Homestudy #3

The exciting news around here is that we have started working on another home study!  I wasn't sure if we would be able to pursue another adoption - and we still aren't sure how we are going to afford it.  (Ack!)  But I trust that somehow, Lord willing, it will all work out.

I had almost forgotten just how much paperwork is involved.  Of course it's all worth it in the end, but it is definitely a big undertaking to complete.  I feel like I am running all over our county searching for the right paperwork.  Many people ask me what is involved with a homestudy, so I thought I would share what our state and our agency require.  The ones with an asterisk have a fee involved (in addition to the fees we pay our agency.)

-Three types of clearances:
(1) Child Protective Clearances (we had to get a form notarized and mail it)
(2) Child Support Clearances (sign and mail in a form)
(3) FBI Police Clearance (had to get fingerprinted)*

-Basic Information (one form for each member of our family - including copies of our 4 birth certificates, 2 adoption decrees, and 1 marriage license.) 

-A form about our extended family members

-Proof of health insurance

-Physicians Form (one form for each member of our family filled out by a doctor- including HIV test and TB test for the adults)*

-Report from your children's school (we don't need this one)

-Statement of Net Worth (fill out a form about our finances including our most recent tax forms and copies of our paychecks)

-House Inspection by the County (arrange a visit)*

-Fire Safety Inspection by the Fire Marshal (arrange a visit)

-Driving Record (we have to request a complete driving record from the DMV for all adults)*

-References (three friends have to write references and one needs to be interviewed)

-Training (8 hours of in-person or online training must be completed)*

-Agency Specific Documents (we had to read and sign nine different documents regarding home safety, child discipline, agency protocol, etc.) 

-Social Worker Visits (once all of the above is completed, our SW will schedule 2-3 visits)

-Photo Album Profile (once we are homestudy approved we will create a photo album profile which will be shown to potential birthmothers)*

Whew!  Thankfully we have completed almost everything in the past two weeks.  We are leaving town on Saturday and I wanted to have it all taken care of before we leave. 

My sweet cousin and her husband offered to babysit last weekend so that Troy and I could have a day to ourselves.  It would have been more fun to see a movie or something like that, but I was so glad to have the time to take care of these things!  We also test-drove some cars since we will need a bigger vehicle when the baby comes. 

Yesterday I started the 54 Day Rosary Novena after a friend told me that she had recently been praying it.  I am praying that God's will be done, for the baby, the birthmother and for peace as we go through this crazy process. 

Our Lady of the Rosary, pray for us!