and our hearts skipped a beat...

Well its only been 2 weeks since our approval.  

Since then, life has gone on.   We are still getting a lot of congratulations and questions from friends, family a co-workers which has been lovely.  But we have really been trying to just get back to normal.

But alas, today I answered the phone and it was the Team Leader of our agency.  For about 3 seconds I thought our lives were going to change but unfortunately it was just a follow up call to see if we were happy with some of our follow up questions.  It was a weird feeling.  We had both just thought that the next time the agency called, it would be "the call", but is wasn't.

So for now we just try to get back on with life and hope that the next time, it is the call.

Kay

So when does the baby arrive?

Being approved/accredited by the panel last week has certainly become a very fascinating talking point with all of our friends and family being very interested in what happens next...

The most common misconception that people are under, is that now we are approved to adopt, a baby should't be to far away.  So in the interest of education, I thought I would let you all know what the process is here in Victoria.

Now that we are accredited a non-identifying profile goes on the CRE (Central Register)

When a birth mother/parents (BM/BP) decides to adopt her child, she tells her social worker (SW) the type of family that she would like her child to go to.  These details are matched on the CRE and the BM/BP are given three profiles to look at.   Once the parents have selected which family they would like their child to go to, the adoptive parents are notified.

Adoptive parents are then required to meet with their SW to discuss the placement.  They are required to think for 24 hours about whether they would like to accept the placement.  Once the placement has been accepted, transition can begin.

This is just a very brief overview of what we hopefully have ahead of us.  As you can see by the process, there is no time frame.   Tee and I just need to wait until a BM/BP selects us to be the parents of their child.  This may happen next week, next month, next year or never.  In the meantime we are just getting on with life and hoping that a little blessing will be bestowed upon us.

Thanks everyone for all the support and well wishes.

Kay xx

Panel Outcome:

Hi Readers, 

Yesterday Tee and I attended the long awaited Accreditation Panel.

The day started off very nervously.  Tee went to work to keep himself occupied (and there were certain things that he needed to attend), while I whittled away the morning hours by cleaning the house and going shopping.  None of our distractions worked though.  We were both still very nervous when we headed out to go to the Adoption Agency.

We arrived at Panel 30 minutes before we needed to.  Our usual 50 minute drive only took 40 minutes for some unknown reason.  When we were finally invited into the panel, we sat for about an hour answering questions from all three of the panel members, but it really didn't feel that long. The only difference between this and our interviews with our social worker (SW) was that there were a lot more people in the room.  Once they had finished questioning us, we went with our sw back out to the waiting room and waited, and waited, and waited....   this wait seemed to take forever.  I probably looked at my watch every 2 -3 minutes.  After about half an hour, we were invited back into the meeting room where Tee and I were told that they were happy to accredit us for Adoption in Victoria.  Finally we were APPROVED!!!

Since this news, we have excitedly been telling family members, but I don't think it will actually feel real until we get "the call" for placement.   In the meantime....... we wait.

It has been a long and difficult 2 years for us both, but we feel very happy and lucky that we are now sitting on the register of prospective adopters.

Kay :)

Panel Countdown: 1 week to go...

Well it is just one week until panel...  7 short days

I have actually begun to look forward to it and hope that it all goes well, even though we are still waiting for the agency to confirm the time.

We know that our Social Worker (SW) called all of the referees the other day whom all were really excited for us that this phase is coming to an end shortly.

Not much else to add at the moment so I will sign off...   Kay

Waiting.... waiting.... waiting....

Well readers, since my last post we have had some progression with our application.   We have a panel date!!! it is (drumroll):

3 February 2012

We are still patiently (or impatiently in my case) waiting to read the report which should happen in the next couple of weeks or so.

Other than that, Tee and I have been galavanting all over the west.  We flew into Perth just after Christmas and caught up with our British buddies for the new year, and spent the rest of our trip exploring SouthWest WA.  I have been accepted into a PostGraduate course that I was wanting to get into which is only for 1 year, so I am looking forward to that now challenge to keep me occupied while we wait.

I will make sure I send through another update after Panel

Kay

Feeling impatient.

Those that know me personally will know that I am a naturally impatient person.  And that is how I am feeling at the moment.

Despite life being generally very busy, I find myself just continually wishing that we could fast forward the next couple of months until we can finally be finished all of our interviews an be presented to the panel (assuming that all goes to plan this time)

In the last week we have had numerous tradespeople at our house, both had individual interviews with the SW, working and I have managed to squeeze in some studying for my exam at the end of the week.  Tomorrow sees us both seeing the SW for our first couple interview.  It should be pretty straightforward and I am not expecting any issues, but, like I said before the impatience is getting the better of me.

Off Topic:  We went at saw Rock of Ages at the comedy theatre on Friday night.  The show was absolutely awesome and I loved bopping away to the music.   One of the funky highlights though was being given a free battery operated lighted for the ballads.   Very Funny.

Kay

Time to catch up

Hi Readers,

Well it has been so long since we have posted a blog which has been for many reasons.  The main on being that our application to adopt was put on hold.

It is a long story that I wind bore you with but during March we were told that we were not going to proceed to the accreditation panel.  Obviously Tee and I were greatly upset about this and did a great amount of soul searching over the next couple of months.  We really thought that it was the end.  Officially we were 'on hold'.

Over the coming months changes were made at the agency and we were allocated a new Social Worker.  We had a few discussions with them and a meeting with the SW and Agency manager and out application was taken 'off hold'.

The new SW had to work through notes taken from the last one which were highly inaccurate.   So after more discussions, Tee and I decided to start afresh with our new SW.  A decision that thus far is proving to be a wise one.  We began the interview process 3 weeks ago and so far have both had 2 interviews.  Effectively, Tee and I feel as if our application has been delayed for 12 months.

I am a lot more cautious this time around, and am keeping my feelings much closer that the last time.   I don't want to let myself get excited, just to have disappointment visit us again.  We are hoping to be presented to the accreditation panel before the end of the year, but realistically, I think it will probably be early next year.

2011 has been a horrendous roller coaster for us, but there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel.  I think in a way it has prepared us for the fact that even if we are approved to adopt, that we may never be placed and I am at peace with that.  Obviously sep down though I am still hoping for a very happy ending to this story.

Tee and I both have another individual interview scheduled for this week and should move on to a group interview the following week.... full steam ahead.

I promise it will not be another 9 months before I post again...  Thank You patient readers

Kay