One More Time For the Record

I had to have a conversation with the little man's mother about what we are doing and why. She wasn't so much confused as misinformed. Seems someone told her that we were taking foster classes so we could adopt the little man and we were doing all of this behind her back (interesting reuse of words there) to take him away from her. Okay..we can't take him away from her because the state of WA already did. And we haven't done anything behind her back. All of our friends and most of our family know what we are doing and why, but here it is one more time for the record.
Little man was born on a Tuesday. On Friday we got a call and a visit from Jennifer with CPS. She wanted to know if we would take in the little man whether he was our child's son or not. We hadn't ever talked about that possibility, but decided that yes we would. Then she asked if adoption became an option would we be willing to do that. Wow. Hadn't thought of that angle at all. Remember when he was born we thought he was going to an adoptive family, but that didn't work out. So we again said yes, but that isn't something to think about now, just as a possibility. She then suggested that even though we were getting a family placement that we should consider getting licensed as his foster parents. It opens up more resources for us and the little man. And he may need them.
We then spent the next three weeks visiting him at the hospital and trying to get Audrie ready for the transition. He came home and we worked on the transition and change it made for all of us. Once settled we decided it was time to pursue the fostering. So we signed up for the classes and started the process. It is very similar to the process we are still working on for family placement, but more so. There are like levels. Foster is above home placement. Adoption is above foster. It is a lot of work and a lot of paperwork for us and our family and references. We took this all on for the little man and what is best for him. That said we have been given suggestions along the way that would make it easier for adoption if that ever becomes an option. And it may. Or it may not. It is way too soon to be worrying about that other than the things we do now that would help now and then.
I'm glad that the little man's mother had the intelligence to ask us rather than just believe what she was told. She agreed that what we are doing is good and for the little man. He needs the resources.
So jumping ahead. We got our TB tests and we are negative. Big surprise. Got our fingerprints ran again for a bigger better background check. Our references have again received paperwork to fill out. Classes start tomorrow. The house is almost ready for the new home study. Whew.