There's a Key Called a Home Study

Early this summer, in an attempt to open more doors to grow our family, we hired someone to write up our home study. In adoption world, that means you have a golden ticket. You see, often times a home study is your beginning. I have seen couples who want to be foster parents have that be a part of their licensing requirements, but it is not so in Alaska. Here the licensing requires that you have a safe home (no poisonous plants, the windows are safe distance of the floor, etc.) and have reference, with a background fingerprinting done. If a child becomes available to adopt because they are in your care, and reunification is no longer the goal, then you will have a child specific home study done. That means that you can not use that home study for any other adoption or inquiry of children. It is the way it is.

I stopped perusing the completion of our private home study, after our home went from a family of 7 to a family of 9. The jump was a touch traumatic. I had a 10 month old and 16 month old, and was just beginning to homeschool the 4 oldest kids. So our home study took a back seat. But as I still try to wrap my heart around the permanency of saying goodbye to a little one.... I long to have a complete family. We will see if it's God's desire, also. There are sibling groups in other states that I have been praying about.

We got a new placement last Tuesday. He has been with us for 6 days. It has been a rocky adjustment. He is  a sweet little guy, but I bet it has been a big change for him, also. Grooming has been a major issue. Baths, nail trimmings, and outfit changes are triggers. Also, our 4 year old is struggling with new placements. It's interesting because when T came to us about a year and a half ago, he was the sweetest most welcoming to all the placements that we had. He would welcome them, and play with each child, very sweetly. Not so, anymore. It seems now that he knows his permanent place is with us, anyone that comes too near, threatens this just acquired position (though he's had it for a while). So T is pretty emotional about sharing and being nice, to this new addition, that he never voted on, joining us. So I do not believe it will be a long term placement.

Tonight we have a full house. We have a family that is heading to a new post in Florida. They are friends from our church whom have become family. We have grown so much through this relationship, and the sadness from having to say goodbye is very real. I have realized how much goodbyes are a part of this side of eternity. I look forward to the other side, when I will no longer have to say goodbye.

We also have a dear friend whom we have adopted, staying with us. He now lives in Galena, now, which is a remote Alaskan village near the Yukon river.

We leave for vacation in 3 weeks!! I am soooo excited! No visits, no random calls to go to this or schedule that etch!!!! We will be a family!! This is something to be grateful for. Happy Thangsgiving everyone, from our family to yours. Pin It Now!