Where we are in the process---

Right now we are waiting for our home study to be finished, praying that it will be done in the next two weeks.  Here is a description of what a home study is--

The purpose of the home study is personal reflection combined with education; it is a sharing between the adoptive family and the social worker of experiences, expectations, and motivation.  The home study consists of at three face-to-face meetings with the adoptive family, at least one in the home and one in the office. Included in the home study are a biography of each parent, educatioonal hours, financial information, lots of background checks, employment history, medical records and an examination of the home.  

We really like our social worker and have had some great conversations with her to help us prepare our home and our family for the girls.  We have loved reading/watching anything by Dr. Karyn Purvis!  Such an amazing woman and so much wisdom!  So much of what she shares about how to attach with your child is very similar to what we learned from Dr. Jim (Dr. James D. MacDonald from Ohio State) with Nate.   


Once the home study is finished, we will apply for USCIS fingerprinting.  Once that occurs, we will submit our dossier (the paperwork that goes to the girls' country).  The dossier will be translated and presented to the government.  If they approve us, our adoption agency's in-country facilitator will visit the girls, getting information from anyone who is involved in their care and getting more pictures and videos for us.  

I was talking to a friend who is also in the process of adopting.  She mentioned how she feels like she is starting to attach to their daughter (they are at about the same point in the process as we are).  She said that she realized that their families' process of attaching now is similar to what their daughter will feel when she comes home.  I thought about how once  I found out I was pregnant, I would think so often about the baby and the attachment process started.  When we lost the baby before Jenny, it was so hard for me.  I know God is working in all our hearts to prepare us for expanding our family, each of us in the special way He knows we need.  So thankful He is a faithful Father and has a much deeper love for the fatherless than we do.