FROM 0 TO 3 IN 90 DAYS-LIFE AFTER OLDER CHILD ADOPTION
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
DUH
I really do know my left from my right. I just realized that under the "please love me" post, I referred to the "follow this blog" link as being on the left hand side, when infact it is on the right. DUH! Ignore half of what I say, really...
Monday, October 27, 2008
Respite.
We finally found respite providers. If you are new to the foster care/foster-adopt world, respite is state paid baby sitting. It is usually overnight. Ours isnt, and probably will not be. Its state paid because the provider who cares for your children overnight have to be licensed through the state, back ground check and all that.
So after months of waiting, five to be exact, we got some respite. In other words, a much needed break from our dariling kids. Im not being sarcastic, they really are darling, and pretty darn good too.
It was wonderful. We had six hours of whateverwewanttodowithoutkids. We went into the "big city" and went shopping. I got some clothes, we did some birthday shopping for A and N who have Nov. b days. We ATE without having to tell other people to lean over thier plate, watch your sleeve, youre going to spill that, chew with your mouth closed, dont smack, or sit down. I even had a beer. I dont really drink beer, but doggone it I wanted one. It was goooood too.
So after months of waiting, five to be exact, we got some respite. In other words, a much needed break from our dariling kids. Im not being sarcastic, they really are darling, and pretty darn good too.
It was wonderful. We had six hours of whateverwewanttodowithoutkids. We went into the "big city" and went shopping. I got some clothes, we did some birthday shopping for A and N who have Nov. b days. We ATE without having to tell other people to lean over thier plate, watch your sleeve, youre going to spill that, chew with your mouth closed, dont smack, or sit down. I even had a beer. I dont really drink beer, but doggone it I wanted one. It was goooood too.
Please love me
I know people read this. I KNOW it. So, if you do and you have an account could you PLEASE link to the "follow this blog" link. There are some out there who know me personally who read this, but dont have accounts, I know you love me, so I will let it slide. Your welcome.
Nothing magical happens for me or anything if you do this for me, I just would like to see more little squares over there on the left. I will feel extra loved, and extra love never hurt anyone.
Nothing magical happens for me or anything if you do this for me, I just would like to see more little squares over there on the left. I will feel extra loved, and extra love never hurt anyone.
Accused of stealing...
I forgot to mention this last week when it happened, but it is entirely too rich to keep to myself. The hub and I went into Goodwill to see what was what and see if we could find a really neat deal (I kind of like the word, "neat" because it reminds me of "Leave it to Beaver" which Im tremendously fond of)which has been known to happen.
So, I went through all kids books and found a bunch. My kids love books and there are so many perfectly good books at goodwill and I can save at ton of money. Anyway, whilst browsing I found a BOOK of GAMES. It had a BINDING, it had PAGES, and it was in the BOOK section. It was also priced as a book. Every page was a new game, it had like checker board printed on it on one bage, back gammon on another page, you get the idea. It also had a pouch of shiny black and white glass game pieces which were attached to it. Cool. N loves games, and so I grabbed it.
At the checkout counter the checker was giving a customer a hard time about a plastic pumpkin, I dont know exactly why and I didnt care. Then it was my turn. She rings up some of the kids books, and then comes to the BOOK of Games.
Nasty Checker Woman: Oh, this isnt right.
ME: (not saying anything, just waiting for her to say something else, or explain)
Nasty Checker Woman: Yeah, this is not the correct price.
ME: (still silent, just waiting, becoming confused...)
Nasty Checker Woman: We dont sell games for this price.
ME: It was in the book section
Nasty Checker Woman: Well, its wrong, this price is not the right one
The hub: (getting a little annoyed) Its a GoodWill sticker, see?
Nasty Checker Woman: Yes, I know..but its wrong, we dont price our games this way.
ME: (getting annoyed) It was in the book section, and obviously someone did price it this way.
Nasty Checker Woman: (shakes her head)
ME: Well, thats OK I dont need it. (I wasnt ticked off yet, it just wasnt worth the wait, Im very busy)
Nasty Checker Woman: (Heavy sigh) Ill give it to you for the price (nastier tone now)
Me: (Now Im mad) Well, yeah, you should it was priced that way
Nasty Checker Woman: (shakes head)
ME: Its not like I changed the price tag, this is Goodwill, for heavens sake.
At this point, if I were her and I wasnt implying that the customer was tag switching, I would have apologized and said that I wasnt meaning to imply that. Nasty Checker Woman did NO such thing.
I pay her, grab my bag and say: Nice people skills, by the way.
A lady behind us nods and gives me the thumbs up. We leave. The hub and I are CRACKING up outside because we just.can.not.believe.it. The lady in the line behind us catches up to us and says:
"Good for you, not putting up with that crap, accusing you of stealing, what a b%$#@"
I like her. She looks like an old hippie, and she is on MY side. I want to go have coffee with her. Instead I get in the van, the top of my head still smoking.
So, I went through all kids books and found a bunch. My kids love books and there are so many perfectly good books at goodwill and I can save at ton of money. Anyway, whilst browsing I found a BOOK of GAMES. It had a BINDING, it had PAGES, and it was in the BOOK section. It was also priced as a book. Every page was a new game, it had like checker board printed on it on one bage, back gammon on another page, you get the idea. It also had a pouch of shiny black and white glass game pieces which were attached to it. Cool. N loves games, and so I grabbed it.
At the checkout counter the checker was giving a customer a hard time about a plastic pumpkin, I dont know exactly why and I didnt care. Then it was my turn. She rings up some of the kids books, and then comes to the BOOK of Games.
Nasty Checker Woman: Oh, this isnt right.
ME: (not saying anything, just waiting for her to say something else, or explain)
Nasty Checker Woman: Yeah, this is not the correct price.
ME: (still silent, just waiting, becoming confused...)
Nasty Checker Woman: We dont sell games for this price.
ME: It was in the book section
Nasty Checker Woman: Well, its wrong, this price is not the right one
The hub: (getting a little annoyed) Its a GoodWill sticker, see?
Nasty Checker Woman: Yes, I know..but its wrong, we dont price our games this way.
ME: (getting annoyed) It was in the book section, and obviously someone did price it this way.
Nasty Checker Woman: (shakes her head)
ME: Well, thats OK I dont need it. (I wasnt ticked off yet, it just wasnt worth the wait, Im very busy)
Nasty Checker Woman: (Heavy sigh) Ill give it to you for the price (nastier tone now)
Me: (Now Im mad) Well, yeah, you should it was priced that way
Nasty Checker Woman: (shakes head)
ME: Its not like I changed the price tag, this is Goodwill, for heavens sake.
At this point, if I were her and I wasnt implying that the customer was tag switching, I would have apologized and said that I wasnt meaning to imply that. Nasty Checker Woman did NO such thing.
I pay her, grab my bag and say: Nice people skills, by the way.
A lady behind us nods and gives me the thumbs up. We leave. The hub and I are CRACKING up outside because we just.can.not.believe.it. The lady in the line behind us catches up to us and says:
"Good for you, not putting up with that crap, accusing you of stealing, what a b%$#@"
I like her. She looks like an old hippie, and she is on MY side. I want to go have coffee with her. Instead I get in the van, the top of my head still smoking.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Creature of darkness
Our lives have been invaded. Its dark, sinister, evil, keeps us awake at night and can be quite stinky. It draws blood with sharp dagger like devices...it is annoyingly cute.
Dont make me destroy you
Its quite unnerving when you are cleaning the bathroom and you hear "dont make me destroy you". This is what I heard the other day while doing my household duties. I turned around and saw this:
I wonder what all the other space villians would think if they knew Darth wore cowboy pajamas....
I wonder what all the other space villians would think if they knew Darth wore cowboy pajamas....
The key to great pumpkin seeds
If you throw your pumpkin seeds away after carving or whatever, please dont. Pumpkin seeds are a great snack. The key to great pumpkin seed your kids will devour is coating them in olive oil and then sprinkling them with "Mediteranian Sea Salt" before baking. They are awesome. Bake at 350 for like, 25 minutes.
I love this month.
October rocks!Pumpkins, Halloween, cool crisp air, colorful trees, my birthday, its just a fun month and I love it.
Today we went to N's football game, where he scored a touch down (second time!). They lost, but its so great to see a little boy who has always wanted to be on a team finally get to do it. None of his foster parents ever bothered. There is a lot they didnt bother with. If you are reading this and you are a foster parent, for Heavens Sake, help these kids be as NORMAL as possible by letting them EXPERIENCE stuff like other kids. There is a lot of normal kid crap that my kids havent done because no one took the time. I mean none of them, even N (who is almost 10) can ride a bike!!! To me, this is inexcusable and quite frankly it really SUCKS. AND they suffer for it. SO, former foster parents of my children, THANKS A LOT. If I sound angry, I am.
So anyway, today we carved pumpkins after the game. It was fun and it was another first. They had never carved or took part in carving pumpkins. Here they are doing NORMAL kid crap....
The hub is a great pumpkin carver. The kids cleaned the guts out and my hub did most of the other stuff. Its amazing what you find out about your husband after you have kids. He can carve pumpkins!!
Today we went to N's football game, where he scored a touch down (second time!). They lost, but its so great to see a little boy who has always wanted to be on a team finally get to do it. None of his foster parents ever bothered. There is a lot they didnt bother with. If you are reading this and you are a foster parent, for Heavens Sake, help these kids be as NORMAL as possible by letting them EXPERIENCE stuff like other kids. There is a lot of normal kid crap that my kids havent done because no one took the time. I mean none of them, even N (who is almost 10) can ride a bike!!! To me, this is inexcusable and quite frankly it really SUCKS. AND they suffer for it. SO, former foster parents of my children, THANKS A LOT. If I sound angry, I am.
So anyway, today we carved pumpkins after the game. It was fun and it was another first. They had never carved or took part in carving pumpkins. Here they are doing NORMAL kid crap....
The hub is a great pumpkin carver. The kids cleaned the guts out and my hub did most of the other stuff. Its amazing what you find out about your husband after you have kids. He can carve pumpkins!!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
doughnuts
I sure do love them. I always forget they are out there, which is a good thing. Today, though I was not allowed to forget. There is a box of them in the break room. If I could find the evil person that put them there, it would not be good for them. I ate one and it was awwesssommme.
It was orange, for Halloween, which makes it even better. Oooh and it had little sprinkles on it. sigh. I want more. I cant though....Ill gain 5 pounds per doughnut, so its not worth it. I better just stay in my office and not go into the breakroom for ANYTHING. I must cut all ties with anyone who is associated with doughnuts, no matter how much it will hurt. I hope they understand, my doughnut sobriety is much more important. In fact Im locking my office door so no one can show up IN my office clutching doughnut box and smiling, "...we have doughnuts, here." I may go bizerk.
It was orange, for Halloween, which makes it even better. Oooh and it had little sprinkles on it. sigh. I want more. I cant though....Ill gain 5 pounds per doughnut, so its not worth it. I better just stay in my office and not go into the breakroom for ANYTHING. I must cut all ties with anyone who is associated with doughnuts, no matter how much it will hurt. I hope they understand, my doughnut sobriety is much more important. In fact Im locking my office door so no one can show up IN my office clutching doughnut box and smiling, "...we have doughnuts, here." I may go bizerk.
Ho hum...
Life has been kind of ho hum lately. I guess considering all that could be happening, it is a good thing.
Lets see what is new? We got a kitten. Yep. Well, actually it got us. It followed my mom and I as we were out for a walk one night. It was tiny, black, starving and sick. Now it is still tiny, gaining weight, still black, healthy, wild, cute and a pain in the butt. It is driving the dogs crazy. They would like to do away with the little pest, but they are not allowed.
Tomorrow A goes to the pumpkin patch for his field trip. He will need three dollars and I hope I dont forget to give it to him. S goes to the pp on Wednesday. Apparently 4th grade is much too old, because N doesnt get to go. Thats ok, they all already have pumpkins. One is rotting by our front door already. I guess we wont be carving that one.
We have Halloween decorations up inside the house, which is cool. I want to bake all kinds of sinful stuff, but Im lazy....Have I ever mentioned I like to bake? Oh, well...I like to bake. There. I make a mean tiramusu (ok, not much BAKING to that, but you know what I mean) and a good pineapple ricotta pie. I want to try to make Monkey Bread. Im not sure why, I just like the name. I like Monkeys..they rock.
So life goes on...I get up go to work, work (or pretend to work, like now), come home, help kids with homework, eat, play a game or clean house or watch tv, put kids to bed, watch more tv or whatever, then go to bed. Thats it. I miss lots of people who are far from me, so that sucks.
Lets see what is new? We got a kitten. Yep. Well, actually it got us. It followed my mom and I as we were out for a walk one night. It was tiny, black, starving and sick. Now it is still tiny, gaining weight, still black, healthy, wild, cute and a pain in the butt. It is driving the dogs crazy. They would like to do away with the little pest, but they are not allowed.
Tomorrow A goes to the pumpkin patch for his field trip. He will need three dollars and I hope I dont forget to give it to him. S goes to the pp on Wednesday. Apparently 4th grade is much too old, because N doesnt get to go. Thats ok, they all already have pumpkins. One is rotting by our front door already. I guess we wont be carving that one.
We have Halloween decorations up inside the house, which is cool. I want to bake all kinds of sinful stuff, but Im lazy....Have I ever mentioned I like to bake? Oh, well...I like to bake. There. I make a mean tiramusu (ok, not much BAKING to that, but you know what I mean) and a good pineapple ricotta pie. I want to try to make Monkey Bread. Im not sure why, I just like the name. I like Monkeys..they rock.
So life goes on...I get up go to work, work (or pretend to work, like now), come home, help kids with homework, eat, play a game or clean house or watch tv, put kids to bed, watch more tv or whatever, then go to bed. Thats it. I miss lots of people who are far from me, so that sucks.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Family Affair (Retro photo time!)
I want to talk about this picture for a second. This is me. Its the 70's as you can see by the groovy pattern on the lawn furniture, which isnt on the lawn at all. Its on a patio, so I think it is patio furniture. See those evil things on my legs? Tights? I HATED tights, they were so itchy, which is probably the reason for the look of agony on my face. I would pull on them, and scratch and pull on them some more. Those and turtle necks, HATED turtle necks. I would gag and cough whenever my mother made me wear one. Im sure most of it was for effect. I was a lovely child. S has tights, and she doesnt seem to mind them. I would never force tights on anyone who didnt want the tights, because that is just wrong. I may have adult issues now because of the tights. In fact Im sure of it.
Oh, and see this dress? My mom just told me something about the dress. Apparently it was a Buffy line. Remember the show Family Affair, with Buffy, Jodie, Sissy (did she even have a real name?), Uncle Bill, and Mr. French. Oh and dont forget Mrs. Beasely, the doll (MRS.? Was she married? What exactly is HER story?). Anyway, if you dont remember the show by now, you dont know it. Anyway, apparently (I like that word)there was a line of little girls clothes modeled after Buffy. There was a store in Los Angeles that sold the stuff, and my mother went there and bought me one. We lived in Anaheim, so it was not a very long drive. I just learned this and thought it was interesting.
Oh, this is Buffy...Buffy, this is everybody. In case you havent met.
I feel forever connected with Buffy now. Oh, isnt she dead though? Didnt she have one of those tragic child star stories? I think she died of a drug overdose as a teen or something. Anyone know? Anyone care? Probably not, so never mind.
I feel a change coming on....
Im thinking about changing the background of this blog. I dont think the pink is doing it for me anymore. I like pink, a lot, but its kind of a pepto bismal pink. It kind of makes my stomach hurt, and makes me crave 7 up.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Twisted.
If Im not more careful my kids will be as twisted as I am. They dont get my sense of humor, which I have apparently got from my mother (although she is MUCH funnier than I am). Anyway, my kids love to watch Animal Planet, and it is one of the few things I allow them to watch. We (me really) especially like to watch those shows where animals are attacking people. Here is where it all goes wrong. I LAUGH!!!
I cant help it. When a woman jumps over a barricade and walks UP to a polar bear enclosure, right up to the stinkin' bars, to get a better picture, and the big white beast grabs her leg and pulls it through the bars, all I can do is laugh. I mean can you BE anymore stupid? I think not. Its not a "oh, she is dumb, I think I will laugh at her now" moment. Its automatic, I.cant.help.it.
What really got me though was the man who rubbed female deer urine all over himself to attrack a big buck. Ok, ok. I know hunters do that stuff (not my hub though!) sometimes, maybe it is a hunter thing to do but it was still funny. He found his buck alright! The clip showed the guy on the ground and a big deer was beating the snot out of him with his front hooves. PUMMELING him. And I laughed, a big old loud belly laugh, too. I mean, where was his GUN? Did the buck get up on its hind legs and tip toe up behind the hunter? How did this happen? Im sorry if this offensive but Im just being honest here.
So my kids laughed too. Fine. The next story was a couple who were walking and MINDING THEIR OWN BUSINESS and got attacked by a cougar (please dont stop reading, I didnt laugh here)and they were really messed up. The guy was wearing an eye patch and in a neck brace and the woman had stitches all over her face. My kids LAUGHED. OOPS.
I was mortified. I had to turn the tv off for minute and we had to talk. I tried to explain the difference, one person was breaking rules and/or being stupid, the others were just out for a walk and not bothering the cougar, he just snuck up on them, and thats what happens sometimes. It isnt anyone's fault, and it is NOT funny.
N got it. Im not sure about S. A did not. Everytime he saw someone getting mauled or hurt somehow by an animal, he LAUGHED. So, I guess Im not allowed to watch that anymore, because I wont be able to stop myself from laughing at some of them. Im afraid Im not doing a very good job of teaching empathy am I? Hopefully Im teaching them about stupidity though.
I cant help it. When a woman jumps over a barricade and walks UP to a polar bear enclosure, right up to the stinkin' bars, to get a better picture, and the big white beast grabs her leg and pulls it through the bars, all I can do is laugh. I mean can you BE anymore stupid? I think not. Its not a "oh, she is dumb, I think I will laugh at her now" moment. Its automatic, I.cant.help.it.
What really got me though was the man who rubbed female deer urine all over himself to attrack a big buck. Ok, ok. I know hunters do that stuff (not my hub though!) sometimes, maybe it is a hunter thing to do but it was still funny. He found his buck alright! The clip showed the guy on the ground and a big deer was beating the snot out of him with his front hooves. PUMMELING him. And I laughed, a big old loud belly laugh, too. I mean, where was his GUN? Did the buck get up on its hind legs and tip toe up behind the hunter? How did this happen? Im sorry if this offensive but Im just being honest here.
So my kids laughed too. Fine. The next story was a couple who were walking and MINDING THEIR OWN BUSINESS and got attacked by a cougar (please dont stop reading, I didnt laugh here)and they were really messed up. The guy was wearing an eye patch and in a neck brace and the woman had stitches all over her face. My kids LAUGHED. OOPS.
I was mortified. I had to turn the tv off for minute and we had to talk. I tried to explain the difference, one person was breaking rules and/or being stupid, the others were just out for a walk and not bothering the cougar, he just snuck up on them, and thats what happens sometimes. It isnt anyone's fault, and it is NOT funny.
N got it. Im not sure about S. A did not. Everytime he saw someone getting mauled or hurt somehow by an animal, he LAUGHED. So, I guess Im not allowed to watch that anymore, because I wont be able to stop myself from laughing at some of them. Im afraid Im not doing a very good job of teaching empathy am I? Hopefully Im teaching them about stupidity though.
Situation rectified
So all three kids are in their afterschool things. The lady in charge of that stuff did call me back. A is all set. So, I dont have to go over there and threaten anyone, which is really nice.
I left work early and rushed home to have dinner made by the time they came home, since the hub is out in the mountains looking to asssasinate Bambi. They came through the door and said, as they smelled dinner, "Mom, we already ATE dinner at school" I had completely forgot that school feeds them too.
I just think that is weird. I mean, its nice, dont get me wrong. Especially with the price of food now. On a school day, my kids eat all three meals there. I had made chili dogs too, which N has been asking for. Oh, well, I forced to eat one. After all, they were MADE already.
So, the other day on Torina's blog (or was it like a week or so ago?) she mentioned how you will gain weight after you adopt. It is true. I have only gained a couple, but I dont see any signs of it slowing down, since Im always WANTING to eat. Like right now, Im eating one of those vending machine cookies. Oatmeal Raisin. Yes, yes it is good. I have slowed down on the Starburst though (NOT starBUCKS people, starBurst, for heavens sake).
I left work early and rushed home to have dinner made by the time they came home, since the hub is out in the mountains looking to asssasinate Bambi. They came through the door and said, as they smelled dinner, "Mom, we already ATE dinner at school" I had completely forgot that school feeds them too.
I just think that is weird. I mean, its nice, dont get me wrong. Especially with the price of food now. On a school day, my kids eat all three meals there. I had made chili dogs too, which N has been asking for. Oh, well, I forced to eat one. After all, they were MADE already.
So, the other day on Torina's blog (or was it like a week or so ago?) she mentioned how you will gain weight after you adopt. It is true. I have only gained a couple, but I dont see any signs of it slowing down, since Im always WANTING to eat. Like right now, Im eating one of those vending machine cookies. Oatmeal Raisin. Yes, yes it is good. I have slowed down on the Starburst though (NOT starBUCKS people, starBurst, for heavens sake).
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Grrr....
Im very annoyed. About a month ago the school sent home sign up forms for extended day program, which are after school activities. We sat down and filled it out that night and the kids turned them in the very next day, since it is first come firts serve. This would mean that the kids would come home at 5:00 instead of 3:00 and my husband who works nights, could get a little more sleep.
So, S comes home and shows me a form which says she is enrolled in her activity. Great! N says his teacher will hand theirs out tomorrow. Ok. Then A speaks up and says his teacher said that he never turned one in. WHAT?!!!!
I had put the form in the backpack. The backpack was taken directly to Kindergarten with my son, by my husband. When the kids got home that day, I asked, "Did everyone turn in thier forms?" "Yes" they all said.
A is adament that he turned his in. I believe him too. So, Im mad. I believe the teacher lost it. I called the school today and they confirmed that they dont have a form for him and that his name isnt on any of the lists. The lady in charge is out today (but of course she is!!!) and they will have her call me when she gets back. Sigh. I certainly hope that they can fit him in SOMEWHERE. In the meantime I will be working on the delivery of my sob story. I decided to be pathetically disappointed instead of MAD. It may get me farther.
So, S comes home and shows me a form which says she is enrolled in her activity. Great! N says his teacher will hand theirs out tomorrow. Ok. Then A speaks up and says his teacher said that he never turned one in. WHAT?!!!!
I had put the form in the backpack. The backpack was taken directly to Kindergarten with my son, by my husband. When the kids got home that day, I asked, "Did everyone turn in thier forms?" "Yes" they all said.
A is adament that he turned his in. I believe him too. So, Im mad. I believe the teacher lost it. I called the school today and they confirmed that they dont have a form for him and that his name isnt on any of the lists. The lady in charge is out today (but of course she is!!!) and they will have her call me when she gets back. Sigh. I certainly hope that they can fit him in SOMEWHERE. In the meantime I will be working on the delivery of my sob story. I decided to be pathetically disappointed instead of MAD. It may get me farther.
Public speaking
I hate talking in front of a bunch of people. Id almost rather stick needles in my eyes. So, I was hoping the hub would say no when I told him our worker asked us to speak to the new class of adoption/foster hopefulls. Is that a word, "hopefulls"? It is now, petes sakes. Anyway, he said, "yes, I think we should do it". Rats. Well, he did the majority of the talking. I was shocked at myself, but I actually spoke. A few times.
We talked about the importance of being "ready" when matched with kids. We werent. We thought surely we would not get chosen at our first committee. Well, I did. The hub knew these were our kids. He KNEW. I should have believed him too. He did know something was going to happen on Sept. 11, he said so on Sept 10. He said, "be careful driving to work tomorrow, I have a terrible feeling". Seriously, that happened. Not that Im likening our experience with the kids to Sept. 11 or anything, so just stop it.
What was I talking about? Oh, yeah...we told the class that many people we know have been waiting more than a year to matched, and have gone to countless committees, and still have not been chosen for reasons unknown to anyone.
So, we told the good and the bad. We warned about worker visits after the kids are moved in and how these visits always make the kids act up. Remember, workers have meant another move, to many of these kids. So, they are freaked out. The first worker visit with our kids, had my daughter hanging from the banister and my youngest son laying on the floor with his feet in the air, spanking his own bottom and they were all talking baby talk. It was a bit unnerving to say the least.
It went well, our worker was happy with our talk. We also pleaded for respite care. We told the new people that it would look good at committee to have experience providing respite to three kids. Its true to, especially if they dont have any child experience, this would be a SMART thing for them to do. No takers yet, darn it.
We also brought our family book, at the workers request as an example for what one should be like. Which is awesome, Im extremely proud of my family book. If you dont know what a family book is, its the book that will help sell your family at committee. It should have pictures of everybody and various parts of your home, like the kids rooms, etc and pets and all activities such as vacations or any family fun. We also included pictures of the community stuff like the park, the aquatic center, the schools, etc. Also, use PowerPoint, it is awesome when doing a family book, because you can add cool little graphics to your pages instead of going to the store and searching for and then buying stickers. It will save gas, its lovely.
Anyway, Im glad we did it. I hope someone calls us soon.
We talked about the importance of being "ready" when matched with kids. We werent. We thought surely we would not get chosen at our first committee. Well, I did. The hub knew these were our kids. He KNEW. I should have believed him too. He did know something was going to happen on Sept. 11, he said so on Sept 10. He said, "be careful driving to work tomorrow, I have a terrible feeling". Seriously, that happened. Not that Im likening our experience with the kids to Sept. 11 or anything, so just stop it.
What was I talking about? Oh, yeah...we told the class that many people we know have been waiting more than a year to matched, and have gone to countless committees, and still have not been chosen for reasons unknown to anyone.
So, we told the good and the bad. We warned about worker visits after the kids are moved in and how these visits always make the kids act up. Remember, workers have meant another move, to many of these kids. So, they are freaked out. The first worker visit with our kids, had my daughter hanging from the banister and my youngest son laying on the floor with his feet in the air, spanking his own bottom and they were all talking baby talk. It was a bit unnerving to say the least.
It went well, our worker was happy with our talk. We also pleaded for respite care. We told the new people that it would look good at committee to have experience providing respite to three kids. Its true to, especially if they dont have any child experience, this would be a SMART thing for them to do. No takers yet, darn it.
We also brought our family book, at the workers request as an example for what one should be like. Which is awesome, Im extremely proud of my family book. If you dont know what a family book is, its the book that will help sell your family at committee. It should have pictures of everybody and various parts of your home, like the kids rooms, etc and pets and all activities such as vacations or any family fun. We also included pictures of the community stuff like the park, the aquatic center, the schools, etc. Also, use PowerPoint, it is awesome when doing a family book, because you can add cool little graphics to your pages instead of going to the store and searching for and then buying stickers. It will save gas, its lovely.
Anyway, Im glad we did it. I hope someone calls us soon.
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