Keep in touch!

Wow!  How do I even sum up the ending of our classes today?  Technically we have 2 more classes to make up next Saturday up in Geauga County, but today was our last 2 classes in Richland Co, where we've been attending the past 4 weeks, with a couple Thursdays thrown in for good measure!  Today was a great day of training, as it's all been so informative and we've learned so much.  Our trainer Judy is beyond words.  Her and her husband Jim drive up from Columbus and their story is one of hope, compassion, committment and most of all love.  They love each other and they love what they do.  In the past 20+ years they've fostered 72 children, adopted 4 and have 4 biological kids.  They're a true inspiration, married over 50 years and still going strong.  

Jay & I both were kind of sad to see it end today.  Of course, it's really only just the beginning, but the end of our first step...our first step into this journey.  Something so amazing happened at the end of class today.  As we were closing our books and gathering our pens to pack it up, this one guy Lonnie raised his hand and said for anyone that would like to participate, they would like to gather in the front corner of the room afterwards for prayer.  Oh, but before that, this girl Alicia had suggested we all have a picture taken together with Judy & Jim to place in our life books, "this is where it all began".  So after our group photo, with probably 10 other couples, at least half of us gathered up front and Lonnie prayed for all of us taking the next step, that God continue to lead our paths, protect the lives of those children we're about to touch and also thanking God for good people like Judy & Jim. It was so AMAZING.  You couldn't help but feel the Holy Spirit in that room!  Many of us left with tears in our eyes, but not before we made sure to get everyone's phone number, email and of course FB information.  I get home tonight and I have like 5 new friend requests waiting already!  lol  I think it's so important to have a network of friends that are going through this process with you, down the same path you're going, that can totally understand the joys, and sometimes heartache, of fostering and/or adoption.  

Jay & I left there today feeling even more certain that God is directing our path.


Heavenly Father,
I just want to thank you for connecting us with this wonderful group of people, that we believe you have brought us all together for one purpose.  You teach us to love, Lord, and we feel so certain that you have called us to help save these children...even if it's just once child at a time.  Be with us, Lord, as we continue on this journey, guiding us and giving us the knowledge, the patience and the heart to make a diffence.  Thank you also, Lord, for the work you've done and continue to do in the lives of Judy & Jim Qualls.  Bless each and every one of us and all the children who may cross our paths, along with their birth families.  In your name we pray,
Amen

Moving right along

So I haven't posted in a week or so...this severe sinus infection has really gotten me down and out lately!  A trip to the doctor, 2 antibiotics and any home remedy I can think of...I hope I'm finally on the road to recovery after 3 weeks of this stuff!

Despite the ill feelings about my sinus', I've still been pushing forward with our foster/adoption classes.  We've got 5 more sessions to finish and we'll have all our pre-service classes done!  Things are getting real, folks!  We filled out our application and mailed it this past Monday.  It wasn't too deep, roughly 4 pages of information, plus references and the form for background checks.  The lady we're working with said once she gets the application, then our references get sent out.  She also emailed us two copies of the very.lengthy.questionaire.  WHOA!  It's like 40 pages of pretty in-depth questions!  I think we're going to start on that tomorrow.  It's hard not to get excited during this process because it's like each step we take, we're one step closer to expanding our family.  I can't believe we're actually finally doing this!  And so far the support we've gotten is pretty cool too.  Judy, our trainer, says that's one of the most important things:  to have strong support...even if it's just one person.

Judy, she's amazing!  These classes are amazing!  Jay and I have learned more about parenting in the last few weeks than I have in the past 13 years!

Speaking of which, my "baby" was taken over by a TEENAGER yesterday!!!  A teenager!  I can't believe it!  I think everyone should have to take these parenting classes before even considering having, adopting or fostering children.  I wish I could just go spend an entire week at Judy's house and watch her in action!   Her and her husband Jim have so much knowledge and parenting advice.  They've had 4 biological, adopted 5 and fostered 72 kids over the years!  If there is such a thing as experts on parenting, I'd say this couple fits the mold!

Well, time to get off here and guzzle down some more water!  YUCK!  I wish I were one of those people that just loved water.  I'm not.  Won't ever be.  So until next week, have a great one Peeps!

Well we had our first 2 classes yesterday.  They were AWESOME!  We learned so much already.  We can hardly wait til our next class, which will be this Thursday.  We have 4 classes to make up because we're kind of coming in nearly half-way through.  No biggie.  We'll do one make-up this Thur, another one on the 20th and then we'll just have the first two classes to make up after that.  Honestly, I think anyone even CONSIDERING becoming a parent, whether it be biological or adoption should take these classes.  We learned things we could come home and apply with Liam.  Really makes you see the error of your ways though.  

Another big milestone we achieved this weekend was the "big announcement" to Jay's parents!  Liam had already told my mom last weekend, and surprisingly she took it pretty well.  To our big surprise, Jay's parents did as well.  Whew!  So then Jay came home and posted it on Facebook....so the whole world knows now!!!  lol  

I really feel like God is leading us through this whole process. I feel so peaceful.  So excited.  So hopeful.  I know God's got our back every step of the way!  

We also got a ton of information in the mail from 2 different agencies we had contacted.  It's a little overwhelming...all the information they'll need, the forms, background checks, fingerprints, interviews, home study, fire inspection....it's a lot to all sink in.  When you look at the "big picture" it seems like sooooooo much, but one.step.at.a.time.  Right??