Final homestudy visit is done!

Well, Tom came by at 3:30 yesterday, sat and interviewed the kids, and then walked through the house. We went over paperwork, he said he had everything except the certificate of Hague training, which I will have Ky send to him, and that was pretty much it.

Unlike last time, the kids were all together, with me, around the table. No private interrogations. He seemed impressed with them, and all that they are involved in. The kids were relaxed and talkative. I was relieved that they were open and said what they thought. When asked what her favorite thing was about school, Myleigh said recess. When asked what her second favorite thing was, she said outside recess. I had to offer that she loves reading, and she piped up quickly with, Im a good reader, too.

Mindy told him that she has two plans for after high school. One, and she said this sheepishly, is to spend time at Disneyworld, in their college student program, being a Disney character. She thought he would think that was kind of silly, but, he really got it, and said he had heard a lot about that program, and how much charity work they do. Then she said that she wanted to be on the BYU ballroom touring team, and he nodded approval.

Mstthew was quieter, but, had no trouble answering questions about being the one to go to China. He is so excited about that, and it really showed. He was fairly bored until Tom asked, who is going to China this time. He perked right up and beamed about it. Myleigh said she wanted to go, and I had to say again that we haven't decided yet about that.

Then the tour, which went well, the house always shows well. Being decorated for Christmas just made it that much nicer. And then, we were done.

Still, I am not going to get overexcited, not yet anyway. We still have to clear the USCIS. Once we know about that, we can breathe out.

Tuesday is the big walk through

The homestudy agency has all the paperwork. AAI has everything they need, and the dossier is clipping right along. Tuesday we will have Tom over for the interview with the kids and the walk through of the house. I don't think I could clean our house any better, and for a third time no less.

Im still waiting for that other shoe to drop.

Christmas is just 14 days away, and we are basically ready. All but the baking and the stocking stuffers are done. I don't think we will have a party this year. Even though my house is certainly clean enough for one, I just don't have the gumption to pull one together. We usually have friends over on Christmas Eve after the luminaria lighting at the cemetery, but, I haven't even heard if anyone plans to go this year. We will be there, of course.

The neighborhood is opting out of giving gifts this year, and doing some charity work instead, which is great by us, since we really don't know too many people anyway, and haven't spent much time at church, what with working weekends most of the year and all. The kids know more of our neighbors then we do.

We were asked to be on the ward activities commitee this year, and when it came time to organize the Christmas party, I wasn't able to go to the first meeting, so Tim told me the theme was Polar Express and I wrote up an outline of my ideas for the party, thinking they would probably pick one , maybe two of my ideas. No, they took the whole thing. Loved it, in fact. So, then I felt responsible for pulling it all together, and had to quickly delegate everything I could just to keep myself sane. After all, I have an adoption to pull together people. I do not have time to run a party.

So, in the end, I was left responsible for the entertainment, and asked Mindy and David to perform their waltz and quickstep to a medley Mindy recorded from the Polar Express soundtrack. That went pretty well, and everyone was very impressed. I asked the primary to put together the song When Christmas Comes To Town, with two soloists, and having the rest of the kids come in on the third verse and chorus. That went really well, too. The kids sounded great, it was pretty magical.

I had recorded several cd's of old Christmas music, Bing Crosby etc, and played it throughout the night as ambient music. The Polar Express was read aloud, while images from the book were displayed on a large screen. All the kids sat on the floor in the middle of the room. I had set the tables up in a large oval to give David and Mindy room to dance, and the kids just loved having all the room to run around.

It was just a fun night. Now that the party is over, and the shopping is done, I can focus somewhat on the adoption. Still so much to do.

Second visit down and at least one to go

Tom came right on schedule yesterday, and met with Tim and I individually. It seems like that went well. He plans to meet with the kids on the 16th to interview them, and then walk through the house.

I sent the packet of paperwork to WIA yesterday,. they will probably get it today or tomorrow, and then our background checks can begin. I haven't heard yet about any reference letters being received but, I'm not sure WIA will tell me as they arrive, so, maybe when Tom comes back next time he will have that information.

Still waiting for something to go wrong. Praying it doesn't.

Today is devoted to Christmas shopping all day. The malls open in a half hour, so, better get a move on.