Any OC Families Adopting or Adopted?

Hi KB, we are an Orange County family. We currently live in Placentia but will soon be living in Brea. We have a bio 7yr. old son, a 3yr. daughter we were blessed to adopt (at birth), and our little boy who's 1yrs. old (he came home at 11weeks, just finalized his adoption on Tues. ). How exciting your baby will be home soon. Congratulations. Are you using an agency, lawyer, or facilitator? Can't wait to see if it's a boy or girl.

Wow, what a nice family you have. I hope our family continue's to grow like your's. Like my Husband always states, we are just trying for one right now. We are currently going with an Attorney/Facilitator (facilitator only comes at the birthing site to make sure things go smoothly). We are just going crazy. Cause how bmom hasn't checked in with us for a week, don't know what she is feeling towards to the end. She has no family around to help her. I have called her but no response. I think my Husband and I are just paranoid right now because it is coming down to the wire. Mainly, are we ready for what lies ahead. We know we are, but still. Anyways, thanks for listening. Kristy

Kristy, I wanted to check in and see how things are going? Have you been able to make contact with the bmom? Just wanted to let you know I was thinking about you and praying for you today. -stacy

Hello Stacy, Well, I received word a couple of days ago that our bmom decided to attempt to parent this child. We are really devastated but we are trying to move forward with another adoption. We will most likely wait til the dust settles and start over around the end of October. The sad part is that the baby is not born yet. So we are waiting just in case she changes her mind again. We just hope and pray that this little girl will have the best life either way. I provided the best advice possible from one mother to another. I just hope for the best. Sorry, to be down. Just still hard to believe. Kristy

Oh Kristy, I am so sorry. I will continue to pray for you and your family. Just a little note...our little guy came home to us after his bmom tried to parent for 9 weeks. He spent 3weeks in our agency's foster care while the bmom decided what she was going to do. He came home at 11weeks. So you never know. :) Regardless, you are in my thoughts and prayers as is the baby and bmom. Again, I am so sorry!!

We're in Long Beach, about 1 mile from Orange County! (If that counts!) We are adopting through Foster Care in LA County. Our homestudy has been approved and we are W A I T I N G! This, so far, has been the worst part of the process!

We are in Ontario (not too far from OC) and have guardianship of a 5 yr old little boy. He has been with us for a little over a month now. He is an answer to our prayers and although it has been a challenge, and my dh and I know many challenges still lie ahead, we can't imagine life w/out him! Because we only have guardianship we worry every day that his mom might decide to take him back and there is nothing we can do about it. We just enjoy each day we have with him and trust that God knows what is best for him. Kristy, I am sorry for the hurt and frustration that you and your family must be dealing w/ right now. Please know that everything happens for a reason and you ultimately never know what God has planned for this unborn child. You, the bmom, and the child are all in my prayers! Cindy :)

How is everything going with the little guy? We finally got our paperwork and we are starting classes this saturday in Rancho Cucamonga. Will you both have to go to court or does the county do that on your behalf? I have been very nervous ever since we received our letter in the mail confirming class. We would like to fost to adopt but I don't think we are home enough to do that it seems like a lot of scheduling and tiem manangement skills would be needed for visits and things. Is that the case? How long after did you wait before your first phone calls? We will be done by Thanksgiving but we still have the home visit and we have a pool and a dog that isn't completely friendly until he knows you. That in itself should be interesting. If you have any word of advice I liked talking to you last time. Are you excited about the new mall this weekend is the Grand Opening! The Sears has the best kid section I have seen in a while, check it out. Karen

Karen- Well as you know we started the process w/ San Bernardino back in January...we just found out yesterday that we are approved for our foster license and should be getting it in a month. They finally came out to our home yesterday and the guy who does Ontario homestudies is so nice....I can not say enough nice things bout him....he just told us to make sure our soap is on the counter or higher and not underneath the sink and we have to put some switch plates on some switches in the garage... Congrats on starting your Pride Training!!! You will have to pm your teacher's names so I can see if we had any of them...as for the little one we have...we are still working on that w/ a lawyer and seeing what our options are...if the birthmom cooperates it won't be too difficult but if she doesn't (well that's another story.) As for taking time off and things like that, we took our classes on Saturdays so that didn't interfer w/ the work week....I took one day off in the spring for our first visit and yesterday my husband started the visit and I just had to be there by the time it was finished. Next month we have a visit w/ our sw at her office and I will take time off for that...but really it has been such a slow process taking time off has not been an issue. As for the pool they will talk about it in your classes...they have very strict guidelines for fencing...and with the dogs both sw's that came to our house didn't mind them (we have two chows) and didn't seem to care that they barked and were a little protective of their home and strangers. I haven't made it out there to the new shopping center but I can't wait to go there....I always loved driving by and seeing the progress on it...I can't believe it is actually finished! Please keep me posted on how things are going and if you have any questions I will be more than happy to let you know how things went for us....I just hope and pray your process moves faster than ours. Take care and get ready for lots of homework and more papers to fill out!!! Cindy :)

Hi Cindy, We finished PRIDE and now onto home study. My husband says he thinks we are going to get placed sooner than we think. But I think he is just excited. He keeps telling me that I am 8 months pregnant in his mind. I said good I will ask you to do more around the house then and I can eat anyhting I want! What is new with you, have you had any success? I really liked PRIDE. It went by too fast. I am looking forward to hearing from you again. I love the Sears Grand and I am eager for the other restaurants to open at the new mall. What do you think? It feels as if you are in another city. Karen