Beginning of the next chapter

Although, it was 3 months ago that were were called and told we were assigned an adoption worker... it wasn't until this week that we FINALLY meet the worker that will be completing our home study and ultimately is our adoption worker.  Why?  Well, the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare system went through several changes over the past couple months.  They had to be "reorganized" by January 1st because of a lawsuit that happened a few years back.  Not only did our kiddos get a new caseworker, but their case was transferred to another agency.  That also meant that our adoption piece also had to be transferred to the new agency.  However, the new agency wasn't quite set up yet to handle the adoption piece so it took about a month to find out who our worker would be.

It's all good now though. Our adoption worker came out on Wednesday to begin our home study.  We were able to give her a lot of paperwork.  We had to give her copies of our birth certificates, marriage certificate, social security cards, copies of all of our bills and assets. We also had to give her medical forms stating from our doctors that we are physically and emotionally capable of being parents. It also had to state we didn't have TB. We had to give our completed adoption application for the State of Wisconsin.  We also had to give information verifying Peter's employment and wages along with our tax information.  Yes, it's basically our lives rolled up into a nice fat looking file.

When she came over, we went over much of the financial information.  She had to complete the details on another form.  Then we got another packet of information that we need to complete for the next visit.  We have to sign forms that allow her to look at our FBI finger print files, our background checks, and sign agreements that state we will properly transport our children in booster seats & seat belts. We also had to sign a form agreeing that we will not use corporal punishment. It's a lot of forms!  Just think how life would be different if EVERY parent had to go through this screening process!  How would things be different if parents had to go through all the training that foster parents go through as well?

After our financial talk, I gave her the house tour.  She check all of our smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. It would be my luck that one of the carbon monoxide detector's batteries had just pooped out, so I had to quickly fix it on the spot.  (Just slightly embarrassing!) Before they left, I did get a chance to show off the kiddos.  I showed the worker (and her trainee) the slide show videos that I made of the kids.  Her impression "wow, they sure look happy!".

So, it's the start of our process... The start of the next chapter: Beginning the Path to Adoption.  We are looking forward to completing this process and to make it official. We are a family.