Progress on the room, one more week of class...

Last week I started remodeling the bedroom which we will use for the children that we adopt. I put up the Marshall border and finished the flooring install this morning. I also framed up a wall in the closet so that the two bedrooms will no longer share a closet. The only thing I have left to do remodeling wise is to install trim along the floor and along the doors.

Dolly and Scott from our church have offered to donate bunk beds to us. A couple of friends have offered to help haul them to the house so as soon as they have a chance to help out we should be able to get those moved in. I still need to get a dresser for the room so if you have one you would like to donate or know of anyone else who does please let me know.

We are going through the checklist trying to make sure we have everything ready for the home inspection. Last week I purchased the fire alarms/carbon monoxide detectors, the fire extinguisher, and fire escape ladder that we are required to have. I aslo purchased a new light/ventilation fan for our downstairs bathroom (the old fan has "frozen up"). I still need to get a gun cabinet to lock my guns in. We also need to collect birth certificates, pet immunization records, and all the other necessary paperwork.

Next week is our final class for which Denise and I are very excited. After that we will begin the home study process. Pray for us that this part of the process goes smoothly and quickly.

We contacted the NC adoption agency last week to inquire about a sibling group down there. They told us that they were happy that we were interested and to get back with them as soon as our home study has been completed.

Classes have begun, preparing a place...

Well Denise and I began our PRIDE (Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education) this past Saturday. We weren't sure what to expect from the classes, but we both enjoyed the first class. We were a little suprised to find that there were so many families taking this class with us. There were around 20 people in the class. These PRIDE classes begin the official process of becoming foster/adoptive parents. After the PRIDE classes are finished we will then begin the homestudy process we were told that this part of the process can take anywhere from 1-3 months ideally. Typically the biggest delay is getting the fingerprint results cleared. We were fingerprinted during the first class so hopefully but the time we finish the homestudy our fingerprint results will be back.

As we prepare for the homestudy there are many things around the house that need to be done. Last week I bought new flooring (wood laminate) to put in the bedroom that we will be using for the child(ren) that we will foster/adopt. I also would like to put new flooring in our upstairs bathroom as well. I'm thinking about going with tile.

As we begin looking at furnishing the bedroom we are leaning toward bunk beds. I spent several hours today looking on the Internet at prices for full-size bunk beds and found some decent prices, however if anyone wanted to get rid of a set of bunk beds we would gladly accept hand me downs! We obviously are going to need dressers and other bedroom furniture as well so if you have any thoughts or suggestions let me know. By the way, the room is done in Marshall colors, and will have a medium colored wood floor.

Denise and I are very excited about all of this. When I get excited about something I get very impatient for it to happen so hopefully I can maintain my patience through this process.

Stay Tuned for more updates. I may try to do some before and after pictures of the bedroom soon.

The Journey Begins...

After having joked about adopting for the past few years, Denise and I both came to the realization within the past few weeks that the conversations we have been having were perhaps more than just light-hearted jest about bringing children into our lives. About a week ago we began to seriously discuss the possibility of adoption and we both came to the conclusion that this was something we were both deeply interested and passionate about. We both love children so much, and while we haven't ruled out having children of our own, we feel now is the time to begin sharing that love with children who need a family of their own.

And so our journey begins...

We have begun researching the process and we are signed up for the required PRIDE classes which begin this coming Saturday! Denise and I have already looked at some of the children that are currently available for adoption but we are trying to take our time knowing that many of the children available for adoption now, may not be available by the time we are approved to become adoptive parents.

We invite you to join us as we embark on this exciting possibility. We covet your prayers and support through this process. Stay connected with the journey by checking back periodically for updates and information.