The Homestudy

 HOME STUDY........

I spent two weeks of my summer vacation filling out adoption application paperwork like a mad woman. I was on a mission!!! Needless to say, I got the 13 page application done in two days. The remaining paperwork needed before the home study was faxed in within the next two weeks.  Criminal background (CHECK), FBI fingerprinting (CHECK), and that's just the beginning of it all.....

One of the most nerve wracking parts of the entire adoption process is the home study.   No one likes feeling "judged"; especially if you have endured years of infertility and decide to adopt.  You have to prove you are fit to be a parent BEFORE you can have a child come in to your home. It can be frustrating, and for some people the worst part of the entire process.  Fortunate for us, it wasn'

 I'm going to give you some MORE advice(you know JUST like when you were TTC and your neighbor's neighbor's friend said that their cousin had a hard time getting pregnant, and they stood on their head for 30 minutes "after" and BAM they were pregnant the next month) cause well... it's uncharted territory.

1) Get your house professionally cleaned.  You would be amazed how many people will be willing to help you if you tell them what it's for. TOTALLY worth it.

2) Set up a "baby room."  If you are still waiting for a baby this may be difficult. Heck, it was for us, but borrow from a friend if you need to.  You don't need a fancy crib, but  a basinnett and diapers will do. Just show u have a place for a baby/child.

3)  Baby proof like your hair is on fire. Those door handles are SO hard to open right now!!!!

4) RELAX!!! I'm basically telling myself this, cause that was difficult for me, but relax.

5) Bake cookies... it gives you something to do 30 minutes ahead of time, and makes the house homey.... offer water as well. It helps.

6) Get a GOOD night sleep the night before. Go to bed early, and when you get up do something productive. I advise praying, meditate, run, whatever it is you need to "chill."  
Our home study lasted 3 hours. We showed her around the house. She then interviewed us together. After that, we were spoken to at different times.  I feel like it went really well, and hopefully will be finalized within the next month.

If you have any questions just leave them in the comments below.

How it began

A good friend of mine e-mailed me on Facebook about speaking to a young woman about adoption since I was adopted myself.  I responded with "sure!!" A few days later I e-mailed the young woman and Long story short she e-mailed us and asked if we were interested in adopting her baby. I was floored, but of course said, "Sure." I knew another couple was in the "running" so to speak, and the bio mom and I e-mailed back and forth for a few weeks. She was wanting to know my view on open adoption, which I shared with her. We decided to meet in person the last week of July and she said she chose us. I cried (of course) and texted people, called and cried some more!!!

 We are doing this entire process backwards.  The bio mom chose us, we had our home study done within two weeks of applying (SERIOUSLY that has to be some record) and hope to have it finalized within the next month. 

Am I scared? Yes!!!
Did I post this all over Facebook??? YES!!! 

Here are some facts I am sharing
1)It is a very open adoption
2) It is in our same state
3) Yes, we will be there for the birth (HUGE BLESSING)

In my prior stalking of a zillion blogs reading of adoption blogs from all angles, I have learned a lot.  While open adoption may not be for everyone, it is for us in this specific situation.   We have waited 13 years for a child.  This blessing is not lost on us.

One reason I am returning to this blog is to keep track of how I feel in this process.  I want to be able to look back and remember how I longed for a child, and the pain I endured. I pray when this is adoption is final I "come out on the other side" so to speak. 

This is the largest "Leap of Faith" I have ever taken in my life. 

GRACE

The defentition of Grace in biblical terms is "Unearned gift, a favor bestowed as a gift."

It is with great happiness that I announced a birthmother has chosen us to parent her precious child.  I would like to keep the full details private, but it will be due January.

Over thrilled, overjoyed amazed is how we feel.  I remain in shock and awe in our birth mother's bravery.  We are also amazed at the positive reaction we have received from friends, family and strangers alike.

Adoption has evolved from what it use to be, and I praise God for that.  Our hearts are full and I have filled out more paperwork than I should, but with each form I fill out I focus on our gift.

I have had to have faith in this process.

I reflect on my blog and in one post I mentioned that maybe time was our obstacle.

This isn't anyone's timing,but God's.

So, when you pray, pray for our birth mother and  her heart. Pray for our precious bundle. Pray for us and our faith during this process.