Friday, July 24, 2009

Big News!!

I’ve been keeping a big, fat secret from all my readers for a while now – and it’s time to come clean!!!
Those of you who happened to check out my facebook status yesterday can skip this entry, since it’s not going to be news to you – but for the rest of you, read on.

Jim and I have begun the adoption process!

We’re in the very beginning stages, so it’s not like we’re going to have a baby running around our house next week.
Not that babies can even run, but you know what I mean. ;-)

Anyway – we’re going through the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (formerly known as DSS) and so far things are going well.
Our initial application has been approved and we’re currently waiting to be placed in the next round of MAPP (Massachusetts Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) classes that are required of all adoptive/foster parents in the state. Once we’ve completed that 8 week course (a total of 24 hours of class time) we'll have a complete home study done and assuming that all goes smoothly, we then sit and wait for a child to be ‘matched’ to us.

Given the fact that we’re not going to be starting classes until September at the earliest, and a home study usually takes at the very least a month to complete, plus considering all the paperwork, interviews, and any other hurdles we may have to encounter – we’re really not thinking that we’ll even begin the real waiting until after the first of the year.

Of course, this is all based on what our friends have said, and what we’ve learned so far from all the informational meetings we’ve attended. So for the time being, we’re sticking with that time frame.
Naturally, I’ll be posting from time to time and keeping my faithful readers updated on the situation.

It’s very exciting, but also a bit scary. Jim and I have always discussed the idea of having children, but it was never the ‘right’ time for us, or we didn’t have the money, or we were too young….etc..etc…
We’ve come to a time in our lives where it just feel right and I think we’re both more than ready to ‘get the ball rolling’ and start a family.
Of course, we haven’t told Scooter yet….but we’re working on it. :-)

That’s my big news for today….stay tuned for updates as they happen!!

Have a GREAT weekend!!!!

xoxo

6 comments:

Larry Ohio said...

That's great John! That's wonderful!

RG said...

So, does this mean you've given up on getting pregnant? I was looking forward to seeing you in your pregnancy softball uniform!

Seriously, congratulations and good luck with the process of adoption. You and your partner will make great parents.

Amy said...

eeeeeeeeeeeeeee......that's so awesome. I'd have lots more kids if I could.

I'll bet you can't wait for the day you look at your honey and say 'Alright....whose idea was this?!'

Kevin said...

Congratulations and best of luck to you.

I won't scare you with our story working with the CT DCF system but let me just say take all your time tables and add at least a month.

My partner and I have been fully licensed for a bit over a year, take one piece of advice and don't let it get to you! This is a great thing!

savante said...

That's amazing news! Good luck! My partner and I are ready for a child as well - and I'm looking through the process over here as well though it's gonna be difficult. Conservative country and all.

AJohnP said...

Thanks for the kind words everyone!
I'll be sure and keep you all informed as to our progress!
xoxo