We finished our last class on September 9!!!! We were so excited to get it over with. It was a little odd, that class, since we took the last class first and first class last and our last class (the first class in the series of six) was on information we had already learned. The best part about that class was that we were able to meet the founders of Covenant Kids. They seem like a nice Christian couple.
The next step is to turn in mountains of additional documents like insurance forms, physician statements, financial statements, marriage licenses, birth certificates…and the list goes on and on. I’m not sure which is more painful…all this paperwork or actual childbirth! Can I get an epidural please! Just kidding! I’m sure actual childbirth is far more painful than all the paper cuts I’ve had dealing with this paperwork.
After our agency receives the additional documentation, we will be scheduled for our home study. Meanwhile, we are waiting for a call from the county to schedule the fire inspection. We will turn in the documentation this weekend so it may be just a matter of a few weeks until the big home study (and health inspection).
The home study goes something like this….4 to 6 hours of very invasive and very personal questions about money, sex, marriage, our childhood, discipline, all the mistakes we made growing up, etc and a super fabulous peak at every part of our home. Once the home study is done it has to be written up. That process generally takes a few weeks and sometimes there could be additional follow up questions and/or visits. Once the home study is finalized, the agency will review the report and make a determination if we are “stable” or not and will also review our file to make sure all the necessary paperwork is in order and nothing is missing. If they decide Scott and I are okay to foster, we will get our license, generally about 30 days or so from the home study date.
This means that we could be as little as 6 to 8 weeks away from being fully licensed. We were last told that for our area a wait for a baby may only be a few weeks to a few months once licensed. Lord willing the wait will not be long. Since we will be fostering an infant with hopes of adopting, there is about a 50/50 chance that we will care for the baby temporarily or that it will go on to adoption.
Meanwhile, we have been having fun preparing for the baby! We cleaned out the baby’s room and closet. We have the crib and changing table set up and the dresser has been ordered. We still have much to buy but shopping sure is fun!
We have learned so much during this process but the dumbest thing we leaned was that we have to lock up the diaper rash cream! Ridiculous! This is an actual rule. It’s a rule because one time, one kid ingested some and got a little tummy ache. Now all foster parents have to literally lock up the diaper rash cream. We may be locking up diaper rash cream for up to 18 months since if we get a baby, the family has up to 18 months to get their act together before we can officially adopt.
Craziness, I know. But the Lord is faithful and we are really excited about loving a child for however long (or short) of a time that may be. We know that the Lord has picked out our forever kids and someday He’ll bring them to us. Meanwhile, we are enjoying the adventure towards parenthood.
The LORD'S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him." - Lamentations 3:22-24
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