together and plunged into marriage in 1994, only 4 months after graduation! We tend to laugh often and just enjoy our time together.
Steve speaks about Wendy
Wendy is the apple of my eye. I feel like we are a perfect match. She has a wonderful laugh and smile and truly lives life to its fullest despite its challenges. She is fun to be around and is instantly liked by everyone she meets. She enriches my life and the lives of many others every day.
Wendy is a teacher, not by training, but by her very nature. She has a love of science and the outdoors. She seems to notice the little things like an unusual flower, rock or animal that I would have just walked by –or more likely over- before I met her. She comes from a large family and we both enjoy spending time with them. She is eternally optimistic and always seems to be able to find some good in every person and every situation.
Wendy likes to cook, especially for a large group during the holidays
Wendy speaks about Steve
Steve is a very loving, romantic mathematical genius! Seriously, I really don’t know anyone who can do math like Steve! Steve’s a traffic engineer and relishes playing in traffic and trying to solve ridiculous problems like gridlock! The interesting twist is he’s not geeky or like an engineer. He is well liked at work and is truly a nice person, a guy who you can talk to without feeling belittled. He cherishes his family and enjoys playing with all of his 11 nephews and nieces. Children are drawn to him, either to read a book, play a game or just hang out. I think it’s mostly to with his quiet patience and that they sense his respect and love of their individual personalities. Steve enjoys the outdoors, although he’s a big fan of flushing toilets and showers. Understandably, he loves his Grandparent’s cottage and fishing at the "Lake’. He enjoys all types of music and is known to pick up the guitar and play a tune once and while.
Our interests as a couple
You would think that after moving over 32 times in university, we would be sick of travelling! Although, we love having a home base, we enjoy seeing the world and would relish to share these opportunities with our children. We also like playing tennis, curling, hiking and just about any outdoors activity. But I think, our favourite times together are unwinding on the couch after a day at work to discuss and laugh at our work and day’s activities.
Our Families
We are fortunate to have a very large circle of family to share our love and joy of becoming parents. Everyone was overjoyed with our ‘announcement’ of pursuing adoption. Although they may not be familiar with the details of our struggle with IVF, they know that this journey is extremely important to us and are very supportive.
Our Views on Adoption
We think that most families are formed at birth but we feel it is extra special to have our family formed this way. It makes us unique and special. For a long time, our focus was getting pregnant but have come to realize that those few months are really a small period in a lifetime with a child.
Monday, September 20, 2004
Fingerprinting
Had to go for fingerprinting today. I understand why we have to do it but it still seems like an insult. Its amazing how "qualified" you have to be to adopt. Meanwhile, so many people are out there having children that just don't seem equipped to handle it.
Had our third session with our social worker that is doing our homestudy. One more session to go and then we are done. Have to sit there and bare my soul. Somone who had a father that beat them everyday for 18 years has no problem going out and impregnating half the town. Meanwhile I'm sitting here having to explain that I can still be a good parent even though my mother spanked me once when I was 4. BUT I'M NOT BITTER.
Looking forward to finishing the homestudy and looking for a match :)
Had our third session with our social worker that is doing our homestudy. One more session to go and then we are done. Have to sit there and bare my soul. Somone who had a father that beat them everyday for 18 years has no problem going out and impregnating half the town. Meanwhile I'm sitting here having to explain that I can still be a good parent even though my mother spanked me once when I was 4. BUT I'M NOT BITTER.
Looking forward to finishing the homestudy and looking for a match :)
Saturday, September 18, 2004
Adoption - So Far
We are just starting on this journey. My wife and I really don't know what to expect. After many years of trying the good old fashion way we decided that something musy be "wrong". We started with doctors and specialist poking and proding and test after test. Eventually we got fed up with the fertility clinics and realized that we didn't need to conceive naturally to create a family.
We went to our first adoption seminar in June of 2004. We were really nervous at first and not sure what we were getting ourselves into. The seminar was great and we met alot of couples just like ourselves. We left the seminar feeling really positive about moving forward.
The next step was to start our home study. So far we have had two sessions with our councillor and it is going great. They ask alot of really weird questions but so far its not too bad. We are not really sure what lies ahead.
We went to our first adoption seminar in June of 2004. We were really nervous at first and not sure what we were getting ourselves into. The seminar was great and we met alot of couples just like ourselves. We left the seminar feeling really positive about moving forward.
The next step was to start our home study. So far we have had two sessions with our councillor and it is going great. They ask alot of really weird questions but so far its not too bad. We are not really sure what lies ahead.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
