Yesterday we finally had our first appointment with our caseworker at LCFS. She said to us with a big smile, "your application has officially opened." We were like, super YAY and then, super WTF. I mean, it feels like we've been at this forever!

We talked a lot about the process and filled out another butt load of paperwork. (In other news, I think I've found a new shorthand version of my signature that I really like.) Our caseworker has been a foster parent, so she was given our file specifically. She explained to us that kids in foster care have been abused and neglected, and that is why they are there. She didnt mince words - she warned us she wouldn't. We knew going in to the meeting most of the things, but she really wanted to underscore what we were applying for. Also the importance of ongoing therapy and post adoption services, which LCFS has lots of resources. Catholic Charities does as well, and you need not have adopted the children through them to get services.

The interviews are about a five week long process - beginning yesterday with Jerry and I meeting her in her office. Next week she comes to our house to meet with us again and do a preliminary inspection. The week after I meet with her one on one, the week after Jerry does. Then a week after that we both meet with her again and she finalizes the home inspection. All on weekdays during business hours. This no doubt prepares us to relegate our schedule completely to the children when they arrive, but we are lucky we have a very understanding employer. It will be a lot of time off of work.

After that we have to take 27 hours of foster care education - it is a requirement by IL DCFS. I'm still a little fuzzy on how we find classes to take - though for me its yay more school. Our caseworker said that takes about 5 weeks, and then she needs 6 - 8 weeks to write up our home study. I always thought the home study was literally walking around your house making sure there is space and smoke detectors and such, but its actually the entire process of vetting us as potential parents. So after we complete the process and she writes it up, about four months, we will then be able to select potential children to adopt. Apparently selection occurs on websites run by the states for waiting children. Jerry and I met on the internet, we found the shelter we got Skipper from on the internet...why not find our kids there too? :)

So now that we are deciding whether to squish the kids in the Jetta or do the unthinkable and buy a minivan, we've decided to check out some schools in the area. If someone knows a Polish-English day school, please let me know... We've found Spanish, but that isn't going to help me figure out how many times Jerry's mom is ACTUALLY calling me fat!