Well it is really hard to summarize all that we covered in this class. The lady who teaches this classes was adopted, she has adopted, and her father is an adoption attorney. So she has a really interesting perspective on the subject. We learned a lot more about what we have gotten ourselves into, there is a lot that we will be required to do, there is a lot to the process and it will take time. The first piece of paper work and only piece that we get at this point is a bishop recommendation for our bishop fills out and sends in. We can't do anything else (paperwork wise) until they have received this form. Then we need to have $1,000, this gets us started on the home study part, we get the rest of the paper work and we start into the interviews (with social workers) after we get the paperwork done we make our online profiles for birth mothers to look at to decide who they may want to place their baby with. Then we wait to be chosen, but we don't pay anymore money until placement. So that is the process in a nutshell, we will need to find 4 people (non- family) to write recommendations for us (we'll probably get more than that, can't hurt can it?)
The other things that we learned in our first class had more to do with what happens after a birthmother has chosen you, and also after placement things like: Families Supporting Adoption (FSA), Letters to birthmother from adoptive father and mother (written separately), Preference sheet in adoption paperwork ( what we will or won't accept, including possible diseases, drug abuse etc..), Face to face or meeting the birthmother (before actual placement), our online profiles, placement, ICPC- Interstate Compact for the placement of Children (meaning that if we adopt out of the state of Idaho we had to stay in the state that we adopted out of until paperwork goes through), Setting boundaries ( with birthmother, including communication agreements), Adoption tax credit (can get up to $11,390 per eligible child), Finalization (6 mo. after placement, adoption made official and get SSN for child, baby cannot be blessed in church or sealed to family before this happens).
This is what we will be doing and we don't know how we will get past the bishop's recommendation without help, after our paperwork is done we can probably find financing for the rest of the adoption. I hope that this helps you all understand the adoption process a little better (it did for us) we also hope that you will keep checking back and please feel free to leave comments, we will respond, we are really pretty open for any questions that you may have.
P.S. This blog may be more up-to-date than our parents.. lol. Just a little. :)
Friday, February 29, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Adoption Classes
Part of the adoption process is attending adoption classes, we start this thurs. night. This is the schedule and classes that we will be attending, we will let you know what we learn as we go along. I have so many questions it is nice to have the opportunity to ask them and hopefully get answers.
February 28th: Introduction to Adoption & ABC's of Adoption
March 6th: Adoptive parent panel
March 13th: Birthparent Panel
March 20th: Infertility
March 27th: Adoptee Panel
April 3rd: Potluck dinner
February 28th: Introduction to Adoption & ABC's of Adoption
March 6th: Adoptive parent panel
March 13th: Birthparent Panel
March 20th: Infertility
March 27th: Adoptee Panel
April 3rd: Potluck dinner
BIG PLANS
Hello all!
We know many of you have been wondering how we're doing, especially on the subject of family. It's been a long, hard road & we thought that we should fill in the details. We've been trying on and off for 22 months to expand out little family. We've endured many speed bumps and potholes on this journey. To be specific: 3 miscarriages, 1 ruptured ovarian cyst a trip to the E.R., 2 in office surgical procedures (a scope surgery & a hysterosalpingogram or HSG, pushing dye through my fallopian tubes, which were blocked) and a BIG surgery in April (Laparascopy, D&C, and fallopian tubes cleaned out), ll of this made for a really long recovery period. ALong with those we've endured many tests, hormone treatments & fertility drugs (Clomid, to help me ovulate). The road has been filled with huge disappointments for us, but through this we've been given the chance to really get to know one another. We've experienced the closeness that only trials and tragedy can afford us. We love each other more than we ever thought possible.
We've made it this far and we've been trying to figure out our next move toward beginning our family. The spirit has really been pushing, we feel that we should adopt. In fact we've already made contact with LDS Family Services and we are starting into the adoption process. We will receive the application & attend out first adoption class all on Thur. the 28th of Feb. We don't know exactly how this will all work out, but we know we need support and prayers from our families.
We've so appreciated the kindness, concern, prayers and hopeful thoughts we've recieved from you. Thank you for all you do, we love you all so much. We will use this blog to keep everyone updated, so please visit often.
Shaylee & Joseph
We know many of you have been wondering how we're doing, especially on the subject of family. It's been a long, hard road & we thought that we should fill in the details. We've been trying on and off for 22 months to expand out little family. We've endured many speed bumps and potholes on this journey. To be specific: 3 miscarriages, 1 ruptured ovarian cyst a trip to the E.R., 2 in office surgical procedures (a scope surgery & a hysterosalpingogram or HSG, pushing dye through my fallopian tubes, which were blocked) and a BIG surgery in April (Laparascopy, D&C, and fallopian tubes cleaned out), ll of this made for a really long recovery period. ALong with those we've endured many tests, hormone treatments & fertility drugs (Clomid, to help me ovulate). The road has been filled with huge disappointments for us, but through this we've been given the chance to really get to know one another. We've experienced the closeness that only trials and tragedy can afford us. We love each other more than we ever thought possible.
We've made it this far and we've been trying to figure out our next move toward beginning our family. The spirit has really been pushing, we feel that we should adopt. In fact we've already made contact with LDS Family Services and we are starting into the adoption process. We will receive the application & attend out first adoption class all on Thur. the 28th of Feb. We don't know exactly how this will all work out, but we know we need support and prayers from our families.
We've so appreciated the kindness, concern, prayers and hopeful thoughts we've recieved from you. Thank you for all you do, we love you all so much. We will use this blog to keep everyone updated, so please visit often.
Shaylee & Joseph
Friday, February 22, 2008
Husband Tag
What is his name?Joseph Mark Mecham
How long have you been together?Our 2nd year wedding anniversary is May 5th
How long did you date? We started dating in Oct. 2005, we got engaged in Jan 2006
How old is he?He is 25, a quarter of a century old!!
Who eats more? Joseph definately, I am guilty of putting the food I can't eat on his plate for him to eat.
Who said I love you first? He did, after Thanksgiving, he said it and then kept talking I didn't even have the chance to respond right away... I think he was a little nervous :) ?!?
Who's taller?I am actually, but only by a tiny bit, but mostly we are the same height depending on what shoes we are wearing.
Who pays bills? We both do.
Who sleeps on the right side?trick question? well if you are standing and looking at the bed Joe is on the right side, usually, I always sleep on the side with the wall, otherwise I would probably snuggle him right out off the bed.
Who mows the lawn? We have lived in apartments so we don't mow the lawn, I don't know who would, I can now with good allergy meds. but I think that he would probably be the one who would do it.
Who cooks dinner?I do mostly, I try to impress him with my skills (I am taking culinary arts classes) but for those who don't know Joe really likes to cook too, he's a pro with meat, what a man!
Who drives?Him, mostly, he does let me drive and he likes to teach me how to handle all this snow here in Idaho.
Who kissed who first?Once again him, he asked permission first it was really sweet,but it made me even more nervous.
Who proposed? Joe did, I knew it was coming, we had taked about it but he really got me good, he proposed when I was sick and would have no idea, it was also the same day he picked up the ring, he just couldn't hold on to it any longer than that.
Who has more siblings?He does, he's the oldest of 6, so we're both oldest children.
I hereby tag the following:Mom, Grandma,Kim (H), Kimi, Jodi,Heather, Kathy, Sally, and Becky.. and anyone else who wants to, even men, they can call it the spouse tag!
How long have you been together?Our 2nd year wedding anniversary is May 5th
How long did you date? We started dating in Oct. 2005, we got engaged in Jan 2006
How old is he?He is 25, a quarter of a century old!!
Who eats more? Joseph definately, I am guilty of putting the food I can't eat on his plate for him to eat.
Who said I love you first? He did, after Thanksgiving, he said it and then kept talking I didn't even have the chance to respond right away... I think he was a little nervous :) ?!?
Who's taller?I am actually, but only by a tiny bit, but mostly we are the same height depending on what shoes we are wearing.
Who pays bills? We both do.
Who sleeps on the right side?trick question? well if you are standing and looking at the bed Joe is on the right side, usually, I always sleep on the side with the wall, otherwise I would probably snuggle him right out off the bed.
Who mows the lawn? We have lived in apartments so we don't mow the lawn, I don't know who would, I can now with good allergy meds. but I think that he would probably be the one who would do it.
Who cooks dinner?I do mostly, I try to impress him with my skills (I am taking culinary arts classes) but for those who don't know Joe really likes to cook too, he's a pro with meat, what a man!
Who drives?Him, mostly, he does let me drive and he likes to teach me how to handle all this snow here in Idaho.
Who kissed who first?Once again him, he asked permission first it was really sweet,but it made me even more nervous.
Who proposed? Joe did, I knew it was coming, we had taked about it but he really got me good, he proposed when I was sick and would have no idea, it was also the same day he picked up the ring, he just couldn't hold on to it any longer than that.
Who has more siblings?He does, he's the oldest of 6, so we're both oldest children.
I hereby tag the following:Mom, Grandma,Kim (H), Kimi, Jodi,Heather, Kathy, Sally, and Becky.. and anyone else who wants to, even men, they can call it the spouse tag!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Primary!!
When we moved into our current ward, we got callings the day we showed up. We got called to teach in Primary. We teach the CTR7 class it is so much fun! They are constantly teaching us new things and every week is so exciting.
from L-R Cameron, Cody, Adam, William (a visitor) Elliana, Katie & Macey (Cody, Adam and Elliana are triplets)
Monday, February 11, 2008
learning tricks from old dogs...
I have learned a lot working in an assisted living home and I have heard some really funny stuff...it's not an easy job but I sure do enjoy it sometimes.
Jean a 97 yr old woman from scotland will talk in her scottish accent sometimes, but she will swear up a storm when you get her in the bathroom... some things that she has said: "stop it, my hands are so slick, I'll fall from the ceiling"- when I put lotion on her hands, "you're strong, like a stallion!", " you're gonna fool around for a bit, but then you'll find you're way, you'll do good things", she's so funny.
Dean 80-ish, comes out of his room in his underwear in the mornings and I tell him he can't be out here the ladies can see you. So he wrapped himself in a blanket and proceeded to make his way to the living room- I couldn't argue with that. Today I told him that he was in his underwear and the ladies shouldn't see that, he told me " oh, it won't hurt them!"
These are some of the things that I have enjoyed so far, there is much more but I need to get to bed so I will be awake tomorrow for work!
Jean a 97 yr old woman from scotland will talk in her scottish accent sometimes, but she will swear up a storm when you get her in the bathroom... some things that she has said: "stop it, my hands are so slick, I'll fall from the ceiling"- when I put lotion on her hands, "you're strong, like a stallion!", " you're gonna fool around for a bit, but then you'll find you're way, you'll do good things", she's so funny.
Dean 80-ish, comes out of his room in his underwear in the mornings and I tell him he can't be out here the ladies can see you. So he wrapped himself in a blanket and proceeded to make his way to the living room- I couldn't argue with that. Today I told him that he was in his underwear and the ladies shouldn't see that, he told me " oh, it won't hurt them!"
These are some of the things that I have enjoyed so far, there is much more but I need to get to bed so I will be awake tomorrow for work!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Been a while...
Well things have been a little busy since I wrote last, we went to the temple open house - Amazing!! And we were ushers for the open house the same night (Dec. 29th) We were set and excited for the dedication that was supposed to be tomorrow, but President Hinckley's passing changed that. I know a lot of people are sad that Pres. Hinckley won't be the one to dedicate our new temple but I think that it is exciting to know that our temple in Rexburg Idaho is going to be the first one that the new prophet dedicates... How cool is that?? I am sad that Pres. Hinckley is no longer with us but I am happy for him and know that he and his dear wife are together again. And it is comforting to know that the church doesn't fall apart when the prophet dies that there is a plan for everything and the church will still be true even with a different prophet at the head of it.
Joe and I are in school and doing our best to stay ahead and get done quickly. If I am not mistaken I may be able to graduate in July.. we'll see! I have also started working, I work at Homestead an assisted living home and it has been a lot of fun. It is amazing what you can learn from your elders.. even a 98-yr old scottish woman that swears when you take her to the bathroom!
We are still serving in primary in our ward and that is an adventure every week we are there. Those kids are amazing (and tiring). I have found that answers to prayers come from some of the most unexpected places: kids and old people.. they are so close to our Heavenly Father and somehow they know just what you need.
Joe and I are in school and doing our best to stay ahead and get done quickly. If I am not mistaken I may be able to graduate in July.. we'll see! I have also started working, I work at Homestead an assisted living home and it has been a lot of fun. It is amazing what you can learn from your elders.. even a 98-yr old scottish woman that swears when you take her to the bathroom!
We are still serving in primary in our ward and that is an adventure every week we are there. Those kids are amazing (and tiring). I have found that answers to prayers come from some of the most unexpected places: kids and old people.. they are so close to our Heavenly Father and somehow they know just what you need.
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