The 4-Hour-Long Final Home Study Interview

Insert 4 Hours Later SpongeBob French Narrator Here

Our final home study interview was an intense one, lasting a full four hours. Nelson and I were first interviewed separately, where we each had the opportunity to share our individual perspectives and insights. Then, we came together at the end to review the results of a marriage questionnaire/test and to clarify some concerns regarding our financial report.

Going over the questionnaire results together was... interesting. It gave us a chance to reflect on our relationship, our strengths, and areas where we can grow even stronger as a couple and future parents. We're so grateful that our social worker was able to stay and complete everything in one afternoon that eventually turned into evening.

Now that the interviews are behind us, our social worker will write up her report. The very last item to check off our home study list is our annual physicals coming up next week.

We’re expecting to receive the report for review by mid-September for us to review and request any changes or clarifications. The home study is then included in the dossier that will be sent to Taiwan. It also includes photos of us, our home, certificates confirming we are who we say we are, our adoption education certificates, etc etc and so on and so forth. Christina and Nelson all boiled down into documents so they can match us with a little girl.

Other Preparations

I've been diligently learning Chinese to help us communicate and bond with her. It’s been a challenging but rewarding process, and I’m excited to continue learning. I knew Chinese was difficult to learn and I'm here to affirm it is indeed. She will be able to pick up English quickly, but I want to keep the language alive here at home for her as much as we can. We’re also exploring some options for light remodeling in what will be her room - new flooring, closet reconfiguration, and other miscellaneous items on the honey-do list.

So that's where we're at right now. I thought the home study would be "harder" - not that it was easy - but as long as you can follow instructions, be honest, and have a great husband to do paperwork, then it's not so bad!

Thanks for reading and praying and keeping up with our story :)