April

- Had a phone call from our social worker on 2nd regarding potential parents for H+2. They were advised of a couple living nearer the children who have just been approved for 3 children aged 6 and under. As they are closer to the children and are more likely to be able to provide a better cultural reflection of their birth family, they have decided to put us (and the other couple) on hold for now until they can meet up with this new couple.
- We have now been advised that they are going to go with the other couple so that's it for those children.
- We are thinking about the other set of children (S+2) and what we can do to progress those. Our social worker has still had no contact from their social workers.
- We have now had contact from S+2's social workers, who is now on holiday for two weeks!
- Social workers from a place called 'N' have a sibling group of three in mind for us. They are carrying out a sibling assessment to see if all three should be adopted together. This assessment will take six or so weeks, so they are very much on the back burner.
- Social workers from a place called 'L' have a sibling group of three who are all under 4! The oldest had suffered an incident at 4 or 6 months, then at 3 and 1 the oldest two were taken into care. The youngest has been in care since birth. As it stands, we are the only couple being looked at - but as we know from bitter experience this means diddly squat!

21-Apr to 27-Apr

This week's update:

- We are still awaiting a phone call about three sibling groups that our social worker is working on. The info given to date is a bit sketchy on the first two:

- Social workers from a place called 'N' have a sibling group of three in mind for us. We have seen no paperwork so don't know if they are what we are looking for. They are carrying out a sibling assessment to see if all three should be adopted together. They have concerns about the middle child suffering from 'middle-child syndrome' so it's not cut and dried. This assessment will take six or so weeks, so they are very much on the back burner.

- Social workers from a place called 'L' have a sibling group of three who are all under 4! The oldest had suffered an incident at 4 or 6 months, then at 3 and 1 the oldest two were taken into care. The youngest has been in care since birth. As it stands, we are the only couple being looked at - but as we know from bitter experience this means diddly squat!

- If you cast your mind all the way back to our update of '17-Mar to 23-Mar' we mentioned S and 2 siblings. We had and read their paperwork and are still happy to go ahead with them. Our social worker has finally had contact from their social worker, who is now on a two week holiday.... (Grrr...) The good news is they have had and are reading our paperwork, so we are still in the running. I said at the time that this group are ruling my heart, so they are my faves - until we read the profiles of the others that is!

- G&F are planning a house conversion and are raring to go, their social worker is starting family-finding for them.

- R&A are preparing for their little girl's homecoming tomorrow (Wednesday) :)

Home and garden update:

- Mary is interviewing a 4th cleaning company tomorrow. I really don't know what to expect this time!

Car update:

- We are spending the last few months making the most of Mary's car; Mungo's car to stay with us.

- There is a car that is still hot fave with us. We still have to get Mary's cherished number plate on retention as soon as we make any decisions.

To do list:

- Cupboard safety catches for kitchen; to be done when we are matched and before introductions. They are now purchased and sitting in a drawer awaiting attachment.

- Blinds to be put up in kitchen and dining room. they are sitting in the kitchen waiting to be put up.

Studying update:

- Mary has yet to start her fourth assignment (of 10) on the course Childcare, Learning and Development, NVQ Level 3.

- Mungo: T175 (Networked Living)... just submitted 4th assignment, 1 left to go then the course is done (end-May) ... and M255 (Java Programming) first assignment submitted, no result yet, course finishes October.

14-Apr to 20-Apr

This weeks events:
- We are still awaiting a phone call about H+2. We hope to hear by the end of the week. Neither of us are expecting good news :(
- R&A start their introductions on Thursday, yay! Oops that should say Wednesday, got the date wrong.
- Okay so here's the news we were expecting but not wanting. Our social worker rang today (17th) to say the children H+2's social workers will be going with the third couple :(
- As one door closes, another one opens. Our social worker also told us about three other sibling groups that she is working on. No firm details yet, but as soon as we hear anything I'll update here.
- Went round to R&A's house for celebratory drinks, their little one is coming home to stay next Wednesday! How quick is that? They are beaming :) They showed us some photos and talked about their last few 'whirlwind' days. We shall be learning from them now!

Home and garden update:
- We had a phone call from the potential cleaner at the weekend, she has decided she has enough jobs already so cancelled coming round Monday (14th). This leaves us without a cleaner again! What does it take? I thought people would be snapping up work, not turning it down. Are we still in that recession or did it pass me by already???

Car update:
- We are spending the last few months making the most of Mary's car; Mungo's car to stay with us.
- There is one ccar that is still hot fave with us. We still have to get Mary's cherished number plate on retention as soon as we make any decisions.

To do list:
- Cupboard safety catches for kitchen; to be done when we are matched and before introductions. They are now purchased and sitting in a drawer awaiting attachment.
- Blinds to be put up in kitchen and dining room. they are sitting in the kitchen waiting to be put up.

Studying update:
- Mary has passed her 3rd assignment with another A - Distinction. That's now three out of three! She has yet to start her fourth assignment.
- Mungo has one assignment to do before he finishes his latest course.

7-Apr to 13-Apr

This weeks events:
- The news we have been waiting for - G&F were approved!! Fabulous news, you two. We are very happy and proud of you two. What a day for news that Friday was!
- R&A are rocking and rolling - they start their intros with their little one on the 16th, I believe! Whoosh! We are so thrilled for you two. It also reminds us that is does happen!
- We had a phone call from our social worker a few days ago to see how we are doing. No news from her end, she said we should expect to hear from the social workers about H+2 by 17th. So it goes quiet again and we are left waiting, again!

Home and garden update:
- Mungo was recommended a cleaner that a friend of his uses. She is supposed to be quite good. She is coming round on Monday with a view to starting on Tuesday. I don't know how much she charges or anything, though. Let's hope that she is not only as good as our last cleaner, but also that she is reliable too!

Car update:
- We are spending the last few months making the most of Mary's car; Mungo's car to stay with us.
- There is one car that is still hot fave with us.
- We have been mulling over the thought of selling my car now and banking the money until it's needed, but it's just too hard :( With the warmer months coming up and an unknown deadline we are really putting it off. We do need to get Mary's cherished number plate on retention as soon as we make any decisions.

To do list:
- Cupboard safety catches for kitchen.
- Blinds to be put up in kitchen and dining room. Now, brace yourselves: We bought the blinds today. Yes, we have got around to it at last :D This gives Mungo the rest of the weekend to put them up. What a star!

31-Mar to 6-Apr

This weeks events:
- We had a phone call from our social worker today about the meeting that went ahead on Tuesday regarding potential parents for H+2. They discussed our info and we are really strong contenders. Part way through the meeting they were advised of a couple living nearer the children who have just been approved for 3 children aged 6 and under. As they are closer to the children and are more likely to be able to provide a better cultural reflection of their birth family, they have decided to put us (and the other couple) on hold for now until they can meet up with this new couple. Once they have decided if they are going to go ahead with the couple they will let us know.
- Naturally, we are disappointed and a bit let down by the system again. But we are not totally surprised. And if this couple are just as good as us in every other respect then for sure they will be chosen. So, we are assuming that this is a dead lead and are thinking about the other set of children S+2 and what we can do to progress those. Our social worker has still had no contact from their social workers.
- Mary and Mungo are really please to hear R&A's excellent news :) Well done you two! What a rollercoaster huh? We are also awaiting G&F's news...

Home and garden update:
- Nothing to report.

Car update:
- We are spending the last few months making the most of my car; hubby's car to stay with us.

To do list:
- Cupboard safety catches for kitchen.
- Blinds to be put up in kitchen and dining room.
- Yes, we know those two have been on our list for ages, maybe this bank holiday we'll get our act into gear!