Soon after we received our notice of appointment, we received a fax of our appointment letter in Ukrainian. Though we couldn't read it, we were still excited by the fact that we had it. So, it's official that we will have our appointment on the 20th. We already have our plane tickets and will be leaving Reno on the 16th and arriving in Kiev on the morning of the 18th. It's hard to believe that this day is almost upon us.
The stress levels are running high since it seems that is so much to do and so little time to do it in. We're busy trying to get some items as well as the clean bills. We back with a small credit union and we aren't getting all the money we need. Then again, we are trying to scrape up a bit more cash because the flights were more that we had hoped. So, I'm writing this while away on a business trip and beginning to feel panicked about time left. I know it will all fall into place, but it hasn't happend yet!!
As for travel, we decided to use a travel agent the Virginia works with through the company she works for. The Aerosvit prices were more reasonable but the savings weren't all that and the schedule wasn't all that favorable for us. We are breaking up the trip into two parts since we are on the West side of the states. We'll overnight it at JFK and catch the afternoon flight to Kiev on Delta and do the same on the return. We figured the kids would like to stretch their legs after an 11 hour flight to JFK and I know we will want to as well. As for the adoption fares with Delta, they weren't even close to competitive with just doing a RT and pay for the changes. We'll also book RT flights for the kids and trow away the return trip as it's half as much as a one way ticket. All said and done, it'll run us just over 5K for all of us to get there and back. Are there cheaper ways to go, yes, but not by much and the JFK to Kiev is a straight though shot.
I'm hoping to catch up on some blogs tonight since I haven't had much of a chance lately.
Cheers,
Showing posts with label cost. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cost. Show all posts
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Still No Date :(
It's been two months and we still don't have a date. We're now getting anxious and a bit worried. We are trying to find out from the facilitator what's going on with our dossier. We know of another couple that is having the same problem. Our agency has been in regular contact with us and they aren't sure what's going on with our dossiers either.
We are still not under the gun yet. Our next set of documents that expire is our HS in late August. Either we're going to need to get a date soon or we may end up having to get a short notice travel which I just as soon not get. A mid to late July date could easily see us having to update our HS before we travel. Our HS cost us $3600 and can't readily afford to pay that again. I guess we should look into what it will take to get it updated and hope they don't charge a substantial fee for it.
As adoptions go, this one is being rather expensive. We've already spent 10K+ and haven't even traveled yet nor payed anything to the facilitator. It'll be worth it in the end; I just wish we could have avoided some of the expediting fees. Had we tried this a few years back, we wouldn't have been able to afford it and could have been discouraged enough not to be here now. There is a time and place for everything and we feel this is our time and Ukraine the place; we won't be discouraged!!
We hope that those awaiting word get it soon. For those about to travel, God speed and hope all goes well. And for those back from your journey, may your dreams for your family come to fruition.
Thank You Nataliya for your offer.
We are still not under the gun yet. Our next set of documents that expire is our HS in late August. Either we're going to need to get a date soon or we may end up having to get a short notice travel which I just as soon not get. A mid to late July date could easily see us having to update our HS before we travel. Our HS cost us $3600 and can't readily afford to pay that again. I guess we should look into what it will take to get it updated and hope they don't charge a substantial fee for it.
As adoptions go, this one is being rather expensive. We've already spent 10K+ and haven't even traveled yet nor payed anything to the facilitator. It'll be worth it in the end; I just wish we could have avoided some of the expediting fees. Had we tried this a few years back, we wouldn't have been able to afford it and could have been discouraged enough not to be here now. There is a time and place for everything and we feel this is our time and Ukraine the place; we won't be discouraged!!
We hope that those awaiting word get it soon. For those about to travel, God speed and hope all goes well. And for those back from your journey, may your dreams for your family come to fruition.
Thank You Nataliya for your offer.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
More Dossier Updates
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.
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.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Costs
Costs will vary widely depending on who you use and what services are available in your area. I will not list costs for the agency and facilitator. Not only do these change with time and services provided, but it also varies between agencies and facilitators. This post will not be all inclusive but should give you an idea as to the general costs which depended upon our situation.
Home study conducted by Washoe County Child Protection Services. They were the only game in town. $3600 - Ouch!! The highest I've seen other than ours was $2000.
I-600A $755 which included fingerprints for 3 people.
Physicals and Lab Work were mostly covered by insurance (we got a break). $70
State Background Check $150 (for 3 people)
Apostille Docs $400 ($20 for each doc with a notary)
Expedite fee for apostilling docs (24hr) $570 (Time was critical)
DHL shipping (3 day) of docs $98 x 2 shippments = $196 total
Let's not forget the misc costs such as redecorating the rooms, travel to chase down docs, time off for appointments and doc chasing. Our costs for here are nearly over unless we need to redo some of the docs.
Costs still needing to be paid:
-Travel to and from Ukraine -- about 3-4 thousand
-Facilitator
-Living expenses in Ukraine -- don't have a clue
-Bills while we are gone and not earning any money -- way too much but we need a roof when we get back
Home study conducted by Washoe County Child Protection Services. They were the only game in town. $3600 - Ouch!! The highest I've seen other than ours was $2000.
I-600A $755 which included fingerprints for 3 people.
Physicals and Lab Work were mostly covered by insurance (we got a break). $70
State Background Check $150 (for 3 people)
Apostille Docs $400 ($20 for each doc with a notary)
Expedite fee for apostilling docs (24hr) $570 (Time was critical)
DHL shipping (3 day) of docs $98 x 2 shippments = $196 total
Let's not forget the misc costs such as redecorating the rooms, travel to chase down docs, time off for appointments and doc chasing. Our costs for here are nearly over unless we need to redo some of the docs.
Costs still needing to be paid:
-Travel to and from Ukraine -- about 3-4 thousand
-Facilitator
-Living expenses in Ukraine -- don't have a clue
-Bills while we are gone and not earning any money -- way too much but we need a roof when we get back
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