There is this aspect of adoption that all families go through in one way or another. We go into this with an organized mind and a focused heart. We stand tall, hold each other, cry and stress. This creature has a name. It's called..."homestudy"...and it is frighting!!

So, I thought it would be fun for those of you have not adopted to get a look at this part of the process.

Here's a list of part one:

-Birth certificates

-Marriage cert.

-SS cards

-Proof of other children/divorces/marriages/citizenships...

-W2's for the past 5 yrs

-Letter from employer stating you are in good standing with your place of work.

-Proof of mortgage or lease agreement

-Proof of health insurance, stating when coverage begins if you are placed with a child.

-Bank statements for all accounts

-Letter from bank stating how long you have been there and that you are in good standing.

-List of investments, with proof

-List of debt and what the debt is for; student loans, cars, mortgage...

-List of monthly expenses including the following; gas/electric, eating out, mortgage, car payment, how much in put into savings, entertainment...

-Proof of life insurance and for how much

-List of make and model cars

-Complete background check state and federal level, including fingerprinting. If you, let's say... have a record for a noise ordinance violation when you were 18 or trespassing in a park after hours when you were 19...be ready to explain! They want to know all about it. More information about the situation is better.

-Letters of reference from 6 person's not related to you, sent directly to agency.

-Documentation of level of education reached to this point in time.

-Complete physical...complete.

-HIV and drug screen.

And that is just the beginning :). Now comes part two...

You fill out detailed family history, couple history, marriage history. Ten pages of questions that

were not "yes/no" answers. They were LONG....

Some of the questions were; what is your parenting philosophy? how do you discipline? how were you disciplined? how do you handle conflict in your marriage? what are your rolls in the marriage? how do you communicate? The list goes on and on. I always thought it would be fun for when you got your marriage license or found out you were pregnant you were given all these questions to answer. They were so intense, and good for us to do. Hell, they are good for anyone in a relationship with children to do :). There is one section where you fill it out individually, away from your spouse. Then when you meet with the social worker they go over each of you answers...sexy I know.

Then the fun comes...they come to your HOUSE! eeeeeeeeeek. They come and look at everything! I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned....then cleaned so more. As if a clean house means you are going to be good parents! But, it gave us something to do when you are in a situation where you have NO CONTROL.

Imagine if you had to do this to give birth ;-)