Friday, April 3, 2009

Last home study complete!!!

Last night we completed our 3rd and final home study(hopefully!). It is such a relief to know that we have that hurdle behind us. We have several more in front of us but at least we can check this off. Now we wait. Probably quite a while. And when we receive our final copy of the home study we can send it off to USCIS for approval from them. Yeah! I'm so excited!!

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Second home study visit...

Tonight was our second visit with our social worker for the home study. We met at the Starbucks in Brian's hospital where he is on call tonight. Not painful at all. We just talked about our marriage and parenting things. No biggie! Thursday is our last one! Whoot whoot!!

Saturday, March 28, 2009

First home study visit

Today was our very first home study visit for this adoption. We have the same social worker as we did for Adiah so it is really nice to already have a relationship established with her. We did the house visit today and she visited with the kids about how they felt about adopting again, etc. Since we've already done this before we all kind of knew what to expect. But still!! Its still a little exciting!! I'm just thrilled to get this going so we can get our documents over to China as quick as possible. We will have our next visit tomorrow evening with just Brian and I. And then I think our 3rd and final one will be Thursday. And then we wait for our report to be written up which will probably take a few weeks. I'm excited!!! I'm getting very close to being finished gathering all of our dossier items as well. Besides the home study and USCIS clearance I have to get our police clearance. Once I get those things then I get to begin the certification and authentication process!! Good times!!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Home study documents!!

Today we finished the last of the physicals for the home study! We also all got our TB tests done and will have those read on Thursday. So we are officially finished gathering our documents for our home study!!! Yee haw!!! We have our first visit with our social worker on Saturday and our second visit possibly on Sunday evening. Praise God that we are moving along nicely so far!! And I do believe we have a name for our new little one....but I won't say it here until we are for sure!!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Family Coordinator Day

I feel like we are getting so close to having all of our home study documents gathered! Dude! When you've done this before its like you don't want to waste time! Last time we decided to paper chase it took us 10 months before we were DTC. I sure hope I don't' regret saying this but I don't think it will take near as long this time. I realize all I've done so far depended on me. When I'm waiting on other people to do their job it might be a different story. I sure would like to be DTC this time by the end of the summer. We'll see, huh? Today our new family coordinator called to introduce herself. Her name is Melissa. She seemed super nice! She sent me all of the things we need to be working on for our dossier and it reminded me again how much it takes to do this paperwork. The precision! But I lay in bed at night and think about this journey we're on again. I'm still in awe! Thank you, Lord, that you have called Brian and I to walk this road again. I'm so thankful for my kids. They are all desired and wanted! And this new life that you will bring into our family....well, he's already loved and talked about so much. We can't wait to see how this all comes together and who it is that you have ordained to be a part of the Woods Gang!! Hold him and protect him until he can be with his forever family. Thank you that you knit us together so perfectly with such a plan for our lives!!

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Home study stuff

Last night we were contacted by email by our home study agency. She attached all of the paperwork that we need to be working on for them. Its alot. But I know it is so worth it. I have to remember not to get so focused on it that I ignore all of my other responsibilities and people in my life. I actually prayed alot about that this morning during my quiet time. I know myself!!! So today while Adiah is at Mother's Day Out (aka...Mama gets some stuff done) I will focus on the paperwork and knock some stuff out today! At least I have something to work on now vs. sitting around wondering what to do now. I am happy to do this because it means everyday is one day closer to our new little guy!!

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Still waiting...

I'm sure that's not the first time I'll say that this time around!! But yes, we are still waiting for our new family coordinator to contact us so we can officially begin the paper chase. I have been collecting documents that I already know I'll need for the home study. We are trying to use Adiah's final post placement visit as our first home visit for the new adoption. So I need to have all of the papers ready for that. That is why I've already begun all of the dr's visits for the kids and scheduled mine and Brian's. But I seriously need them to call me so they can mail me the documents I need, pronto!! I'm really very excited to get this started so we can get closer to our new son!! Yes...I know...All in God's timing!!