We went to church this past week and Jody Bowser (former youth pastor) and his family were there. They just adopted a little girl- Jamae- from China in December. Here is a link to their website http://homepage.mac.com/bowserfam7/Events2.html (some of the picture links don't seem to work).
The paperchase has begun in earnest. We obtained our passport a couple months ago. I sent for copies of our certified birth certificates from the state- mine have come back already. I also sent for certified copies of our marriage certificate but I didn't know I had to ask for the judge to sign them (not the clerk). So I had to request them a 2nd time- they are back already as well.
Today we finished our Fire Marshal inspection and another form signed. We also had to prepare a home evacuation plan (map).
We had our 1st medical exam and blood work is completed. We have to go back for a 2nd appointment to have the form signed and notarized.
I was able to get my letter of employment from HR and we have a notary at work.
I am carrying around a bag full of our paperwork which is probably a bad idea in case it gets lost. But I feel like I need to have it with me all the time in case I need it. Our SW should be back in the country on Monday- she is in Kazakhstan.
We still have to sign the contract and send in the money to AGCI. Tiffany called me again last night. I feel like we are still dragging our feet. I want to have someone look at our contract before we sign it and it has to be notarized. I am worried about the application too.
As soon as we decide we also have to apply to the US CIS (formerly know as the INS) and we have to get fingerprinted for the FBI.
I think I am feeling very good about China right now. The situation with Russian adoptions seems to be getting worse. If we start the process right now I could probably have our dossier completed by October or November. Then on to AGCI to be checked out and translated. Then on to China. If we are logged in by Decemeber- we should have a referral by next July and travel by September.
