In about two months, our clearance from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service will expire, which means we have to go about renewing that, which means we have to have our home study updated and get our fingerprints taken again. I was definitely hoping we would have our referral prior to these updates, but it doesn't look like that will the case, so we'll just have to go ahead and get these things taken care of. It's hard to not feel a bit discouraged, but I am willing myself to remain hopeful and positive.
I was just looking at the timeline for Mario's adoption, and it's funny: six years ago we were right in the middle of our very first home study. Jerry and I were so nervous. We were told repeatedly the home study process was not going to be a big deal, but it sure felt that way to a couple of pre-parents. I think we cleaned every square inch of the house, and our house was already quite clean since it was just the two of us at the time, and what kind of mess do two adults ever really make? Everyone told us that the social worker would really just want to talk to us, and the house itself was not so important, but we couldn't help it. We cleaned everything anyway. And when it came time for the social worker to come over, the visit was smooth, friendly, and actually rather fun. She gave us some great suggestions, and we learned a lot. And she barely looked at the house! Of course, she could probably smell Pine Sol, Murphy's Oil Soap, and 409 from a mile away...
Anyway, so our fourth home study ought to be a piece of cake. The same lady who did our home study in early 2010 is going to do this update, so that will be very nice. She was very friendly, and the boys instantly liked her. I think we've seen her a couple times since then at social functions as well.
Nothing else to report. No change in our wait list number, as I understand the committee has not met in quite a while. That's it for now!