We are finally getting children!!

[Versailles]

After 2 years of bitter disappointments dealing with adoptions through DSS, we just found out Tuesday that we've been chosen for a family of 3! We were/are over the moon that we finally will be getting our family! We were expecting some more of the drawn out process that seems to pervade the DSS system, but then we found out that they want the children in our home as a foster to adopt situation IMMEDIATELY.

HOLY COW!

From a nice quiet life with my wife, 2 dogs, and cats to an instant full family!

I just need to shout it from the rooftops so thanks for indulging my delirious happiness!

[Orrex]

1. Congratulations! Get some sleep!

[Versailles]

3. Everyone keeps saying that...

3 kids at once? Nah, won't disrupt the sleep patterns at all!!!!

[shenmue]

2. Congratulations!

Wish you much happiness.

[Versailles]

4. Thanks so much!

We are so excited to FINALLY be moving forward...and only about 2 weeks from my birthday too! Happy birthday to me!!!!!

[hedgehog]

5. Congratulatons and God Bless!

[Sanity Claws]

6. Congratulations!

Your bathroom will never be vacant again!

[Versailles]

8. Funny thing....

We actually just started a renovation of our bathroom to expand it a couple weeks ago...thankfully we have 2! But until the renovation is finished it's gonna be tight!!!!

[Chan790]

7. Congrats! How old?

Not you...the kids. It's an adventure regardless but I can't decide which would be more harrowing...3 infants or 3 teenagers.

[Versailles]

9. Unfortunately because we are foster to adopt

I can't share too specific of details. They are all under 8 though! As soon as we are fully finalized I will be screaming it from the rooftops and telling our whole adoption story!!! I just couldn't contain my excitement!!!

[Arugula Latte]

23. Congrats! Are you allowed to tell us the genders

e.g. two girls and a boy or whatever the mix is?

[Vincardog]

10. Congratulations and best wishes

[mountain grammy]

11. Wishing the best for you, your wife, 2 dogs and cats

and, of course, the three lucky kids coming into your lives. May you all live happily ever after!

[oldandhappy]

12. Super Excellent Wonderful

Thrilled for you. Zowie, three at once. Very happy for you. Sending huge grins. I am guessing the three are siblings. I think it is great that they can be together in their new forever family. Best Best Best of everything.

[Throd]

13. Great! Glad you stuck it out.

[Xyzse]

14. Congratulations!!!

Have fun now... Squeeze as much fun as you can out of now.
You'll have tons of fun with them, but seriously, do what you can now that involves staying up late and relaxing...

This is going to be one wild ride.

[panader0]

15. I am very impressed.

It's not easy, and it's not cheap.
I was a single dad with three, the oldest was four when I became a single dad.
It was a rough go, but they never gave me any real trouble, two daughters in college (on scholarship) and son making big bucks on the
North Slope at age 21.
Congratulations! Keep us all informed....

[rurallib]

16. be careful what you wish for

heartiest congratulations and my wishes for as smooth of a life as possible.

As the third of three, let me just remind not to forget that 3rd one someplace. It happens.

[Versailles]

21. Oh no!!!

Never will happen....I hope! I'm already having to curb the overprotective dad instincts!

[onecaliberal]

17. Congratulations

Very happy for you and your wife.

[handmade34]

18. Awesome!

enjoy every moment and take time to breathe...

I had my own kids and took in teenagers needing respite (also women needing shelter) I would do it all over again (would continue if I were able- work takes me away from home now)

there is NOTHING like a houseful when there is true respect and love...

[jwirr]

19. Congrats. We have a lot of children who need help.

[bigwillq]

20. That's great!

Congrats!

[Raffi Ella]

22. oh wow! How exciting and wonderful for all involved!

I'm so happy for you, Congratulations!

[marzipanni]

24. Happy for you and your wife, and the three children!

I have a little suggestion. Ask the oldest child to help you with the dogs. Kids around 7-8 can give the dogs exercise playing in the yard, feed them and make sure water bowls are full, and give dogs pats and attention that the dogs will appreciate (dogs might be bent out of shape that they aren't the 'only children' anymore ) To be needed and loved will help that child immensely, and they'll be learning to trust your care as you teach them how you care for your animals.

[Versailles]

34. Great advice!

And one that was already planned. Both my wife and I are educators (me formerly, she still active!) and we know how important it is for the kids, both the 2 and 4 legged ones, to know that we respect and love them through consistent and positive reinforcement. I'm a huge believer in the Love and Logic methods. I used them in my classroom with great success and hope I will find the theories as useful in the home!

Thanks for the great suggestion and well wishes!

[winter is coming]

25. Congratulations! Hope the transition for all of you isn't too bumpy.

[TBF]

26. Awesome!

I had a friend who tried a couple of times (female, single, high income) and the babies were pulled back. Then a 6-yr old girl became available and she was able to keep her - formally adopted her last year. I hope your transition is smooth!

[TuxedoKat]

27. Wow! Congratulations!

Hope all goes well with the adoptions and that you have lots of support.

[Wait Wut]

28. From the heart of someone that is nonreligious...

...bless you and your family. Your post brought tears to my eyes.

There are so many children out there that need safe, loving and stable homes. Too many people want babies, not enough will take the chance on an older child. You've taken on that task three-fold.

Thank you for believing in them. I'm in awe of you.

[Versailles]

35. Wow...thank you sooo much.

We are also non-religious and we actually worried that that aspect would hinder us in the bible belt. It is also one reason why we decided not to go the private adoption route. Too many of those private agencies make you take religious pledges to indoctrinate the children to their particular beliefs. While we could have lied and just signed the pledge, we didn't feel that was fair to anyone involved. By going the DSS route, we saved a ton of money AND there aren't those stipulations! The drawback of course is fewer young children options (like you said, many people, and we were one of them at first, just want babies) and the intrusion into your life. DSS has to come and inspect EVERYTHING. They actually held us up for a few months because we had some lead paint in our 1950s built house.

Thank you for your very kind words and I will make sure to keep everyone here updated as we move forward!

[Wait Wut]

38. I'm always on the fence with adoption.

There are times when I think it should be so much easier and less expensive. Other times, I think it should be more strict (but, still less expensive). It all depends on the individual case. I see so many people wanting to adopt that fight for years only to be shut down in the process. They become weary and disillusioned. A lot of potential loving and supportive parents lost to red tape and judgmental tools.

I'm glad you got that lead paint thing taken care of, though.

And, please do keep us updated!

[RebelOne]

29. Congratulations on your new family.

My daughter and her husband fostered 2 little abused girls. They finally adopted them. The girls are now grown, married and are mothers themselves.

[Squinch]

30. How great that the three of them will all be together, with you and your wife who

so want them!

As one of a family with many adopted members, I can say it is an enormous gift to those who are adopted and probably a more enormous gift to those who adopt.

All the best to all of you.

[Rowdyboy]

31. What wonderful news! My younger brother and his wife had EXACTLY the same thing happen

3 1/2 years ago and my new nieces and nephew have been an incredible joy to us all. I am so incredibly happy for you!

[kwassa]

32. The very best to you. We adopted ...

a domestic adoption. I couldn't ask for more in a daughter. She is just fabulous, and the greatest joy in our house.

I have to go now, to take her to a track practice. She loves to run.

[Tsiyu]

33. How wonderful!

triplets! at least, it may feel like that at first!

I am happy for you, and happy that three siblings will be kept together.

they may take a while to adjust and to trust, and it won't be easy, but the time you spend with them will be the best part of your life.

And it FLIES by, except you don't feel that way in the midst of it!

to you and your happy family.

[Versailles]

36. Thank you all!

Thanks everyone who replied to the thread! I am just so giddy from the support of our "rel-life" friends who are just dumping tons of supplies on us from beds, to furniture, to clothing...it's overwhelming. And then to hop on here tonight and read all these wonderful words of support, encouragement, and well wishes just makes me that much more giddy!

I've took part of today off and tomorrow to get the house ready for this sudden change! I spent today moving my office to my my new desk in the corner of the living room. The old office will become the shared bedroom for two of the kids. Tomorrow will be finishing up the office and getting our spare room cleaned out! So much work to do but oh so worth it!!!!

Again thank you all for your amazing comments!

[archiemo]

37. Congratulations!!! Enjoy the ride!!!!!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

39. Congratulations! So happy for ALL of you. Can't wait to hear the rest of the story

and I hope it is a Picture Story ... I like those best of all.

so happy for you and your wife and your pets and Your KIDS < ---- me doing my happy dance.

[irisblue]

40. K&R

mazel tov! may there be much laughter, may there be few tears! may the kids love the dogs & vice versa for the dogs