Whew. Well, we're on our way!
We had our first appointment with our home study provider this afternoon. With the word out that we're adopting and the paperwork in full swing, I'd say it's all definitely feeling more real now. A few days ago a friend asked me, "Do you feel pregnant? Because you are!" That was a sweet thing to say! : ) I really didn't at the time, but I'm starting to have moments where it feels that way!
We now have a whole list of forms to fill out, background checks to apply for, and TONS of information about ourselves to divulge. Honestly, there doesn't seem to be quite as much to fill out as we were afraid there could be, but it's still A LOT. Some of it seems silly, but some of it seems like it could be helpful. The lady we met with today talked a lot about preparing for an interracial adoption, and there's an entire form with questions preparing us for issues that could arise because of that. She also gave us TONS of material with books, websites, magazines, and classes for preparing for an adoption. I'll eat that stuff up. I can't wait to learn more!
But there's also parts I wish we could just skip over. I guess our state requires that every member of our family have a TB test. Yuck-o. Have they met my son? He will scream like a baby. Seriously. I'm really dreading that. And evidently we have to apply for new birth certificates and a new marriage license. You know, in case somehow the details of our births changed from the last time we ordered birth certificates.
The paperwork doesn't bother me. I just keep telling myself it's just like the grant applications I used to have to put together for work. I think the only thing I'm having a hard time with is not having a nice, neat, completely spelled out step-by-step process. We still have some questions about the timing of things, and the order that we should do things. If you know me, you know that I am a spreadsheet and list-maker, not to mention a rule follower. I just want to make sure we're doing the right things at the right times. I know we've got a great team of people who can help us through it all, but it's just not all spelled out the clearest.
Hubby was right...we're just going to have to dive on in. If we just start doing things, all the details will get worked out.
And I firmly believe that in the end, all of this paperwork will be worth it!!!
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3 comments:
The pregnancy test is positive! I do find it strange that your homestudy provider told you everyone needed to be tested fot TB, non of us were tested. It was not required. Maybe it is only required if you are adopting domestically. Might double check if it is really neccessary!
When Bill's dad was first admitted to the hospital a couple of his TB test came back positive and then some negative. Since they couldn't determine either way, the state mandated that our whole family be tested. A nurse came to our house and did it. Then they have to come back in a week and read it and then a few months later. Of course we were all negative.
Bless your agency: make that spreadsheet/checklist as you go along and give it to them afterward (along with how long it took to get the paper/ requirement). It will be a huge blessing for those who come behind you. We've done it both ways and loved it when it was all spelled out (thank you, CCAI) so I totally get where you're coming from. Hang in there and don't feel bad if you have to call them every other day to clarify what you're doing and get assurance you aren't skipping something. It is overwhelming at times. PS: We've done the TB tests too and one of ours was positive/treated.
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