Pssssst.... I have a secret... Shhhh.... TOP SECRET...

[Atropa]

Kim, I hope you get her and I have nothing but the greatest respect for people that adopt from the foster care system.

[*STEVE*]

Ive got my fingers crossed for you and chris , your in my prayers , I hope it all works out



Remember though , you could always adopt me

[cross66]

Wishing you the best of luck. After working with AZ CPS I know that there are many children who need a good home with loving parents. Will keep you in my thoughts.

[JOHN GARGANI]

KIM: it's great to see you in good spirits and working towards something very positive in your life....

I wish you all the best in this endeavor and hope it all works out swell for you!!

[Deborah_Lyn]

Best wishes that everything goes smoothly! It's so wonderful you and hubby are adopting.

[Trace333]

This is So awesome Kimberly. I wish you guys the best of luck and you will be in my thoughts!!! I'm excited with you

[KimberleyRN]

Originally Posted by Atropa

Kim, I hope you get her and I have nothing but the greatest respect for people that adopt from the foster care system.

Thanks, I appreciate all the input you have given me on FB. I am sure you will be a valuable resource if we get her.

Originally Posted by *STEVE*

Ive got my fingers crossed for you and chris , your in my prayers , I hope it all works out
Remember though , you could always adopt me

LOL... but, then... well... incest is just so wrong...

Originally Posted by cross66

Wishing you the best of luck. After working with AZ CPS I know that there are many children who need a good home with loving parents. Will keep you in my thoughts.

Thanks, we would adopt many kiddos if we had a larger home... Dang it... We wil ljust settle for one kiddo at a time.

Originally Posted by JOHN GARGANI

KIM: it's great to see you in good spirits and working towards something very positive in your life....
I wish you all the best in this endeavor and hope it all works out swell for you!!

Thanks! It is good to see you... You are one of my favorite people here for many reasons.

Originally Posted by Deborah_Lyn

Best wishes that everything goes smoothly! It's so wonderful you and hubby are adopting.

We are just covering this in prayer... it is tough for me, because I 'feel' myself bonding with this girl already... it is almost impossible not to when you are praying for her, KWIM? Fortunately, my husband is level headed and reminds me that it is all God's will and God's timing. *sigh*...

Originally Posted by Trace333

This is So awesome Kimberly. I wish you guys the best of luck and you will be in my thoughts!!! I'm excited with you

I keep wondering if she knows there is someone out there praying for her. I found myself wondering what she did for Halloween... I will really drive myself crazy if I keep this up.

[KimberleyRN]

Originally Posted by KimberleyRN

In 2 weeks the girl's social worker will meet with our case worker... they will then decide if they want to 'consider' us for a Red File Staffing.

At a Red File Staffing, the potential adoptive child's worker meets with adoption workers representing from 3 to 5 different families. The workers will 'pitch' the family as to strengths, weaknesses and how their family could best meet the needs of this child.

It is thought that this Red File Staffing 'could' occur around Thanksgiving. Of course, that is if everything goes PERFECTLY. I doubt we would have any final answers until closer to Christmas.

Then IF we are selected, we could start slow visitations with the girl... working up to her moving in probably around Summer. When the children are older, the transitions are much slower to ensure less disruptions.

Pray that I can be patient. (seriously!)

Quoting myself to update you all that THIS WEEK is when Christina (case worker) will be talking to the child's Social Worker. I appreciate prayers that the workers will be very in tune with the needs of this particular 11 year old girl.

Originally Posted by cross66

Wishing you the best of luck. After working with AZ CPS I know that there are many children who need a good home with loving parents. Will keep you in my thoughts.

Hmm, if you still work there... we may run into each other. If you see us presented at a Red File Staffing... do not let that affect your decisions... LOL.

[TooSlow]

Best wishes for you, your family and the little girl.

[Whatanejit]

Good luck Kim

[billrich210]

That's GREAT Kim! I am happy for you and I too will pray that all works out. We are raising my nephew, he is 3, and it turns out he is what was missing from our lives. Stay positive.....and don't tell the social workers about the delt licking thing!...LOL

[kcmoto]

I support adoption. My mom was adopted. Recently I asked her if she ever wanted to find out who her "real" parents were. Well....if looks could kill!!! She said, "I know who my real parents were!" Hoping for the best Kim.

[selffirst]

Originally Posted by KimberleyRN

Okay, we are in the process of being approved as an adoptive family. The i's are not dotted, the t's are not crossed... we still have a couple of hoops to jump through.

That being said... our family has been selected as a POSSIBLE adoptive family for a precious young girl...

So many IF's and maybe's...

We can not get our hopes up... (yeah, just try NOT going there after reading a profile of a young child.)

So, anyway... for those of you that pray... We are directing our prayers that the caseworkers be sensitive to what is BEST for this young girl.

All I can really say is that she is 11, Is currently in foster care and by reading her profile, it SEEMS as if she would be a good fit here.

It may be that we are NOT the ones that are best for her. Even so, I think the caseworker can benefit from prayers.

I can not share her name or any other 'identifying factors' at this time.

God knows who she is... AND He knows if we are the family for her. If we are not, at least we are praying for her and maybe that was the only purpose for us reading her profile at this time... to generate prayer support.

I will keep you updated. It will be at least Thanksgiving before we know if we are selected. It would be another 6 months or so before she would join us in our home... IF we are selected.

I know it is premature... I just wanted to share my excitement at the possibility.

We are being considered before the adoption study is final because we agree to take older, more difficult children. We are open to behavior issues and medical issues that make some kiddos considered to be difficult to adopt.

I read this and I'm really diggin you right now as a beautiful,sensitive, soul... I work in Special Education with visually impaired teens.If a stranger can see this...The forces that may will surely see this...All my best....Self

[Bad Bob]

Good luck to you all!
Bob

[cross66]

Originally Posted by KimberleyRN

Hmm, if you still work there... we may run into each other. If you see us presented at a Red File Staffing... do not let that affect your decisions... LOL.

I'm teaching now, but I'm sure you'll have no problems.

[KimberleyRN]

I just got an email, and wanted to update those that are interested.

I gave the case manager your photo and some of our emails.

And I emailed with your Licensing Specialist today about getting your homestudy in asap.

Lets hope it is done before we staff families for J****.

Thank you for being open to older children.

I appreciate prayers. This is so out of my control... I do not like being NOT in control.

Originally Posted by billrich210

That's GREAT Kim! I am happy for you and I too will pray that all works out. We are raising my nephew, he is 3, and it turns out he is what was missing from our lives. Stay positive.....and [b]don't tell the social workers about the delt licking thing![/b[...LOL

HAHA... I do not ever have the urge to lick kids... just hunky hubby delts.

Chances are, they would just see it as evidence that we 'dig' each other. But, I will keep the details of HOW we dig each other to ourselves.

Originally Posted by selffirst

I read this and I'm really diggin you right now as a beautiful,sensitive, soul... I work in Special Education with visually impaired teens.If a stranger can see this...The forces that may will surely see this...All my best....Self

Thanks... I believe that the 'forces that be' are really just doing God's will... so, one would think I would not be so nervous... Oh me of little faith!

[KimberleyRN]

Hi Kimberley,
I think that we should be able to submit your home study to the court this week! Would Wednesday night about 5pm at your house work for our final home study appointment? I will do a quick walk through to inspect the house for the smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, locks, etc. I would like to spend a few minutes interviewing both Jaina and Justus and just clarifying a few items on your home study. We also will need to collect the $800 check for the home study fee. I did have a few additional questions for you regarding Jordan and Jared and your previous relationships. It would help me if you could e-mail me this information prior to our appointment. THREE QUESTIONS EDITED OUT FOR OUR PRIVACY. I know there is a lot, lot there and I want to show your experience but it would be way too much to include everything so just somehow summarize some key items.
Thank you!
Diana

I just submitted 2500 words of information in response to the 3 questions she had for me.

Whew!

[paolo59]

Originally Posted by KimberleyRN

I just submitted 2500 words of information in response to the 3 questions she had for me.

Whew!

They check the house for fire extinguishers? Good Lord! I had no idea of the hoops hopeful adoptive parents have to jump through. Good luck. And try not to get frustrated!!! Sounds like quite the process.

[KimberleyRN]

Originally Posted by paolo59

They check the house for fire extinguishers? Good Lord! I had no idea of the hoops hopeful adoptive parents have to jump through. Good luck. And try not to get frustrated!!! Sounds like quite the process.

...and magnetic child proof locks on all cleaners, medications and toxins, life insurance and Wills along with an approved family to agree to take the children if we are to die.

*****************
Tonight the adoption worker came and interviewed the children and inspected the house.

She was very impressed with our children's understanding of the adoption process. She also commented that she would like to have her son meet my daughter in a few years. LOL... I joked that we could end up sharing grandchildren!

She did tell us that even though she is submitting our homestudy on Friday, we would most likely be too late to be considered for J****. I understand that I see our role in her life as prayer warriors. I know He will place her where she needs to be.

We did make a change to our criteria. We are now open to boys 0-8 and girls 0-10. Initially we said age 3 was our youngest. Lately though, we have both been feeling the 'baby itch' and think perhaps God is preparing our hearts for some child or sibling group that He has chosen for our family already.

We are especially touched that at the end of our visit, the worker announced that she needed to take off her 'social worker hat' and that as a 'friend' she wanted to pray with our family. She proceeded to pray the most wonderful/amazing prayer over our home, family and adoptive child/ren to come. We hugged and she promised to keep in close contact.

[immuno]

This is a really inspiring thread. Major props to you Kimberly.

[KimberleyRN]

Originally Posted by immuno

This is a really inspiring thread. Major props to you Kimberley.

Aww, thanks big guy... we are just hoping that by following our journey someone else may consider adopting through the foster care system.

[HeatherAC]

Originally Posted by KimberleyRN

Aww, thanks big guy... we are just hoping that by following our journey someone else may consider adopting through the foster care system.

Bless you for being so open to the possibilities and not being stuck on adopting a baby. Good luck and I hope all goes well for your family.

[KimberleyRN]

Originally Posted by HeatherAC

Bless you for being so open to the possibilities and not being stuck on adopting a baby. Good luck and I hope all goes well for your family.

Thanks Heather... we are open to babies... but, chances are they will come as part of a sibling group. Very Okay with us!

We had to write up a family biography, but could not identify race, financial status or geographical location.

Please give feedback on our bio... dunno... so difficult to put the 'essence' of your family into a 'short' biography.

Meet our family, Dad (Chris), Mom (Kimberley), big sister (Jaina '96), big brother (Justus '01), and grown up brothers Jordan ('88), and Jared('90). Pets Yorkshire Terriers (Zoe and Zorak), and Cats (Oliver and Kit) round out the family. (Jordan and Jared are grown up and do not live at home anymore.)
***
This active family enjoys many outdoor activities together such as hiking, bike riding, playing basketball, soccer, and football in the park. When indoors they enjoy playing board games, Rock Band on the PS3, and baking yummy things from scratch.
***
Church activities are very important to our family. We attend a non-denominational church each week, as well as Bible study and Karaoke nights at church several times a year. Kimberley (mom) is also coordinator for the After12 program, which is a mentoring program for students in 6th-12th grades. This program meets once a week during the school year.
***
Dad works part-time and is the official 'taxi' service for the children, taking them to and from school and all extracurricular activities. He also is the official 'cook' for the family and makes amazing meals/baked goods. Chris is a hands-on father that changes diapers, and will bottle feed/burp babies like a pro! He is patient and enjoys spending time playing one on one with the children. He has been the guest of honor to many 'tea parties' and had endured having his beard filled with barrettes and hair pretties as his daughter played dress up with him.
***
Mom works full time as an RN in the hospital (3 nights a week). This gives her 4 full days with the family! In addition to the After12 program at church, Kimberley is a mentor for other foster parents and young married women. She has been labeled a 'sage' full of parenting expertise gained from 7 years of fostering medically needy infants/toddlers. Severe behaviorally challenged and attachment-disordered children have learned how to adapt to family life under the structured and loving atmosphere of our home.
***
Jaina (DOB 6-8-96) is an active teen that is fashion conscious, loves to bake from scratch, plays the flute in the honors band and at the all-state level, and excels academically in school. She is a cheerleader and on the cross-country team. She is hoping to be on the Color Guard this spring. Jaina loves to sing/dance in her room to Miley Cyrus, and other 'fun' groups. She is hoping that an adoptive sister would also share her interests in doing hair and dressing in fashionable clothes. Jaina wears a purity ring and is focused on saving her first kiss for her wedding day. She is a role model for modesty and purity in her social circles. She is dedicated to not dating or getting ?serious? about a boy until she is out of high school.
***
Justus (DOB 6-29-01) is a well-mannered boy that enjoys PS3 games and reading Goosebumps books. His 3rd grade teacher describes him as conscientious, compassionate, and eager to do the right thing. Justus likes to play with his monster trucks, hot wheels, and Star Wars 'guys'. He is hoping for a younger child to adopt so he can be a 'big brother' and teach them 'to be good and to show them respect in a family''. Justus opens the door for his mother and sister, and lets them walk through the door first to 'be a gentleman'. He is very respectful of others and desires to be a 'good citizen'. Justus got straight A's on his report card and is on the Principal's list.
***
Our family feels ready to open our hearts and home to adopting a child or sibling group. We are dedicated to providing a safe, loving home full of structure, positive discipline and laughter. We are willing to surround children with hurting hearts with patient love and understand that it may take years to see a child blossom from our unconditional and devoted love. We are willing to honor relationships that are important to a child, including biological and former foster relationships. We are ready to be on the team of many who desire what is in a child's best interest.

I know I wax into passive voice... but, I struggle with how to NOT when discussing my family... KWIM?

[immuno]

Originally Posted by KimberleyRN

I know I wax into passive voice... but, I struggle with how to NOT when discussing my family... KWIM?

I wish I could give you some constructive criticism, but I don't see how that can be improved upon. That's a damn good bio Kimberly!




















(will you be my mommy?)

[KimberleyRN]

Originally Posted by immuno

I wish I could give you some constructive criticism, but I don't see how that can be improved upon. That's a damn good bio Kimberly!

(will you be my mommy?)

Well, we do have our top age at under 13...

Thanks for the compliment, I typed that out off the cuff, and I do notice a syntax error that I will fix. I just hope this gives a good 'snapshot' of our lives. Part of me wonders if the kids sound 'too good', and then the social workers will think we can not handle children with 'issues'. There is just no good balance. I wanted to mention Jaina's modesty and purity ring values, because many of the girls have been sexually abused and need a good role model for modesty/self respect.

I am over analyzing this, I am sure. I just am very aware that this is similar to the cover letter of a resume... often, a bad cover letter means the resume is never even looked at.

*sigh*