Pending: A "Pre-Interview"

Since we are going to enjoy the "little" victories along the way, you may notice that there are more "Xs" on our checklist (a few from today and a few more coming tomorrow).  Friday we had our mandatory physicals (I didn't realize how much blood, etc. you have to donate without even being pregnant), picked up our DMV records during a pleasantly surprising in-and-out 15 minute visit, and completed our Live Scan fingerprinting process (unlike the DMV this seemed to take forever, with no line the blame).  We've also prepared some other basic forms, including our 6 pages each of personal questions.  Hurray!!!

Tuesday marks the day of "first contact" since our official social worker called to setup a get-to-know you meeting!  At first this was very exciting because I anticipate that these meetings will really make the process, our progress, and our commitment feel so much more real. 

Between-the-lines reading starts here:
Why is she saying things like "I've done pre-interviews for some couples before,"  "the director of social work, who you've talked to, asked me to hold a pre-interview, "don't worry, if it goes well we'll know that day and the effort spent getting to know you will decrease the time needed for the official Home Study first interview," "...if I find you are ready to move forward," etc. 

Suddenly my guards started going up.  We've been to the office before for a Q&A meeting with the director of social work, during which time she educated us on the process, emphasized certain "recommendations" that are best for all involved, and listened as we opened up about our to-date experiences in trying to grow our family.  Afraid to ask many more questions, we agreed to hold the pre-interview next Wednesday afternoon.  Its disappointing that my guards have gone up a bit and that in my mind I'm fighting the temptation to think of it as "adoption judgement day," a day we could be told "you're not ready to adopt." 

Has she said anything really worthy of legitimizing my concern? NO 
Was she kind on the phone? YES
Is it quite possible that I am fabricating concerns? YES

Sigh.  We are still very much looking forward to this meeting and have confidence that we are in the place God has been leading us.  Hopefully our conversation will result in everyone feeling more open and comfortable and we can leave with a warm welcome, taking our guards down once again.  I fully expect times of anxiety and excitement sprinkled throughout this process, but I didn't expect to encounter a question mark quite yet.

Please pray that our meeting goes well, that we are comfortably able to be ourselves, and that we leave welcomed and encouraged.