Packet received

Our agency received our packet, today!  We now have our log-in code to access the area of their website that is only for families currently in the adoption process.  I was super excited about this!  In all honesty, I have checked my email about a hundred times today, hoping to receive our log-in code!

So now I have printed off the 44-page dossier guide and the 19-page home study packet.  I need to see if I can figure out how to convert the home study packet from a pdf to a Word document and then email it to our social worker (I will ask Kevin how to do this, tomorrow).  I also need to read all of this info so I can get started on our dossier!  I've been itching to get started!

I also "need" to figure out how to put a pic or two on my blog to jazz it up a bit!  I see so many neat looking blogs out there, so I know things can be done to make it look more appealing.  I just don't know how to do any of it!

As of now, we are still "on" for our meeting, tomorrow night; however, it started snowing this afternoon and is supposed to continue through most of tomorrow.  We'll have to see how the roads are and play it by ear.  I'm nervous about meeting them.  What if they don't like us?  What if it's awkward?

First agency fee on its way

This morning, Kevin and I got our documents notarized and mailed back to our agency.  They should receive it Friday or Saturday.

For the official record, this mailing included:
~agency fee policy/agreement signed and notarized
~agency service agreement (2 copies) signed and notarized
~residential history filled out
~first program fee

I also rescheduled our physicals.  Kevin and I decided to push them back a couple of weeks so that we can meet with our social worker, first.  In the meantime, I have heard back from our agency and now have the necessary form.

And last night I set up a binder to keep all of our paper work organized. :)

That should be about it for this week.  Saturday, Kevin and I are meeting with a couple who adopted a little girl from China, last year.  They also used the same adoption agency and home study agency we are using, so I'm looking forward to meeting them in person and hearing all about their experience.

Application accepted

Last night, I was surprised to find our application approval email in my inbox!  :)  In it were congratulations and instructions on how to proceed.  Let the paper chase begin!

I've made a few phone calls, today.  First, I found a local notary.  I have a feeling we will be seeing her a lot over the coming months.  Second, I called our doctor's office and scheduled physicals for my husband and me.  I thought we'd have to schedule way out, so I wanted to get that taken care of right away.  Imagine my surprise when they offered us both appointments for early next week!  This NEVER happens with our doctor.  Of course I accepted them and now I need to race around and find out if there is a specific form we need for our doctor to fill out.  I'm assuming there is either a form or a list of things that need to be checked.  I emailed our adoption agency to find out as I've obviously gotten ahead of myself!

So....my plan is for us to review the Fee Policy/Agreement and Service Agreement, tonight, and then sign and notarize them tomorrow.  We will also fill out our Residential History form x 2.  Once we get these things done, we will send them back to our agency with our first agency fee.  They will then begin guiding us on assembling our dossier (lots of paperwork).

Next up will be ordering certified copies of our birth and marriage certificates and beginning the passport process.

I was so jazzed that I had a hard time sleeping, last night!

MCC submitted

We submitted our MCC, last night.  Haven't heard anything on our application, yet, but I don't expect to hear until more toward the end of this week.

A couple weekends ago, I went into major nesting mode.  How could it happen this early?!  Our daughters agreed that they wanted to go back to sharing a room, which gives us 1 empty bedroom.  Hm...  ;)  So I spent 3 straight days (helped by snow days) moving Rebecca into Caetlyn's room.  It was a lot of work but felt sooooo good!  The only things left in Rebecca's old room are her furniture, some summer clothes and 1 drawer of Build-a-Bear clothes.  Now I'm trying to decide whether or not to move Nathan into Rebecca's old room.  It's bigger and I foresee his sharing that room with a younger brother someday- maybe not right away, but eventually.  Nathan's room is tiny and it would make more sense to use that room for the baby furniture, if needed.  It's hard to plan when you don't know what age child you will be bringing home.  Ideally, Nathan and Little Brother would share Rebecca's old room and Nathan's room would be turned into a guest bedroom.  We're also open to sharing Mom & Dad's room with Little Brother. :)

Now on to my reading list!  I'm constantly on the lookout for adoption/China book recommendations.  I am devouring them!  Please share any recommendations!

And so we begin...

After researching, discussing, dreaming and obsessing for the better part of a year, we have finally started the process to adopt a Waiting Child from China.

I emailed our application to CCAI (Chinese Children Adoption International), yesterday, and within 45 minutes had a reply from them.  The review process will be complete within 5 business days.

I also called and left a message for 1 of the social workers at a local home study agency, which was returned this morning.  We scheduled the first of our 5 home study appointments for February 6.  Assuming all goes well, we will sign up for the February 24, 27 and March 4 pre-adoption classes that the agency requires.

I'd like to submit our MCC (Medical Conditions Checklist) to CCAI within the next few days.  This will tell them which special needs we feel our family can manage.

And this is where I say, "I CAN'T BELIEVE WE ARE ACTUALLY STARTING THIS PROCESS!!  SQUEE!!"  {insert Snoopy dance}

It doesn't seem real, yet.