The Home Study
On December 6, 2004 Steph e-mailed Marilyn Cline of Compassionate Care; she is the one who will complete our home study. We assumed that it would be several weeks before we could get this accomplished and were anxious to get on the list. Much to our surprise Marilyn had time in her schedule to come before Christmas!!!! We planned for her to come to our home from Evansville, IN on the 15th at 4:00 PM.
Steph stayed home from work on the 15th to get the house ready for the home visit. There really wasn't much to do, but the being in her office and thinking about the fact that someone we did not know was going to come to our house and ask us personal questions did not set well with Steph (or with me either, I worked from home as well). Marylin arrived at about 4:30 and what we thought would be the inquisition of all inquisitions was to begin. After introductions she toured the house. We let her know where the babies room would be. She took some notes. I offered some coffee and she got to know Dixie, our Chocolate Lab. Funny story--I was concerned that Dixie would be a bother while Maryln was here so I tried everything I could to keep the dog from napping during the day. I don't think that was necessary, Dixie was very well behaved.
The questions that the Social Worker asked were much easier than we expected. She asked things about our childhood, our families, how well we get along with our siblings in the past and today. She asked about our high school activities and our church involvement. I really enjoyed the time, its not very often you get to talk about yourself and someone is truely interested in listening.
Our families knew that our home study was occuring and I know they were as anxious as we were. I know this because even before the interview was over, my mother called to see how it went (That's OK MOM!) Immediately after Marilyn left we called our parents to let them know that it was complete and the Home Visit had gone well.
Marilyn seemed to be very impressed with how well Steph keeps the house. It was cozy in the house that evening with the Christmas tree lights on. I guess since there are no little ones living here yet it is a lot easier to keep a tidy house than it will be in the future.
These are the things that we must complete so that the Home Study can be finished.
Steph stayed home from work on the 15th to get the house ready for the home visit. There really wasn't much to do, but the being in her office and thinking about the fact that someone we did not know was going to come to our house and ask us personal questions did not set well with Steph (or with me either, I worked from home as well). Marylin arrived at about 4:30 and what we thought would be the inquisition of all inquisitions was to begin. After introductions she toured the house. We let her know where the babies room would be. She took some notes. I offered some coffee and she got to know Dixie, our Chocolate Lab. Funny story--I was concerned that Dixie would be a bother while Maryln was here so I tried everything I could to keep the dog from napping during the day. I don't think that was necessary, Dixie was very well behaved.
The questions that the Social Worker asked were much easier than we expected. She asked things about our childhood, our families, how well we get along with our siblings in the past and today. She asked about our high school activities and our church involvement. I really enjoyed the time, its not very often you get to talk about yourself and someone is truely interested in listening.
Our families knew that our home study was occuring and I know they were as anxious as we were. I know this because even before the interview was over, my mother called to see how it went (That's OK MOM!) Immediately after Marilyn left we called our parents to let them know that it was complete and the Home Visit had gone well.
Marilyn seemed to be very impressed with how well Steph keeps the house. It was cozy in the house that evening with the Christmas tree lights on. I guess since there are no little ones living here yet it is a lot easier to keep a tidy house than it will be in the future.
These are the things that we must complete so that the Home Study can be finished.
- Application for adoption
- Release of Information, Home Study Contract, Post Placement Visit Contract, Release of Information for Child Abuse and Neglect
- Spiritual Life Survey, Family and Marriage Survey, and Financial Review
- Criminal History Check
- Physician's report
- Employment Verification
- Reference letters
- Birth Certificates
- Marriage license
- Proof of medical insurance
- Income tax forms
We can do it! It seems like a great deal to do, but it will be worth it!
posted by Baldwin at 9:15 PM
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