Monday, September 1, 2008

Paper Chase...

Well, we finally received all the necessary paperwork needed to begin our next adoption. I am always amazed at the sheer volume of things that need to be filled out, copied, ordered, and notarized. It is moments like this that I am grateful that God has blessed me with a level of organization and a husband who is also extremely organized.


Speaking of the Major...I am watching him through the window trying to study Greek and Hebrew while keeping an eye on Pvt Boo playing in her baby pool. Not sure if he's having success or not. She seems to be splashing him too much and keeping his attention. He's such an awesome Daddy!

OK...back to topic. Paper chasing. It's quite an exercise in patience and planning. It is also loads of fun for those of us who love to check off lists. I get excited when I'm able to add one more piece of paper to the pile and check it off the cover page. Once you have the whole pile assembled, there is a huge sense of accomplishment and joy as you realize what a major step you've just made towards your children.

We actually have 2 different stacks of papers that I have to assemble. One is for our new homestudy and the other is our dossier for Uganda. The homestudy paperwork isn't new to us and is actually moving along fairly quickly. There isn't nearly as much needed this time around as we did for Pvt Boo. The dossier, however, is a totally different story. Goodness! we have quite a ways to go on that one, but thankfully some of the stuff overlaps and it too shouldn't take too awefully long to complete.

Timing is everything for us right now. Our goal is to have our paperwork finished and sent to Uganda by the first part of April 2009. This would have us traveling sometime in May or June to bring our kids home.

For those of you who have asked about the process, it goes something like this:
  1. Complete Homestudy (the end of December)
  2. Submit I-600A to Homeland Security to get permission to bring the kids home. We should receive an answer from them in 60-90 days.
  3. Submit dossier to Uganda government and NGO. (Beginning of April)
  4. Once our dossier is approved, we will receive a referral (picture, names, and description of the children we're adopting) This usually only takes 1-2wks.
  5. Upon acceptance of the referral from us, they will submit the paperwork and should have a court date for us in less than 1 month.
  6. We scurry to buy tickets and head to Uganda to get our kids. The Major will have to be with me for at least the first week. I will then stay another 2-3weeks more finishing paperwork with both the Ugandan government and also the American embassy.
  7. Bring our children home for good and officially adopt them here in the States. (we are only given legal guardianship of this children while in Uganda. The adoption does not take place until we return to the States.)

So, that's a quick update/overview of where we are in the overall process. Keep in mind this is Africa and anything can happen. It will be an adventure and we are truly looking forward to it! Thanks for all the encouraging words and support.

Live Brave!



3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the comment.

    Seems the feeling with the little girls and I is quite mutual. ;-) LOVE it that way!

    Love you guys.

    And MISS you!

    MW

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  2. Maria! I found you on RLC. Yay!

    -Andi

    KJ's blog is here:
    http://themanyfacesofkj.blogspot.com

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  3. Love to see things are moving along...as the paperwork gets done.

    Pvt Boo is so beautiful and you guys look like a wonderful family. Can't wait to see how it expands!! :)

    Anne
    From Diaperswappers

    ReplyDelete