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....