Happy Halloween!

Hopefully next year we will have a little one to dress up!

All smiles today

Well Brent and I have come so far in the past month and a half. We are finally ready to submit our home study. Next we are finishing up our birthmother letter and getting our portfolio pics together. Sometimes I just can't believe this is happening I really need to pinch myself once a day. I know I must be so annoying around everyone. I am so happy I can’t stop talking about our process. Loving Life today!!

Wish us luck!

Doug and I are really close in finishing all of the paperwork for our home study. We have written auto biographies, obtained letter of recommendations, pulled together financials, vet records, gotten fingerprinted twice. The only thing stands in the way is me getting a physical and drug tested on Friday. I can't believe we have been able to pull together so many documents in less than a months time. The hardest part thus far was writing the autobiography because I hate to all about myself. Next on the list is completing the actual home study and finishing the Dear Birthmother Letter... Wish us luck!

Physical Examination

Tomorrow is my full Physical Exam which is one of the last steps in our Home Study. We still have a long road ahead but wow we are on display. I feel you defiantly need to look at yourself like a piece of real estate. We need to make sure everything is in good repair and we have to make sure every detail is written out and visible so that a sale can be made. I know not everyone has to go through this to have a child. We will do whatever it takes so that we can start our family. I just look at it like we just have a few extra hurdles but in the end it is our new child to be that makes me smile every day.

One Month Later

Brent and I started our adventure a month ago. It is crazy to think how much we have gone through in this short amount of time. We have had FBI checks, GBI checks, Employment verifications, health history explored. We have had our amazing friends and family write letters of recommendation for us. Thanks Kara, Greg, Kari and the girls we love you. Brent and I have filled out home study questionnaires and written autobiographies. This is just a small amount of what we have completed. We have also completed a two day seminar where we got to meet with other couples who are in the same position as we are. I will admit it is great to know you are not the only one experiencing this journey. I also love all the support we have gotten from around the world it really truly has been amazing. I know we have a roller coaster ride of emotion still about to happen. I am excited to share the good the bad and the in between. I will always be honest with my feelings and thoughts of our process. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime throughout this journey. And we continue to the next……………

Heading to New Orleans

Brent and I are heading to New Orleans this weekend. This makes me so excited for the day we can take our child to our home away from home. It will be amazing to take our child to their first parade and show them all this city has to offer. So many people don't realize that there is so much more to New Orleans than Mardi Gra. This city and everyone that lives there have so much pride in New Orleans. I know our child will be able to see the culture and amazing sites with us someday. I am getting so anxious to begin our life with our new little one.

Portfolio Time

Happy Monday! Brent and I are finishing up all our paperwork and beginning to work on our portfolio. We are going through hundreds of pictures and also getting ready to take a few more to have as many options as possible. Hey I love a good photo shoot so this works for me. We are also working on birthmother letters and writing about our life together. I tell you this is defiantly overwhelming sometimes. I must say Brent and I have a lot of support and it has been amazing. It’s still so crazy sometimes how my life is about to change I consider myself a very social person. I know my life will be turned completely upside down and you know something I am ready. Thank you again for all the great words of wisdom and kind thoughts. We are so ready to start our family. Brent and I know there are so many people going through the exact same process. We are here to support anyone else going through this journey it is always great to have a support system. This is just one story and there are so many current and future amazing Real Modern Dads out there.

"The Kid"

Today I finished one of the books the agency asked us to read. The book was "The Kid" by Dan Savage. It walked though his and his partners process of completing their open adoption. I have to say, even if I wasn't going through the process now, I would read the book. It kept me entertained from start to finish. I warn you though the book can be a little crude at times, but I think that is part of the reason I stayed entertained.

Working that Home Study

Doug and I are working through each of the items on our Home Study list. There are so many items, that it looks intimidating. However, we figured we could do one or two a night and knock them out by the end of the Month. Yesterday, we were able to complete our Adoption Questionnaire. At first glance, it looked pretty easy, but then I started to worry about if my answers were wrong. Would the a...gency not like the answers? Would we be removed from the agency if I "failed" my questions? Finally, I went ahead and just answered the questions the way I believe and hopefully, I will pass the "test". I guess I can check this item off of the list! Yeppie – Progress Just so you can have a glimpse of the questions, here they are: 1. How would you describe yourself? 2. Describe your spouse’s/partner’s personality and strengths. What would your change? 3. If you have children, describe their personalities, likes and dislikes. 3a. What steps have you taken to prepare your child for an adopted child in coming into the home? 4. What do you feel are the strong points in your marriage/relationship? 4a. What type of goals do you work toward in your marriage/relationship? 4b. What are usually the areas of disagreement? How do you handle problems and conflicts? 5. Please give a brief statement describing your thoughts about religion and its place in your life. 6. If you are childless, what experiences have you had with children? 7. How do you (or how do you plan to) discipline your children? Give examples. 7a. Define discipline: 7b. Define misbehavior: 7c. What is the difference between discipline and abuse? 8. What aspects of childrearing are important to you? 8a. Do you and your spouse/partner agree on childrearing and discipline? 9. What do you expect from your child? 10. What goals do you wish your child to achieve? 11. Why are you applying for adoptions? 11a. Do both of you wish to adopt? 12. What have been your parents’ response to adoption and response of friends and relatives?

Happy Hump Day

Brent and I are working through the Home Study for our agency. I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is so crazy to think of how much we have to go through to start our family. It is all so worth it and I can’t wait to meet our birthmother. Well once we are chosen . I know how I am and I am going to have to learn how to chill, and let the process happen the way it is supposed to. It may take a month or it may take a year. In the end we will have our family and it will be so worth it. Now I am taking the time to relax and enjoy each experience as it comes. One thing now that I am also doing is reading books and if you know me I will take the movie over the book anytime. LOL … So hey it’s a growing experience look at me..

Real modern dads like this give Brent and I the chance to start our family.