2 down, 2 to go!

We had our second home study visit today.  In this visit our social worker interviewed Caleb and I individually.  I was a little nervous about this visit just because it was going to be so personal.  She asked us questions about our childhoods, marriage, parenting/discipline style, how we handle stress, what characteristics we are thinking our boy may have, how we are thinking our lives will be when we adopt, etc.  Lots of questions!  It didn't go as bad as I was thinking.

We had a conference call today through AWAA for people going through their 'paper chase' that had questions.  Some things we learned through the conference call were:

• From AWAA in 2009 there were 208 children placed in homes including HIV positive children!
• They have been able to open up a second transition home for children that will be adopted soon.  The first transition home is for infants and the second one is for older children.  There is a psychologist on sight so there can be focused care and attention for the older children.  They also help to prepare the children for their adoption.
• The ratio of kids to nannies in the TH (transition home) is 1 nanny to 5 kids.  They have 20-25 nannies on staff in the TH.  This is great!
• There is a pediatrician at the TH 6 days a week to give medical care to the kids.  So, the kids are seen on a daily and weekly basis.
• The bad news we heard today was that the US Consulate has changed the amount of kids that can get their visas to be adopted is 10 every other week.  I am not sure what the amount was before, but this changes the wait time for us to travel after we receive our referral from 2-4 weeks to 6-8 weeks.

Yesterday (Monday), I had my physical that is required for our adoption.  Caleb's physical is set for tomorrow (Wednesday).  The day couldn't have worked out any better!  It was amazing to see how God worked out the timing in it all.  For our physical we need blood work and a TB test.  With a TB test, it needs to be checked  within 48 hours.  The doctor asked if there was any way for Caleb to come in that day to do his TB test, I had my doubts because normally, he can't leave work on such short notice.  His boss and another employee came to work, not realizing it was their day off.  His boss was just about to walk out the door when I called.  Since there were enough people at the store, Caleb was able to leave right then to come and get his TB test done!  We only have one car, and I had the car, so his boss was able to drop him off at the doctor's office.  We were also able to get our blood work done that day because there is a lab in the doctor's office.  Since we have to get our physical forms notarized when the doctor signs the forms, she of  course, can't sign the forms until the blood work and TB results are in.  All the results will be in and read for his appointment Wednesday.  All the timing couldn't have worked out any better!  We will be able to get our physical forms signed and notarized tomorrow.  Another set of  paperwork we have accomplished!  It's so great to see God work even in the smallest details.

I forgot to mention in my blog about our first home study that Charis asked if we were going to see the picture of the little boy that we are going to adopt.  She was disappointed when I told her no.  That was too cute not to share.  As you can tell, Charis is super excited about getting a little brother!

Our home study journey has begun!

We had our first of four home study meetings today!  We met with our social worker and liked her immediately. We are excited to be working with her.  We've  moved since we applied (April '09) to AWAA (America World Adoption Agency) and failed to give them our new address.  Our social worker went to our previous address, luckily though, she doesn't live very far away (in the Rochester area!) and it didn't take her too long to get our new place.  If the social worker lives more than 10 miles away then fees would come into play for us to pay.  It's such a blessing not to have to pay for those fees (miles, gas, food, lodging) cause we have enough fees to pay for!! =D  Our first meeting was basically about meeting our social worker and vice versa, educating ourselves on the culture from which our child will come from and what motivated us to adopt.  Infertility has definitely played a role in that decision, but we've come to realize that it's more than that.  We feel a certain calling or life goal to adopt, not just one child, but as many as God wants us to adopt.  We see adoption as a good representation of the Gospel.  
   
James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit            orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. 


Ephesians 1:4-6 ⁴ even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love ⁵ he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.


We are adopting from Ethiopia and we talked about what that would look like for us and our child.  We have decided to adopt internationally because of the uncertainty with domestic adoption or foster care (the birth mother changing her mind; adopting through foster care can take years!).  In Ethiopia, a child will be available to adopt after 3 months of being in the orphanage.  They use those 3 months to look for family that may want to take the child or if family comes back to take the child.  Of course, life is full of uncertainties, but we feel with international adoption the children in orphanages are just that, orphans, and there are so many orphans around the world!  We've been learning that an orphanage is NOT the best place for children.  In America, we at least have the foster care system, which yes, isn't the best either, but when you have 75 plus kids to 5 or so care takers, you have children not getting the attention, love, affection, etc. that they need.   


We had a really good first visit.  It felt as if our adoption journey was real, almost like when you find out your expecting, just the excitement of knowing that soon a child will be added to your family!