One more step complete!!

We had our home visit today. This will be the only required home visit before placement. She said it would take about 2-3ish weeks to get the full home study written up. EEK! One step closer. Just as everyone told me... the home visit was nothing to be worried about. All in all, the home visit was about an hour and a half. We still have a little bit more paperwork to get to her. She said she would have about 75% of it done this week. Next step is to pay the fees and finish our profile.

Really... 7 weeks?

Wow. I can't believe I've been quiet here for seven weeks! It's been a very busy seven weeks. Not even sure where to begin. I don't have time to stay up all night and tell you everything. Here is an abbreviated version of what should really be about half a dozen posts:

We got our required pre-adoption training done. We can still take classes. Our agency certainly offers more. But we have finished the requirements.

I finished off quite a few home improvement projects. Some photos will follow.

I visited family in Kansas. I'm so glad I went. I hadn't seen my Grandma and Aunt in about nine years. It was a very bittersweet visit. Saying goodbye to my grandma was tearful for me. I know that it is very likely the last time I'll see her that she will know who I am.

After six weeks of being unemployed I got a job. I don't love it. Not at all! The wage is a HUGE step back for me, and there are essentially no benefits. I'm going to keep looking for something else.

Bella's due date was last weekend. It was a sad day. I was a bit taken by surprise how hard it hit me on the day. I'm doing much better with it now. It is not mine to understand.

We begin the face to face portion of our home study this week! EEEK. I have so much more that I want to get done around here. I am OK with the condition of 3 rooms of the house (the nursery, the guest bathroom, and the game room) so that leaves the living room, the dining room, kitchen, master bedroom, master bathroom and laundry room that are not in a condition I'm entirely pleased with. Oh well.... the first visit is not till the Tuesday. Did I mention I got a job? I have to go to work tomorrow.... OYE ;)

Maybe I will elaborate on the above mentioned goings on in another post on another day. I best not promise though. Here are the pictures:





I know full well that this room may sit empty for a long time. That's a chance I'm willing to take. I think it was good therapy for me during the days leading up to Bella's duedate to be preparing a nursery. I did beadboard paneling by myself. I also recovered the chair. I have the structure in place as I want it. The details can wait till a baby shower after we have baby at home. It was great to do this all while I had time to spare at home. I can't imagine trying to get all of this done how I wanted it with a new baby at home.

I wanted to get a pack'n'play. We were looking at them yesterday and this one was on clearance.

Bedtime has passed and I'm pooped. Goodnight!