Life is awesome

[Kori Ellis]

:toast

[MaNuMaNiAc]

meh, its alright...

[Bukefal]

Yesss it issssss :toast

[desflood]

Somebody got some.

[MoSpur]

Yes it is.

I am assuming it has a lot to do with the new arrival. Plus other things of course. I love my son so much. He brings all kinds of joy to my life.

[tlongII]

Are you talking about that new show on Discovery Channel?

[SpursWoman]

The blessings just keep coming and coming! :baby :elephant :elephant


:makeout :)

[angel_luv]

:toast

I am very happy for you. I am glad to see you blessed. :)

[Blake]

got the dogs back?

[Thunder Dan]

go buckeyes

[bigzak25]

another baby on the way?!

[lefty]

It's fucking -20 degrees today (Celsius)


Life is awesome

[JudynTX]

:) It really is.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

If by life you mean me, then yes.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

:toast Here's to your awesome life, Kori. :)

I sprained my ankle last night two weeks out from the season basketball Final against our hated rivals, but life is still awesome. I'll be back for it. :smokin

[Phenomanul]

:tu

We're happy that you all are happy! :toast

[gatoloco]

well it is friday and the weather forecast is looking great!

[balli]

got the dogs back?
I hope so. Whatever happened to that thread? Did people say cruel things?

[Kori Ellis]

Yes, we got the dogs back but that wasn't the reason for the thread.

The dogs were picked up by someone in Hidden Forest a couple miles away - Deuce injured his leg in the escapade, but he's okay and they are home. Thanks for asking.

[easjer]

I'm glad that someone is having a good day. Cheers for your good news and returned dogs!

[Dr. Gonzo]

J2rxPSDUlvk

[sonic21]

Barney?

[panic giraffe]

parenthood is awesome.

life kinda sucks right now.

[ploto]

Did you get pregnant as soon as you adopted? I have 2 friends that happened to.

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Agreed :toast

[Kumar]

a buddy just dropped a weed brownie on my desk here at work...life is good.

[FalleNxWiZarDx]

LIFE IS GOING GOOD!!! :)

Money keeps coming in, saving account getting bigger, got a new pretty GF, new big screen TV, months ahead of RENT.... handsome, sexy.... WOOHO!

[Kori Ellis]

We are adopting another baby - he's 20 months old.

[CubanMustGo]

We are adopting another baby - he's 20 months old.

Congratulations!! :toast

[FalleNxWiZarDx]

We are adopting another baby - he's 20 months old.


aaawww, im happy for you guys :) :toast

[ploto]

We are adopting another baby - he's 20 months old.

Congratulations! :toast

Are you turning into Angelina Jolie??

[easjer]

What wonderful news, Kori. Congratulations, 100 times over. What a blessing for you and LJ and Alexis and for him too.

Life is awesome indeed.

[Kori Ellis]

Congratulations! :toast

Are you turning into Angelina Jolie??

:lol Something like that... but we didn't go international. They are both Texan ;)

[mrsmaalox]

We are adopting another baby - he's 20 months old.

That's beautiful :)

[baseline bum]

I'm more a fan of Lucky Charms or Honey Nut Cheerios, but Life is ok too I guess.

[TheTruth]

Awesome news Kori. You and LJ deserve all the good things that come to you. Mandy and I need to come by some time and meet the kids!

[Kori Ellis]

Awesome news Kori. You and LJ deserve all the good things that come to you. Mandy and I need to come by some time and meet the kids!

For sure, I'll let you know when he is settled in.

Thanks.

[Blake]

Yes, we got the dogs back but that wasn't the reason for the thread.

The dogs were picked up by someone in Hidden Forest a couple miles away - Deuce injured his leg in the escapade, but he's okay and they are home. Thanks for asking.

well then life must be extra awesome :tu

glad you got your dogs back. give those dog run builders some hell

[Spurminator]

Congratulations!

[Blake]

We are adopting another baby - he's 20 months old.

:lol 20 months? that's a big baby.

congrats.

[JudynTX]

We are adopting another baby - he's 20 months old.

:toast Congratulations again!!!

Hey, you're getting your basketball team like you said you would. :p:

[bigzak25]

this news warms my heart. i'm very happy for you guys and your ever growing family.

glad you got looter back too!

Godbless!

[Kori Ellis]

hh cm fmvnvfvn

[baseline bum]

Seriously, congrats Kori & LJ. Make sure to say your babies are 2 or younger so you can keep taking them to games free. My little brother was two until he was 4.

[Blake]

hh cm fmvnvfvn

was this baby's first post on your computer?

[Kori Ellis]

was this baby's first post on your computer?

Yes, he loves typing. I'm going to buy him a fake computer or let him use my old laptop or something.

[Blake]

Yes, he loves typing. I'm going to buy him a fake computer or let him use my old laptop or something.

put him to work on a baby blog already.

those diapers aren't free.

[Jekka]

Congrats on another new addition to the family, Kori and LJ! That's so exciting :)

[BlackSwordsMan]

put him in the nba section

[Blake]

put him in the nba section

Ive never met the baby, but I'm betting he's already smarter than a good number of posters in the nba forum.

[ploto]

:lol Something like that... but we didn't go international. They are both Texan ;)

Kudos for adopting non-newborns.


Yes, he loves typing. I'm going to buy him a fake computer or let him use my old laptop or something.

My son had his first computer when he was two, and it was one of the best things I ever did for him. They have all kinds of games for even little kids- like Putt Putt and Pep Balloon-o-rama.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515976MJ02L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Then they have other games as they get older from Putt Putt and Pep and also Freddie Fish.

[thispego]

congradulashuns serranos

[tlongII]

Yes, we got the dogs back but that wasn't the reason for the thread.

The dogs were picked up by someone in Hidden Forest a couple miles away - Deuce injured his leg in the escapade, but he's okay and they are home. Thanks for asking.

I knew it was about that show on Discovery! Good show. :tu

[mrsmaalox]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515976MJ02L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Then they have other games as they get older from Putt Putt and Pep and also Freddie Fish.

Aww, Freddie Fish brings back so many memories! And Pajama Sam too :)

[tlongII]

We are adopting another baby - he's 20 months old.

Okay, well that too. Congrats!

[phxspurfan]

Congrats on the And-1!

[Mixability]

hh cm fmvnvfvn

I agree with you completely young one.....









Gotta be nice to the heirs, right?

[Taco]

Very Cool LJ & Kori, Congrats !!!!!!

[duncan228]

Congrats Kori and LJ. :toast

[Suicidal Jack]

life sucks :depressed

[Dex]

http://slog.thestranger.com/files/2008/01/game-of-life-tattoo-1.jpg

[MaNuMaNiAc]

Congrats Kori!

[SpursWoman]

hh cm fmvnvfvn


+1

[Ginobilly]

Some people don't fully comprehend the true beauty of life. That's why I say, "It's better to exist than to never exist at all."

[Frenzy]

Some people don't fully comprehend the true beauty of life. That's why I say, "It's better to exist than to never exist at all."

If you never exist why would the non exist care. They can't.




On a side note life is awesome. Just the getting old and dying parts sucks. You know like when your 40 or 50 and say dam I only got like 30 or 40 years left. Halfway point.

[JoeChalupa]

Congrats! :tu

[Shelly]

Congratulations! I'm very happy for you and LJ!

Would you like some smart-ass teenagers to complete your family? I know a few that you can have! :p:

[Blake]

You know like when your 40 or 50 and say dam I only got like 30 or 40 years left. Halfway point.

:lol :lol

that's funny. you must be 20 something or younger.

[DAF86]

:toast

A smiley? ... :nope, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you to raise the bar.

Congrats, btw.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Can I name him?

[florige]

A smiley? ... :nope, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to ask you to raise the bar.

Congrats, btw.



Where can I find that woman on the right of your sig at?

[IronMexican]

Name him after me.

[Kori Ellis]

Can I name him?

LOL He has a name.

[Dr. Gonzo]

Name him after me.

I don't think they want a kid named Chuey Montemayor De La Cruz Jr.

[Dr. Gonzo]

LOL He has a name.

Isn't he young enough to learn a new one?

[SpursWoman]

:lol :lol

[Frenzy]

I don't think they want a kid named Chuey Montemayor De La Cruz Jr.


It will help him with the ladies in the future. Trust

[BRHornet45]

Kori son I'm glad you got your dogs back and I hope you guys are enjoying the newborn.

ps. pleeaaaaseee add the San Antonio Silver Stars as my favorite team under the Hornets in my avatar. thx in advance and God bless

[thispego]

yew jess kent do tengs like det

[symple19]

Congrats :toast





Also, glad you got your dogs back

[Slomo]

You guys aren't afraid of a challenge :tu

Congratulations and best wishes to you Kori, LJ and of course to the kids!

P.S. That's from me and the family - of course! :)

[ashbeeigh]

Damn you have a hell of a Case Manager getting you a baby a month (although I know this is completely inaccurate I hope everyone senses the sarcasm). Geezus.

I'm so happy for you two!

And can I persuade you to switch to us? kthnx.

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Congradyewlations

[ShoogarBear]

At this rate you'll soon be the the adoption version of the Duggars. Congrats!

[mookie2001]

Are yall raising them up southern baptist or first baptist?

[IronMexican]

Last chance to name them after me.

[SpursWoman]

At this rate you'll soon be the the adoption version of the Duggars. Congrats!


:lol

[SpursNextRomanEmpire]

Are yall raising them up southern baptist or first baptist?

or maybe westboro baptist?

[desflood]

Congrats guys!

[mojorizen7]

Yes it is....brought home a Samsung 50" plasma 2 days ago.
I'm still in the honeymoon phase so it feels like this.....http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/18/6f/13/big-screen-out-rathaus.jpg

[DAF86]

Where can I find that woman on the right of your sig at?

"Altapendeja.com" no name though, just some random girl.

[Scola]

grtz Kori :]

[Cant_Be_Faded]

So is it a myth when people talk about a huge waiting list for adopting a baby?

[SpursWoman]

Not a myth if you want a newborn, like most people do. If you would like an *older* child (toddler+), or especially sibiings, it's not as long.

BUT...

They didn't just sign up last month and get the babies ... the initial process is a long one.

[Kori Ellis]

So is it a myth when people talk about a huge waiting list for adopting a baby?

We are adopting through an agency that works with the foster system...so that's different than the process to adopt privately. But it hasn't been that bad for us. We started the process back in September. We had to take about 50 hours of class plus other preparation. We took a month off the process while we were moving.

We were licensed in late January. She was placed with us at the end of February, and he this week.

Of course, the adoptions won't be finalized in court for 6 months. But the time from starting the process until getting a placement depends on ..what age range you are willing to accept, and what race, as well if you are a good match. But it's competitive.. over 200 families were submitted for him and they (CPS) choose us.

[ashbeeigh]

So is it a myth when people talk about a huge waiting list for adopting a baby?

If you want/are willing to adopt a child with some special needs (ADHD, some trauma, autistic, etc) you could probably have someone call you within a few weeks of getting paperwork in. I have a family that is very picky about what they want to adopt on my caseload- a blonde haired blue eyed little girl who just happens to be a libra (in a nutshell...) with no special needs. Needless to say they've been waiting to hear back from us longer than a family who wants a baby.

I know that the process has been long and tedious for LJ and Kori. I'm so happy for them. It's such an exciting time for them.


But it's competitive.. over 200 families were submitted for him and they (CPS) choose us.

And probably some of ours thrown in there. Not that I'm bitter or anything. :p:

[Kori Ellis]

I know that the process has been long and tedious for LJ and Kori. I'm so happy for them. It's such an exciting time for them.


Not long at all, relatively. Six months start to placement is incredibly short as you know.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

yeah six months sounds mad fast

[Kori Ellis]

yeah six months sounds mad fast

Yeah considering that we took a six week break.

Basically, you can get licensed in about 3 months -- that includes classes, background checks, paperwork etc. Then it's just a matter of waiting for a match. I know of someone who is open to the same age group and all races, but they haven't been matched in 18 months -- but they aren't as cool as us ;) So their file (called a homestudy) isn't as impressive.

[DPG21920]

Just as an aside, how messed up is it that there are kids that need love and a home, but you need a license and any random person can just make babies. Does that make sense?

[thispego]

If you want/are willing to adopt a child with some special needs (ADHD, some trauma, autistic, etc) you could probably have someone call you within a few weeks of getting paperwork in. I have a family that is very picky about what they want to adopt on my caseload- a blonde haired blue eyed little girl who just happens to be a libra (in a nutshell...) with no special needs. Needless to say they've been waiting to hear back from us longer than a family who wants a baby.

I know that the process has been long and tedious for LJ and Kori. I'm so happy for them. It's such an exciting time for them.



And probably some of ours thrown in there. Not that I'm bitter or anything. :p:
ashbeeigh do not come in here acting like an expert on the subject when you've been case working for 1 week. come on. :rolleyes

[ashbeeigh]

ashbeeigh do not come in here acting like an expert on the subject when you've been case working for 1 week. come on. :rolleyes

I'm just repeating what I've heard over and over and over again in my office, pego. Nothing more nothing less. Part of being good at a job is listening to your co-workers.

[mavs>spurs2]

ashbeeigh do not come in here acting like an expert on the subject when you've been case working for 1 week. come on. :rolleyes

don't come in here acting like an expert poster when you've been reading and writing above a 1st grade level for 1 week, come on.

[thispego]

Just as an aside, how messed up is it that there are kids that need love and a home, but you need a license and any random person can just make babies. Does that make sense?

you need to be licensed so they can be at least fairly sure they're not adopting out to pedophiles or weirdos. i think there should be more involved when adopting, especially with these private adoption agencies. they made a good call with the ellis' though, obivously.

[mavs>spurs2]

you need to be licensed so they can be at least fairly sure they're not adopting out to pedophiles or weirdos. i think there should be more involved when adopting, especially with these private adoption agencies. they made a good call with the ellis' though, obivously.

how come the only time you have positive things to say on these type of threads is when it involves one of your crew or the ellis'? anyone else made this thread and you'd be a total dick. what a pathetic suckup, you are son.

[DPG21920]

you need to be licensed so they can be at least fairly sure they're not adopting out to pedophiles or weirdos. i think there should be more involved when adopting, especially with these private adoption agencies. they made a good call with the ellis' though, obivously.

I think it is ridiculous. Like I said, anyone can just have a baby on their own anyways. There are no licenses needed just to be a parent. There are tons of terrible parents that are just allowed to have kids. Drug addicts, rapists, pedos, abusive....


Why make it difficult to adopt? Why require a license? If it does not require a license to have a baby on your own, and there are pedophiles and terrible parents who have their own children, why should adopting be any different? Can you prove you would be getting a significantly worse amount of parents than already exists?

Is keeping them in foster care forever a better option? Is there not problems there too? Sure every once and a while you may get someone with bad intentions, but with the work they make you go through, I highly doubt the number is enough to justify the work. Keeping kids from pedophiles is probably the last reason they care about. It is not even about that.

Could you just not run a simple back ground check for anyone that has been arrested on pedo charges or other criminal acts? That takes days, not months and you can get a good picture of the people's back grounds.

[whottt]

LOL He has a name.

Francisco or Brent?

[thispego]

I'm just repeating what I've heard over and over and over again in my office, pego. Nothing more nothing less. Part of being good at a job is listening to your co-workers.

you should just offer some sort of disclaimer since you're still new at what you are doing. honestly, i wouldnt take any advice you offer on the subject seriously at this point.

[Kori Ellis]

I think it is ridiculous. Like I said, anyone can just have a baby on their own anyways. There are no licenses needed just to be a parent. There are tons of terrible parents that are just allowed to have kids. Drug addicts, rapists, pedos, abusive....


Why make it difficult to adopt? Why require a license? If it does not require a license to have a baby on your own, and there are pedophiles and terrible parents who have their own children, why should adopting be any different? Can you prove you would be getting a significantly worse amount of parents than already exists?

Is keeping them in foster care forever a better option? Is there not problems there too? Sure every once and a while you may get someone with bad intentions, but with the work they make you go through, I highly doubt the number is enough to justify the work. Keeping kids from pedophiles is probably the last reason they care about. It is not even about that.

Could you just not run a simple back ground check for anyone that has been arrested on pedo charges or other criminal acts? That takes days, not months and you can get a good picture of the people's back grounds.

If you are working with a private adoption agency, I'm not sure that the process is as extensive. But.. when you are working to adopt children that are coming out of foster care, they certainly need to be more careful. The kids have already gone through something in their lives -- otherwise they wouldn't be in State care. So they need to do what they can to try to make sure that the "match" is as good as it can be for the sake of the kids. The process isn't that horrible. It takes 9 months to have a baby.. it only took us 6 months to get placed with a child.

[baseline bum]

Isaiah.

I always figured the first male Ellis would be named after Pop.

[whottt]

Isaiah.

I can see who's going to be picking ya'lls fantasy teams from now on :tu

[whottt]

I always figured the first male Ellis would be named after Pop.

That's not the first name I thought of.

[Tom Slick]

you should just offer some sort of disclaimer since you're still new at what you are doing. honestly, i wouldnt take any advice you offer on the subject seriously at this point.

kind of like how no one takes your shitty posts seriously? you little negative sissy cuck, you.

[Tom Slick]

isaaiah is a nice name if the baby is black or mixed, imho :tu

[whottt]

And congrats again btw.

[DPG21920]

If you are working with a private adoption agency, I'm not sure that the process is as extensive. But.. when you are working to adopt children that are coming out of foster care, they certainly need to be more careful. The kids have already gone through something in their lives -- otherwise they wouldn't be in State care. So they need to do what they can to try to make sure that the "match" is as good as it can be for the sake of the kids. The process isn't that horrible. It takes 9 months to have a baby.. it only took us 6 months to get placed with a child.

It is not about the length of time, imo. It is the licensing. Parents don't need licenses to have children on their own and there is a far greater number of bad parents with problems than bad people trying to adopt.

It takes nine months to have a baby because of nature, not licensing for approval.

Even adopting children out of foster care, babies won't remember what they went through.

But like I said, it was just a side thought. Important thing is there is a happy home.

[thispego]

how come the only time you have positive things to say on these type of threads is when it involves one of your crew or the ellis'? anyone else made this thread and you'd be a total dick. what a pathetic suckup, you are son.

how do you figure? you must not read all my posts ( i find that hard to believe) otherwise you'd see that I have positive things to say about lots of people.

[whottt]

It is not about the length of time, imo. It is the licensing. Parents don't need licenses to have children on their own and there is a far greater number of bad parents with problems than bad people trying to adopt.

It takes nine months to have a baby because of nature, not licensing for approval.

Even adopting children out of foster care, babies won't remember what they went through.

But like I said, it was just a side thought. Important thing is there is a happy home.

Dude...there are sick people in this world. Just because people can have babies doesn't mean they deserve to be able too. There is a lot of abuse in the foster program and I can imagine that would only be worse with helpless infants.

[DPG21920]

Dude...there are sick people in this world. Just because people can have babies doesn't mean they deserve to be able too. There is a lot of abuse in the foster program and I can imagine that would only be worse with helpless infants.

I understand that, but why then not require everyone to get a license to be a parent? How come it is acceptable for the tons of sick people in this world just to have babies on their own?

So if their is a lot of abuse in the foster programs, why make it require a license to get them out?

[whottt]

how do you figure? you must not read all my posts ( i find that hard to believe) otherwise you'd see that I have positive things to say about lots of people.

What about Jordan Farmar?

[Kori Ellis]

Even adopting children out of foster care, babies won't remember what they went through.

Just FYI... Most of the children in foster care aren't babies. I believe the average age in Texas is 9.

Parents need to be prepped for handling children that might have been physically or sexually abused, drug exposed, have special needs, etc. That's part of what the process to get licensed is about. It's not just red tape for nothing.

[whottt]

I understand that, but why then not require everyone to get a license to be a parent?

Because you would have to assume near total control over peoples lives in draconian fashion to accomplish it. You don't have to do that with adopted children.



How come it is acceptable for the tons of sick people in this world just to have babies on their own?

Just a sad facet of reality.

[thispego]

I think it is ridiculous. Like I said, anyone can just have a baby on their own anyways. There are no licenses needed just to be a parent. There are tons of terrible parents that are just allowed to have kids. Drug addicts, rapists, pedos, abusive....


Why make it difficult to adopt? Why require a license? If it does not require a license to have a baby on your own, and there are pedophiles and terrible parents who have their own children, why should adopting be any different? Can you prove you would be getting a significantly worse amount of parents than already exists?

Is keeping them in foster care forever a better option? Is there not problems there too? Sure every once and a while you may get someone with bad intentions, but with the work they make you go through, I highly doubt the number is enough to justify the work. Keeping kids from pedophiles is probably the last reason they care about. It is not even about that.
you kidding me? :lmao thats the first thing they care about


Could you just not run a simple back ground check for anyone that has been arrested on pedo charges or other criminal acts? That takes days, not months and you can get a good picture of the people's back grounds.
not every pedo has been caught and has a record, brah

[thispego]

What about Jordan Farmar?

rofl. hate that kid.

[thispego]

I understand that, but why then not require everyone to get a license to be a parent? How come it is acceptable for the tons of sick people in this world just to have babies on their own?

So if their is a lot of abuse in the foster programs, why make it require a license to get them out?

yeah, i'm all for forced sterilization too. mommys who have tons of wellfare babies need to have their wombs removed,

[DPG21920]

you kidding me? :lmao thats the first thing they care about


not every pedo has been caught and has a record, brah

To me this is much like the war on drugs or a lot of things that require a license, imo. It is not really necessary and is not really justifiable.

What more do you want? So if they run a check on someone and they are clean, they are supposed to be able to make a judgment on them that they are or are not a pedo? Even though they have never gotten into trouble?

So you are saying there is just a ton of not caught pedo's lining up to get children from foster care? More than there would be in the average scenario with people who are just allowed to have children on their own?

[whottt]

rofl. hate that kid.

What if you found out he was a gay schwagger? And he wrote you a ticket for PI which you didn't feel was justified? And then forced you to get a HPV vaccination?

[Kori Ellis]

To me this is much like the war on drugs or a lot of things that require a license, imo. It is not really necessary and is not really justifiable.

:lol

It isn't justifiable to train parents on how to handle drug exposed/special needs/physically abused kids?

You are dumber than I thought.

Very little of the process is a background check.. that takes a few references and an FBI check. The rest is about training, and getting to know you to find kids that will be a match for your family.

You get the license after you have completed your training, paperwork, etc. Maybe I should call it a "certificate" to make you feel better.

[mrsmaalox]

What about Jordan Farmar?

Nothing positive to say there IMO.

[DPG21920]

I am not arguing that trying to keep bad people from adopting children is a bad thing. I just question the logic of requiring a license and making it such a lengthy process in certain scenarios.

Especially when most people are trying to do the right thing.

[DPG21920]

:lol

It isn't justifiable to train parents on how to handle drug exposed/special needs/physically abused kids?

You are dumber than I thought.

Very little of the process is a background check.. that takes a few references and an FBI check. The rest is about training, and getting to know you to find kids that will be a match for your family.

You get the license after you have completed your training, paperwork, etc. Maybe I should call it a "certificate" to make you feel better.

Of course it is justifiable to train parents on that. Does that mean that parents who did not go through that training would be bad parents? That is all I am saying.

Crofl at the dumber than I though throw away line.

[Kori Ellis]

I am not arguing that trying to keep bad people from adopting children is a bad thing. I just question the logic of requiring a license and making it such a lengthy process in certain scenarios.

Especially when most people are trying to do the right thing.

It's not that lengthy, unless you are looking for a white newborn baby or you suck when they are interviewing you etc.

[mrsmaalox]

Also, DPG21920, there's a huge CYA factor. This is a gov't agency handing out kids, accountability is a big deal here. They do a great job in thousands of cases, but just one of those "slipped thru the cracks" cases pretty much obliterates it all.

[thispego]

What if you found out he was a gay schwagger? And he wrote you a ticket for PI which you didn't feel was justified? And then forced you to get a HPV vaccination?

find his daughter, romance her, impregnate her, then leave her

[DPG21920]

Also, DPG21920, there's a huge CYA factor. This is a gov't agency handing out kids, accountability is a big deal here. They do a great job in thousands of cases, but just one of those "slipped thru the cracks" cases pretty much obliterates it all.

It is the Type I error vs Type II error argument and I understand that. I am just saying, that parents trying to adopt are mostly trying to do the right thing. Sure, there might be some bad ones that slip through, but not nearly as many that happen on a regular basis when people are just allowed to have babies on their own.

Parents don't all go through training and there are plenty of people that would learn and do a great job on their own because they are smart and loving people. Do I think it is bad to do screenings? No. Do I think it is bad to get special training on how to deal with specific types of kid? No.

Do I think it should be a mandatory thing and do I think if you did not require that there would be a ton of bad people and terrible parents adopting? No.

You can do the back ground checks for people who have been caught and eliminate them. Then for the good candidates, guide them and then let the parents who want to take care of kids do it. That is a good thing.

[whottt]

find his daughter, romance her, impregnate her, then leave her

And then what if that baby grew up to be back up scrub PG for the Lakers that thought he was bad ass(and actually was when playing against the Spurs)...

because it is very likely that would happen.


What then?

[Kori Ellis]

Do I think it should be a mandatory thing and do I think if you did not require that there would be a ton of bad people and terrible parents adopting? No.

This is the part of your argument that makes no sense. Why shouldn't it be mandatory to train parents who are going to be handling children who are coming from abuse/neglect/drug exposure, etc. There are medical/physical/emotional/developmental difference in them.. parents need to know how to handle it. It has to be mandatory. That's what the preparation/licensing is about.

[thispego]

I am not arguing that trying to keep bad people from adopting children is a bad thing. I just question the logic of requiring a license and making it such a lengthy process in certain scenarios.

Especially when most people are trying to do the right thing.

how do you seperate the people that are trying to do the right thing from the people who are acting like they are trying to do the right thing?

[DPG21920]

This is the part of your argument that makes no sense. Why shouldn't it be mandatory to train parents who are going to be handling children who are coming from abuse/neglect/drug exposure, etc. There are medical/physical/emotional/developmental difference in them.. parents need to know how to handle it. It has to be mandatory. That's what the preparation/licensing is about.

Because what is the alternative? Keeping them for extended periods of time in foster care? Is that really a better scenario?

Parents who adopt children with these problems can do the same thing parents who have children naturally do; seek help and professional counseling.

[mrsmaalox]

Kori, I suspect that your and timvp's "work from home" status was a huge plus in the screening process. I know you said it will be 6 months until the actual adoptions occur, but is there a required stay at home and be together 24/7 time period?

[DPG21920]

how do you seperate the people that are trying to do the right thing from the people who are acting like they are trying to do the right thing?

That goes with all things in life. Fact is, children are an extremely tricky and sensitive subject. Rightfully so.

I am looking at it from a somewhat "colder" point of view. It is difficult to separate the great people from the people acting great. But I feel that if you run the checks and they come up clean that there is probably not a large percentage of bad people after that. I feel that mostly it would be good people trying to adopt.

Is the alternative better? Is keeping them in foster care with no family better?

[Kori Ellis]

Because what is the alternative? Keeping them for extended periods of time in foster care? Is that really a better scenario?

Yes, foster parents have gone thru the same training and licensing they just aren't seeking to adopt.

[whottt]

Because what is the alternative? Keeping them for extended periods of time in foster care? Is that really a better scenario?

Sometimes there's not a better alternative. Like you were asking earlier about why should crappy parents be allowed to have kids? How do you know they're crappy parents until they actually become parents? Lots of people become better people after kids, Some people are bad people but great parents, some people are great people but crappy parents...and some people become worse when they have the responsibility of a child and can't handle it.


Sometimes, what you have is the best of all possible worlds.

[Kori Ellis]

Kori, I suspect that your and timvp's "work from home" status was a huge plus in the screening process. I know you said it will be 6 months until the actual adoptions occur, but is there a required stay at home and be together 24/7 time period?

The 6 months to finalization is just a court thing.. like for divorce.

As far as working from home, they prefer at least one sah parent if you want children under 1...but there are exceptions.

[DPG21920]

Yes, foster parents have gone thru the same training and licensing they just aren't seeking to adopt.

I think you are making it out to be something that it is not. There is plenty of problems in the Foster Care system, even with their training.

[Kori Ellis]

I think you are making it out to be something that it is not. There is plenty of problems in the Foster Care system, even with their training.

Sure there are issues -- and some states require more training than others. But I think you are fairly ignorant about these types of kids' issues/needs. I'd rather have a trained foster parent handling a drug exposed baby than an average parent off the street, for example.

[DPG21920]

Sometimes there's not a better alternative. Like you were asking earlier about why should crappy parents be allowed to have kids? How do you know they're crappy parents until they actually become parents? Lots of people become better people after kids, Some people are bad people but great parents, some people are great people but crappy parents...and some people become worse when they have the responsibility of a child and can't handle it.


Sometimes, what you have is the best of all possible worlds.

That is really my point. When you do the background checks and the training and this and that, you have to keep in mind the goal. The goal should be to get these kids to families.

With that in mind, how will you know, even after talking with someone for 6 months and making them take classes that they will be good or bad parents? Point is, that I feel that getting them to families is important and that the risks in scaling back on some things in order to expedite that process would be worth it.

[thispego]

And then what if that baby grew up to be back up scrub PG for the Lakers that thought he was bad ass(and actually was when playing against the Spurs)...

because it is very likely that would happen.


What then?

its a calculated risk i'd be willing to take

[DPG21920]

Sure there are issues -- and some states require more training than others. But I think you are fairly ignorant about these types of kids' issues/needs. I'd rather have a trained foster parent handling a drug exposed baby than an average parent off the street, for example.

I am not arguing otherwise. I have done quite a bit of research on the subject and my GF works with kids of this nature to a certain degree. I am not an expert, but once again, this was just a side thought of mine to begin with.

Would I rather have a trained foster parent? Yes. Do I think that means you have to do all of the things that are required in order to be successful? No.

I think that getting kids into loving homes is the goal. The parents will learn and do a good job because they love the kids and they will seek out the training on their own in order to solve the problems that will arise.

Just because you would rather have a trained parent versus an average parent off of the street, does not mean that the average parent off of the street will do a bad job and that the kids won't benefit more from being in their homes versus the foster care system for a long, long time.

[thispego]

Because what is the alternative? Keeping them for extended periods of time in foster care? Is that really a better scenario?

Parents who adopt children with these problems can do the same thing parents who have children naturally do; seek help and professional counseling.

why do you think foster care is so bad?

[DPG21920]

why do you think foster care is so bad?

I don't. I think getting kids into homes is better. There is a difference.

[Kori Ellis]

Just because you would rather have a trained parent versus an average parent off of the street, does not mean that the average parent off of the street will do a bad job and that the kids won't benefit more from being in their homes versus the foster care system for a long, long time.

Most of the kids that are in the system for a long, long time aren't there because the licensing process takes long -- they are there because their biological parents' rights haven't been terminated yet and they are working toward reunification... or because no one wants them, unfortunately. There's not really a demand for kids' older than 2 that aren't white, particular those who are coming from neglect/abuse etc -- which is the majority of the children.

[DPG21920]

Most of the kids that are in the system for a long, long time aren't there because the licensing process takes long -- they are there because their biological parents' rights haven't been terminated yet and they are working toward reunification... or because no one wants them, unfortunately. There's not really a demand for kids' older than 2 that aren't white, particular those who are coming from neglect/abuse etc -- which is the majority of the children.

Yup, that certainly is a big problem, especially if they keep trying to reconnect the children with their biological parents and it does not work out.


But does that change my point? If you can get kids into homes quicker without the end results changing drastically (meaning you get good, loving families), is that not better?

[thispego]

That is really my point. When you do the background checks and the training and this and that, you have to keep in mind the goal. The goal should be to get these kids to families.

With that in mind, how will you know, even after talking with someone for 6 months and making them take classes that they will be good or bad parents? Point is, that I feel that getting them to families is important and that the risks in scaling back on some things in order to expedite that process would be worth it.
you'll know a hell of a lot more about those people after 6 months than if you didnt try to get to know them at all. the goal is to not have a single child put into a potentially dangerous situation.

[Kori Ellis]

But does that change my point? If you can get kids into homes quicker without the end results changing drastically (meaning you get good, loving families), is that not better?

Sure, but I really don't think it can be much faster. They have to do their due diligence on preparation and training. The parents need to become familiar with the needs. It's not like you are matched with a kid and then you do all the prep and training while the kid is waiting around for you. The children you are matched with after you are licensed might have only been in the system a week or two, or even a few days.

The thing that would speed up the placements would be if more parents were willing to take older children, those of a different race, etc. Healthy newborns don't wait in the system long at all.

Also over half the kids in the system in Texas aren't even available for adoption -- they are in foster families while their biological parents try to get their act together for reunification. Then if the parents don't come through after a year (or sometimes longer if ordered by the judge) then CPS can start looking for a family that wants to adopt them.

The system isn't perfect, but the horror stories about foster families, plus other stories about the years and years it takes to adopt aren't the norm. If someone is waiting over a year to adopt, it's because they are being picky.

[DPG21920]

Also, Kori: Oh, I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought that I was once

[ashbeeigh]

I'm assuming that Kori and LJ went through much of the same training and licensing that our foster parents go through at our agency.

And yes, that 40-50 hours of training is worth it. You learn some great things. I'll be sitting through about 30 hours of it throughout the year (obviously we all know I'm new at this)

However, from the two weeks I've been there and from what I've already learned....the thing with fostering or foster/to adopt families is that you'll get great families like the Ellis' and then you'll get some that will have 5-6 foster kids coming in and out of the home at any given time because of reunification, a behavioral breakdown, or whatever it may be.

The state pays the foster family and some foster parents foster loads of kids just for the money and see it as a job, not out of love or out of compassion or because there is a genuine desire for a child. They'll ask for the more at risk older kids because they get more money...and that's determinable to the child's development (especially when they are 15-17 close to aging out of the system). They'll slack on paperwork, not take kids to special events, whatever...but if you say something about money they're all ears. It's horrible and a reason not to foster.

That's part of why licensing is so important. If there isn't someone (licensing and the private agency keeping even a small eye on the family in question) to catch families that are fostering "as a job" or "just to get by" and causing more harm then good it's not a good environment for the child, especially when the child has bigger issues (neglect, medical issues, behavioral problems, etc).

It's probably been said more eloquently, but that's what I've seen so far.

[gm5k]

fuck yea it is :toast

[ploto]

Definitely-- Ash- I have heard many a story about people who foster kids for the money.

[BRHornet45]

damnit Kori! I have done nothing but show you and your family love time and time again, yet you STILL ignore my simple request!!!!

[Kori Ellis]

damnit Kori! I have done nothing but show you and your family love time and time again, yet you STILL ignore my simple request!!!!

It's not possible.

[BRHornet45]

It's not possible.

:nope

son there should be an option for WNBA teams as well. we need to show some love.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

BR definitely had that lobotomy! :lmao

[BRHornet45]

BR definitely had that lobotomy! :lmao

son why the hate!???

[marini martini]

Congratulations to your new family!!!:toast

[jman3000]

wow a lot has changed. congrats kori.

[ShoogarBear]

^wants to be the next one you adopt

[jman3000]

well... i reckon the difference between breast feeding 3 people and breast feeding 4 is insignificant.

[angel_luv]

My parents adopted me and were foster parents all throughout my life. I had a great experience as a foster sibling. My sisters and I treated each other as sisters. The only time any of us ever used the term foster was to explain to people how their were three of us who were all the same age and from the same family but were not triplets.

I am glad Ash is a caseworker and that Kori and L.J. adopted because I know they are all going to be blessed in their decisions to care for kids. Also, I wil be happy to incorporate their wisdom later down the road if/ when Bo and I are ready to foster or adopt.

Congrats on your lovely family, Kori and L.J. !