For those who are interested in the process of adoption, I wanted to share what our first time at-home visit with the social worker was like. She came a few weeks ago and will be back next week. It's amazing how these little steps (a signature, a conversation about a particular topic, a tour of the house) all lead closer to adding another person to our family.
The kids met our social worker for the first time too. She had them give her a tour of the house, and at every stop she asked the boys what they like to do in each room. In the kitchen Milo told her, "Dad cooks all the meals, like yummy chicken." Braydon, in his quiet way, shook his head no, which made me feel a little bit better (at least someone knows that I do most of the cooking). Luca grunted and squealed his way through sentences that I am sure she didn't understand. He was just as excited, but I am sure not aware at all what was going on. As she walked around, we talked about what is required physically in our home. The only thing we were missing is one carbon monoxide detector. The standards are very reasonable: fire alarms, an adequate bed and space for a child, exits, running water, and electricity.
After the kids modeled how they sleep in their beds and how they hammer on their instruments we sent them to my parents. We then talked together about how we deal with transition and our expectations for transitioning with a new baby. She met alone with Jo (my individual meeting is next), and then we discussed our comfort level with different kinds of involvement from the birth family. She told us we are very much on the "open" side of adoption. To us, I think this openness is just a way to care for our child, if it is healthy for all involved. We signed a few more papers, turned in our will, and received of a checklist of what is left. Its really only about eight things, and it looks like we will be 100% ready for adoption this summer (ekk!)
Overall, I enjoyed her last visit, and I think it brings our family together. We are working for a common goal and preparing for something huge together. Sharing who we are with a stranger is a little intimidating and it definitely makes us laugh from time to time, but it has also given great opportunity for teaching our children about love and family, about how some things in life are worth a little work, and about how the love of God keeps us going through it all.