After resurrecting thousands of archived posts back into the blog earlier this evening, it occurred to me that I can finally re-tell our adoption journey once more. Recent readers have no idea how far back this blog goes, or how much I recorded along the way. I guess I did it because I knew I would forget how we felt - our worries, our concerns, or even who we used to be. I also wanted something the children could look back on, and learn about who we were - how excited we were, and what we had to go through.
With a little luck the following record will be a treasure trove to the girls when they grow up.
You never know - a publisher might see this and invite me to turn it into a book
The Journey Towards Adoption * Everything Changes [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2006/10/21/everything-changes-2/] - where I explain the cessation of various online activities that had been filling my time in pursuit of having a family. * The Adoption Process Continues [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2007/01/14/the-adoption-process-continues/] - the first real post discussing the journey we were quietly progressing along. * Adoption [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2007/02/13/adoption/] - a falling down moment while stalled in the adoption process for several months. * First Ever Medical [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2007/09/03/first-ever-medical/] - proving that I’m not going to drop down dead any time soon as a precursor to being considered for adoption. * Eve of the Adoption Review Panel [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2007/09/27/eve-of-adoption-review-panel/] - the title says it all. * Approved to Adopt Children [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2007/09/28/approved-to-adopt-children/] - reflecting on the experiences, and celebrating just a bit. * An Awfully Big Adventure [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/an-awfully-big-adventure-2/] - letting the cat out of the bag about our prospective children. * A Lull in the Adoption Journey [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2007/10/22/a-lull-in-adoption-journey/] - written in the run-up to the Matching Panel. * Just a few words [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2007/11/13/just-few-words/] - another “in limbo” post in the weeks before the Matching Panel. * The Week in One Post [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2007/11/24/the-week-in-one-pos/] - discovering the state would pay me to have several months off work to aid attachment with the children. * The Adventure Starts Here [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/01/25/the-adventure-starts-here/] - leaving work for several months off.
The First Two Weeks * Learning to be called Daddy [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/01/28/learning-to-be-called/] - the day we met the children for the first time. * Day Two - We’re Still Standing [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/day-two-we-still-standing/] - visiting schools, saying goodbye to friends. * Day Three - a Trip to the Farm [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/day-three-trip-to-far/] - an unplanned day trip out on our own with the children. * Day Four - Rainy Day Indoors [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/01/31/day-four-rainy-day-indoors/] - the rain poured, and the tantrums and tears began. * Day Five - Discovering the New House [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/01/day-five-discovering-new-house/] - visiting our house for the first time. * Day Six - Slowing Everything Down [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/02/day-six-slowing-everything-down/] - an entire day in new surroundings, letting the children explore and find their own way. * Day Seven - the Eve of Yet Another Decision [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/03/day-seven-eve-of-yet-another-decision/] - half a day off while the children say goodbye to their foster family and friends. * Day Eight - Ends and Beginnings [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/04/day-eight-ends-and-beginnings/] - a review with the social workers, a little taken aback at our progress. * Day Nine - Not Taking Them Back [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/05/day-nine-not-taking-them-back/] - the day we picked them up from the foster carer and didn’t return at bedtime. * Day Ten - Turning the Schedule Around [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/day-ten-turning-schedule-around/] - starting to build new rules, and a new life together - building “normal”. * Day Eleven - The Food Fight Starts [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/07/day-eleven-food-fight-starts/] - the first real attempts to manipulate us. * Day Twelve - A Walk in the Woods [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/day-twelve-walk-in-woods/] - lifetime first for all the children - a walk in the woods, exploring nature and getting muddy. * Day Thirteen - Winning and Losing [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/09/day-thirteen-winning-and-losing/] - new friends, tantrums, no pudding, and being sent to bed early. * Day Fourteen - Meeting Nan and Grandad [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/day-fourteen-meeting-nan-and-grandad/] - suddenly the girls realise they are now part of a much bigger family. * Resuming Normal Blogging Service [https://strangecodex.wordpress.com/2008/02/11/resuming-normal-blogging-service/] - taking stock, stepping back, and attempting a return to normality.