the paper chase

This portion of the process is called the paper chase. Its called that because there are so many different documents you must have, the hard part is tracking them down. I talked to Dawn today and got the final instructions for our dossier: (updated 12/19/06)
1. We already completed the physicals, but they were filled out in black pen and signed in blue pen...unacceptable. I have to have our doctor fill them out again. DONE
2. We already received proof of employment letters, but my social security number was written as XXX-XX-2161(for privacy reasons I guess)...unacceptable. I had to ask the HR department to write a new one. DONE
3. We already filled out a financial statement listing all our assets and liabilities, but I added them up wrong (oops!)...unacceptable. I have to fill it out again. DONE
4. We have to order certified birth certificates from Kern and Fresno counties. DONE
5. We have to order a certified marriage certificate from Kern county. DONE
6. We have to get fingerprinted for our state clearance form. DONE
7. We have to get fingerprinted for immigration. DONE
8. We have to write a letter to the CCAA requesting a little girl, of a certain age, promising to love her, provide a good home, treat her as a biological child, never abandon her and provide her an education. DONE
9. We have to send six pictures of our home including the front and backyard and our child's room (This is actually pretty humorous to us because we have people living in our child's room. I was told I just had to prove that I had a room for a child, I think Ethan's room would be a much better choice!). DONE

THAT'S IT!!! That's all we have to do!

How do ya'll do it?

Ok, so most folks have nine months to prepare for their child. I have twice that long and I feel rushed! Well, not really rushed, but like I have SO much to do before she gets here. I have so much respect for working mothers-to-be (and working mothers for that matter). I don't have time to be figuring out what to name her, what to do with her room, what kind of stuff we will need when she gets here, stocking cabinets with kid dishes and cups, baby proofing my house...oh my word!

Updates

I have been inspired by the hundreds of other families who do an adoption blog. I have been reading them when I have some time to sit at the computer and am completely touched. Many of them begin from the moment they start the process. I am about two months late, but now is better than never.

So, from now on any adoption related news will be posted here. Things like when we become DTC, which means our dossier (all of the necessary paperwork) gets sent to China. Or when we have a LID, which is the date our dossier gets logged in to the CCAA (Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs). You will see pictures of her nursery here when the time comes, and this is where we will post the first picture we receive of our daughter...at that time we will tell you her name!

As mentioned on our other blog we just finished our home study, and today (11/21/06) our paperwork was sent to the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). Now we wait to receive our next instructions.

Thank you for all of you who are praying for us on our journey. It will undoubtedly be a test of our patience, but well worth the wait.