In the last post, we talked about the tedious things - like life insurance. We finally took some time to visit our insurance guy...and he was so kind as to give us warning that we would receive a phone call from someone at the headquarters asking us all kinds of crazy questions. Well, he was NOT kidding. Though, I'd say the questions were a little beyond crazy. I learned that when the insurance guy asks you if you've ever had a headache, the correct answer is "no". I made the error of telling him "yes" which led to a series of questions that made it seem like my headache put me on the verge of death and they were calling hospice. Finally, I said "look, I think you are making a bigger deal out of this than it really is. I get a headache from time to time, and my eye dr gave me glasses to look at the computer. It's not a big deal." It did not stop the barrage of questions, though. They kept coming.
I held my breath when I had to tell him I had fibroid tumors. In case you were not aware, "tumor" is a dirty word in the insurance world. Be careful how you use that word. Anyway...to spare you a lot of the gory details, insurance guy launched into about 50 other questions, and I had to explain that the diagnosis resulted in a hysterectomy. Ok.....so, we make it through the next 75 questions...and at the very end...after he asked me if I'd had a cold in the last 10 years...he asked if I am pregnant. Seriously. I could not resist.....I said, "Well, seeing as how I've had a hysterectomy, I don't exactly have the womb required for it." He said, and I'm not kidding here,"Oh. I see. So...... No? Right?"
Really?
Rob got the call before I could warn him. He texted me after to tell me "I feel dirty".
We both felt violated. And, it's not over yet. They still have to come to our place and do a physical. I can't wait to see what that is like.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Ch-ch-ch-changes!
Change is good, so they say. And, I couldn't agree more!
First, I want to apologize for the length of time it has been since our last posting. You see, a LOT has been going on. Here's the rundown:
We sold our home on Oak Meadow. I wish it were really as simple as that 7-word sentence. We listed our home on the MLS via owners.com (a fsbo website). Within week, we had 5 phone calls! And, a blizzard. So, the showings were postponed a week, and another blizzard! But, this didn't stop one buyer who happened to fall in love with the house and all the furniture. No kidding! So, they made an offer and we took it! The buyer had a certain kind of high-maintence government-funded loan that required lots of jumping through hoops, which we did - and a month and a half later, we closed. PHEW! It was a very thorough and time-consuming (not to mention stressful) process. I believe it was God's way of preparing us for the home-study that we are facing. It was only a little taste, I'm sure. But, we pushed through it without any major glitches.
Meanwhile, we had to move. Our 2nd house still has a renter occupying it, at least until August. So, we found a nice little apartment complex near Grandview/Hilliard area that has a giant lake, a dog park, a pool, etc etc. So, we moved into a 2 BR place that is about half the size of our house. Needless to say, we are crammed in here with all of our stuff. We have spent the last three weeks weeding through all of our things. It's been an interesting journey of determining what is valuable to us - and what will make the cut to live in our small apartment with us. I'm proud to say that we've already donated 7+ boxes to our karate group's garage sale. The kids will sell our wares (along with others') at Vineyard Community Church on April 24 at 8am. (For more info on this, visit http://www.vineyard05.com/bulletin/Bulletin/Bulletin.html.)
Oh, and - I got a new job! I am now a Business Relationship Manager at Travel Solutions, Inc.
So, you may be asking, "What does ANY of this have to do with the adoption process!?" Well, it actually has a lot to do with it. The move to the apartment helps us to save money for the adoption - these things aren't cheap, ya know! But, nothing is perfect. We can't use our 2nd bedroom to store all of our extra stuff. We need to make it acceptable for a child. This is no easy feat! So, we push through. We can't submit our application until we are ready for the home study. We aren't ready for the home study until we have this place presentable.
In the meantime, we'll re-write the application with our new situation. New job means different financials, new place means different square footage. There are also tedious things like establishing life insurance, visiting doctors, etc. I've learned a lot already. First, I learned more about term, whole, and universal life insurance than I ever thought I could know. Second, I learned that a simple letter of recommendation from my doctor could bring tears to my eyes. It was so sincere and sweet, I never knew she thought such wonderful things about me. (sniff, sniff). In addition, we have learned about the strength of love and support of family and friends. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't offer help and support. It's in everything, from asking how the process is going to offering for us to store things in your basement. You know who you are. Thank you.
So, here were are sitting on our pile of things, whittling them down to things we need, things we don't need, things that are broken, thing that are new. We are making huge progress, and our little apartment is starting to feel like home. We have set a personal deadline (meaning, we are holding ourselves accountable - and now you all are in on it) of May 31 to submit the application. Once we submit, the real fireworks begin. It's going to be an exciting summer!
First, I want to apologize for the length of time it has been since our last posting. You see, a LOT has been going on. Here's the rundown:
We sold our home on Oak Meadow. I wish it were really as simple as that 7-word sentence. We listed our home on the MLS via owners.com (a fsbo website). Within week, we had 5 phone calls! And, a blizzard. So, the showings were postponed a week, and another blizzard! But, this didn't stop one buyer who happened to fall in love with the house and all the furniture. No kidding! So, they made an offer and we took it! The buyer had a certain kind of high-maintence government-funded loan that required lots of jumping through hoops, which we did - and a month and a half later, we closed. PHEW! It was a very thorough and time-consuming (not to mention stressful) process. I believe it was God's way of preparing us for the home-study that we are facing. It was only a little taste, I'm sure. But, we pushed through it without any major glitches.
Meanwhile, we had to move. Our 2nd house still has a renter occupying it, at least until August. So, we found a nice little apartment complex near Grandview/Hilliard area that has a giant lake, a dog park, a pool, etc etc. So, we moved into a 2 BR place that is about half the size of our house. Needless to say, we are crammed in here with all of our stuff. We have spent the last three weeks weeding through all of our things. It's been an interesting journey of determining what is valuable to us - and what will make the cut to live in our small apartment with us. I'm proud to say that we've already donated 7+ boxes to our karate group's garage sale. The kids will sell our wares (along with others') at Vineyard Community Church on April 24 at 8am. (For more info on this, visit http://www.vineyard05.com/bulletin/Bulletin/Bulletin.html.)
Oh, and - I got a new job! I am now a Business Relationship Manager at Travel Solutions, Inc.
So, you may be asking, "What does ANY of this have to do with the adoption process!?" Well, it actually has a lot to do with it. The move to the apartment helps us to save money for the adoption - these things aren't cheap, ya know! But, nothing is perfect. We can't use our 2nd bedroom to store all of our extra stuff. We need to make it acceptable for a child. This is no easy feat! So, we push through. We can't submit our application until we are ready for the home study. We aren't ready for the home study until we have this place presentable.
In the meantime, we'll re-write the application with our new situation. New job means different financials, new place means different square footage. There are also tedious things like establishing life insurance, visiting doctors, etc. I've learned a lot already. First, I learned more about term, whole, and universal life insurance than I ever thought I could know. Second, I learned that a simple letter of recommendation from my doctor could bring tears to my eyes. It was so sincere and sweet, I never knew she thought such wonderful things about me. (sniff, sniff). In addition, we have learned about the strength of love and support of family and friends. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't offer help and support. It's in everything, from asking how the process is going to offering for us to store things in your basement. You know who you are. Thank you.
So, here were are sitting on our pile of things, whittling them down to things we need, things we don't need, things that are broken, thing that are new. We are making huge progress, and our little apartment is starting to feel like home. We have set a personal deadline (meaning, we are holding ourselves accountable - and now you all are in on it) of May 31 to submit the application. Once we submit, the real fireworks begin. It's going to be an exciting summer!
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