HI All,
Sorry for the lack of writing, but here is a quick update on our progress.
We had what we’re calling our “Mini-Home Study” on May 7th. Our previous agency was able to give us our entire dossier back because we hadn’t gotten to the point where it had been sent over to Vietnam yet. So along with all of our medicals and fingerprints, we also got our home study. Our current agency was able to use that to create a new home study for us, so we didn’t have to go through all the rigmarole again. Woo Hoo!
However, our social worker did want to come over to the house and fill in a few holes that weren’t in the Vietnam home study. It was pretty much the same as the first one, except with a lot fewer questions and a very different social worker. She is very laid-back and conversational. It’s nice and calming.
The next step puts the ball in our court. We are in the process of creating our family book. The family book is a scrapbook that showcases us as a family (thank you Captain Obvious!). It begins with a Dear Birthmother letter. This is a letter from us to the expectant mothers who are also working with our agency and talks a little bit about us and our journey to adoption. Then there are pages of photos showing us as a couple, our families both immediate and extended, our social group, and us as individuals. The goal of the book is to give expectant mothers a look into our lives so that they have a better idea of who we are and whether they want to place their baby with us. Once the book is finished and turned into the agency we will be in the pool of waiting families and are officially “Paper Pregnant”! So here’s hoping for quick publishing!
Kate and Joel – Congrats on your new endeavor. We are not sure where our Vietnam journey will take us. We decided to be open to adopting an older child if one is available. We also put together our domestic portfolio for a couple birthmothers our agency has available. I am sooooo glad we had a one week deadline because I would have never felt like it was right otherwise. Good luck to you! I look forward to hearing about the rest of your journey!
Dang… I knew adoption was sort of lengthy, but this all seems way too intense. Aren’t there a bazillion kids that need adoption? Anyway, good luck on the new route. I know there are probably lots of reasons behind the adoption but I really respect your decision.
Congratulations on the new adventure/journey. I look forward to following along. With all the uncertainities in VN right now, we’re unsure where we are going oursevles. I wish you all the luck with everything.
I know it ain’t really your thang, but I’m going to be praying for you guys, because I think you’re going to be absolutely wonderful parents. I know this process is brutal (and when you’re done, then it’s on to parenting, which isn’t always a picnic, but is always worth it). I’m glad to hear you’re staying positive ans leaning on one another. And thanks for keeping us all informed!
@Ben: Support is support, and we greatly appreciate your prayers. Also, thank you for the kind words. Since our kid will rock due to our awesome parenting, I’m sure you and Paige will be up for baby sitting 😉 Heh, heh.
Lastly, kudos to getting the word “thang” and “praying” into the same sentence … very hip!
Probably should have gone with prayin’. Or maybe “dropping some freestyle beats with the O.G.” As you already know, hip does not come naturally to me.