Final Post-Op Appointment

Today I went to my final post-op appointment. Dr. Reeve said everything is healing on track. She said it is normal to expect some tenderness still, so to take it easy as needed. I'm cleared to go back to work full-time; although, to expect to be tired still. I'm also cleared to work out, but she reminded me that I won't start off where I was before surgery. I said, "So I won't be able to lift 100 lbs?... O wait, I wasn't lifting 100 lbs before surgery!" Dr. Reeve busted out laughing.

Tomorrow I will go to work in the morning for a few hours. I will leave just before lunch to take my sister to the hospital for her spine surgery. We are saying prayers that everything goes smoothly for her.

I posted new photographs on our Photos page.

Second Interview Done

Today, we had our second interview with the adoption agency. This one only took about two hours. They asked questions related to where we were raised, what we do as a family, who will take care of our children if something happens to us, etc. The one question that kind of made me chuckle was related to nudity in the house. It kind of took me aback, but I guess it was one of the questions they have to ask.  We have our third interview next Thursday. They will ask us questions related to our philosophies on raising a child and if we would be willing to raise a child with disabilities or health concerns (HIV, fetal alcohol syndrome, drug addictions, etc.).

After our interview, I went to the library and checked out a couple of books on adoption.

• Called to Adoption: A Christian's Guide to Answering the Call by Mardie Caldwell, COAP
• Dear Birthmother by Kathleen Silber and Sphilis Speedlin

I know there will be unique challenges to raising an adopted child, so I'd like to educate myself as much as possible. Of course, every child will be unique, but I feel it helps if I try to prepare myself however I can.

National Adoption Foundation Grant

Today I submitted an application for a grant for the National Adoption Foundation. We should know mid-April whether or not we qualified for a grant. Their grants range from $500 to $2,000. Even if we got the lowest amount, it will be a huge help!

Adoption Bug Information Submitted

I submitted our information to Adoption Bug today. Adoption Bug helps families who are adopting to raise money by giving them a portion of proceeds from adoption t-shirt sales. Their website is here: Adoption Bug. It takes about two weeks for everything to get posted. Once our information is posted, I'll provide the link in case anyone is interested in purchasing a t-shirt.

Wedding Dress on Sale

Today, I listed my wedding dress on ebay to help us pay for the adoption. I had always intended to sell in, it just happened that it finally worked out and for a good purpose. Here is the link: Maggie Sottero Wedding Dress. Please pass this on to anyone and everyone to help us fund our adoption.

Thank you!

Our First Interview

Today, we had our first interview with the adoption agency. They talked to both me and Chris for a few minutes to explain the process, then separated us to talk to each of us individually. Since Chris had to be to the hospital for work by 3:00 p.m., Chris went first. During each of our interviews, they discussed and asked us questions about our first questionnaire we had completed last week. While they interviewed Chris, I sat in their conference room and completed the second questionnaire (Chris did the same while I was being interviewed).

The questions consist mostly of our background (how we met, life growing up, our work history, etc.). Some of the questions got pretty personal, but I think we took them all in stride knowing what the end result is. We have three more interviews until our home study is done. The second interview is next week on Wednesday. The second and third will be their office, then the fourth will be at our house.

We've took care of most of our paperwork including the background check, fingerprints, affidavits, etc. We have our first aid / CPR class in two weeks, and we have to schedule our CORE class.