Getting Closer

Earlier this week, we completed our home study through the our adoption agency, bringing us one step closer to actually being on that list and waiting for a match.  We spent days preparing our house, cleaning the inside and prepping the outside, so that everything could look as well as possible.  It wasn't so much that this would have any impact on the actual home study visit itself, but it was an actual "thing" that we could exercise control over, that we could impact, and therefore put our nervousness to good use.

In light of all that work, the home study itself was practically anti-climactic.  The social worker from agency sat in our living room and "interviewed" us for about 90 minutes or so, just asking questions about our individual histories, as well as relationship and various philosophies.  She then took about a 5 minute trip around the house, noted where our smoke/carbon monoxide detectors were, where our fire extinguishers were, and then headed on her way.  Such a relief for that part to be done.

As fast as it all went, it did have a couple odd moments.  Ellie, even with an extensive walk the morning of, still play the over-excited, crazy jumping, in your face dog to a tee...so we were thankful that the social worker has a small dog of her own and was somewhat familiar with their antics.  Granted, having Ellie jump quickly on the arms of the chairs and sniff into her face was probably a little much, but that's what crazy little dogs do.

The other odd moment was the social worker mentioning in passing right at the beginning that her grandson would be visiting the Creation Museum that day.  Jackie's thought, when she heard this, was "I'm not looking at Don, I'm not looking at Don."  I imagine by reading here and here, one can gather my thoughts on a museum that takes Genesis as literal truth, posits that the Earth is only 6,000 years old, and has humans living side by side with dinosaurs.  Its one of the things that I can rant upon pretty easily, so it was beneficial that in addition to my ranting skills, I can also hold my tongue when its appropriate.

But that's all an aside.  In a couple weeks or so, we should receive a copy of the home study, along with our bio that will be shown to birth mothers thinking about adoption.  Once we review and confirm everything (and pay another hefty fee), our information will start being shown to the agency's prospective birth mothers as an available adoptive family.

Getting closer to completing this journey, and starting the next one.

"After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." - Nelson Mandela