It really is rocket science.

The comment is made so often that the clearance process I help people with really isn't rocket science...or maybe it is.  I guess that makes me a rocket scientist!  Well, at least for Halloween.  :)

Clipboard: "Oh no! It was rocket science."

 And in case you were wondering, there are pencils and a pen in my hair and my "badge" says "NASA Rocket Scientist."  I think I'm going to leave it on there.

A Big Decision

So...I have a big decision to make.  I plan to sleep on it again tonight.  My LFS guy found out about a little girl in Lincoln who is in need of permanent placement.  She is 11 and loves, loves, loves to sing.  She also really enjoys spending time with younger children.  She does have some rather intense emotional needs, but they sound like more extreme versions of things I've dealt with myself, so I might be able to help more than some others.  I talked with her case worker (who called me twice yesterday) and we had a good conversation.  She is waiting for me to say yay or nay to meeting this little girl.  Everyone seems to be pretty excited about the prospect of this being a good matching.  So I've been praying since yesterday afternoon for the necessary guidance to decide what the correct choice happens to be...and I'm leaning toward yes.

I got my way.

I got my way and LFS guy sent me my home study.  I told him the next day that they should never use again the woman who did mine because there were things that were flat out wrong.  It was mostly health stuff.  He said he would talk to his boss to see what there was we needed or should do.  According to the home study, the only weaknesses I have are being single and being "intolerant of clutter."  ...Obviously no one's been to my home lately.  I have a lot of cleaning up to do before folks come over for the football game Saturday.  Intolerant my *bleep*.  Oh well.  If that's the worst they have to say about me, I think I'm in pretty good shape.  :)

If I checked my email first...

I would have seen I already had an email from LFS guy.  He tried to explain the process to me.  Apparently he thinks I don't understand how this works.  (That inspires confidence.)  Then he wrote that he'd ask his boss about what can be done "to release that information."  So I responded that not letting me see my own home study would be like my physician not letting me see my own medical records.  I'm sure he'll be happy to see that email Monday, but I'm irritated.  It's never wise for anyone to talk to me (or write) as if I'm ignorant - never.

The answer was 'no.'

Received a very polite "no" regarding the most recent inquiry.  I promptly decided I'd had enough of not knowing what these people were receiving from people who don't know me, so I straight away told my LFS guy I want a copy of my home study.  I haven't heard back from him.

Concert/Celebration/Festival Sunday

Sunday (the 27th) is Reformation Sunday (a Sunday in the church year I affectionately refer to as "Happy Lutheran Day").  We will have some special music at church for the traditional service at 8:00.  At 5:00 there is a "Reformation Festival" at Redeemer Lutheran Church which involves the Lincoln Lutheran Choir.  We are singing two special pieces which will also be at our concert next month.  There will be other music as well which is apparently going to be a surprise reserved for 4:00 Sunday when we get to the pre-festival rehearsal.  I'm sure there will be some most excellent "A Mighty Fortress" singing!
After the concert-thing there is a German meal (sausage, sauerkraut, etc) with entertainment by a polka and "oom-pah-pah" band.  Should be lots of fun.  I am looking forward to it.

Another Inquiry Made

This morning I sent another inquiry.  This one is about an 11-year-old in Nebraska.  The caseworker requested my home study at the end of the day.  The email and release form have been sent, so hopefully my LFS guy will be sending the home study off to her first thing in the morning.

I am nervous about this "strangers informing strangers" and strangers passing judgment on me when it comes to something so incredibly important and life-changing.  I'm used to having a lot more control over things around me.  Tacking on the increased stress at work makes me very desperate for a vacation...or a good, solid nap.

Special Times

This year I wasn't able to attend Nikki's nor Ivy's birthday parties, so instead I took each of them out for some one-on-one time with Auntie.

Nikki and I went to lunch at a place of her choice.

Then we went shopping at the craft store (Michael's) where she helped me spend money on stickers, fake flowers, and more.  Last we went to a movie theater with big cushy chairs that recline where we saw "Monsters University."

Ivy and I did things a little different because I had that adoption thing in the early afternoon.  So first she and I went to the craft store where she helped me spend money on stickers, fake flowers, and more.  Then we drove down to the Omaha Children's Museum for a "Pirate Adventure."  We played outside while waiting for the doors to open.

The adventure consisted of playing games, eating pizza, making a pirate hat, learning about pirates, singing a pirate song and going on a treasure hunt...Well, she did all those things.  I followed along taking pictures and carrying our stuff.

 

Since I had a picture of Nikki and I together on her birthday date, I figured I needed a picture of me with Ivy, too, even though our day was done and we both look a little on the worn side.

 



I think this could be a fun tradition...or just something that needs to be done regularly.

About Saturday's Event

To satisfy the curiosity of those who are wondering about Saturday's adoption event thing...

(By the way, I have no technical term for it.  I don't think they really do either or maybe I would know what to call those two hours I spent in Omaha the other day.)

It was...different.  I got a couple good craft ideas from it...which was so not the purpose for being there.  There was the usual food I couldn't eat.  I was the only single non-staff-member there.  Culturally the room was split about 50/50 give or take.  At the same time, however, it was culturally lopsided.  Most of the children there who are waiting for parents are African American or Latin.  Most of the adults there waiting for children are Caucasian (of the non-Latin variety).  I helped a little boy with sticky fingers get his fingers un-sticky and play Bingo.  He was positive every play was a Bingo.  One of the adoption recruiters had been one of the trainers when I did my foster parent training back in February and March.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover she remembered me - not just my face but also my name.  Before I left, she made a point to tell me that she was always thinking about me and that her silence was not from having forgotten me but that she didn't "have anyone" for me "right now."

So, nothing spectacular, certainly some interesting people...and craft ideas.  :)

An Update to the Last Update

Meant to write this yesterday or the day before (whenever it was), but time seemed to get away from me again.  Heard from Michigan.  They aren't saying "no," but they are saying there's a preference for placement with a family closer to where she lives now.  In other words, I'd be a last resort.  And that's fine.

I am currently weighing the idea of submitting an inquiry regarding a young lady who is in Nebraska somewhere.  She's seventeen.  I'm kind of waiting to see how the meet & greet thing goes on Saturday.

Finally a Little Update

Here's where things stand as of today...

Iowa: My LFS guy sent an email to follow up but hasn't heard back.  (He doesn't seem to have any real hope there.)

New!
Michigan: Over the weekend, I submitted an inquiry regarding a 10-year-old girl.  This morning I discovered that yesterday her picture had been updated and a response to my inquiry had been left on the website yesterday.  Her caseworker has requested a copy of my home study (among a couple other related documents), so I let LFS guy know and this afternoon my information should have been in the proper hands.

And that's how it goes again - hurry up and wait.  We'll see if I have anything to post sooner than there has been with regards to Iowa.

This coming Saturday I will be in Omaha for the "Bringing Children and Families Together event."  In other words, for a couple hours I will wear a name tag, play games, do crafts, chat with people and then flee from the awkwardness of being the only single person there.  (That's an assumption, of course, but it's a pretty safe one.)  I will write a post to let everyone know how that goes.