A small victory!

Two months and 5 days ago (but who's counting?) we received our instructions for beginning our Home Study.  After two months of gathering papers and signing documents, we finally mailed (almost) everything off today.  We still have some educational classes to take, which we will receive a certificate of completion and our FBI background checks to go.  Once our information is reviewed we can get a Social Worker out to our house for interviews and get this Home Study done!  This whole paper chasing and Home Study process is predicted to last approximately 4-6 months.

 And so here we are:

2 months and 5 days into it.

So if you're curious here's what we mailed off today:

Individual 4-page biographies

Adult Physical Exams

Duty of Candor

Accuracy Statement

Guardianship Statement

Reference Forms & Contact Information (BIG thanks to those we have asked to be references!)

Residential History

Reading Agreement

Home Study Agreement

Home Study Agency Agreement

Home Study Post-Placement Agreement

Consent to exchange Info for Employer, Doctors, VA Registar, and References

Financial Statement

Statement of Monthly Expenses

Education History of Adoptive Parents

Work History of Adoptive Parents

Sworn Disclosure Statements

Photocopies of the following:

Birth Certificates of all household members

Marriage License

Employment Verification Letter

Copy of Driver Licenses

Copy of Medical Insurance Cards

Most Recent Tax Forms

Copy of Social Security Cards

Copy of most 2 recent pay stubs

Copy of Life Insurance Policies

Copy of Automobile Insurance Policies

Copy of Pet records (yes, even Beamer has to reach clearance status!)

So that's what we've been doing for the last two months. My original goal was to do it all at record speed and get it done in 2 weeks. Ha! Then my goal was 3 weeks, then 1 month. And well…here we are!

It feels incredibly good to have all that in the mail.  The last few days…Travis and I turn to each other and give a look like, "I can't believe we finally completed that!"

It. Feels. So. Good.

So good in fact…we are treating ourselves to a little time away…just the two of us!  Yippee!

Our mini vacay will start…ironically…where it all started for Travis & I…A Dave Matthews Concert.  We have always loved DMB and have followed him around to numerous shows over the years…NC, VA, NYC, DC.  8 years ago, Travis almost proposed to me at a Dave show…but he got too excited and couldn’t wait so he popped the question the night before....and the rest is history! 

After the show we will head to Cape Hatteras for a few days for some fun in the sun!  Can’t wait!

Thank you to those reading this blog post and following our story.  Please share our story and let anyone & everyone know that we have not given up on our dream to have a family and would love the assistance of our friends & family to help us spread the word, share stories, offer comfort and one day celebrate with us as we bring a little one home.  It has been a long road, but we are confident there is a reason for everything!  Feel free to share our story with others that may be struggling with their own fertility issues and/or those contemplating the toughest decision of their lives...allowing their child to be loved & cared for by an adoptive family.

Contact us anytime at susan_and_travis@yahoo.com