All Most Done!

We only have the final home inspection to complete. DH & I completed the CPR class almost two weeks ago. It was different than the one I had taken previously. This one recommended that you don't check for a pulse before doing chest compressions. So, now we are both certified in CPR.

We also completed our Home Study. It was basically a bio of our lives growing up and after we met. It included things like what we do in our spare time, our jobs, and basically how we feel about life.

The next thing is the home inspection. It's scheduled for next week. There are a few things we have to complete before Linda comes for the visit. We still have to finish the drawer and cabinet latches, make copies of the insurance policies, install the lock on the sliding door and install an alarm on the dog door. We are hoping the alarm on the dog door takes care of the pool issue. The pool is not open yet so it still has a safety cover on it but the agency is still concerned.

I am a terrible "pack rat" and I know that I need to throw some stuff away but it's so hard. I'm going to work on it this weekend. If nothing else, I will pack stuff up and put it in the attic!

Last Class Finished!

We finished our last class. It was a very good class right from the start, however we did go over sexual abuse which wasn't my favorite. I'm going to miss going to class every Saturday even though it did took up a whole day. The only thing we have to do yet is take the CPR class (which we're doing this week), complete the home study and have the final home inspection.

The Home Study will take about two hours. It's basically a bio of our lives so the agency can match a child with our family. We are still hoping for a child under five, so I hope we don't have to wait too long. I'm really hoping to have a placement by mid-May.

I will continue to blog after we get a child, but I will have to protect their identity and observe their privacy. We signed an agreement to protect privacy. I have been reading other blogs that even post pictures, as long we you can't tell who they are.

I really hope everything goes alright. I'm getting kind of nervous just from the things we learned in class like how these kids can really test you and how they have a hard time attaching to you. I guess whatever will be, will be....kay sira sira LOL

Second Class with First Class People

We have finished our second class with one more class to go. I sure like the people that are doing through the classes with us and also the people who are teaching it. Last week we had different therapists than the first class. Linda has been at both classes and I'm sure she will be at the next one also. We learned a lot about why the children act the way they do and what we can do to help them get through it. Some of it was pretty shocking. They told us about how some of the children have been treated in the past. I think most of you could use your most vivid imagination and still not come up with the things we heard.

Oh, I also found out that I have to take the CPR class because my card is not the same class as the one required. We are going to talk to someone we know, that is an instructor, to see if she can teach it so DH doesn't have to take another day off work.

I think I'm going to try to write a children's story about a duck that lost it's mother, went into foster care and then finally found a home with other ducks. Look for it in future blogs.

First Class

Well, since I last blogged we attended our first of three classes. It went great! We learned a lot of stuff about what to expect and a lot of rules to follow. We are rethinking our preferred age group. We are still nervous about older children but we can always say "no" to a placement if we don't like the info given. We are thinking. maybe a boy under 10 would be OK. We are also thinking about a temporary placement called respit. Respit is taking care of a child or children for another foster family while they go on vacation or just need a break. It might be a good way to have a older child in the house but on a trial basis.

We met some really nice people that were there to be foster parents. One's children are already grown, one couple has small children and the other doesn't have any children (like us) but works with small children everyday. We are approximately a little over a month way before being licensed. yehhhhhh!

Update on DH; he's lost about 10+ pounds and has been exercising and watching what he eats. He went back to the MD and was told he doesn't need medication for elevated blood sugar. He has gotten his levels down to a good level and continues to check his blood about twice a day. I'm so proud of him and he's looking but good too!

No physical yet

DH went for his physical about two weeks ago and didn't get it. Instead the MD did blood work which showed his sugar was elevated. I don't want to say high because I have heard of people with a lot higher, but it wasn't normal. A few days later he went for a glucose tolerance test. He had to drink liquid that was real high in sugar and then be tested every hour for the next four hours. Needless to say the MD diagnosed him with diabetes. It's been a stressful few weeks. The MD seems to think he can control it with diet and exercise and we think so too. From the day he had the test, DH was been watching and planning everything he eats. He's also been exercising. The MD wants him to check his sugar twice a day for two weeks. DH has been checking it at least five times a day!! He has gotten it down to almost normal, just by eating right. He says he feels like he's eating more than before but I think he's eating more often but smaller portions and the right combination of foods. I'm sure we can beat this or at least deal with it. It took me some time to plan the two meals he has to take to work today. I guess it will get faster as we get more use to it. His next appointment he will have his physical.

Baby Bed

I've been checking out crib sheets at different stores and online. They're a lot more pricey than I thought they would be. I wondered into a used kids store and found 3, almost new, crib sheets for under $5. I bought all three! Two are white and the other is more of a pink color. I figured I'm going to need at least three, if not more. Yesterday I made up the bed with one of the sheets and a piece of fleece I had bought.

I want to make one of those tie together fleece blankets but I wasn't sure how much fabric I was going to need. I went to the fabric store about 3 times to check out the fleece and finally I found what I wanted and it was on sell. I asked the lady if she had a suggestion for how much I need. I picked out a front color and a back color. I got about 1.5 yards of each. The lady suggested that I cut the "ties" only about 2" since we don't know if the child will still be "sucking". I never thought about it but one of those longer 4" ties could be swallowed and someone could choke!! I haven't cut the fleece yet but maybe I'll do it this weekend. I haven't bought any toys but I've sure been tempted.

One of the people I work with brought in a trunk load of toys today. We went and transfered it from their trunk to mine. There's a doll house, a little grocery cart, a basket of toys, a tent that fits over a bed (I think) and a crib bumper pad of Mickey Mouse (Mickey - cool!). I know more people are giving us stuff. The room will be so full of stuff there won't be any room to play!!

Oh no, it's going to take forever...

I spoke with Linda yesterday to find out the next step. One of the things we have to do is either get physicals or at least find out if our family doctor will sign a form affirming that we are in good health. We have the same doctor but I saw his nurse practitioner last time and I think she will be able to go by the last visit for my form but I think they will want to see DH. Also, we have to have our four furry kids in for their shots. DH is taking the girls on Tuesday for updated shots including rabies and we will take the boys in March. Otherwise there is a few things I have to collect like proof of insurance and our daycare plans. I'm sure I can wait on picking a daycare until March or even April (we won't be licensed until the end of April). We probably won't have a placement until mid-May.

I spoke with my dad last night and he won't be able to visit until the first week in May. He will be here for at least two weeks. I was really hoping it would be the end of April but it just won't work out. Anyway, DH and I both feel we should not accept get a placement while he's here. A new placement might work out fine but then again the child could have a harder time adjusting if their is another adult in the house. Also, Dad would have to share a room if the placement is a boy. Our luck they will call us with a placement and it will end up being a baby and I won't want to say "no". I guess whatever is meant to be will be. It's in God's hands.