Training

Last night was our first foster/adopt training.  It was really just going over a lot of topics of the type of children that come into the system, why, how placements work, how the agency works, etc.  It was informative, and interesting. 

We go next Tuesday for the 2nd part, and then we're down to just a few online courses and 2 books.  I've already started the first book and it's given me some helpful information on ways to control my stress when the kids are acting wild and out of control. Ways without snapping and yelling at someone.  I've tried a few things directed towards Kristopher and the 3 yr old I watch, and they seemed shocked that they didn't get time outs or yelled at.  And the calm approach was worse than isolating them on time out.  So, I may have found a way to lower my stress level during that dreaded hour in the evening when the house falls apart. 

I got a day off today, so I went out and did some more errands for this process.  I have officially submitted all 3 clearances I need to have, and was fingerprinted this morning.  I had to go to the social security office to get a print out of the last 10 years of income for myself (depressing to look back on) and the last step I need to complete is cpr/first aid training.  The rest is easy breeze through courses.  We're over half way through the process! 

Once we get the final FBI clearances back, we should be totally finished with everything, and then about 2 weeks after it's handed back, we start the home study.  We've been working on some home repairs here so that the bedrooms are better laid out, and updated.  We moved our room down to what was used as the kids play room on our lower level, and Kristopher will be getting our old bedroom.  This past weekend we pulled down some ancient paneling, replaced electrical issues, and put up drywall.  While doing so, I discovered wood under the carpet.  Pulled back a section and discovered it's oak hardwood floors!!  And in pretty good shape.  Huge highlight of my weekend.  The plan is to sand it and clear coat it a few times to make it look nice and finished again, and then the room should be pretty awesome!  And, hardwood floor is so much better than carpeting for a child with asthma and allergy issues.  I'm really excited about that.  Of course, it seems that it's the only room that has it. 
So that's what's up with the adoption process.  Since we're getting closer to the end of the process, I'm going to be updating a lot more on that.  Maybe I should start a timeline on the sidebar....

Time to catch up

Ok, it's been almost 2 weeks.  Time for a long recap.

• Roxie's spay went well.  She came home acting like they gave her crack instead of pain meds.  She never really slowed down.  I made her spend most of the first couple days home in her crate so she was restricted, and when she was out she had to wear a shirt to keep her from messing with the stitches.  Which her biggest problem was razor burn.  They shaved her poor little nipples off.  There were scabs and rash all around.  So she scratched a lot, but as long as her shirt was on, she left it alone. 
  Oh and apparently she is aggressive.  She bite each person who tried to get her out of the crate to take her potty or do pretty much anything.  Except for the girl who fed her.  I think it had a lot to do with the fact that they tied a rope around her neck instead of using a leash, and they pulled her since she was scared to walk.  I'm not happy and am in the process of switching vets.  It's time to do so since we live so far now, and every time I walk into that place I see the image of my dead dog laying on the table.  So now making my puppy scared enough to bite and snap, I am done.
  Here's a picture of the vicious little ankle biter during the shameful tshirt recovery stage. 

• Foster/Adoption updates.  We are about half way through our paperwork process.  From what I'm told, our referral people got letters and at least half were mailed in already.  I have 1 more background check to complete, and a few little things to finish up.  We have 1 out of 2 group training sessions tomorrow, next one will be next week.  I have to read and write an essay on 2 books about parenting special needs kids.  I started the first.  I think everything should be submitted to the agency by this point in March. 

• I had another conference with school.  I'm still not happy with how this year has turned out, and not happy with the progress.  They want to blow it off as no big deal because he's way advanced in his grade level.  Yes, he is advanced.  Yes, he's paassing everything with no problems.  BUT.  Last year he was at an end of first grade reading level.  Comprehension was right along with it.  He was a little nervous when answering the questions, and did not want to get them wrong.  Probably because he was a kindergartener moved into a high level first grade group, and probably scared of looking like a baby.  When he did answer, it was when he knew it was right.  This year, she said his confidence has improved.  But, his reading level is the same as it was last year.  When we go to the library, he picks books that are way past his reading level, reads them and can do online tests getting most of the questions right.  It depends on how long it takes him to read it, and he has a problem with trying to read several books at once.  So info isn't sticking the way it would if he reads just one at a time.  Again, he's reading those books just for fun, not for school, so I let him do what he wants with it. 
  But anyway, there has not been much change at all in reading levels since spring.  He should be moving up just the same as all those kids who are in 2nd grade this year, are doing.  So I feel that making him stay there just because of the writing was wrong and has slowed him down.  He no longer has that spark about reading anymore.  They've taken it away from him.
  Math has been fine.  He's still into multiplication, and doing well.  For the entire school year they put him at a 99% on that.  His report card and tests they do each marking period are all advanced.  I love that he doesn't have to struggle with it, but it really frustrates me to see him slowing down.  It should not be that way.  It would be different if he was super happy and loved school still.  He goes without the tears we had earlier in the year, but he's so excited for days off and weekends.  Sunday nights he is a bit annoyed knowing that the next morning, he's back to it all. 
  
  That's all I have time to update with today.  Overall, things have been crazy busy around here.  As usual.

Spay...

Did you know...Roxie's 6 months old already!  Tonight, I'm dropping her off at the vet.  First thing tomorrow, she's #1 on the list for surgery.  I'm really nervous.  She's a lot smaller than Zoey was when she got fixed.  She's also going to be staying overnight 2 nights, which Zoey didn't stay at all.  I worry that she will be lonely and confused tonight when I drop her off (at 5pm) and cry a lot.  I know tomorrow she should be pretty well drugged and not have a chance to really care that she's not home.  I can not wait for it to be over, and know she made it through just fine, and to have her back home. 

And I think another really hard of this is going to be the fact I drop her off.  I still get that image of Zoey laying on that table, dead, every single time I walk in that place.  It's too soon for me to do this, but I think we're getting close to her going in heat and I definitely want to avoid that.  So, I'll be strong while in there, and probably cry the whole way home. 

Here's a new pic since I suck at updating stuff on here.