Okay, now on to the more important stuff!! I went to the agency today to look through some profile books. It was so much fun, and I am going to get started on that ASAP! While I was there Annette told me she still wasn't sure what was going on with our adoption worker. I took the initiative and called Grand Rapids (that's where they handle all of Bethany's embryo adoptions) and told her that Debbie (our nice embryo lady there) told me that our home study is to be done as a Domestic Infant adoption. They would accept that home study. She then said she'd have to talk with Dawn, the head of the adoption workers.
A short time lady, Dawn, (she was there when Jesse and I went through the adoption seminar and I had spoken to various times about questions I had) came up to me to tell me that she will be our adoption worker. I am so excited because she has been so helpful and nice. She even mentioned, she knew what a whirlwind everything has been for Jess and I. Then she continued to tell me that she wanted to set up the home visit for this week. So...on Wednesday, she will be coming. I am a little confused because I thought there were meetings with me individually, Jesse individually, us together and then the home visit?! I guess we'll find out.
So, now for all of you who have done the home visit. What should I expect? I am cleaning the house top to bottom today due to everyone coming over tomorrow for an end of summer party. And I plan to clean the floors on Sunday or Monday after everyone leaves. DO I need to go as far as organize closets and things like that? You know things I have been putting off and putting off?!?!
I'm so darn geeked!!! Say some prayers and those of you who have done the home visit, HELP!? I don't know what to expect!!!
12 comments:
Yay for some progress!! So excited that you get to start this ball rolling with all the requirements and whatnot! =D
We used Bethany for our homestudy also. Oh, you only need to worry about the safety issues: fire extinguishers, medicines and cleaners separated from food, hand guns locked up separately from the bullets, no major safety issues with the house, etc. They want to see you have room for a child and the ability to care for it in your home. They are so nice about it and even had us move something minor later on...but they won't give you a pass/fail grade. =) I remember thinking afterwards, "Why did I stress about that visit?". Hope this helps...
We haven't done a homestudy yet, but it kind of freaks me out so I have done a LOT of researching on what to expect. They aren't out to find faults, just to make sure your home is safe and child-proof. As in, no guns laying around, no exposed wires, chemicals in the garage locked up, pets up-to-date with vaccinations, etc...
But I know what you mean about wanting to clean and organize like crazy! haha! I feel the same way about it.
As for the interviews and stuff, I'm kind of curious too. The information we got from Bethany gave a timeline of:
-adoption seminar
-interview together
-paper work/questions
-seperate interviews
-home visit
-approval/turn in book/"go active"
Maybe they are just trying to hurry the process along for you?
No, you don't need to do that. Unless you want to! We used Bethany too. You just need a fire escape plan drawn out. And guns locked. She did a home tour, but never looked in our fridge or medicine cabinets or anything. Really just a quick look in each room. They want to make sure you have room in your house, that you live in a sanitary place (your not a hoarder or have 500 cats or keep chickens in the house), and that your house is safe (locks, fire escape plan). For our interviews, they did one with both of us at the office, each of us did one individually, then one together at our home. Maybe she's just doing it backwards :-)
I had a home study with Bethany too and it's actually a piece of cake! They aren't looking for dust bunnies - Rather, they are looking for basic needs and general safety in your home. :)
So exciting!
We had our Bethany home study in May and I had every nook and cranny spotless - closets organized, deck freshly stained and sealed, the whole 9 yards...it was SO not necessary, but it was nice to have it done! :)
You sooooo don't need to do any of that!! As the others have said, they're just making sure you're not living in a cardboard box with crack pipes and guns on the coffee table. :) Seriously though, we spent HOURS preparing for our home visit, deep cleaned everything, went totally bananas. I was so disappointed when the tour part was only five minutes and she didn't even look in any closets! Haha! You'll pass with flying colors, don't worry about that!
Hmm. I'm not well versed in this but I would just make sure there isn't any dangerous things just laying on the floor for kids to get into and that your house is relatively clean. Or like your sink doesn't have last night's drinking binge bottles all over it ;-). You also don't want to come across as OCD either so an overly clean house might look weird too. Like, you'd be joan crawford in Mommy Dearest (i.e., no wire hangers). Haha! I'm sorry I feel not qualified to answer but that's just my 2 cents..
Also, this Bethany you're talking about. Is it the same place that that couple on Teen Mom's is using? If you can get past all of the heartbreak of that show, I think that organization has been represented well from the few scenes I've seen...
I'm ready there with ya, hon! Our homestudy is the 26th. I've heard that they don't do a "white glove inspection" and really just look at the baby's room, etc. It's nothing too serious....but I'm still going to clean the house top to bottom. :)
We definitely cleaned for our home study - but organizing closests or pantry is not needed. You just need to show them you have a home, it has room for a baby and where you will put the baby once it is here, and that you have started child proofing your home. Let me know if you need any help.
Sounds like things are moving along well. When our social worker came out for our homestudy, he just checked to make sure we had a room for a baby and that we had all the safety things taken care of. They had given us a checklist so it made it pretty easy. Of coure I spent several days making sure everything was organized and clean. It was easy though. Just enjoy it.
Thinking of you!!! Saying prayers that your home study will go well this week. I'm excited for you! I'm sure you'll have your home ready to go! :)
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