Meeting for Pixie

 So today was our interview and our chance to meet Pixie. Unfortunately, when we got to the office we found out that one of the interviewers was out sick. Sooooo we have to reschedule. Good news is that they will have Pixie there so we'll get to meet her and her current foster family. We also got to chat with her social worker for a bit today. She was super nice and answered a bunch of our questions. Apparently this is pretty much an adoptive placement, not just a flex arrangement like we thought. There is a TPR trial set for next month and I guess there isn't any foreseen issues with it *knock on wood*. I'm excited but cautious because there's other families that they're interviewing so we're certainly not the only ones in the running.

Adoption Date!

 We have an adoption date of January 15th at 9:30. I can not wait. I'm still bummed it's not happening before Christmas but we had issues with a lawyer who kept trying to raise his price and was impossible to contact so we dropped him. Our adoption worker said he knew a great firm if we didn't mind a phone adoption, we don't we just want to get everything finalized ASAP. So he set us up with them and now the adoption (after state refund) will be costing us a whopping total of $30 instead of the $1000 the other guy wanted. They give discounts for special needs adoptions which apparently is what Princess is classified as.

 In other news Giggles will be leaving soon. She will be moving closer to her dad for visits, She now has a diagnosis of RAD and bipolar. He also suspects she has ODD, OCD and ADHD. I actually feel better with the diagnoses, now I feel less like I'm crazy. They told us a month and a half ago they'd be moving her in 2 or 3 weeks. I should have known better. They're still trying to move her before Christmas but I'm not counting on it now and scrambling to get her some equal gifts.

 Oh and some more exciting news. We got an email about a baby (newly turned 1) girl that they're looking for a concurrent family for. I read over her needs and they are all things I feel super easy handling plus she is absolutely adorable. I'm going to call her Pixie since she is tiny for her age and so petite looking. I sent a response not expecting to hear anything back since I feel like I've put in for a ton of children and have gotten few if any responses. Imagine my surprise when they emailed me back in 10 minutes. They approved us for an extra foster care slot in case Giggles is still here and we have a meeting on the 26th. They don't know if Pixie will be there or not since they have to see if the foster family would be able to come the day after Christmas. I am trying to keep from getting excited. I don't want to be disappointed.

 Hubby and I have talked about the what ifs and we're both trying to not get excited. We're both okay not adopting again, in fact Hubs would rather not.... well sort of. We're both used to 5 kids, it'd be strange only having 4. Plus I love the idea of a close sister bond. I am so jealous when I see people that are close to their sisters. My sister and I were almost 6 years apart and we're just now becoming friends. I want Princess to have a sister that she is close to and has that amazing sister bond. Even more so since they would have someone else to talk to about adoption and their feelings on it. On the other hand if Princess were to remain our only girl she will be spoiled rotten and I can afford to spend more on clothes. We love buying girl clothes and have developed a non budget friendly love of Gymboree and Zulilly. So we'll see and I'm going to try to post more.

Met our new adoption worker yesterday

 Yesterday we got to meet our new adoption worker. I have got to say that we already kind of love him. He answered all my silly questions and all my serious ones too. I wasn't really sure what to expect and if anyone out there in internet world is wondering I'll let you know.

 First he came in and we introduced him to everyone and made some small talk. Then he asked us if we had a special day we were hoping to adopt her. Did we want to wait for Christmas or a birthday or something? No ASAP! He laughed and said if we did our paperwork quickly he'd do his and we'd be done before Christmas maybe even Thanksgiving. Its kind of like buying a house lots of paperwork and lots of paperwork for the Realtor (adoption worker). He also went over subsidies and continued medical care and let us know Princess is going to be considered special needs because of her family history. We already knew about the history but it was surprising to me that she's considered special needs when she's perfect. I know maybe I'm biased.

 He also went over the option of changing her name which we don't want to do. New social security number which we DO want to do. Who's allowed at the ceremony, everyone and anyone we want. Getting a lawyer and whats a normal price and what price they'll reimburse. Its so exciting everything is becoming real.

 I also made my appointment with our family friend and amazing photographer to set up Princess' photo session. Ordered her headband to match her dress. Now we just need to go get new shoes.

Finally moving along

Well we've finally been transferred to an adoptions worker which means Princess' old case worker won't be visiting for her any more. We'll still see her for Giggles of course. We get to meet with our new worker next week to go over everything. I am so excited that things are moving along! I asked him if the timeline is still the same 'sometime before Christmas' and he said that everything would definitely be done by Christmas possibly even Thanksgiving!

Soon this little princess will officially be ours :)

Just keep swimming

 So I haven't been posting regularly but then again nothing has really been happening this summer. We've been on multiple camping trips. This one is the all boys trip that my husband took the boys on all by himself but we had a bunch more together.

While the boys were gone we had a special girl weekend with nail painting, princess dress up, Starbucks and a trip to the park.

We didn't go on any big trips this year, mostly because its so hard with Giggles. Next year we have a month long trip planned so that should make up for it. :) 

 Now we're busy prepping to start school on Monday. Giggles starts the following Monday and possibly Moose it just depends on how full they are. Giggles gets in because she is a foster child but we make just a little bit too much for Moose to qualify. They told us if they weren't full though that they would take him as a special circumstance. I'm really hoping they can since he is dying to go to school and will be devastated if Giggles can go and he can't. 

 Oh and we're also prepping for Halloween because I decided I wanted to make costumes this year. We're going with a Star Wars theme. First thing I did was a robe for Moose so he can be Yoda. Still need to hem a sleeve and get/make a belt but I think it looks cute so far.

Another Princess Post

 So we finally got all the ICWA stuff back and nope she isn't considered Native American. So yay for that. Hubby and I both assumed that would mean everything would move super fast since everything is done. Well case worker sent me an email and let me know she'd be sending the paperwork over to adoptions this week. I asked her if that meant it should be all done in a couple months. Her response was 'oh no it'll probably take 5-6 months'. Needless to say we were pretty shocked, I mean everything is done. Really what do they have to do?

 Later that week when I took my big boys to the 4th of July festivities that our town puts on (all the littles were taking naps) I happened to run into our supervisor. She also let me know that our paper work was going to adoptions next week and to expect a call from an adoptions worker. I let her know that our case worker had already let us know but that I figured it would take them longer to call since we were told 6-6 months. She laughed and said no way would that happen it would probably be 3 months TOPS. Nice bit of news and another reminder of why I love living in a small town.

 We also set up a visit for Princess with her mom in August. She's been having a hard time with her decision and everything so when she asked if it would maybe be possible for a visit this summer if we're not to busy please of course I told her yes. She was the one who turned down regular visits we told her we weren't opposed to them. We're going to meet her at the river and hang out, we might camp there that night. Its kind of awkward because she keeps thanking us for giving Princess a better life than she could have. I'm still not sure how to respond to that. We try? Thank you?

 That's it for now because the Princess herself is demanding more milk, not water. Now please.

Happy 4th of July

 Nothing much new here just the same ol' craziness. Happy 4th of July everyone.