Adopting THREE through DHS (Noble: houses, to live, military)

[tookey]

Doglover I meant to say this back when you first posted your good news. Hope it is not too late congratulations on the wonderful new additions to your family. I think it is truly wonderful that people like you are willing and able to provide a home, lots of love and a bright future. If more people would or could do the same thing our future generations might just have a chance.

[Summering]

Best Wishes and Joy to the new family........
Just like all families there will be ups and downs.......May the "UPS" .......be the best of all times.
The joys be so strong that it makes up for the little downers......
A whole new family. You all are very blessed.

[DogLover99]

My brother has a condo in Steamboat Springs so we took 'em skiing (first time for them!).

Two days of ski school and they're naturals!

They'd never seen the mountains or even out of Oklahoma. We even got to learn how to read a map! What a blast.

We just started school, so this is a whole new chapter for them!

Pray hard and often!!!

[405travelgirl]

God bless you & your husband, opening your hearts & home to those 3 children is beyond generous, I don't even know what to say but thank you!

[DogLover99]

I believe there's a calling here to teach young women (especially) about parenting and choices.

In our classes, we saw many older people working to certifiy themselves to be able to raise their grandchildren. One couple had 4 or 5 of their grandchildren and were wondering what to do with the next one already on the way.

I wish these parents could see the hurt they cause their children. In our case, it was mainly neglect (food, attention). In many others it was worse. These kids mother has conceived/had another baby since ours were removed from her. We haven't told them (maybe around 18). Can you imagine the way these kids would feel? Why did mom have another baby when we're right here?

Breaks my heart. That and the mother has two being raised by a grandmother, our three removed and adopted, and another one that DHS is after. I'd love to see the state slap a support fee onto everyone of these people.

Foster kids take money - fosters are paid, clothing is provided, you and I pay for their Soonercare coverage. And the parents gallop off to create more problems. Sorry, it *****es me off. I realize she's lost her kids, but she had one year to try and get them back. Didn't lift a finger, but could lay down and make a new one.

Boy, that was a rant! Thank goodness we focus on the good stuff, but seems like I'd better do a little work on that anger!

[tookey]

Originally Posted by DogLover99

I believe there's a calling here to teach young women (especially) about parenting and choices.

In our classes, we saw many older people working to certifiy themselves to be able to raise their grandchildren. One couple had 4 or 5 of their grandchildren and were wondering what to do with the next one already on the way.

I wish these parents could see the hurt they cause their children. In our case, it was mainly neglect (food, attention). In many others it was worse. These kids mother has conceived/had another baby since ours were removed from her. We haven't told them (maybe around 18). Can you imagine the way these kids would feel? Why did mom have another baby when we're right here?

Breaks my heart. That and the mother has two being raised by a grandmother, our three removed and adopted, and another one that DHS is after. I'd love to see the state slap a support fee onto everyone of these people.

Foster kids take money - fosters are paid, clothing is provided, you and I pay for their Soonercare coverage. And the parents gallop off to create more problems. Sorry, it *****es me off. I realize she's lost her kids, but she had one year to try and get them back. Didn't lift a finger, but could lay down and make a new one.

Boy, that was a rant! Thank goodness we focus on the good stuff, but seems like I'd better do a little work on that anger!

Doglover you are completely entitled to your feelings and anger over the situation I don't have kids but I have seen the same thing time and time again and I also get angry about the same situation. A couple of people that I used to work with were trying to raise their grandchildren the mothers of these kids did nothing to get their children back and nothing to contribute to the care of their existing children yet they got preggers AGAIN. I also agree about the education to young people on the choices they make. Just be assured that the children that are now in your loving care are in a much better place. Thank God for people like you that have the courage of their convictions to step up and take care of these precious children. I have always said this before and I will say it again I do not mind one little bit that my money goes for foster care if the children are living in a clean, safe and loving environment. It's the people that keep having kids just to get that monthly check and do nothing to improve their situation that gets my dander up. You are to be honored for giving your lives and home to these children and believe me they will thank you for it as I do.

[DogLover99]

I haven't said thank you all for the kind words of support.

I don't think we're anything special, in fact with all of the adapting going on here, I think we're a bit nuts.

Three was a bit much. Really, in our fantasy, it was two. With straight As, straight teeth, and bachelor degrees. But we tried very hard to keep our 'will' out of the process. It was hard, but we felt God (or whatever/whoever you're comfy with) was in charge and we'd let go. Usually when we get involved, we screw things up!

In keeping with the nuts theme, why in the world would two 40 somethings with great jobs, a great home, and basically great lives go and add three kids to the mix?! I've quit working so, for the first time ever, I'm a housewife. We can't take off and go when we feel like it anymore. Air travel is prohibitive (multiply any airfare by 5!). I'm cooking most meals, so food cost is down. Power is up, water use is WAY up! Free time is GONE!

So I tell everyone to wait for a year before saying we're great. Just pray for a while in between!

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by DogLover99

In keeping with the nuts theme, why in the world would two 40 somethings with great jobs, a great home, and basically great lives go and add three kids to the mix?! I've quit working so, for the first time ever, I'm a housewife. We can't take off and go when we feel like it anymore. Air travel is prohibitive (multiply any airfare by 5!). I'm cooking most meals, so food cost is down. Power is up, water use is WAY up! Free time is GONE!

Sounds like more fun than any two (or is it five) should have.............congratulations

[Jammie]

Doglover, I hope karma kicks in and you'll be rewarded well for your sacrifices and I hope it happens in this world yet. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they want to spend the holidays with you and want to be in your lives when they're grown and have families of their own? Hopefully they'll be good souls and will some day realize what all you sacrificed for them.

Honestly, you and your husband DO deserve a lot of credit now. A LOT of people couldn't do what you're doing and I'm one of them. I'm a bit older then you are, but being responsible for three children would make me pull my hair out. (And I adore kids, by the way~as long as someone else is responsible for them. ) But we'll definitely keep you and your family in our prayers and you can use my shoulder any time if you need some adult company. I'm just a DM away.

[angelsteps51]

Can you give me some info? We just applied through DHS. We want a girl between the ages of 2-6. Some people have told me this is a waste of time, as many are reuinited with family, and the rest are mostly adopted by the foster parents. No one through DHS will give me any stats...number of adoptions per year, ages of adopted children, etc.

Leisha