Getting Closer... I think!

My social worker finally got back with me this week. She completed the changes to the home study and sent it for one last look over. I had a couple more typos that I found and I am not sure if the adoption agency had any further changes. So, hopefully this means we are getting closer to having the home study in hand so we can get the form sent in for homeland security approval.

Other than that, I don't have a lot to report. We are still landscaping the backyard around the pool. Our neighbors came over and helped us trim the shrubs-- Yuko knows everything there is to know about pruning and trimming! We bought a couple of stepping stones and river rock, but we are still unsure of how to finish it. Plus, Stephen may want to move it again next year, so I don't want to put to much money into it, especially just for one year!

Gimme (Dianna's mother) had to have an ingrown toenail removed this week. She's been in a lot of pain. So, she hasn't been able to go shopping. But for those keeping up with it, Amelia has about 100 or so outfits already! Here is a picture of her closet:

The Office

If you'll remember a few months back, we were building an office in our basement to make room for the nursery. It's been done for a while, but I never remembered to add a picture of it on here. So, for all of you wondering if we really did finish the office, here is a picture of it. Tell me what you think...

As for the adoption, nothing much has happened. We know for sure that the agency has reviewed the home study and wanted a few changes. Our social worker is working on that and we haven't seen the final one yet. I am stressing out about it, but Stephen thinks I am stressing about nothing. I just want all of this paperwork to be done!

A Long Week

It's been a long, long week. And we don't really have anything new to report- unfortunately. I met with our accountant this week and our taxes are done! That's an accomplishment in itself! But the better news from this happening is that Stephen's letter for his self-employment is complete.

We haven't heard from our adoption agency on the home study approval. But, I think we should hear something this week. I hope it's positive news so we can move forward. We have to complete our personal application letter (explaining who we are and why we want a baby from China) and gather some pictures to go along with it. Can you believe I am actually stressing out over the pictures?! We have many from which we can pick, but I want to send the best of the best. I may need to post a few and let you decide!

I know this was a quick post. But, I am going to get in the pool for a little while. For those who have requested a picture of it, here it is-- but keep in mind that we haven't done the landscaping yet!

At Long Last...

I know I haven't updated in a while, but I really haven't had much to tell. Gimme has been shopping and bought more clothes and our pool if finally ready for swimming. That's been the most exciting news that we've had lately.

But now- hold on to your seats! Our home study is completed!!! It took us a while to get in touch with our social worker, but at long last, we have it and it's done! We reviewed it this weekend and found a few typos, so I sent it back to her this morning. She's already sent it to our adoption agency for approval. Once all of this happens, then we can get the dreaded form completed. I just hope it doesn't take long for it to come back to us. It's a recently updated form and I have received several emails about things they are finding out AFTER the form was submitted and returned for errors. Let's hope we can get ours right the first time!!

The most recent newsletter we received from the agency said that typical wait times have been extended from 24 months to 28 months. Let's pray that the time frames get shorter after the Olympics and after the cleanup on the earthquake damage.

So, that's all for now. I'll try to post some pictures this coming up weekend.