The Process

2008:  Dan and I started looking at websites for local adoption agencies.
July 2010:  Put ourselves on the waiting list for the next available orientation.
March 2011:  Have not heard from agency.  Call agency.  Agency has still no plans for an orientation class and therefore is not accepting applications.
July 2011:  Call agency again and inquire about fostering-to-adopt.  Was referred to foster agency.  Talked with our [now] case-worker and requested an application.
August 2011:  Turned in our paperwork and made the public announcement that we are going to be parents!
September - November 2011:  Got fingerprints and background checks and references turned in.  Went to 30 hours of classes about being a parent.  Had to move because our previous home, a loft downtown, wasn't kid-friendly.
January 2012:  Our foster-home license arrived!
January 31, 2012:  We were offered a 2 month old, we wanted him, then he went to another family.  Which was okay but we were still bummed.
February 7, 2012:  My lips were chapped so I walked to Walgreens to buy some petroleum jelly to ease the pain.  While I was in line, I got a call from our case worker.  She told me to grab a pen.  I didnt have a pen!  I was at Walgreens!  So, I bought the petroleum jelly (can we just call it Vaseline?) and ran home (literally) and got the whole story on this little guy.  I wasn't sure at first.  My heart had just been broken a week ago and I wasn't sure about our trip to France or if I was ready.  Dan and I talked and I called his dad, who is a great counselor, and we made the decision.  We wanted him.  It still hasn't hit me.  Last week, when we said we wanted the 2 month old boy that was available, I had to wait.  This time, it's actually happening!  It's happening!  I am going to pick up a 5 month old baby boy.  Right now.  What an unexpected afternoon that was.  One I'll remember forever.

And there you have it.  My life changed during a trip to the store for some Vaseline.

XOXO,
Lindsy