Monday, October 26, 2009

This is the Day

This is the day I have been anticipating for a really long time. On June 25th, when T and I handed in our adoption application, I dreamt of this day. Then on July 14th, when T and I attended our first adoption class, I remember the instructor telling us the whole Home Study and Dossier process can take anywhere from 2-6 months.

That is why I am SO happy to have mailed in our Dossier! It took about 4 months from when we first handed in our application to mailing in our Dossier.

Before I mailed the documents, I double and triple-checked that everything was there, and in order, and notarized clearly. Then T and I headed to UPS and shipped the documents, along with our next adoption fee. It was the BEST feeling ever!

Here I am with all of the documents waiting to get mailed. :-D

So. . . What's next?

Well, now I hope and pray that I don't get a call from the agency saying they need an additional document, or they need something more clear, etc. And it wouldn't be out of the ordinary if that happened, because it happens all the time.

Assuming all the documents are up to par, my agency then mails a few of the forms to Washington DC, to the State Department, and to the Embassy of the country we are adopting from. They stamp the documents with additional approvals. This process can take 2-3 weeks, and then DC will mail the documents back to my adoption agency. Once the agency receives those documents, the documents are then shipping thousands of miles away to our country of adoption. Once received, we are OFFICIALLY on the waiting list!!!

All adoption agencies do things differently. Some are considered on the waiting list once the documents arrive in DC, but it sounds like my agency doesn't consider us on the waiting list until the documents actually arrive in our country of choice. I don't mind. We are ALMOST there, and that is a wonderful feeling! And assuming our agency doesn't come back to us and need additional documents, we are officially done with the paper chase that has taken us 4 months.

That is a WONDERFUL feeling.

23 comments:

Trinity said...

Congrats, Leah! Super exciting! :)

Lyndsay said...

Congratulations! One GIGANTIC step closer!

Brittany Ann said...

Congrats! My friends just went through this process, and it is painstaking, but so worth it!

Chelle said...

CONGRATS LEAH!!! That is so awesome. I bet you are all sorts of giddy today. I know I am giddy for you. :D Go celebrate now.

*hugs!*

Alissa said...

AWESOME! Congrats to you and Taher!!!

Anonymous said...

Congrats! That is wonderful! A huge hurdle for sure!
Kelsie

Breen said...

Congrats! I remember starting the paper trail and it was so exhuasting. I'm sure you are over the moon excited.

BTW, did I miss a post somewhere that you mentioned the country you are adopting from?

George said...

Very exciting day...another major item done! Getting closer everyday!

Mommy Shoes said...

Yay!

Ordinary Mom said...

Congratulations!!! That is such wonderful news!

Raising Davis Darlings said...

I am so happy for you! What a wonderful feeling. Won't be long now.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Woo hoo. I remember all these milestones with my friend's adoption. It's so exciting!

Jewls said...

Wahoo!!!! So exciting! Hopefully you'll have a little babe in no time!!

The Busters said...

YAY!! Who knew that the post office would become such an exciting place!! :)

E said...

Great news...that's a ginormous hoop to get through. Congrats!

Amy said...

Yay! I know you must be so relieved and excited! Congratulations!!!!

Jen said...

Yay!!! I am so excited for you!! I'll praying for the next step to go flawlessly and you get on the waiting list ASAP!!!!

Deb said...

WooHoo!!! That's great news. Such a happy happy day.

What's the estimate wait for a referral?

Jenny said...

CONGRATS! what a great feeling that must be!

Hillary said...

I can feel all of your happiness and excitement through the post. I am so happy for you, too. Congrats!

Kristi J said...

yayyyyyyy..congrats...what a great feeling :) kristi

Cicero said...

What an insane road this has been! Cant wait to get the referral.

Karyn said...

Congrats Leah and Taher! Super awesome!!