When our days get busy and routine, I take fewer pictures. I apologize for the lack of them here on Osterfive, but I figured a verbal update would be okay.
ADOPTION: We are nearing the end of our paperwork for Bethany Christian Services. Once our references are in, we will meet with them and set up a time for them to come and view our house and meet our children. All of this is part of the homestudy process. After our homestudy is complete, all we will need is to attend their orientation class (sometime in the spring) to be in their pool of adoptive parents.
We are already in the pool with the local adoption lawyer. All that is required there is to turn in a family profile. The bulk of the paperwork there comes after being chosen, but because of our work with Bethany, most of that would already be done if we get chosen through the lawyer.
The way domestic adoptions work now is that a birth mom chooses whether she would like to go through a lawyer or an agency (like Bethany Christian Services). She goes to the lawyer/agency and looks through pictures and profiles of families and chooses one she would like for her child.
One of the ways couples can approach adoption is just by getting the word out that they are interested. Many times someone they know will know someone who might know someone who is considering adoption for their child. This might prompt them to go the lawyer/agency and actually request a certain family.
KIDS: Naomi and Jacob are enjoying school. They recently received their reviews for their achievement. They both are doing very well! Jacob received excellent marks on everything--he's an overachiever in the classroom. Naomi is working hard on her reading and math. She finds science and language easy. We're so proud of both of them! They both are going to an art class and loving that, and Jacob is also loving a little weekly soccer clinic at the Covenant gym.
Bethany is my constant companion. She's growing up fast and her gift of social intuitiveness is growing. She occasionally comes out with very thoughtful questions and/or comments that surprise us with their understanding. All three of the kids are really excited about the adoption, but Bethany is the one who asks regularly, "When is that other momma going to have a baby in her tummy?" My answer? "I don't know, Bethany. God will choose the very best time to give us our fourth child."
NATE and OLIVIA: We too have a pretty regular schedule these days. Nate works out and goes to Bible study and choir and goes to work. I help out at Choices, PRC, go to acupuncture, exercise, clean, cook, and teach. We both spend good times with the family and with each kid. We are reading Talking with Young Children about Adoption and finding it very interesting. I just finished The Book of God--the Bible in novel form, and it was good! I definitely recommend it. Day in and day out we are learning what it is to walk with out God.
So there you have a bit of an update.
Thank you very much for your prayers for a speedy and smooth adoption process and for patience and open-heartedness during it.
