Originally, when we started this blog, we imagined that there would be more updates than what we have. We also planned on just keeping this blog specifically orientated to our adoption process. Well, from the lack of updates, you can see that the process is going much slower than we had hoped and expected. So far, we are keeping this blog adoption process related.
It's hard to believe that it's already time to update some of our documents. We got an email last week listing three items that needed to be updated, the state security check, physicals w/tests and the home study social workers license (it expired on Dec 31st, 2007). It's Tuesday and we have completed the physicals w/tests, the SW license and are awaiting the security checks in the mail. When I submitted the forms and fingerprints, they said that it would be several weeks because they were backed up. I asked if there was a way to speed things up and explained why we were in a hurry. I was advised to make a note on the forms because the person who does the checks is sympathetic to adoptions and I might just get it expedited. We wait by the mail box each day with baited breath. OK, we're usually at work when the mail comes but it's the first thing checked before we step into the house.
When our Dossier was sent to Ukraine, we had hoped that this stage of hurry up and wait was over. Now, here we are again. We've read many blogs and stories of this part of the journey taking 1 to 2 years and couldn't understand how this could be. Now we know and hope to get through this once and for all. We're approaching the year mark when we started this process in earnest (it's been such a long year). When we started this process, we never would've expected this to happen unless the Ukrainian gov't closed it down again. We did get caught up in the quota shutout and that's what has slowed this process down. We're hoping that 2008 will be the year!
Lastly, there is significant cost with these redo's. And, since we are needing to hurry the process to try and get it done in early February, we once again need to expedite these documents through the apostille process. The basic cost of redoing these documents is at least $500, assuming our insurance is going to cover the physicals and lab tests. OUCH!!
A little late for us, but the lesson I can pass on to others is this:
-The HS and USCIS takes the most time to complete.
-The state security checks take about 3 weeks and is about the second longest process.
-If hindsight was foresite, I would have waited to do the simple, quick tasks till the end so I wouldn't have to worry about those items expiring too soon.
-If you do have to redo documents, it much easier because you already know the paths :).
We hope this little bit of info can help others keep their expenses down in the end.
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3 comments:
Hang in there as it can seem so long...but once you are home, you won't remember the time you waited. About your question regarding how Tanya is doing. We are realizing more and more that there is lots of our vocabulary she still does not understand. She is doing well to float through daily life. When pushed for her to confirm if she understands or not then she will say she doesn't. We are trying to work more on vocabulary and encouraging her to say, "Mom, what does that word mean?" Her use of English sentences is better then Alyona's but Alyona understands more words and at least can understand the message being conveyed. Tanya's math is doing alright however we realize that she has to count on her fingers much more then we would like her to. She has not put them to memory. Small issue. We also found out that she is not sure of the months of the year and how many weeks in a year or how many days in a year. Alyona did not know how many weeks or day in a year. Simple things we take for granted. Let me know if you have other questions, I would be happy to answer them. We are doing much better and battles are much smaller but we are still teaching. They are great girls!
Do you have any idea how much longer you will have to wait? We just submitted our dossier & I'm just curious about the current wait time. Hang in there! :)
Thanks!
Sorry about the redos already. What a bummer. When do you hope to be submitted, or have you already been?
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