If there’s anything worse for me than the waiting game in this adoption process, it’s the paperwork. Lordy, how I hated the paperwork stage. It’s not because it’s paperwork per se, but because for some reason I despise doing things that make no sense. Call me rational. Call me stubborn.
Now, I realize that some paperwork is necessary and important. You need to be who you say you are. The state can’t give children to crazy, unfit people. It’s a good idea to be able to prove you are not a fugitive, and you have never killed anyone.
However, there’s a whole lot of other stuff that’s just bureaucratic red tape. For example, why would we need to have our fingerprints taken again for immigration in less than two years? Do fingerprints change? Can’t you run the same fingerprints and make sure people haven’t committed a federal crime since you last checked 18 months ago? Apparently not.
All this is a run up to say that we have to do our dossier over again.
If you hear feet stomping, animal growling, and loud cursing, that would be me.
Our dossier has to be less than two years old when we go through court in Ethiopia. Given that we don’t have a referral yet and things are backlogged over there, our agency says it’s very unlikely that we’re going to get there before Ethiopia’s courts close in August and September. So… another dossier.
This means I have to order things like birth certificates again, and our marriage certificate again. I have to get letters of reference again. Financial reports. Every damn piece of paper, once received, has to be sent back to its respective state for certification. Then most things need to be notarized. Some things have to be certified on a county level, depending on where the document comes from. Then, if I recall correctly, everything has to be brought to the Secretary of State in Maryland.
All of this costs money. Including fees to our agency for processing.
So, I’m not a happy little camper.
Forcing myself to look on the bright side, I can only think this second time around will be easier because we’ve done it before.
Still, waaaahhhhhhhh!!!!
Oh, that is worth some foot-stomping! I’m sure that when you did it the first time, you didn’t realize it was possible that you’d have to do it again. Yes, it will be easier. But it’s still a pain in the you-know-what. I know you’ll have to start it soon, but here’s hoping you get that call unexpectedly and don’t have to FINISH it. I’ve heard plenty of stories (including our own) of calls coming just a day or two after WACAP said they didn’t know of any siblings coming through soon.
Megan
I hear you, and I’m with you! Although we haven’t quite gotten to this step yet, we know it’s coming, and I’m not happy about it. Sigh. It just feels like if it’s not one thing, it’s another. Still hoping you get that call soon and you will have two little faces to be your motivation to get through the paperwork!
Oh, I hear you! We had to update our home study while we were waiting for referral and it felt like salt in the wound. I’m so sorry you have to update your whole dossier. Sending hopes and prayers for that call…
UGHHHHHHHH. I HATE this. I HATe this for you. I hate useless paperwork slogging and this is precisely the sort that makes me a little crazy and fantasizing about empty beaches w/ big hats and big strawberry coladas.
I’m sorry. My measly sympathy won’t help you. But I will add to my prayers for you: perseverance, stamina, acceptance and ease of stamping (all those certifieds, ugh).
Hang in there Zoe. It’s gonna happen and even THIS will seem a distant memory, someday, but this part will be like the salt or the unique herb in the casserole, making the dish JUST right…but on it’s own: bitter.
Sending hugs from the endless steppe of the south
OMG – I can’t believe you have to do all your paperwork again! That is really really maddening and sorry to say, EXPENSIVE! I’m really sorry Zoe.
I am sorry, but from someone who has had to do it 2x – it is easier the second time around! I am glad your work situation worked out and crossing my fingers to hear your good news very, very soon!
This really REALLY stinks, Zoe. I’m so sorry. Praying that your referral comes soon. You deserve some joy in this process. This is getting ridiculous!!!
Love from CA! (:
Ugh, we just did this; keep in mind that you will not have to do that again b/c you will have a referral soon. AND, maybe a little paper chase will provide a distraction?
After a slow start we got everything done, authenticated and on it’s way to Ethiopia.
Good luck to you!