Update!!!! Almost 1 year home & finalized

[leahcar]

I posted here when we were in our search for a child through straight adoption from the foster care system.  We were matched with our daughter in Nov. 2009.  She was in Texas, we are in Florida. She was 9 and been in foster care sice age 4.  TPR completed years ago.   ICPC was TORTURE.  We weren't allowed any contact with her until it cleared.  Finally, we got to fly to Texas to meet her in May and brought her home with us for good tha same week.  So we're at 10 months home now.  We finalized November, 2010.  She has lots of baggage, issues and behavior that come along with a traumatized child, but she wants to do well and be happy.  She is attached.  We are so smitten with her.  Life is not easy, but it is good.  I've started blogging about our world at www.teamcrazycakes.blogspot.com.  Follow me if you want a glimpse of day to day life in an older child adoption.  We've definately learned they call older child adoption "special needs" for a reason!  Older child adoption isn't for everyone, I understand, but if you even have the slightest pull at your heart, please follow it!  We haven't regretted it for a second.

[alwayslearning66]

Congrats! We have friends that did that, a 2, 5 and 7 year old sibling set. They've been through their ups and downs, but now 10 years later are doing AMAZINGLY well. They made use of every possible resource and moved several states away to be closer to  family that helps. Best of luck in the coming years!

[leahcar]

Yes, knowing what resources are available is so important in being successful!   We don't have any attachment therapists in our area, which I knew going in.  Knowing what you don't have available is just as important so you can come up with a backup plan (for us, that has meant TONS of reading, research and using online supports and resources).