New Social Worker

Since my last post, so much has happened, and so quickly.  After the first social worker cancelled the meeting which she chose the date and time, we called her supervisor.  Apparently she hasn't been forthright with her supervisor.  We have a new social worker.  Within 24 hours of being assigned to us, the new social worker had called me and sent me documents we need to fill out.
She is coming over Monday for the first home visit!  This weekend has been a busy one.  We had a lot to do to get ready.
Here's an overview
- Chris put up the new house numbers, we took the old yucky ones off the transom and Chris put new ones on the front porch
-Chris hung the trip around the bathroom door and discovered the top piece was damaged

- Chris had some one haul the old heating oil tank from under our porch and cleaned up under there and put down ground cover plants
-I set up the new dining room table (we haven't gotten the chairs yet)

-We finished the basement door.  Chris cut a hole so the cats can get to their litter box, put a new lock on it and fixed it so it fit and closed properly.

- Chris's 30th birthday present was delivered!

-I painted the new radiator cover the for the child's room and put it in there.  We have hot water radiators which aren't as hot as steam, but I still wanted a cover for the child's room.
- Chris put a lock on the linen closet and I moved all the cleaning supplies and medications in there.
For the homestudy, we are now working on
-medical clearances, we scheduled doctor's appointments
-taking the cats to the vet next week to update everything for them
-FBI clearance
-Police and child abuse clearances for every state and country we have lived or worked in since we've turned 18. 
-We have to write up a discipline policy
-Get copies of our W-2s, last year's taxes, marriage license, birth certificates, etc
-3 friends are writing letters of recommendation that need to be notarized

I was able to talk with the new social worker over the phone and get some questions answered.  We don't need to have the child's room and playroom set up.  We don't need baby gates and cabinet locks yet.  I was glad to hear it, because its hard to set up for a child you don't know anything about.  Age, gender, needs and abilities, all of these will determine how we prepare. 

Working on the Homestudy

We sent our Home Study application in 2 weeks ago and still haven't heard back (and they haven't cashed our check).  I called them on Friday, it's a different agency than our adoption agency, since our adoption agency is in Washington State.  Not too many agencies operate in our little "not state," so we need to use a different agency for the Home Study.  I was informed that they would get back to me "in a few days," to see if they got the application.  I know its a holiday weekend, but don't they have computers?  We had to choose five references in our local area, and none have been contacted since I last checked in with them.  I hope they don't throw a wrench in the process. 
The home study is an important part of determining if prospective parents are ready to be adoptive parents- they check your background, employment status, finacial status, and they inspect your home.  Its weird to "baby proof" our house and set up a kid's room when we don't know anything about this kid.  How old, if its a boy or girl and what the needs will be.  Although, it will most likely be a toddler, so it is good to think about baby proofing, becuase we need to hit the ground running.  Usually, parents have a few months before their kids are mobile and sticking things in their mouths- we won't have that luxury. 
I told Chris I would drive up to Lake Wobegone and get these social workers moving, but he has informed me that not all Lutherans are associated with "A Prairie Home Companion."
Current status is waiting...