Adoption Saga Recap {Weeks 16 - 18}

So…I'm a little behind on my updates. 

Not much has happened on the adoption front, but plenty has happened in other areas of our life. 

First, work has just kicked into high gear for me.

Second, I joined Miche as a representative. I think it'll be a great way for me to keep my hands busy while we wait out our time with DSS. I had my launch party this weekend and it was a great success! Thanks to those of you who could make it. I know it was short notice, so the fact that I even had a few guests makes me really happy. :-)

Third, Chase's job has officially gone to 7 days a week. He's been so exhausted lately that I feel like all he does is wake up, go to work, come home, eat, and sleep. The thing that's been killing him most is missing church. We both feel like our church is our lifeline that prepares us for the week. Most of our close friends are from our church, so not only is he missing out on hearing a word from God each week, he's also missing out on his friends. 

And those of you who know Chase would agree with me that the boy lives off of his relationships with people. He collects friends like I collect shoes!

BUT things may be changing with his job situation. He applied for a job at the suggestion of a friend and he's hoping this will be a change in the right direction. This job would be Monday - Friday and every other Saturday. He wouldn't have to miss church anymore AND we'd be able to take the DSS classes we need. Pray with us about this situation. We're believing that this was orchestrated by God and was dropped into our laps just when we needed it.

As a reminder of what's next for us with DSS…

As soon as we take these classes, we'll wait on an investigator to be assigned to us. At that point, we'll start the home study.

The home study is the biggest thing standing between us and being list-ready. 

If you think of us this week, pray that this process will move quickly for us after we take the classes. We know what DSS has said as far as the schedule, but God can do big things. 

This morning Pastor Tracy said something that has stuck with me all day:

"God can do in a short time what we've been praying for a long time."

(Sorry if I didn't get that quote just right…)

Thanks for cheering us on as we walk out this journey. You are all very important to us!

Steps in Adoption Saga

1. Complete over-the-phone intake and provide email or mailing address to receive application {Completed 11/30/11 and again on 12/2/11}
2. Application completed {Completed 12/2/11}
3. Orientation at regional office & turn in application {Completed 12/12/11}
4. Complete SLED/ Fingerprints and Child Abuse Central register releases on all members of household 18 years and older {Completed 12/19/11}
5. Attend 14 hours of preparatory training to help with self evaluation of the types of children which would fit into our family
6. Fire and sanitation inspections completed on home by the Fire Marshal and DHEC.
7. Home Visits: adoption specialist visits the home and completes interviews for pre- placement investigation
8. Three/ Four References received and interviewed by adoption specialist {2/3/12}
9. Medicals on all family members
10. Provide copies of birth certificates, Marriage license and divorce petitions and decrees if applicable
11. During assessment we along with the agency assess qualifications and readiness to adopt
12. Approval received and we are considered for children along with other approved and waiting families
13. Placement committee selects us and notifies us of a child
14. We are presented full background on child/children for whom we are selected
15. We meet child/children and begin visitation with child/children
16. Placement occurs when child and we are ready for move
17. Post placement period begins and can continue up to 12 months
18. Finalization of the adoption in Family Court (Hallelujah!)