One step closer to Parenthood :-)

I'm so elated, ecstatic (and every other synonym of the word happy) to report that we have been APPROVED (by the agency). We still have a few less scary hoops of burning fire to jump thru but this one was a biggie folks.

The primary Board member who apparently makes the final decision ( I'm still very unclear on the chain of command, after being told too many different things) phoned to give our contact "Y" the approval, she had just returned from a trip to the emergency room for a breathing treatment - apparently they weren't kidding when they said that their people were sick. We also received a very sincere apology stating that our delay is very uncommon (lucky us) and they wanted to assure us things will move quickly and smoothly from here moving forward.

Blinded by the sheer excitement of our SUPER DUPER FANTASTIC news I decided to pick up a couple of pies for the agency office at Marie Callenders. My parents were unsure how to react so I prompted them with the following -"After receiving this news, it brings back memories of the day we discovered I was pregnant." Both of their reactions were filled with happy tears and much love- I think they get it now. We are all new to this, though they are rockin parents - I need to keep my expectations reasonable. With that being said, we still have a way to go but there is a sense of hope that I have never experienced before thus (some) clarity has been shed on the whole wacky IF process. We had to go through that to get to this.......

We have already been scheduled for the foster parent training, attachment and parenting across culture classes and will hopefully have our homestudy approved by May 1. Oh good, more waiting because we all know how patient I'am (hee, hee).

To my IF sisters: I will never forget where I have been, here on the IF journey that which has indelibly marked me for life - while I'm sure you agree about how greatful we all are for the friendships, it was never our goal, nor was it to be expected -to be a member of this club.

We will endure and succeed because of each other and our support we give one another. I think we are an amazing, strong and unbelievably powerful voice. Let's keep the good fight going and continue supporting each other!!! I couldn't have survived this without all of you! Thank you!