Orientation

Tonight we had "orientation" with a staff member from CHI. Because we have not been able to make it to a meeting in Kansas City or St Louis they called us at home. The staff member went through the adoption guide with us and answered our many questions. The guide says that the adoption process is as easy as 1-2-3. Well, I'm not so sure about that. With all the paperwork that goes into step one, it's a little overwhelming at times. Whats been encouraging is reading stories of the many people who have gone before us. There are thousands of couples, and singles, who have adopted internationally and a majority of them did so with very little obstacles, except for the occasional delay or two that seems to be normal. So I keep thinking "if they can do it, so can we". And we are praying for God's favor, to get our paperwork in at the exact right timing so the child or children that He has planned for us will be in our arms. We have our timing that we have decided we would like everything to happen in, but He knows better, and we need to surrendor our will to His.
Our next step is to send in our approval form, which basically says we agree to work with CHI and to abide by their rules. Then a social worker will contact us and we will get started on the homestudy. I haven't started ordering marriage licenses and birth certificates, but will probably do so in the next couple of weeks. We will also begin researching financing options as some of the fees come due quickly. We have to have a medical exam to prove we are fit to be parents, as well as get our police reports. I know this may sound silly, but some days I wonder, wouldn't it be weird if all of this was required before you could give birth to a biological child? Just something to ponder.....
Next week we are headed to Pennsylvania to see my sister Jessica. Bethany (my youngest sister), Tony and I leave Saturday morning and will be gone for a week. We are excited to get away from the house buying, packing and work for a while. We're also excited to meet her new FIANCEE!! Just last night she got engaged. It's an exciting time for all of us it seems.
The week after we return we close on and move into our new home. That brings even more excitement! We'll be glad when it is all over and we can settle down, but that only means picking up the pace on the adoption. Who wants a normal life anyway? :) Thats just boring!