When people ask us about the Home Study / Approval process for adoption, we have often compared the experience to getting approved for a Mortgage loan. Most people are familiar with Mortgage loans and the seemingly never ending paperwork, so it easy to relate to. That said, it feels like a lifetime ago that Corey and I (and puppy Bentley) were looking for our first home and my memory of getting a Mortgage loan was a bit rusty. Until recently...

 February 1st, we decided to take the leap of faith and list our house. As we have mentioned in previous posts, Corey's work commute is 30 miles each way through DTC and Downtown traffic. It was no question that we had to move further North. The only question we had was when. We could either move before baby and potentially prolong the process or move with baby. Ultimately, right now the adoption is at a lull until the financing aspect is figured out, so we decided we should use this time to move and get settled. The only downside to moving is that we will need to amend our Home Study - which, funny enough, was completed and signed YESTERDAY! Yay! The amendment will entail a small fee and a re-evaluation of the new house, which should be painless.

 Our house was on the market for four days before we were under contract. As part of the contract, we were able to coordinate a post-occupancy agreement which allows us to stay in the house until the beginning of May. This was crucial so we have time to find a new house!

 What this recent home buying and selling experience has shown us is that selling/buying a house is MUCH easier than adopting. But, I think the comparison still stands with a caveat. Adoption is comparable to getting a mortgage loan plus divulging every personal piece of information about yourself and your family, having that information written into a report, and then submitted to the state. :)

 We will keep you posted on the house, but I am happy to announce that as of yesterday we are officially… APPROVED for Parenting!!! It's about time right?! -- Poor Braydon.