Let's Backtrack a Bit

I have this need to do something towards bringing our little guy home almost everyday. Since it is out of my hands now, I've managed to quell that need from everyday to doing something once a week. So this week its the blog!
I've gotten a few emails asking how we got to this point in the process. We started researching adoption agencies last November. Many people (both personally and on the internet) recommended Lifelink Adoption Agencies. I've worked with Lifelink through my job, only through their teen parenting programs, so that brought some reassurance as well. They happened to have a branch in Rockford, so after Christmas Carol was over (Sean was directing it) we made an appointment to meet with them. We liked the social worker we met with (Laura), so we decided to jump right in. To complete our home study we needed to meet with her for interviews, write our life stories, get physicals (even Amos!) and fill out a pile of paperwork. Two of the interviews would be with the both of us, and then she would meet with us individually. Our final interview would be at our home so that she could interview Cydney and see our home as well. Before the interviews began we had to write our life stories to give her ideas on what to ask and probably show any possible red flags. The outline they gave us was 4 pages long, so we didn't think it was out of the question that our stories turned out to be 25 pages long. But after Laura's reaction when we turned it in, we asked how long they normally are. Ten pages! With pictures! Ha! Well hopefully we got a gold star for divulging everything! Our final interview with Cydney was fun. I say fun, yet I (nor anyone in the house) was not saying that before she arrived. I could not get the house clean enough. Cydney did very well during her interview. During the visit she dug around her toy basket until she found her magnifying glass and used it to check Laura out! I enjoyed the irony of that!
We had to get finger printed by both the state and federal governments. The federal set seemed to be more challenging. Apparently I have almost worn my prints off! Who knew you could do that?? But after a second set were taken I seemed to be clear.
We recently got our license to be a foster home. Since the adoption won't be finalized here in the U.S. until we've been home with the little guy for six months, we will be considered (legally) his foster family during that time. The license slowed our process down slightly because DCFS lost our paperwork. Once we realized it, it had been two weeks, and we had to resend it and wait another two weeks. Although, they said there would be bumps in the road and if that is the biggest bump we get we'll be doing very well.
So that brings you up to date. Our paperwork is with the state government and will hopefully be back to us by the end of April and then we'll send it on to the federal government.
I hope that gives you a thorough, if not TOO thorough look at the Home Study process. Thanks again for checking our blog!