Random updates-- 1 year later

             Like many adoption bloggers, once our adoption was finalized, I kind of disappeared. I'm sorry about that for those of you who have been checking back for updates, but honestly, there hasn't been anything to update about. Roo is happy and healthy, which we thank God for every day. I'm sure that those of you who clicked on an update link are curious about one big question: "what our open adoption (more specifically, our relationship with Anne and Ben) look like one year later?"  Well, it doesn't.

"Are you glad you don't have to be pregnant again?"

    I started this post in October. For two months, it underwent various edits in my draft folder, never feeling quite right or quite finished. After we brought Roo home, it became irrelevant. I stumbled upon it today and almost deleted it, never having figured out a way to express myself in a way that I was happy with. But instead, I decided that it needed posted. I know if I felt this way, perhaps others have, too. Maybe for some it is "Are you glad you don't have to go through fertility treatment any more?" with all of the sickness and pain that it can cause. Maybe for others on this journey, you won't have any idea what I am talking about and this post will make me seem either crazy or horribly selfish. I'm not very good at being transparent, so pressing the "publish" button on this one is proving itself to be remarkably difficult for me.

Adoption Fundraising Idea: T-shirt Sales

        We all know adoption is expensive  (unless you do the foster-to-adopt route). Many of the organizations that offer grants want to see that you have done some fundraising on your part. This post is going to discuss a great new t-shirt fundraising site called Modfund (they give more per shirt to your fund than many other t-shirt fundraisers), show an example of an adopting family who has an active Modfund campaign, and invite you to share links to any fundraising campaign that you might have so that we can all help each other out!

OUR ADOPTION IS FINALIZED!

       One week ago yesterday, our adoption was finalized. The whole day was a whirlwind, and we weren't expecting to get to finalize that day, but our assigned judge got a cancellation on her docket. I'm not sure how helpful it will be for me to recount the process since every state (and every judge!) does things differently, but here we go:

Post-placements visits complete!

        It has been so long since I posted an update! There really hasn't been anything exciting. We had our 3 post-placement visits (one each month), which were completely, entirely uneventful. The social worker asked for updates from Roo's doctor appointments, general baby health and development questions, and basic questions about our adjustment and bonding. Now that our 3 visits have been completed and the post-placement report is done, the adoption attorney in Roo's birth state can petition for a court date for finalization.

Available Situation: Sibling Group UPDATE

I am reposting this as there has been an update this week, and a family still has not been found for these kiddos. If you know someone who may be interested, PLEASE forward this along! I'm posting the update first, and the original posting below.

Available Situation: Caucasian Baby due in August

      I am reposting this situation with permission from Betty with Little Bit of Heaven Adoptions. The biomom hasn't seen a profile that she feels is a good fit yet. If interested, please email merts1234@yahoo.com