One step forward....two steps back

As I've mentioned before, we have to get our house inspected by the Fire Marshall's office for our adoption. Yesterday, I dropped off our application and fee (yes, we have to pay for it) and they said that they'd give us a call in a week or so to schedule a time for the inspection. The timing was good, as Michael & I are taking a week off from work to go on a little vacation as well as have a few days around the house to get things (like this) done.

This morning, the Fire Marshall's office called to schedule our inspection! YAY! Are you kidding? Finally....something in a timely manner.

But wait....he proceeded to tell us what we had to have done to PASS the inspection, to include having a licensed plumber perform a gas inspection on the house, have our A/C unit tested by a licensed A/C inspector, have our electrical box labeled for each switch for each location (as well as nothing around it within a 3 foot radius) and if we have an attic pull-down door (which of course, we do), have a specific locking latch attached to it (which, of course, we do not have)....JUST to name a few things. There are actually 30+ items that have to be done for them to sign off on the house inspection.

Ok....1 step forward.....the Fire Marshall's office is ready to perform the inspection. 2 steps backwards - # 1: After calling around, the gas inspection is looking to cost anywhere from $300-$1000! #2: A/C unit testing is anywhere from $75 - $150.

Sometimes I feel like this journey is a lot like the classic game of Chutes & Ladders....



We're not worried with whether or not the house will pass, as it's only 2 years old. While we want our children to live in a safe house (the reason we moved this year!), it's somewhat difficult for us to understand why there are so many rules, regulations, tests, and inspections when we're the ones trying to help. I just wonder what would happen if every family that brought home a biological child, if their homes would pass inspection? I doubt it! I've had friends tell me that their houses wouldn't pass and can't believe that we have to go through all this.

While it's all worth it in the end, it would be nice if all of the costs of doing these things were somehow paid for by the State, since we are adopting these children from the foster care system. Please don't get me wrong....I know that you can't put a price on building your family. It's just that sometimes all of the red-tape and bureaucracy gets to be a bit much to handle.

In the meantime, we will press on, schedule the appointments, pay the fees for the services provided and pass the Fire Marshall's inspection of our home; all the while, praying that our little ones are safe and healthy while they're away from us.

*Update on caseworker: still waiting.