Ready or Not!

All decorated for Christmas!

What. A. Weekend.

We just spent our 3 day weekend cleaning, scrubbing, organizing and re-arranging our house and garage. Let me just say that it was time well spent!

We had someone from the State come inspect our home on Monday, to determine if we are ready for children or not. I'm sure you first-time parents can relate... or not... Seriously?! How much stuff does a baby need?!! You'd be shocked at how baby proof they wanted us to make our house! I was freaking out. I'm not going to lie. This is my family's future on the line here! I was double-checking that "required" list like crazy!



yes please!!

First, last week, we got a new TV stand. We had to, according to Matt. Ya know, to hide the wires and buttons. Ok, fine, I'm sold on that idea.



Loki helping Matt set up our TV desk

 

Then Matt organized the entire garage, making sure all cleaning solutions and hammers, nails, and sharp things were all in one cabinet, locked... while I tore through the house removing things like knives, hair products and any other random items they might have a problem with, and hiding them up high in the cupboards.

We also made sure the kid's room was looking perfectly clean and ready for some kiddos.

baby room!

My parents got us car seats a while back, so we decided to give those a try. Wow. I applaud the person that made the car seat! Car seats now days are intense! But my husband is pretty awesome and he figured it all out.

Car Seat King

       
 Back to the house inspection. I was trapped in the back seat of Matt's 2 door car when she pulled up. We were trying to figure out how to set up the car seat for an Infant. (by the way, I will NEVER be using Matt's car for kids! Woah. Too hard!)

So I scrambled and (fell) Jumped out, and ran inside to lock the dogs in the back yard and do one more glance in every room to make sure all the dusting towels and brooms still weren't laying around the house.

She was very nice. I am so happy to say that because I have heard some stories about some pretty rude inspection people. She was at our house for 3 hours, looking through every drawer and cup board and closet, and typing up her report about us.

Cleaning that house!

Things that she had an issue with where so minimal and easy to fix, that Matt grabbed the drill while she was typing away, and began to fix everything. Some of the stuff was absolutely ridiculous, but I get it. They want the safest homes possible for these kids! They don't want these kids ending up in a home just like the one they were taken away from. So I'll forgive her picky-ness. She made me move the knives (which were completely hidden in a box) up another shelf. And then we had to put a childproof lock on that cup board.
They should name those things "person locks" because I swear, I can't get the thing open!
We also have a lock on the garage door... one of those spinning handles that you have to pull out a Hercules squeeze to open. Now I think twice before running to grab something from the garage. It turns into an arm wrestle.

clean garage thanks to this hunk! ;)

The main issue she had with our place that didn't allow us to fully pass the inspection, was our water. Apparently turning the dial on Normal, is still too hot. So, she is coming back next week to make sure we turned it down and kept it cooler.
After she checks it, and we pass, it will take another few weeks to receive our Foster License.

Praise God from whom all Blessings flow! Without Him, none of this is possible! He has been faithful to us through this entire process, even when we have doubt in our hearts.

So, there you have it. Our home is ready!
I can't open my cup boards. I can't find my knives. I forget what hallway closet my hair products are in. I'm taking colder showers. I can't open the door to the garage. I can't find the Windex that was under the bathroom sink at one time. I have no idea where my dish washing soap went. I'm sure it's out in the freezing cold garage somewhere. Locked. And I have to find the key.

But, this will be worth it!! Right?!

 

 

 

(more updates to come!)