"Phase 1"...

The holidays got me a little off track.  They were wonderful, and I enjoyed spending time with my family.  We had Thanksgiving at my sister's house, and then we had Christmas at my house.  It was a lot of fun and great to see everyone and catch up.  Now I'm trying to get the house back in order and get back on track with this journey. :)

I almost have my "Phase 1" paperwork finished.  Phase 1 was only 17 pages long.  I will be turning it in on Monday.  Yeah!  Then it looks like January will be very busy with training!  I will have STAR, SMART, CPR/First Aide, and medication training.  It will take all month, but should be able to get it done.  The agency said I can begin the training while my Phase 1 paperwork is being processed and approved.  I will call Monday to double check on that, but the lady at our orientation meeting said it would be ok. 

Once my Phase 1 paperwork is approved, it will be on to the 40 pages of Phase 2 paperwork.  In there somewhere is the home study, fire/safety inspection, and more.  :)

God's Heart for Orphans Conference...

The God's Heart for Orphans Conference was wonderful!  So many people there with a passion and heart to help orphans in any way they can.  It was very informative, and I made several great contacts and a couple of new friends too. 

Information Meeting...

The information meeting on Saturday was...well...informative.  :)  CPS and three private agencies (Buckner, Grace Manor, Bair Foundation) were there and spoke during the meeting.  So much information in such a short time, my head was full and I couldn't remember many of my questions by the time we were done.  Of course as soon as we (my sister went with me) left all the questions I had started coming back to me plus 100 more.  That's ok, I got the contact #s for all of them, and have been e-mailing and calling them with my questions. 

Next is the "God's Heart for Orphans" conference this weekend, Saturday. 

Information Meetings, Orientations, Applications, Conferences....

This is a busy time of learning for me (and I'm loving every minute of it):

Saturday 12/3 - Information Meeting on Fostering & Adoption
Thursday 12/8 - Orientation Meeting with Agency
Satuday 12/10 - "God's Heart for Orphans" Conference

Talking to foster parents and parents through adoption.  Reading blogs, books, and articles about fostering and adoption.

Completing the first application and preparing the supporting information to send it in to the agency.