Moving right along

Our home study SW with the agency called me yesterday while I was in the doctors office getting blood taken. We have a scheduled meeting with her at the week following Thanksgiving. I have several close friends who are SW or were SW at one point as well as friends who have gone through the process, therefore I was mentally prepared for this a while ago. We are who we are and at this point they have an idea of who we are anyway, so I am not going to burn myself out worrying! I used to be worried that we had not finished our basement for whatever reason. However, we chose to adopt and then complete it afterwards. We have enough room and the other two levels that are plenty enough space to raise children in with out the basement being completed. It is amazing how little things bother you when you are going through the home study process.

We had our scheduled house cleaning yesterday. Thats not an issue because that is something that we have done monthly so that we only have to do a little bit in between our house keeper coming to keep things straight. It is something that some people like to make you feel bad about having. However, I do not feel bad about having someone coming in my home and cleaning regularly. It gives me the time to be a better wife, and eventually a better mom because I will not have to spend my weekends cleaning in my home with my husband when we can be doing something else. So, it is a personal choice for us. We have had the same house keeper for almost 4 years and she is Fabulous. I have recommended her to so many of our close friends and neighbors and they are all beyond pleased. It is something about coming home to a clean home on a Friday with nothing to do but sit down and relax. In addition, coming home to a clean home that is cleaned with "green" environmentally friendly products and the house doesn't smell of bleach and Pinesol, for those who know what I mean.

For the record, yes I do know how to clean my own home! It is my choice to have help to come in monthly to help with cleaning the hardwood floors, carpet, bathroom and etc. She also does laundry if you desire and she irons shirts for $1.00. I have not had her do our laundry yet because it has not come to that yet! Sometimes I do need to have someone fold my laundry when I am busy with other things and my clean laundry is in baskets. My husband usually handles our laundry. However, there are times when we are both busy and do not have time to fold everything right then. We generally wash our own clothing through the week. When I am busy he washes my clothing and when he is busy, I was his when I wash mine. We make it easier on each other by having the clothing separated so all we have to do is put them in the washer.
I have been washing my own clothes since 2nd grade and it is just something that I do not like anyone else to do. I know what clothes bleed their color and I just prefer washing my own.

Currently, My husband is outside getting ready to give the grass its final cut for the winter and getting rid of excess leaves and dead flowers in my pots. We are preparing the yard to put our Christmas packages in the front as well as our garland and wreath at the front. So, interestingly enough, the house will be dressed up for Christmas during our home study.

I will try to keep the updates coming. We hope to have this completed within a few weeks.