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Blog Entry 305 of 330 Father Knows... Something. Let's figure out what.
This is my outlet to share with the world all the things I've learned - and continue to learn - about being the Father to 3 young children. But I should warn you that my experience is probably NOT yours: my wife and I are in the process of adopting a sibling set of 3 - all 6 years old and younger - while in our 40's. We've heard that, "it keeps you young," but so far, it has mostly kept us tired... But like any parent, our kids teach us something new every day and I hope to share at least something here with you at that same pace. The entries will be short - time constraints will probably keep it at or around a mere 200 words - but as they say, brevity is the soul of wit. Let's hope I can create some brevity here. So if you read something you like, please leave a comment. If you read something you don't, please just leave. (Just kidding - I'd love to hear from critics as well.)

A bit of family history
Contributed by: Chris Stone   on 3/31/2008

Yesterday I wrote about our recent financial history and our general approach to teaching our kids about money and real life. It's all had a HUGE impact on us - allowing my Wif to take 5 months off when the kids were first placed with us and then only returning to work on her terms; 15 hours per week.

Like I said, it was a life-changer -- but I'd like to take this opportunity to share a little history behind the decision that REALLY shook things up for us.

On a spring morning in aught-five we were on our way to church, exchanging small talk in an otherwise meaningless conversation - as was our wont at the time. Suddenly - and I'll never forget this - we were driving around Evergreen Lake when The Wif started telling me about a dream she had the previous evening. And my life would never be the same...

She told me she had dreamt that she was holding 3 children whom she described as, "ours -- but not yours." I almost drove off the road, but instead confessed something to her that I had been considering for several weeks, if not months: adopting a sibling set.

We talked about it more - that day and well after - and finally decided to do some research. We learned that Jefferson County was holding training for foster/adoptive parents in the fall. The classes were starting the week that we were supposed to be on a Mediterranean cruise.

Fortunately, we'd already canceled the trip for completely unrelated reasons...

We went through the training, (3 hours a week for 8 weeks, as I recall), and finished in November '05 - days before our youngest son was born and his case was opened with the county. While our kids worked their way through the system, we languished in curiosity and uncertainty, constantly wondering what our life would eventually look like.

Then, in July of '05 on the day after our anniversary we got a call from our caseworker; "hey - give me a call." Great, I thought, sounds like we forgot to sign a form or something. Well, the 'or something' was 3 klds in need of an immediate placement, all 4 and younger.

The emotions were almost overwhelming; this was it! We anguished and talked and prayed over what we should do, then finally agreed to at least meet the kids. And once I saw those little faces and big personalities, I had some idea of what my life would look like.

That was over a year and a half ago, and now I know; loud, confusing and sticky, (your mileage may vary). And just this morning - at 11:12 AM - I have a much better idea. The kids are ours. Legally as well as emotionally. They are now officially Stones.

They have no idea what they're in for...

Chris Stone is a slightly different - and LEGAL - Father than he was yesterday...



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Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
Submitted By: Chris Stone
posted on 4/2/2008 @ 10:39:38 PM
(Not Rated)
I must've missed that one -- and here I thought I had the entire library... Thanks much!
Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 4/1/2008 @ 7:51:21 AM
Rated Blog Entry
Didn't Jimi Hendrix do a song called "Stones-free"?" LOL Good blog Chris
Showing 1-2 of 2 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Chris Stone

Arvada , CO

Chris Stone has posted 330 blog entries and 142 comments since joining on 7/6/2006. Chris Stone 's average blog rating is 5.
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