We did it... for real this time!

We turned in all of our home study papers a few weeks back, but upon further review we were missing a few items. The papers that we were missing were not on the check list of items to turn in, so we were unaware that we had to turn them into the agency. Well, it doesn't matter. We turned them in yesterday! YAY! It was a pretty exciting day. The receptionist (I think that is her title) said that she would call us later to set up an appointment for our second visit. She didn't call yesterday like she said she would, so we are still waiting. Only 4 references were in and one was turned in a few hours after we turned our papers in and we know that the 6th one was mailed last Monday. She might be waiting until all 6 are turned in before setting up the next appointment. I am not sure what this next appointment entails, but I know the 3rd appointment is the big one where she comes out to the house. My WONDERFUL friend Selena already said that she would come over and help me prepare for the home visit. We are really blessed to have such amazing people in our life! God has truly blessed us!

We really appreciate all of the support and comments. Thank you for reading and praying for us during our journey!

We Did It!!!

We finally finished and turned in our home study papers. The forms are a huge part of the process and after a couple of months we are done with them and have them turned into the agency. We are so excited and ready for the next step. We have another in-agency visit with our social worker and then the home visit. The next in-agency visit will take place after all of our references are received. After we have the home visit we will be working on our profile book... we are already starting it.. while they process our home study. The book is key! It is what the birth parents look at to pick a family for their child.  There is a class that Ross and I are going to take to help us prepare our book. The class goes through what birthparents look for and their perception of the pictures, statements, and letters in the book. It also helps you be prepared for an "interview" or first meeting with the birth parents. 

Part of our home study we had to read a number of articles. One stood out to me that I thought that I would type it out for you to read.

Adoption Can Be A Long Journey With A Wonderful Destination

Article By: Diane Armitage

Her message is directed to childless couples who are considering adoption. (Diane and her husband are the parents of two adopted children)

Different Trips to the Same Place

Deciding to have a baby is like planning a trip to Australia. You've heard it's a wonderful place; you've read many guidebooks and feel certain you're ready to go. Everyone you know has traveled there by plane. They say it can be a turbulent flight with occasional rough landings, but you can look forward to being pampered on the trip.

So you go to the airport and ask the ticket agent for a ticket to Australia. All around you, excited people are boarding the planes for Australia. It seems there is no seat for you; you'll have to wait for the next flight. Impatient, but anticipating a wonderful trip, you wait and wait and wait. 

Flights to Australia continue to come and go. People say silly things like, "Relax. You'll get on a flight soon."Other people actually get on a plane and then cancel their trip, to which you cry, "It's not fair!"

After a long time the ticket agent tells you, "I'm sorry we're not going to be able to get you on a plane to Australia. Perhaps you should think about going by boat. 

"By Boat!" you say. "Going by boat will take a very long time and it costs a great deal of money. I really had my heart set on going by plane." So you go home and think about not going to Australia at all. You wonder if Australia will be as beautiful if you approach it by sea rather than air. But you have long dreamed of this wonderful place, and finally you decided to travel by boat.

It is a long trip, many moths over rough seas. No one pampers you. You wonder if you will ever see Australia. Meanwhile, your friends have flown back and forth to Australia two or three more times, marveling at each trip. 

Then one glorious day, the boat docks in Australia. It is more exquisite than ever imagined, and the beauty is magnified by your long days at sea. You have made many wonderful friends during your voyage, and you find yourself comparing stories with others who also traveled by sea rather than air.

People continue to fly to Australia as often as they like, but you are able to travel only once, perhaps twice. Some say things like, "Oh, be glad you didn't fly. My flight was horrible; traveling by sea is so easy."

You will always wonder what it would have been like to fly to Australia. Still, you know God blessed you with a special appreciation of Australia, and the beauty of Australia is not the way you get there, but in the place itself.

From Dear Abby- 1995 Universal Press Syndicate

We are just starting to board our boat. We know that the waters may be rough, but through everything we have the calmer of the storm. God is with us every step and no matter what happens or how we get there we pray that we are able to see God's beauty. 

We are a huge step closer and I don't think we would have gotten this step done without the love and support of our family and friends.

I want to say thank you for reading our blog. We have had a number of people view our page. Please feel free to write comments. They are encouraging to us!