Changes Are A Comin'

I have elf pictures for those of you who want to know what Taxi HeyHey and Snowflake have been up to. I will do my best to get them posted this week, but they are a bit out of order due to Alyssa and Allison being placed on the "Naughty List" and the elves not showing up for a few days. No worries, all three girls are currently on the "Nice List" and all is well in our home.

In fact, things are better than well and I am so excited to share the news with all of you...

First of all, Alyssa and Allison will be entering public school for the second half of their kindergarten year. This is something that we have thought about, prayed about, talked about, argued about (with the girls) and eventually come to an agreement that we were all happy with. The girls have begged us to go to public school for awhile now. It's not so much that they think they will enjoy it more, it's simply because it is what they see their friends doing. Neighbor kids get on and off of the bus daily, kids talk about their teachers and friends at dance class and the girls notice that homeschooling isn't the 'norm'. This alone is not what changed our minds. It was however, what made me start to look into our options.

Private school is just out of the question because we, unfortunately, do NOT have $10,000+ to spend on education a year. Sorry, the military does not pay that well and with me not working, it's simply not an option. That brought me to public school. *sigh* I was not thrilled with the idea, but I didn't let that stop me. What I found was surprising. Our local elementary school just so happens to be a top rated school with excellent test scores. After days and days of endless conversation, Johnathon and I set up a tour of the school. I was shocked that as we toured room by room and met teacher after teacher, I was actually liking the school.

We finally talked it through and decided that the girls would finish out their kindergarten year in public school and we would reevaluate our decision at the end of the year. So, our little ladies will no longer be homeschooled as of January 2013. I'm very sad with this decision because I was truly enjoying my time with the girls and homeschooling was going so smoothly. The girls were learning and reading...it was everything I hoped it would be. If it were only up to me, we would continue with that route. However, in order to do what is best for our family and each girl individually, I think they need to experience this for themselves and what better time to do that then in kindergarten!!

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 

 

I am writing this and being open with my readers in hopes that I can help at least one other family in their decision to adopt/foster. Please try not to judge us and OUR choice as we are doing what we think is right for OUR family. I would appreciate ONLY kind and encouraging comments. Thanks.

 

A few months ago I dropped the bombshell that Johnathon and I were going to adopt. Well, I figure it's time for an update.

 

We made a promise to ourselves that we would wait 6 months after we returned from deployment to make any major decisions so could enjoy that time as a family. We knew from the beginning that it would be after the first of the year before we made anything 100% with a certain agency. We found a few agencies that we really liked but it always came down to...

 

A) Private Domestic Adoption

or

B) Foster to Adopt through the county

 

There were a lot of pro and cons for each of them. For instance, a private domestic adoption would give us the opportunity to be picky (gender), but it came a cost. Literally! Not only would it cost us an arm and a leg, but most adoptions are open; meaning that the biological parents/extended family would continue to communicate with us. We just weren't sure if that was what was right for our family.

 

I have three sisters who were adopted out of foster care so I have seen first hand how that can affect not only the adopted child, but everyone involved.

 

It was a very hard choice and one that we went back and forth on almost daily.

 

In the end we decided to...

 

are you ready...

 

can you guess...

 

we are going to...

 

FOSTER!! (With the hopes of one day adopting through the foster system.)

 

More details coming tomorrow! :)

Adoption: The Beginning

Yes, you read that right!

After a lot of thought and even more prayer, Johnathon and I are finally ready to share some very exciting news with everyone.

We are beginning the long and very expensive process of domestic adoption.

I've known from a very young age that adoption was something I wanted in my future so I was thrilled when my husband would even consider it. In fact, adoption has been the topic of many conversations between the two of us over the years. It wasn't until this last year that we started talking a little more seriously. Since his return home from deployment, we have been doing our research and feel that this is what is right for our family at this time.

For those of you who do not know, a private domestic adoption process refers to the placement of U.S. born infants for adoption by their birth parents, who legally consent to the adoption with an adoptive family of their choosing.

Step One: Research. Research. Research.
I have spent hours in front of my computer over the last month or so researching the ins and outs of domestic adoption. It's a bit overwhelming, especially the financial aspect, but we are ready for the challenge and are very happy with our decision.

Step Two: Choose an agency.
We are 99% sure we have chosen the agency that will be best for us and our family. We have read through countless websites and even more information booklets and we both feel that, again, we are making the best decision for our family at this time.

Step Three: Applications and home study.
We've decided not to officially send in our application until after the first of the year. We are still adjusting to life with Johnathon home from deployment and we are taking every opportunity to enjoy our three little ladies to the fullest. We are hoping for somewhat of an easy home study process, but we understand that these things take time (months, actually) and we are okay with that.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

Why are we sharing this much information so early?
That's simple...it's just who we are. I've been thinking about this for days and wondering if and when we should begin to tell our friends and family about this next chapter in our lives and I realized that I have the same feelings about this as I do with my own pregnancies. I am not one to wait the suggested 12 weeks of pregnancy before spreading the wonderful news. So, like I have with each of my pregnancies, I wanted everyone to experience this journey with us from the very beginning. I wanted my blog to be a place where other women could come for encouragement and information. Where other families could come and read about our journey and possibly walk away learning something new or simply appreciating their own journey a little more. 

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

I can't wait to begin this next chapter in our lives and I am excited to be sharing it with you.

Monday Already?

Well, technically it's still Sunday, but you get my drift.

Another weekend has come and gone and I have little to show for it. Johnathon and I decided to take it easy this weekend and relax so very little packing got done and even less cleaning. Unfortunately, that means that I have to play catch-up tomorrow. Fun!

I've also got to make an appointment to file our taxes, call about last minute doctor appointments for the kids, see about getting an extra copy of all our records, birth certificates and other documents. It's sure to be a long day!

Madelynn is going through her first 'word explosion'. If she hears it once, she says it 50 times throughout the day. It's amazing and sad all at the same time. My baby is growing up.

I'm now making 3 bowls at breakfast and 3 plates at dinner...Madelynn feeds herself now (or the best she can!). I see a lot of changes going on in our house and it feels great.

It's about three weeks until we fly to a snow-covered Illinois. I'm getting a little anxious. Most would think that was because I am flying home with three little gals, but I'm more worried about freezing my bottom off when we get there. We have to dress for warm California, but carry our coats/pack warm clothes for the chilly Midwest. Am I really up for this?

Madelynn is teething. Enough said!

I'm thinking about purchasing Muzzy to teach the girls Spanish. Has anyone use this product before? It's a little expensive and I am curious to see how well you liked it.

Alyssa and Allison amaze me more and more everyday. They want to know everything lately. Why is the sky blue, when will they lose their baby teeth, where does grass come from, when can they wear a bra, why do Boots & Swiper talk, but the other animals outside don't? It's crazy what goes on in the head of a 3 year old. I love knowing that they are curious and want to know the answers to these questions.

More tomorrow, xoxo

Illinois Bound

Yes, you read that correctly!

In a matter of 5 weeks I will be packing up our 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom, full of junk house and placing everything we own in storage. Then I will be flying over 2000 miles alone with 3 little girls. It's sure to be a busy few weeks and to be honest, I'm a little anxious about it.

Why are making this giant leap of faith??

2011 is a big year for both of our families...

My sister-in-law is getting married and lucky for me, I am a big part of getting everything together. I have parties to plan, dresses to try on and favors to make.

My mother-in-law was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. After what we thought was a successful surgery, we recently found out that she will need to go back in for another followed by a few weeks of radiation. Thanks to everyone for their kind emails and comments. We appreciate the prayers.

My brother is going through a lot with his wife right now. They are separated at the moment and their three beautiful kids are stuck in the middle of it all.

My little sister, by a whole 7 months, is also getting married in the next year and again I will be planning parties, trying on dresses and making favors!

My baby sister is turning 18 and graduating from high school. {sigh}

My parents will be celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary...what an accomplishment!

On top of all of that, Johnathon will be going out to sea lot with work-ups and preparing for his upcoming deployment. He will have yet another advancement test and will be working harder than ever. We've discussed our options, thought about all of our possibilities and we understand what we are sacrificing.

It's going to be a long and hard year for us, but we genuinely feel like we are making the right choice for our family.

Johnathon will come and visit a few times throughout the year and we will keep in touch through care packages, cards and Skype. With any luck, he should be able to attend ALL birthday parties and be with us during our special moments.

Zzzzz...have I bored you enough yet?

I'll be nice and leave you with a picture of my big girls. They are growing up so fast.

Allison & Alyssa

FYI: I have very few pictures lately because my daughters enjoy running around naked. What is a mother to do? :)