WhooooHooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is how I feel right now because we COMPLETED OUR HOME STUDY!!!
Our super sweet social worker came out on Monday morning to do our in-home visit that is required for our home study. I will admit...I was SO nervous the last few days leading up to our visit. I just found myself so anxious about every little thing. Was my house going to be good enough? Was I even going to be able to get it clean? Was she going to ask me something that I didn't know the answer to? Were the boys going to behave and mind while she was here? I hate that I let myself get so worked up about it, because it really was so super laid back and easy.
There was something funny that happened that I want to remember. In our autobiographies we had been asked to write a descriptive sketch of each of our children describing their personalities. I described Brody as being outgoing and talkative and one of those kids who never meets a stranger, while Beckett is more reserved and quiet and a little harder to get to know at first. (My description of each child was much longer than this...I just wanted to point out this little part.) We were so surprised that when our social worker arrived, Brody hid behind me and wouldn't talk, while Beckett grabbed her by the hand and drug her inside to show her his room. Ha! He took her to every little thing and said, "Dis is my fan, and 'dis is my bed, and 'dese are my legos" and on and on and on. We got so tickled! He warmed up to her immediately and was practically sitting in her lap by the time she left. Brody eventually came out of his shell and was talking to her some, but he just was so teased the whole time she was here! I guess he is old enough to realize the whole situation was a little out of the ordinary, and it just took him a bit to get comfortable with her being here. So unlike him though! I guess you never know about kiddos!
Anyway, she came in and we did the home walk-through first. She just walked through the house and pretty much just peeked into each room. I waaayy overcleaned. Everyone tried to warn me, but I didn't listen. Seriously, to anyone wondering...there is no need to organize cabinets and bleach baseboards and clean out every little drawer. It was so low key. She just has to make sure your home is safe and that there is room for the child. Then, I got Brody and Beckett busy with a few activities, set Levi up to play in the living room, and we just sat on the couches and talked. She asked us a few questions, we asked her some, she "interviewed" us individually (super easy), she talked to Brody for a little bit, we went over some financial stuff and our special needs checklist, and that was it! Done! We were finished before lunch, and honestly, I was enjoying talking to her so much that I didn't want her to leave! Brent even said it was easy and comfortable, and he wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. He is super private and doesn't like people intruding in his business, and I don't think he ever felt uncomfortable. We are so thankful for our sweet social worker! I am so sad that I didn't get our official home study picture with her before she left. I thought about it soon after she left.
What's next? She has to type up our home study report and send it to the Tulsa office for approval. She thought she could possibly have it on the way to them by the end of the week. Depending on how busy the Tulsa office is, she said they should have it approved within 2-4 weeks of receiving it. Could be longer if they are really backed up, but hopefully it wont be any longer than a month. Once they approve it and sign off...we are OFFICIALLY ON THE WAIT LIST FOR A CHILD!!! Yaayy!!!!
I honestly can't believe that we are finished with those first few steps that were so daunting and scary to us when we first started. I remember being so afraid of all of the paperwork and the home study. But my fear was in vain. It really wasn't bad at all. Time consuming? Yes. Scary? No. It was actually very exciting to be making steps closer to our 4th child. I know the hard part is just beginning. The waiting. Waiting to see our child's face. Then, the long wait to bring him home. I know these next few months are going to be so busy with Brody starting Kindergarten, Beckett's 3rd birthday, Levi will probably be walking soon...I am hoping this will help in the wait! We will keep everyone posted as I hear updates about our home study! Thanks so much for all of the prayers and for the sweet messages I got Monday morning letting us know we were being thought of. Your support and exitement means everything to us.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
The kids and I left Monday afternoon to spend a few days at the lake...pictures to come!
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