We actually arrived at the Bethany office on time, with Charlie in tow. He waited in the shady car (windows down of course) as we went in with absolutely no expectations or ideas as to what we might be asked. SW explained that in order for her to write up an accurate home study (showcasing all of our perfectness ;) individual interviews would help her get to know us more candidly. I went first and Dave hung out with Charlie in the car, rather than in the lobby, which was much appreciated by our little "prince" of a pup. It's probably a good thing that (A) dogs can't talk (at least not in English) and (B) Charlie wouldn't be interviewed. As far as he's concerned, our little family of three (he doesn't consider the cat to be a family member but rather some fur thing that hangs out in the house) doesn't need to grow or change!
The interview took longer than I thought, which I should have figured. I was asked all kinds of things like what it was like growing up and my favorite childhood memories. That was a hard one because so many of them were great. I finally answered with all the camping trip adventures we went on and Christmas in Young's Island with the Smoaks. I used to love listening to my grandfather read the Christmas story from the Bible and exchange white elephant gifts! We talked about Dave and our marriage. Of course these answers brought about laughter and tears (I swear I am as emotional as a pregnant woman). Answering questions like, how do we divide chores and who does what made me laugh because I was picturing how Dave would answer this same question. With that in mind I tried to give him the benefit of the doubt, hoping he'd do the same for me when it was his turn!
SW asked if we talked about how we wanted to raise our children, discipline, and expectations. I answered by saying our child will be perfect, just like our marriage, and we won't have to have discipline. She didn't laugh as I was expecting since that was a ridiculous answer. After telling her I was totally kidding she smiled and told me I'd be surprised at how often people say that in all seriousness. I guess that shouldn't be shocking, but really??!!
As soon as Dave finished and joined Charlie and I in the car, we couldn't help but ask each other how we answered each question. Of course some questions were slightly different from Dave's point of view verses mine. Like how we handle an argument... men and women really are totally different species. We laughed all the way over to my mom's beach house discussing everything. I think SW probably has a good idea of who we are and what our values and priorities are. I hope and pray she knows that we love God, each other, to laugh regularly, and not take ourselves too seriously!
We are getting so close to being officially on the "list" of adoptive families. SW will come for the final home visit next Monday, July 2! Once she types up all the required documents and mails it in to the state department, our home study will just need to be approved. As soon as it is approved, we will start to see recruitment emails as early as that very day. Then the real wait begins. Only God knows how long or short that will be until He introduces us to the precious baby He has specifically created just for us!
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