Thus Says Suzanne...

farmer's market

We have a weekly farmer's market here in town.  The youngster and I went last night and this was our haul.  I had read about the olive oil in the paper a few years ago.  The oil is currently judged fourth best in the world. 

the real deal

Things have been crazy lately in terms of scheduling, even crazier than usual.  After signing the adoption placement papers on Monday I didn't give much thought to how it would affect our schedule.

My foster agency social worker called me earlier today to ask if I still wanted to have our weekly meeting.  I'm thinking yes, of course.  She agreed that would be fine, and then went on to tell me it would be our last one because the youngster is no longer part of the foster care system.  Wasn't expecting that.  She's been my security blanket and I will miss our Wednesday meetings.

We're losing behavioral therapy services (long story, and if I think about it right now I'll get angry all over again) on Tuesday so that drops another three appointments a week. 

I'm starting to think that after more than two and a half years of truly intense scheduling I might actually have a chance at a personal life again.

preadoptive placement

Yesterday I signed the paperwork that changes the youngster's status from foster placement to a preadoptive placement.  Around the middle of July I have another meeting with our adoptions worker and at that time she should have the finalization date. 

We're looking at a finalization date (we think) at around the end of July, first part of August. 

back to one

As of Wednesday evening I am back down to one child.  There are very, very, very good reasons for this.

On Monday morning I get the full disclosure on the youngster's life so far, and I then sign adoption placement papers.  After that there will be a post-placement visit, and my social worker from the state adoptions unit will schedule a court date with the judge to finalize the adoption.  The youngster should have her new forever last name by the time school resumes in the fall.

I will not be taking any more foster placements.  I will not try to adopt a second child.

last day of school

Today is the last day of school for the girls.  When they come home they'll both be fourth graders.  I plan to do a home version of summer school this year.  If you have any great ideas of things they can work on while I'm working I'd love to hear about them.  (Anything that keeps them separated, without laying eyes on each other or requiring that they speak to each other would be particularly welcome.)