So let's rewind.........
Having originally made contact with a Local Authority (LA) we were put on 'hold' and decided to see if a different LA would do things any differently. Initially things went well but it soon became apparent that the new LA wasn't for us. We had been told by other adopters we had met that you should 'try before you buy' and that was certainly the case. So, 6 months after meeting the original LA they got in contact again and we confirmed that we would still like to continue. The next meeting was so positive. They came to our home and we talked, clarified issues they were previously concerned about and set out our intensions for the future.
When they left we were full of hope and excitement, not at all like our first meeting. They phoned us the following week to confirm that they were happy for us to continue to the next stage but (and there always seems to be a but) they needed clarity on a few more issues mainly our accomodation, finances and my health. Not that I'm ill but I was due an operation and they had to make sure I would be fit and well.
So fast forward sligthly. The op is done, accomodation sorted, finances declared. Then we had an email regarding our finances. Now we are by no means on the bread-line, I would say we are in the same position as millions out there and in the scheme of things our debt is really not that bad. But the LA aired concerns around any financial stress that adopting may put on us. I'm so pleased to say that after a very heart felt email they have (finally) confirmed that we have been accepted on the Prep Group with is the first (real) stage of the adoption process.
AT LAST!!!!!!
We've been getting in touch with other adopters, mostly in the local area, and were fortunate enough to meet one for tea a few weeks back. It was so lovely to see a family in their environment just being a family. It gave us so much hope. I've also been following another blog which was totally amazing, I read the whole thing in one day, the whole year long blog. I don't think the battery on my iPhone has ever drained out so quickly. I felt every moment of his journey and once again I was filled with hope (and totally jealous). He referred to the process as like being a contestant on the X-Factor and the stage we were are about to enter is boot camp. It was the best comparison I'd heard and for an avid X-Factor viewer (don't hold that against me) it really brought it all home.
So, here we are, heading into Christmas with the great news that in mid January we will be at 'boot camp', meeting other prospective adopters, finding out information and learning what lies ahead. Wouldn't it be great if by next Christmas 'we' became 'three'?
