Social Worker

Today we were assigned our social worker. Luckily it is also our Country Coordinator. That means we have one person we have to go to for everything. I am really glad it worked out that way.

We have to write a 5-6 page autobiography. I have started on mine. Rich has been too busy but promises he will have it done by next Friday. When the Autobiographies are done we will email them to Sara(our S/W) and then we will schedule our first meeting.

I really want to send in the I600A form. We have everything to do it except for one form that I am trying to gather. I hope to be able to get it this week. My fingers are crossed!!

First Class

Tonight we have a Home Study class at CHI. The class is from6:30-8:30. As excited as I am to get a running start and to learn and gather as much as we can, I am really tiered today. Hopefully it will be a short 2 hours.

Okay, here we go!

We did it!! We turned in our application to Children's Hope on Friday!!!
That's me filling out the application =)

CHI is directly across the street from my office, so Friday Rich dropped me off at work and was going to come by the office at 4:00 (CHI closed at 4:30) and we were to then turn in our app. together.

Well, 4:00 came then 4:05, then 4:10, then 4:15...I knew he wasn't going to make it so at 4:20 I walked outside and watch the road and after a couple minutes found myself walking across the street to turn in the application. I have waited for so long I was SO ready to get started!! No way was I waiting even two more days.

I called the receptionist for my office and told here that if my dear husband came looking for me I would be across the street.

When I walked in the door the receptionist was on the phone, so I just stood there for a second when another woman greeted me. I told her I was dropping off our application and she answered with an enthusiastic "CONGRATULATIONS!!!" Just then the receptionist hung up the phone and also congratulated me and gave me her best wishes. Now I know they probably are supposed to react that way, but it really seemed genuine and it really made me smile. They were really excited for me.

The woman who greeted me (Who's name I have forgotten with all the excitement going on) is the Vietnam Director for CHI(The one persons name I should remember!) so she was just the person I needed to see. She briefly looked over the application and asked if I had any questions. As she started explaining the process Rich walked in. I was really, really glad to see him. I really wanted him to be there and be part of it. I was also glad I could introduce him to the Vietnam Director and visa verse. She seemed pleased and was very nice.

Turning in the application was a really big step for Rich and I. It was a pivotal moment in our lives and we have just set into motion a process that will change the entire dynamic of our family and of course totally change our lives!! They were really happy for us and just made me feel that much more confident in our decision to go with them.

So now what? Our approval packet should arrive in 2 weeks. We then start the Home Study which involves gathering documents, back ground checks, getting reference letters, physicals and having several interviews with a social worker including a home visit. I of course hope to FLY thru this process. We are going to the beach with my family(another Yay!!) on July 4Th, so I am hoping to celebrate that we have finished the Home Study by then. It would be a great group of people to celebrate with!!! And of course, the sooner we are on the Waiting List, the sooner we get a son!

The 'waiting' period will be a little longer with CHI than maybe another agency, but for Rich and I the timing will be perfect! It will be around that time he will be graduating and we will almost certainly be re-locating (Memphis!? I hope!).

So, Yay! We have taken the first step!! It feels so real now! We are going to have a son...we will be a little family!! It may be a year, year and half, but we are going to have a son!!!

New Beginnings

Friday we turn in our application to Children's Hope to adopt an infant son from Vietnam and I am absolutely thrilled!!