Tangible Evidence

I just can't believe this is actually going to happen.....

Oops!  Let me start at the beginning.  Yesterday morning, our "Permanency Specialist" from our agency paid us our first visit.  She came bearing a boatload of paperwork and a ton of information (We are so into this that we even think the paperwork is fun :)  Good news: neither of us have a criminal record and our home passed the safety inspection so we are able to move forward, lol.

The thing I like about our Permanency Specialist (Stephany) is that she is very real and down to earth.  She reminded me again that this is a process and although we wish it would happen over night, it just can't.  I told her in all honesty, I am surprised that this has been moving along as fast as it has.  It's like my cousin Katy said, Phil and I have had to be patient about many many things in our lives- patience is a virtue we have! But don't get me wrong, I still wish the process would move faster :) 

Stephany also mentioned that we shouldn't feel bad if the first child doesn't work out.  She said that we need to find the right fit for our family.  Basically, don't feel like you must adopt the first child that comes along.  Really make sure that he or she is a good fit.  My mom and dad have been telling Phil and I this, however it was interesting to hear it from someone within the agency.  I know that this is the thing I really must pray about- the wisdom to be able to look inside myself and be honest about how the relationship with the child is going.  I am a "fixer" and a "pleaser" and I know this is going to be a big challenge for me. Definitely praying on this one!

Finally, the most exciting part (to me anyway). Before leaving she mentioned that within the next three months or so we should really consider getting a crib, a small pack of diapers, and a small tub of formula.  She said that we could get an emergency placement anytime after we are certified foster parents and we will want to be prepared.  This is the part that is making my heart skip a beat!  You see, we can talk about the child all we want, can think about certain scenarios, be told when he or she might be coming, but this is TANGIBLE EVIDENCE!!!  Proof, right in front of my eyeballs, that we are getting ready to welcome a child into our home.  My heart races and swells just thinking about it :)

So, where do we go from here?  Phil and I must each write an autobiography based on a list of questions we were given.  Once Stephany has read our autobiographies, we will set up interviews with her (a separate interview for each of us and one with the two of us together) with questions based on our autobiographies.  After that is completed, she will write a "family profile" and give it to her supervisor to be approved.  In the meantime, Phil and I still need our child abuse and FBI clearances.  Also, questionnaires will be sent out to four references.  So, we are moving along but still have a ways to go.  We are so over the moon- I picked the brain of a car seat/stroller specialist at Buy Buy Baby yesterday for about an hour trying to soak up information, lol.  Thank you so much for your prayers and support, we can feel the love all around us.  Can't wait to see what happens next.....