Saturday, January 24, 2004
Accepted
The Happenings...
Yesterday, we received our official letter of acceptance from the Catholic Social Services in Asheville. The letter was actually dated January 15th, so we were thrilled to have it in our hands. Our appointment with the social worker was an orientation into the second phase of this process. Most of the time was spent with information dispensing... articles on a mixed race adoption, adoption language, possible medical issues, resources available for children's books on the topic, and even an on-line course we can take on the issues of adoption. I have spent so much time studying the topic on line that I actually recognized many of the author's names, especially concerning attachment and medical issues.
We were thrilled to find out the degree to which our agency helps with the paper chase. Because all of the sealed and certified documents such as birth and marriage certificates now have to be "authenticated," it is a huge task. Our agency does much of that as a service for us. Have you ever wondered about the whole notary thing??? Like couldn't you just get a notary seal at a yard sale and stamp away? Not if you are adopting from China! They check your notary's authentication and stamp it with another stamp. It's like one big recurrence from the 1700's of the "STAMP ACT"!
Needless to say, we are very excited to feel like we are in the system and moving along. We have all of our home study visits scheduled now through February 10th. We are sending our immigration papers to Charlotte NC this week. Our SW said the immigration takes about two months from the time our home study is written up. Our hope is that we are logged in China by May.... That means that we could be traveling in March of 2005.
My feelings at this point are similar to finding out I'm pregnant.... but don't get excited! Since I've lost both of my babies in miscarriage it doesn't feel like it's really going to end with a baby. I told Steve this morning that I think our dossier logged in China will feel like I heard the heartbeat... something I have never experienced and then it will be real.
Yesterday, we received our official letter of acceptance from the Catholic Social Services in Asheville. The letter was actually dated January 15th, so we were thrilled to have it in our hands. Our appointment with the social worker was an orientation into the second phase of this process. Most of the time was spent with information dispensing... articles on a mixed race adoption, adoption language, possible medical issues, resources available for children's books on the topic, and even an on-line course we can take on the issues of adoption. I have spent so much time studying the topic on line that I actually recognized many of the author's names, especially concerning attachment and medical issues.
We were thrilled to find out the degree to which our agency helps with the paper chase. Because all of the sealed and certified documents such as birth and marriage certificates now have to be "authenticated," it is a huge task. Our agency does much of that as a service for us. Have you ever wondered about the whole notary thing??? Like couldn't you just get a notary seal at a yard sale and stamp away? Not if you are adopting from China! They check your notary's authentication and stamp it with another stamp. It's like one big recurrence from the 1700's of the "STAMP ACT"!
Needless to say, we are very excited to feel like we are in the system and moving along. We have all of our home study visits scheduled now through February 10th. We are sending our immigration papers to Charlotte NC this week. Our SW said the immigration takes about two months from the time our home study is written up. Our hope is that we are logged in China by May.... That means that we could be traveling in March of 2005.
My feelings at this point are similar to finding out I'm pregnant.... but don't get excited! Since I've lost both of my babies in miscarriage it doesn't feel like it's really going to end with a baby. I told Steve this morning that I think our dossier logged in China will feel like I heard the heartbeat... something I have never experienced and then it will be real.
# posted by lorrainegriffith @ Saturday, January 24, 2004 
