5-30-07 I heard from my social worker! Her name is Lynette and she's been working with adoptions for about 9 years. She also works or DYFS during the day. It took so long b/c she had the wrong phone number and didnt know it...kept getting busy signals. She was also in the process of moving, so it took longer for her to contact me. We're on the way now. There are 3 meetings required for the homestudy. (1 educational class and 2 meetings with her, at my house.) I was told there is an educational clas THIS weekend, and luckily I wasn't working so I can attend. The next one wasn't until July so I got lucky! Each meeting needs to be 7 days apart so we scheduled my 2 at home meetings for the 11th and 18th. She said not to go crazy cleaning and getting nervous, the hard part of the homestudy is already over (the autobiography, references, etc.) and this is really more of an educational lesson on both our parts...for me its about the process and adoption in general and for her, its to learn about me. Lynette said my home study will then be done by the end of June!! I can't believe it. I thought it was going to take months....I hope I'm not "missing" something.

5-8-07 I mailed in all my homestudy papers. Three days later I got a message from Carol Eifferman saying they recieved my packet and she's touched base with a social worker that may be assigned to me but not sure of her work load. She's going to talk to her again and see if she'll be the right fit. I'm to wait for a social worker to contact me.

5-4-07 Got test results back already...since yesterday! All fine, picked up copies.

5-3-07 Got my physical from Dr., had bloo work done 2 weeks ago so I can use that, don't have to re-do but have to go for HIV test, since that wasn't ordered.

5-1-07 A busy day.... I finished my autobiography!!! PHEW! I finally got a chance to tell Patrick and though he was completely aware of the possibility, I told him the process had begun. He was very happy and accepted my offer of being The Godfather. Carrie, my next door neighbor, mailed out her reference letter. Made a copy of my passport and liscense. Signed and filled out the CARI (child abuse backround check) form with a check to the agency for it. Filled out most of the financial info form, just need to get copies of my bank statements. Signed "philosophy policy on discipline" form. Signed and notorized the homestudy services contract. Called Dr. to schedule physical...told me just to come in.

4-29-07 Roxanne/Quinn and I met up with Kathy/Meredith for lunch and had a nice time. We went to this awesome scrapbook place and I picked up a few baby things! Think I may cheat and try to copy the "first year" book Rox did... I loved it. On my way home I stopped at Tierney's and told her and her parents. Everyone was surprised and again, very supportive! I think Tierney's still trying to figure out how to get to come with me over to Kaz~ haha.

4-28-07 I went down to Maryland to visit "the girls" and had a blast telling them. Everyone was very happy and supportive. It was nice to be able to tell them... made it real. I was taken back when Martina started talking about college funds already! too funny! We had a toast and started throwing around middle names. ;)

4-26-07 Today is mom's birthday and we all went over her house for dinner. I told Keirstin and Alexa about the adoption. I never thought THEY'D be the hardest people to tell! Keirstin had more intellectual questions and Alexas just wanted to know when her new cousin would be "into" American Girl dolls with her! I said "probably by the time you're getting ready to get your drivers liscense." haha They were excited. Keirstin gave me a big hug and kiss and said "Congratulations!" :)

4-26-07 Today is mom's birthday and we all went over her house for dinner. I told Keirstin and Alexa about the adoption. I never thought THEY'D be the hardest people to tell! Keirstin had more intellectual questions and Alexas just wanted to know when her new cousin would be "into" American Girl dolls with her! I said "probably by the time you're getting ready to get your drivers liscense." haha They were excited. Keirstin gave me a big hug and kiss and said "Congratulations!" :)