Reverse Order

Well, we completed our home study in record time but it did require that I make a trip back to Indiana without Sophie. On Tuesday, I drove the 4 1/2 hours back for a 40 minute appointment with a social worker and a quick visit with my doctor to complete the medical form. Sophie stayed in Michigan and received plenty of love from my friend and sister-in-law who watched her. I loved on my boys and hubby and then turned around and drove the 4 1/2 hours back to Michigan. The offer was made to stay the night, but I could not think about being away from her that long:)

Usually the home study is done early on in an adoption process, even before there is a placement. But we are definitely doing things in the reverse order here! I am not sure I understand completely what happens now, but will try to describe it in layman's terms. The home study is currently being forwarded to the ICPC Office in Michigan (Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children) who will sign off and then it will go to Indiana ICPC Office and they will sign off. This is an acknowledgement between the states that an adoption is in process and the ICPC approval will be my ticket back home! The adoption process will continue and finalization will be in Judge Dennis Carroll's court in our county in Indiana. Judge Carroll is a great Christian man who has also adopted. So we are excited about finalization, but that will take 3-6 months.

I really am hoping to be home by Oct 9th, but there is NO guarantees about the time frames. The attorney we hired in Michigan is doing his best to use his contacts at the ICPC office in Michigan to expedite this in Michigan. Unfortunately, I have gotten word that things can move slowly here:( So, we can only pray at this point.

Even though this time is a gift to bond with her and spend the one-on-one time with her, I desperately miss my boys and hubby. She is such a pumpkin as you will see from these recent pics! Her cheeks just keep getting jucier and jucier!