Wait...Stop...Hold On...We're Not Perfect Yet!!

So for the past few days we have been stressing about getting ready for our first home study visit.  Trying to make sure everything is perfectly clean and going over potential questions that we could be asked. Our poor dog Katie even got brought into the adoption stress(she got a bath and a nail grinding). Anyway, the visit went really great.  We were asked to describe each other, give a brief overview of our childhood, and why we chose international adoption. When it was all said and done it wasn't something to stress about. The meeting was relaxed and we were given some useful information.  We still have 2 more interviews and I am sure I am gonna be stressing about those too but at least we know what to expect.  

We are so appreciative of our friends and family and all the support and prayers.  I can not describe how good it was for my parents helping me to get the house clean(for those that know my dad you know how he has high standards). That alone lifted a lot off my shoulders.  Sean and I are so blessed to know that so many people were praying for us today.  Keep praying for us! Pray is the most powerful tool!

So Far No Morning Sickness...But the Paper Cuts Are Terrible

Look at all this paperwork and this is just the beginning! Plus we have already done some of the paperwork. We have a list of about 14 documents that need to be completed or obtained(thats just from our agency not including what our home study agency requires).  In addition to all this paperwork we have to complete 10 hours each of parenting classes.  So in between filling out papers and parenting classes we have to find time to go to work, eat, and sleep. 

UPDATE:
OK so while typing this entry I received an email with the document list from our home study agency. This adds an additional 12 documents to the original 14. So its a total of 26 documents.  This brings the question of HOW MUCH PAPERWORK CAN 2 PEOPLE HANDLE?!  Each piece of paper that is complete is one more step to getting this child home. In the end it is all worth every paper cut!

Just Love Coffee

You may have noticed that we have added a link to our Just Love Coffee Store Front.  We are going to be using this as a fundraiser for our adoption. Just Love Coffees are 100% fair trade. For every bag of coffee purchased through our shopping cart we will receive $5. 

Paper Chase and Christmas Lights

So as you can guess from the title we are doing lots of paper work.  We are starting to gather the documents needed for our dossier.  A dossier is basically a smorgasbord of information about us.  We are going to be very busy for the next couple of months gathering all the necessary documents, filling out forms, and doing our home study.  I have made lists of lists.  I recommend to anyone who is considering adoption or starting an adoption get a filing system going. There is so much paper to keep track of and keep organized.  It is all very overwhelming especially for someone like me who has to be in-control/overly organized all the time.  On the other hand every piece of paper that is completed is one step closer to bringing baby home. 

Christmas is just around the bend and Sean and I can't help but wonder if we will have a little one helping to decorate the Christmas Tree next year. Sean and I were blessed to be able to spend a weekend at the Homestead with great friends to kick off the Christmas season.  We are so blessed to be surrounded by amazing people everyday.