OMGoodness it happened, the link day has come and Gone and we have been matched!! Hallelujah!!
The overwhelming joy that has struck us both and our family has been amazing and we some humbled by the amazing blessing that is being poured out on us.
For future reference to the kids we have decided for their privacy to be called Pip and Pop...
That's right I did say kids, a sibling group to be exact. :)
Such precious little angels that are to be called our own, that will be with us in their "forever family"
There are no words to explain the excitement, anticipation, joy, love, and everything else that is going on right now, and we have not even met these two little treasures yet.
We have seen photos and now know their names, and some more specifics about them and all I can say is the only way is up from here..
Thank you all for your love and prayers and support these past few days, we are grateful beyond words.
We will keep you updated as things progress, and as we begin our lives together in this new forever family.
Much love and Grace
Kat xx
A couples journey through the Permanent Care/Adoption process in Victoria, Australia
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Nesting....:Waiting for the link
Sorry for not updating in a while, we had hoped to have a major and exciting update to go in here before Christmas but alas it was not meant to be so we are starting the new year afresh.
We hope and pray you have all had a wonderful Christmas, and that you are blessed with a safe and joyful New Year for 2013..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Nesting.. a term I hear quite a bit from others that are pregnant during the last trimester, and one I often dreamed of for the few angels that never made it that far.. Well it seems Nesting can happen no matter what way you become a parent...
Matt will happily tell you that I have been "nesting" this last week while we wait for our link date.
I have been busily washing everything in sight, vacuuming every surface including the curtains and couches... and when it seemed there was little I could do in the house today I took to pruning back wayward bushes at the front of our house with the inclination that I just want them gone and to plant smaller ones that are easier to care for.. but I showed restraint because I need to check first.. (oh the trials of renting and having to ask for permission to do so.)
Aside from this excessive use of the word cleaning or nesting I have been in a bit of a haze and a dream world as to what we should and can do next..
You see my dear friends there is only so much you can do..
Not knowing exactly what size clothing a child might be wearing is a challenge, because if you buy things in one size that happen to be to small you are either stuck with the option of returning them, or giving them to someone else who has a bubby that will grow into them; neither of these options am I enthusiastic about. the alternative is the clothes are to big, which might mean you have a lot of clothing that resembles potato sacks because of its large size.. but at least in that instance you have the chance that they will grow into the right size...
so anyway the clothing purchasing has been limited to knickers, socks, jocks, and singlets until we know what size to actually purchase..
Not knowing what colour is their favorite (as they are of an age to make that choice) is a challenge because if we start buying things but they have an avid hatred of the colour we think might suit we are again faced with what to do with said objects.. so each area has been limited...
With all the back to school and post Christmas toy sales on we have been in the uniquely challenging position of not being able to buy anything because the unknown is out of our control..
and if I had bought anything I can assure you that the amount would have been greater than the need...
And all of these "what ifs'" becomes a mute point if the Link doesn't go ahead, and if we have to wait for another opportunity...
Because unlike a pregnancy, where you can almost assume that so close to the end once you've nested it wont be long till you have a treasure to hold in your arms, in our case there is no certainty.
I can nest until the cows come home but it wont be of any use if it doesn't happen..
There is so much hope, love, compassion, understanding, and so much muchness going on its hard to hold it back and reserve it in case it doesn't happen.
Its almost a fear of excitement if you can understand that.. we want to be excited we want to yell from the rooftops and sky-write it for the world to see, but we can't because we still don't know, and it may not happen this time..
So getting out of the waiting and the hoping and the roller-coaster chatter for a moment..
We have a link tomorrow.. one we are both very positive about, one that we hope dearly will all come together easily.. It is already looking to feel like the longest day of our lives till we find out about 2 little treasures.. one way or another we will know something tomorrow.. my heart is speaking positive loving thoughts to me.. almost like its my mum reassuring me.. and my head is being all kinds of rational and diplomatic about the whole decision that is yet to be made..
We have been counting down sleeps this past 2 weeks until we find out and in all honesty I don't think I'll sleep at all tonight.. I don't think its even close to possible..
My mind is filled with prayerful thoughts and anticipation for Matt and I , for the Children, for the panel making the decision for the fostercarer and all they might be feeling, and for the birth parents and what they might be going through..
Please if you are inclined, send out loving thoughts and prayers, and be assured that we are sending happy thoughts and prayers to you too...
Much Grace
Kat.. xx
We hope and pray you have all had a wonderful Christmas, and that you are blessed with a safe and joyful New Year for 2013..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Nesting.. a term I hear quite a bit from others that are pregnant during the last trimester, and one I often dreamed of for the few angels that never made it that far.. Well it seems Nesting can happen no matter what way you become a parent...
Matt will happily tell you that I have been "nesting" this last week while we wait for our link date.
I have been busily washing everything in sight, vacuuming every surface including the curtains and couches... and when it seemed there was little I could do in the house today I took to pruning back wayward bushes at the front of our house with the inclination that I just want them gone and to plant smaller ones that are easier to care for.. but I showed restraint because I need to check first.. (oh the trials of renting and having to ask for permission to do so.)
Aside from this excessive use of the word cleaning or nesting I have been in a bit of a haze and a dream world as to what we should and can do next..
You see my dear friends there is only so much you can do..
Not knowing exactly what size clothing a child might be wearing is a challenge, because if you buy things in one size that happen to be to small you are either stuck with the option of returning them, or giving them to someone else who has a bubby that will grow into them; neither of these options am I enthusiastic about. the alternative is the clothes are to big, which might mean you have a lot of clothing that resembles potato sacks because of its large size.. but at least in that instance you have the chance that they will grow into the right size...
so anyway the clothing purchasing has been limited to knickers, socks, jocks, and singlets until we know what size to actually purchase..
Not knowing what colour is their favorite (as they are of an age to make that choice) is a challenge because if we start buying things but they have an avid hatred of the colour we think might suit we are again faced with what to do with said objects.. so each area has been limited...
With all the back to school and post Christmas toy sales on we have been in the uniquely challenging position of not being able to buy anything because the unknown is out of our control..
and if I had bought anything I can assure you that the amount would have been greater than the need...
And all of these "what ifs'" becomes a mute point if the Link doesn't go ahead, and if we have to wait for another opportunity...
Because unlike a pregnancy, where you can almost assume that so close to the end once you've nested it wont be long till you have a treasure to hold in your arms, in our case there is no certainty.
I can nest until the cows come home but it wont be of any use if it doesn't happen..
There is so much hope, love, compassion, understanding, and so much muchness going on its hard to hold it back and reserve it in case it doesn't happen.
Its almost a fear of excitement if you can understand that.. we want to be excited we want to yell from the rooftops and sky-write it for the world to see, but we can't because we still don't know, and it may not happen this time..
So getting out of the waiting and the hoping and the roller-coaster chatter for a moment..
We have a link tomorrow.. one we are both very positive about, one that we hope dearly will all come together easily.. It is already looking to feel like the longest day of our lives till we find out about 2 little treasures.. one way or another we will know something tomorrow.. my heart is speaking positive loving thoughts to me.. almost like its my mum reassuring me.. and my head is being all kinds of rational and diplomatic about the whole decision that is yet to be made..
We have been counting down sleeps this past 2 weeks until we find out and in all honesty I don't think I'll sleep at all tonight.. I don't think its even close to possible..
My mind is filled with prayerful thoughts and anticipation for Matt and I , for the Children, for the panel making the decision for the fostercarer and all they might be feeling, and for the birth parents and what they might be going through..
Please if you are inclined, send out loving thoughts and prayers, and be assured that we are sending happy thoughts and prayers to you too...
Much Grace
Kat.. xx
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Consider This...
(to those who have children)
(From Kat)
Consider this.. The gift of a life being bought into this world because of the Plan God has made, and the love you and your 'spouse' have shared together is a beautiful and treasured gift..
To those of you whom have been so blessed in your life to experience being a natural parent I send you much grace and love and joy in both thought and prayer because it is a reality we may never see but one I am happy to rejoice with you in.
We consider this...
The opportunity and decision to parent alternatively, to seek outside of ourselves to complete our family, not just with 'fur' kids but with children who deserve to have a stable, loving, caring family to be part of; this is something that we have chosen to do.
For anyone who is only just reading this blog for the first time, I encourage you to go back to the beginning, and read our journey so far, it has been filled with joys, and sorrows, with struggles, and with peace.
As we sit back in this place in our journey, considering all that may be ahead, we have been set on a course of reflection over how we got to this point, and what tugged at our hearts to make us consider permanent care and adoption.
We both admit it did start out a little idealistic, and at the same time quite painful. Since being approved at the start of the year we have had a lot of time to consider and reflect on what the possible link outcomes could be. And most recently we have had an extra boost of thoughts on more serious problems that might be faced, not just by us, but by our children in their life up to the point when we finally meet.
For the adoption side, there is less fear around what they may have gone through especially at such an early age, but for permanent care there is definitive trauma that they would have faced.
This could be possible damage and issues in gestation due to drug and alcohol abuse, neglect, to abuse of any type from birth or in early development, these children are faced with a number of things before they even have a chance... At a time in their lives when they should be happy, safe, loved, they have not.
For those of you who know us well, you will know that this is something we fight for, for all kids no matter what age. And in all honesty it is one of the main reasons we chose this path. forgetting all the medical and hostile uterus issues, it was because we want to be parents, we want to raise our children (however they come to be in our life) in a loving safe environment and permanent care is for kids who need what we are wanting to give.
Please I urge you if you are considering adoption, don't limit yourself to infants, consider older kids even up to 5yrs, because those babies grow up, and they will need you and love you (hopefully) at any age,...
.......................................................................................
We have now met with our new caseworkers in our new area, and we are hopeful and optimistic that we are in the right place at the right time where God wants us to be, for the family he has planned for us.
Praying you are all well, and that God is blessing you richly.
Kat
(From Kat)
Consider this.. The gift of a life being bought into this world because of the Plan God has made, and the love you and your 'spouse' have shared together is a beautiful and treasured gift..
To those of you whom have been so blessed in your life to experience being a natural parent I send you much grace and love and joy in both thought and prayer because it is a reality we may never see but one I am happy to rejoice with you in.
We consider this...
The opportunity and decision to parent alternatively, to seek outside of ourselves to complete our family, not just with 'fur' kids but with children who deserve to have a stable, loving, caring family to be part of; this is something that we have chosen to do.
For anyone who is only just reading this blog for the first time, I encourage you to go back to the beginning, and read our journey so far, it has been filled with joys, and sorrows, with struggles, and with peace.
As we sit back in this place in our journey, considering all that may be ahead, we have been set on a course of reflection over how we got to this point, and what tugged at our hearts to make us consider permanent care and adoption.
We both admit it did start out a little idealistic, and at the same time quite painful. Since being approved at the start of the year we have had a lot of time to consider and reflect on what the possible link outcomes could be. And most recently we have had an extra boost of thoughts on more serious problems that might be faced, not just by us, but by our children in their life up to the point when we finally meet.
For the adoption side, there is less fear around what they may have gone through especially at such an early age, but for permanent care there is definitive trauma that they would have faced.
This could be possible damage and issues in gestation due to drug and alcohol abuse, neglect, to abuse of any type from birth or in early development, these children are faced with a number of things before they even have a chance... At a time in their lives when they should be happy, safe, loved, they have not.
For those of you who know us well, you will know that this is something we fight for, for all kids no matter what age. And in all honesty it is one of the main reasons we chose this path. forgetting all the medical and hostile uterus issues, it was because we want to be parents, we want to raise our children (however they come to be in our life) in a loving safe environment and permanent care is for kids who need what we are wanting to give.
Please I urge you if you are considering adoption, don't limit yourself to infants, consider older kids even up to 5yrs, because those babies grow up, and they will need you and love you (hopefully) at any age,...
.......................................................................................
We have now met with our new caseworkers in our new area, and we are hopeful and optimistic that we are in the right place at the right time where God wants us to be, for the family he has planned for us.
Praying you are all well, and that God is blessing you richly.
Kat
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Transferring and Waiting
Hi Everyone it has been far to long since my last post on here..
Matt and I have had to relocate for work down towards Melbourne, which is a blessing because the home we have moved into is in much better condition, and we feel like it is our home..
Also because Matt has chosen to change his field of work and started a bakery apprenticeship which he is thriving in.. I have been doing some temp work to keep the funds coming in until I have something permanent..
Unfortunately this means we have to take the good with a little bad, a delay that we now face while our records are transferred to a new team because we have moved out of the area of responsibility for the other team.. which really bites to be honest because we really appreciated our caseworker and the support of the entire team, they were fantastic.
So now as we wait for news from the new agency, and what we may need to do, we'll both focus on work..
Also we need to seek out a new home church as there is no Salvation Army located in our town.. it may mean travel but it also may mean changing to a different church with a night service so that Matt can attend with me..
Please keep us in your prayers during this time of transition and unknown.
We pray you are all well, and safe, and loved.
Much Grace
Kat
Matt and I have had to relocate for work down towards Melbourne, which is a blessing because the home we have moved into is in much better condition, and we feel like it is our home..
Also because Matt has chosen to change his field of work and started a bakery apprenticeship which he is thriving in.. I have been doing some temp work to keep the funds coming in until I have something permanent..
Unfortunately this means we have to take the good with a little bad, a delay that we now face while our records are transferred to a new team because we have moved out of the area of responsibility for the other team.. which really bites to be honest because we really appreciated our caseworker and the support of the entire team, they were fantastic.
So now as we wait for news from the new agency, and what we may need to do, we'll both focus on work..
Also we need to seek out a new home church as there is no Salvation Army located in our town.. it may mean travel but it also may mean changing to a different church with a night service so that Matt can attend with me..
Please keep us in your prayers during this time of transition and unknown.
We pray you are all well, and safe, and loved.
Much Grace
Kat
Friday, May 11, 2012
Approved and waiting
Well I appologise but here is a well overdue update..
Our Application has been approved, and we are now on the registry for Adoptions and Permanent Care..
thank you all for your prayers and support this far..
Approval went through on the 19th of March and now we are living each day in hope of a phone call..
Right now I am keeping busy sewing and working, and Matt is keeping occupied on holidays at home..
each day we get a little more anxious, but we know God has all the plans ready to fall into place in His timing, and we are just resting in His love and grace and strength..
hope you are all well and that we will have more to report soon
Love and prayers Kat
Our Application has been approved, and we are now on the registry for Adoptions and Permanent Care..
thank you all for your prayers and support this far..
Approval went through on the 19th of March and now we are living each day in hope of a phone call..
Right now I am keeping busy sewing and working, and Matt is keeping occupied on holidays at home..
each day we get a little more anxious, but we know God has all the plans ready to fall into place in His timing, and we are just resting in His love and grace and strength..
hope you are all well and that we will have more to report soon
Love and prayers Kat
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Watching a kettle boil
Something I hope I should not need to explain but I will anyway..
We are watching the kettle boil, waiting patiently for it to finish this cycle so we can start making the cup of tea/coffee/milo..
I know it might sound a little strange refering to all this like we're making a cuppa but it kind of is like making a cuppa..
We flipped the power switch back in July 2011 and started the process..
Now we are just waiting for the process to go through, we are waiting for the kettle to finish boiling..
we keep topping up the kettle with hopes and dreams and wishes which I honestly believe we wont fun out of..
it wont be long now we hope till we have an answer to our application..
don't know where you are on your travels, don't know if you are waiting too, but we pray that what ever is going on in your lives you will have the strength and hope to follow it through
Much love and grace
Kat
We are watching the kettle boil, waiting patiently for it to finish this cycle so we can start making the cup of tea/coffee/milo..
I know it might sound a little strange refering to all this like we're making a cuppa but it kind of is like making a cuppa..
We flipped the power switch back in July 2011 and started the process..
Now we are just waiting for the process to go through, we are waiting for the kettle to finish boiling..
we keep topping up the kettle with hopes and dreams and wishes which I honestly believe we wont fun out of..
it wont be long now we hope till we have an answer to our application..
don't know where you are on your travels, don't know if you are waiting too, but we pray that what ever is going on in your lives you will have the strength and hope to follow it through
Much love and grace
Kat
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Going through the motions...
So here in limbo land we are going through the motions of our current everyday life... Patiently waiting and hoping for a big tick of approval followed by a phone call that says "we have a match for you.. Would you like to here some details about your kids".
The simple truth is unless you are walking this path it's very hard to grasp exactly what is going on and what you have to go through... No where else in the world do they ask for reference checks, financial capabilities, or look into your background before agreeing to let you have your own biological child... And I guess that us the real truth of it all ... We are in a position with one of us having a hostile uterus and non-compliant ovaries and the other having a not so healthy count and this path, this choice to go through adoption, and or permanent care has been left to us as one of our only options..
It's been such a long time since anyone has questioned it all, i was a little taken back the other day when someone did...
For us the "heart hoping pregnant" it's something we must face each day..
For most of us it isn't a continual battle to defend our position but for those who are just stepping upto and through the door that leads down this path, my thoughts and prayers go out to you... And I pray that you have a strong foundation of support that is there to stand with you no matter what comes ahead...
For right now back to do some dream washing ... You know the kind where you wish it was little socks, tops, and bits and pieces you were hanging out to dry..
Much grace
Kat xx
The simple truth is unless you are walking this path it's very hard to grasp exactly what is going on and what you have to go through... No where else in the world do they ask for reference checks, financial capabilities, or look into your background before agreeing to let you have your own biological child... And I guess that us the real truth of it all ... We are in a position with one of us having a hostile uterus and non-compliant ovaries and the other having a not so healthy count and this path, this choice to go through adoption, and or permanent care has been left to us as one of our only options..
It's been such a long time since anyone has questioned it all, i was a little taken back the other day when someone did...
For us the "heart hoping pregnant" it's something we must face each day..
For most of us it isn't a continual battle to defend our position but for those who are just stepping upto and through the door that leads down this path, my thoughts and prayers go out to you... And I pray that you have a strong foundation of support that is there to stand with you no matter what comes ahead...
For right now back to do some dream washing ... You know the kind where you wish it was little socks, tops, and bits and pieces you were hanging out to dry..
Much grace
Kat xx
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