Red tape

I should be used to the time things take in the adoption world, but it does still amaze me. I faxed off a release of information form to the agency I was using in Utah to release my file to the new agency I'm using in Utah. I faxed in the form on Feb 18, so yesterday I phoned the agency to see if they had received my file yet. Sigh ... No they had not, they would follow up with them and let me know. Sigh... They didn't call me yesterday or today. So I guess I'll phone everyone tomorrow again. It seems if you don't keep on top of everything all the time, that nothing happens. Sigh.

AHHH!!

So I've put off doing this post for a bit now but here goes. Last week on Monday night I received a call from my agency in Utah. They said they were concerned about the amount I said the adoption could cost. They thought it was unrealistically low and would be hard to make a match at that level. I was mad as they had had my file for a month and they couldn't have told me sooner?? Anyways I called my mom and she generously offered some funds (turned out I didn't need them, but was so stunned and thrilled with the offer). I called my bank where i have the adoption loan through and was able to increase the amount with them. Then I got an email from The adoption centre in Kelowna saying that they needed to talk to me. I figured it was just about the funds, so no biggie. Boy was I wrong. They said that the Utah agency only had a temporary Hague license and it was going to expire on March 31 and they were not going to get a full certification. So they either needed to match me with a mom before March 31 or they wouldn't be able to do my adoption. So then I called Utah, they basically said that they wanted to drop me as they didn't think they could match me that soon. They would give back my money, except the registration fee. So that was last thursday and I was really upset as this ment I needed to start over with a new agency. They recommended one. I checked out the agency they recommended and they look good. They assure me that much of it should be transferable, but well see. At least I'm not in limbo mode anymore.

Not all the paperwork :(

So after sending in all the paperwork I thought was needed. I found out I needed to read 2 books on adoption and complete questions on them and to attend a child care class. So I read the 2 boooks and sent off the questions on Monday. One of the books " Raising Adopted Children by Lois Melina was quite good. But I did have to say I felt like I was back in highschool doing a book report :) As for the child care class, that gave me pause for a bit. I have decided the best option in my small rural town is to take prenatal classes! So i am signed up to attend the class on Feb 15th dealing with the care of a newborn. After explaining to the public health nurse, I was told I could leave half way through as the last half of the class is on breathing during labour! This is a late prenatal class, so i expect I will feel a bit wierd being in a class with woman that are very obviously pregnant. They are certainly going to wonder why I'm there! But after that I should be done everything :) again!

All Documents submitted

I'm thrilled all the paperwork is done!!! YAH!! I mailed off the approved birthparent letters and fast track letters on Dec 30th. I got an email confirming that all the documents were received by the Adoption Centre of BC in Kelowna and will be mailed off to Utah, by the end of the week! So I went to the bank today for a bank draft and have paid the processing and file activation fee! So as soon as all the documents are reviewed in Utah, then I'll be officially on the waitlist!!! Which is just about when I had predicted (being on the waitlist by the beginning of January) and wanted. Today is a good day!

Dossier on it's way!

So I've finally collected all the dossier documents and they went off in the mail today!! The only think I'm left waiting for is the review of my fast track birthparent letter ( a shortened version, they send out to more mom's) my birthparent letter has already been approved. So almost done and on the list!! Truly excited!!

Things are coming along

So things are coming along, even thou I haven't posted them. I've sent of my immigration paperwork step 1 and that was approved and am just waiting to get the paperwork for step 2. I also received the second and hopefully last package from Act of Love. I have completed most of the paperwork but now have to write my birthparent letter. I have been procrastinating on this a bit. I feel really awkward writing a letter to someone I've never meet, but who I really want to like my letter. I was hoping to be on the official waiting list by the beginning of January, but more realistically with the holidays is to have all the paperwork done and mailed by January 4th. It will then need to be reviewed and then I should be officially on the list as of (hopefully!!) the middle of January!

Wonderful fingerprinting ink

So today is kind of funny. I need to get an Interpol check done and this of course involves fingerprinting. Well, apparently I have very dainty lady fingers with shallow ridges and grooves (which the other officer teased was just a line to cute girls). So they had to do a full hand print. This is before I have to go do a presentation to the brownies group in town (6-11 year olds). So I get to talk to them while I have fingerprinting ink still stuck on my fingers. I'm sure they'll think I'm a total criminal. I think I'll go scrub some more.