What????

One step forward in the adoption world can equal TWO very big and frustrating steps backwards.  I had to get lab work done for my adoption, it came back slightly abnormal but nothing to be worried about.  I was just happy to have it done.  I got a call from my doctor today that she wants more blood work done because of the abnormal value's that were found.  I then has a visit with my social worker asking about my paperwork that I gave her 2 days ago.  Well my employer notarized my paperwork wrong.  I had to redo the paperwork yesterday.  Then my social worker asked how long ago I had sent in my FBI clearance.  I said that I did not.  She said that it can take up to 8 weeks to get clearance back.  I also have to get a psych eval done by a psychiatrist stating that I can mentally parent a child from another country.  I called 11 psychiatrist last week and they all said they do not perform these type of evaluations.  So I have hit the ever frustrating roadblock of adoption paperwork. 

Another frustration this week was having a co-worker of mine state that she didn't understand why someone that has their "own" children would adopt.  I stated I had my "own" child and was continuing to adopt.  She then stated "No you have adopted a child, You know what I mean".  Yes I know exactly what people mean, it is called being uneducated about adoption.

hopefully good news next time
jessica

One step at a time

I received my paperwork for my second mailer last week.  This second mailer consist of all the paperwork that is needed for my dossier.  This is what everyone in the adoption world calls the paper chase.  Well I set up my physical for July 2nd (had blood drawn on Sunday), ordered pictures from Shutterfly to give to Bulgarian government, signed 3 Bulgarian contracts, signed 3 financial Bulgarian contracts, wrote letter of intent to adopt, filled out financial form.  Tomorrow I will get Bulgarian POA form notarized, financial form notarized, and another declaration form notarized.  I already have certified birth certificate for myself and Lennox.  I have other forms I need to get from DCFS/social worker that need to go into my Dossier. 

I emailed a friend last week regarding her adoption to Thailand.  She is at the end stage of her second adoption.  She is going to go pick up her daughter this week.  Her daughter is a couple months younger than Lennox.  I told her I was so jealous that she was going to get her daughter and how stressful the paper chase process can be.  She told me that she felt the same way about the paper chase because it is the only part of the adoption that is somewhat in your control.  Once you hand in the paperwork/dossier the US government and foreign government take over. 

Anyway, I still have a lot to do but it feels great to have some progress in gathering paperwork.  I just need to have patience with DCFS that they can get me the paperwork I need in a timely manner. 

more later
jessica 

Home Study Update

Today I had a visit with DCFS for them to approve the use of my own beds for international adoption.  This is part of the process that I do not understand.  I am a licensed foster home for 2 children already.  I now have to get two different pieces of paper from DCFS that state they will increase my foster care license to cover my adopted children.  I do not understand why DCFS has any say in the children that I bring into my home. Anyway there is nothing that I can do about it so I had my visit this morning at 1000.  They have agreed that I can adopt internationally.  I just need DCFS to figure out what two pieces of paper I need, right now they are unsure of what the international agency needs.

I then had a visit at 1400 with Susan my homestudy social worker to update my homestudy.  The homestudy is a major piece of the "paper chase" process.  This is basically a very detailed biography of your life including thoughts and feeling on adoption, financial records, family life, childhood, work life, home layout, children in the home, background checks and so forth.  I already had a homestudy with Lennox 2 years ago so this is just an update.  I told her about my new foster son Adrian, my families' new jobs, and current social life which consists of playing with my children. 

I also will hand in my "first" mailer to Children of all Nations tomorrow.  This mailer will have POA to Children of all Nations notarized, drivers license copy, and second payment of $2200.  I will also start working on the list of updates for my homestudy.  Updated driver license photo, passport photo, employment verification letter, and a few other small things. 

I have to say that it feels GREAT to be starting this adoption

more later
jessica