Paperwork and more Paperwork

 

In case you've been wondering what I've been doing this week, let me show you.  And this isn't even all of it. This is why the adoption process takes so long, you need a year to fill all of this out. Well, maybe it's not really that bad, but it does take a while.  We've got criminal clearance checks, financial forms, employment forms, passports forms, copies of birth certificates, copies of marriage license, etc. etc.  Thankfully my husband does a really good job of collecting paperwork.  He's been running all around town this week and the getting official documents we need. 
He also applied for his first passport this week.  He is not a big traveler, so he has never needed one before.  He traveled all over the states as a kid with his family, but not out of the country. I've had a passport most of my life due to my parent's love of travel.  I love visiting new places.  There is something refreshing about removing yourself from your everyday life and seeing something completely different.  I've never been anywhere quite as unique as Russia though.  I can't wait for that adventure!  But even though I had a passport, I still had to send mine in to get updated since it had my maiden name on it. If you are thinking about adopting internationally, go ahead and get your passport. One of the first things you have to do is turn in copies of our passports with the packet of paperwork. And we need to get the paperwork done before we can have our homestudy. 
So while we wait for the passports to come back, we will be working on writing our autobiographies.  Kevin and I both have to write a two page paper about ourselves.  The good news is that they give you an outline of the things they are looking for.  So at this point it is just a matter of sitting down and getting it done.  I will be happy when all of these things are checked off the list and we can get past this part of the process. 
If you would remember us in your prayers today, pease pray that we get everything done correctly and in a timely manner.  Please also pray for the little girl (or girls) that will be finding their forever home with us.  I can't thank everyone enough for the support these past few days.  We have the best friends and family!

Happy Black Friday

Let me catch you up to where we are in the process.  After we selected an adoption agency, we filled out an application. This may sound like a minor thing.  People fill out applications all the time.  This was different though.  This is where adoption is no longer googling and information gathering and soul searching. This is where it gets real.  This is the first check you write.  Every application has a fee. Some are more than others, but all require commitment to the process.  You are now joining the club of adoptive parents.
That first step completed, we attended an orientation put on by the adoption agency and then went to an informational class.  Training is required for all couples getting ready to adopt.  At this meeting we received a packet of information regarding the next step, our home study.  I am currently, literally, filling out the home study paperwork.  I am sitting at the kitchen table, wrapped in a blanket with pen in hand.  The home study is the next step and a big one at that.  This includes letters, financial information, medical forms, background checks, fingerprinting, photos, and lots of information gathering.   So I suppose I should get to it....

Welcome to our Adoption Adventure

Even though this is the first blog entry, this is really the middle of our journey. We have been chasing the elusive dream of becoming parents for a while now. After many months and many doctor visits, we came to the conclusion that we would not be able to have a child in the conventional way. So our journey took a different direction. Instead of heading to the hospital delivery room, we are headed to Russia. We spent many months selecting an adoption agency and then selecting the country from which to adopt. Choosing Russia ending up being an easy choice for us since a few of Kevin’s relatives have been adopted from Russia. Even though adoption was not our first choice for expanding our family, we feel a strong sense that this is God’s will for our lives and we are looking forward to seeing God work throughout this experience.
We are now in the paperwork and more paperwork stage of our journey. If you are thinking of adopting, feel free to follow along with me. The paperwork, though, is going to have to be put on hold for a few days so that we can enjoys some turkey and stuffing and lots of family togetherness.