September adoption update: Part 2

Onto Part 2...

I left off by telling you we'd rescheduled our appointment with the state social worker.

She arrived on time and was a very pleasant woman to work with. She wanted a tour of our home-- inside and out-- and our kids led her through the rooms, pointing out everything they thought she should know about: "Come see our bunk beds! We have chickens! Do you wanna see our chickens?" As she walked through she asked questions and made observations. Things like, "Where do you keep your prescription medications? Your cleaning supplies? Your knives? Any alcohol in the house?" ...etc.

Then we moved into the living room where she declined my offer of molasses cookies (which is unfortunate for her because they are *so* good!) She sat down with an "Inspection sheet" and went over each list item specified by the state as to what condition our home should be in . Anything that was not up to par went on a sheet entitled: Statement of Deficiencies and Plan of Correction. (Sounds severe, doesn't it?) The sheet was a carbon copy, and the idea is that we then make a notation of our plan of correction, or: what we're going to do about it, including what date we will have it completed by.

Our list of deficiencies/corrections is as follows:

-We have a ladder leading up to the kids' playhouse that is deemed "unsafe" by the state.
CORRECTION: We need to write up a supervision plan stating that we will supervise children when they use the ladder.

-We do not have flashlights in our childrens' rooms.
CORRECTION: We'll place accessible flashlights in each child's room.

-Our bathroom floor is not sealed and "scrubbable". (Because we're in the process of refinishing that.)
CORRECTION: We're working on that. (Or, I should say, Mark is working on that.)

-We need to provide current insurance documentation. (We initially provided insurance documentation nearly a year ago; it has since been updated and we need current documentation for the state.)
CORRECTION: We'll photocopy that and supply it to the state.

-Check water temperature. Water temp. cannot exceed 120 degrees.
CORRECTION: Check temperature. (Did this already.)

-Bathtub does not have rail or non-skid pads.
CORRECTION: We'll get some. (Our tub now has these.)

-We have a fireplace.
CORRECTION: We will need to write up a statement indicating that our fireplace is not in use.

-Check smoke detectors.
CORRECTION: We'll check these and ensure they are operating properly.

-Fire escape plan.
CORRECTION: We will practice fire drills with our children. (And, um... we've never done this. It's been so long since I've even done a fire drill I am just not even sure how to go about this. What do our kids need to know? CUTZI...??? Anyone?)

-State needs our childrens' immunization records.
CORRECTION: We'll request these from their pediatrician, give to the state. (Done.)

-We have not been tested for TB.
CORRECTION: We'll be getting tested for TB. (Today.)

And that's it. There's our list. Not bad, huh?

We're working on the list, and when everything is completed we'll send our signed copy to our social worker who will then write up a report. She'll then send her completed report on to the powers-that-be (and I'm not sure who they are) who will then approve or disapprove us. Assuming we're approved, we will then receive our foster care license.

After that, we just continue waiting and praying for the child(ren) God is waiting to place in our home.