Paperwork continues to filled in and filed with our agency...

1. Three out of four reference letters should be filed with our agency by early next week. Will check up with friend #4... I'll be seeing her later next week (yay!). Thanks to our great friends for helping us out here...

Side note: Our agency wanted our reference letters to be from friends (no family members) we have known for >4 years, preferably who have known both of us for that time. We decided to each choose two long-term friends who we've discussed the adoption with, know our families, and who have come out to CA for vacation/work and have seen our home. They all know us from different aspects of our lives, have cool jobs (not sure if that matters but they do), and a good mix of plus/minus kids, or want to/work with kids.

Here is what they had to address in their letter:
How long have you known the applicant(s)?
In what capacity have you known him/her/them?
Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant(s)?
What observations have you made with his/her/their relationships with partners, extended family, other children and business contacts?
Have you observed the applicant(s) with other children?
What skills did he/she/they demonstrate as potential parents?
Do you feel he/she/they would parent successfully and what disciplinary style would he/she/they employ?
What would you say would be the biggest worry you have with the applicant(s) as adoptive parents of a foreign born child?
What strengths do he/she/they offer such a child?

2. M brought in our certified birth certificates, marriage certificate, LiveScan forms, tax return, and financial statement to the agency. They had a few questions for him but M got it sorted out on Friday. We still need to get them a copy of our mortgage statement.

3. M had his 1:1 homestudy appointment with the social worker. He said that the questions focused on his childhood - what was his family life like when growing up, how were his parents involved, did they take many family vacations, what schood activities did he participate in, etc. At the end he asked if he passed, and she said yes. I have my 1:1 appointment on Thursday, along with the homecheck.

4. I met with my company HR representative about taking time off for the adoption. We decided that I'll probably use my vacation time for Trips 1 and 2. I have saved four weeks this year to account for most of the time we'll need (I'll get another four weeks in 2007). When we get back from Trip 2 I'll go on FMLA for up to 12 weeks. This means that I am able to take 12 weeks leave from work and they will hold my job until I return. The caveat is that it is unpaid leave. Fortunately, we live in CA...they have a program where they will provide half-pay for six weeks during FMLA. Plus there is another company rule about taking sick time during the FMLA leave. Ok confusing but basically means that the plan is that I'll be on leave for 12 weeks. The first four weeks will be at full pay (CA benefit + sick pay); next two weeks on half pay (CA benefit); and the final six weeks at no pay. And during this time we'll continue to receive full benefits including health insurance.