What a GORGEOUS spring day it is here in the Washington area! The flowering trees are just bursting with color, and the air is fragrant and rich. It finally feels like spring is officially here! What a mood lifter this weather has been!
Well, here's the scoop: We already heard back from CJIS (a.k.a., the state of MD fingerprinting/background check discussed in my last post)...the place we went to just this past Saturday. We have been cleared--neither one of us is a convicted felon or has law-breaking skeletons in our closets. Whew! We were surprised at how quickly we got the state documents certifying that we are legit!
Now, onto the next step in fingerprinting--this one is for the feds. The Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Immigration Services (www.uscis.gov) requires us also to get fingerprinted. But this one was more involved. We had to fill out an application, send it in along with our payment, and then wait for a letter to arrive in the mail. Only after we receive that letter (which we have since done) can we then go to a USCIS branch and get processed/fingerprinted. That's what we're doing tomorrow (Friday). This clearance takes longer: Our caseworker said to expect a 3- to 4-week wait.
Ah, waiting. Already, I can write a book about waiting, and we've only begun. But hey, we are taking small steps toward parenthood every day!
By the way, not sure if I told you: We postponed the county health inspection. It was supposed to happen yesterday. Too much to do to prepare for it. We're taking the next two weekends to "shore up" our house, and the inspector will come the week of May 5. Will keep you posted on how that goes.
To those of you who have had kids naturally: Ain't you glad you don't have to go through all of this you-know-what? (smile) Do YOU have Level 2ABC fire extinguishers in YOUR home?
Take care, all...and thanks for checking in!
Kathleen
1 comment:
Kath: This is just the beginning of getting the house "ready" for a child - it never ends! Our girls are 8 and 10 and now they climb (if needed) and can get to everything so it's watch them everywhere and make sure they don't walk with the sharp knife, scissors are held properly and let's not forget the razor in the shower - welcome to parenthood!
And from what parents tell me - being a parent NEVER ENDS - one of God's greatest blessings!
Praying for you and love you so much!
~tammy
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