Meeting our Social Worker

It was an ordinary day for us, Alison and I did our thing in the morning running errands. Around 1 o'clock it became less ordinary. I started watching the clock. Our first non-family babysitter was going to show up. I was really nervous how this would go. Would Alison cry? Would she be safe? Would this girl engage with my daughter the way I do? Or would she just ignore her? I am paying $7 an hour for this babysitter she had better engage with her! I asked my neighbor at least half a dozen times to keep an eye on her while they played outside. Jenny (the babysitter) showed up at 1:30. Alison had a little smirk on her face when she arrived, right then I knew she would be fine. Dan comes home, we bolt out the door late for the appointment already and I fully expect to see Alison at the screen door crying for me. Nope...as I leave the I see her disappear downstairs with the babysitter (she is in the lead by the way). What was I worried about????

We were late but we both had to use the bathroom and I remember being in the bathroom thinking, I can't believe I am here. I can't be live this is me, us. We should not be here...but then a peace. Wait...no, it IS okay. You are supposed to be here. Wait, what?

Reception called Christine and she came at us with a big smile. "Wow you are really tall" it is the first thing she says to us...to my husband. He is tall, he is 6'5" but over the years I have not not really noticed not like when we first started dating. We follow her into a meeting room, immediately I am reminded of my corporate days at Hewitt. Weird.

She is everything you would want in a social worker, this Christine. She is happy, she is a good listener. She is honest. We have a ton of questions and as we ask each one she first pauses then answers. I can't decide if that makes me feel good or unsettled. Is she sugar coating? Or is she just trying not to get our hopes up. I mean lets face it we want another baby and we wanted it yesterday, actually we wanted this 2 years ago. Our 2nd born would have been about 18 months old now with a birthday somewhere around February 11, 2007.

Anyway, our meeting was good we all felt relaxed. She made us feel comfortable. I think it is safe to say it will be a long road and it may be dark and hopeless at times. We have a lot of work ahead of us that is for sure. We have to write about ourselves and we have to ask others to write about us, that is going to be tough. But with the Lord at the wheel we are in safe hands. I have to trust that this is exactly where He wants us to be, exactly.

Hello World

First I want to thank each of you for your prayers and support. The past couple years (and especially the past few months) have been difficult emotionally for both Kelly and I. But thanks to each of you and a strength that only God can provide we are still standing tall and excited about the journey that God has in store for us.

Let me state first of all for the record that Kelly and I are rookie bloggers. Just like many of you may be rookie blog readers. But our goal is to just have some fun, tell some stories and possibly touch a few hearts along the way. This is a Faithful Journey and we are trusting in God's plan and path for our family. We are excited to have you along for the ride. So let's get started.

Yesterday afternoon we took one of the initial steps in the adoption process. We met with our adoption agency social worker, Christine. She is great. We met with her for two hours in the afternoon while Alison stayed with a babysitter (Jenny) for the first time. I have a feeling there will be a lot of firsts for us along the way so why not start now. Ali had lots of fun with Jenny painting and playing outside. We were so happy. Maybe we should get a sitter more often??