Not Quite Ready Afterall

Well, I thought everything was all set. Then I find out that my home study agency's license has expired and so has the SW's license. Seems simple. Just get copies of the new licenses. Nope! The agency has changed it's name sometime in the last month. Now I have to get the whole home study rewritten on new letterhead. Once I get that, it will go to Topeka for authentication and then to Houston. It seems it is always something. Good thing is, this doesn't take too long.

Dossier it Authenticated!!

On Monday, May 21, my dossier went to Topeka for Authentication. I got it back already this morning!!! Those guys are sure quick! I wish everything in this adoption would move that quickly. I am learning a lot about being patient though. I know that the daughter God has chosen for me, may not even be born yet so I have to wait. Now I will send my dossier to the Guatemalan Consulate in Houston so they can authenticate it too.

For those not familar with the process, the top picture is of my documents with the statements from the Secretary of State (Ron Thornburgh) saying that the notaries I used are actual notaries for the state of Kansas. The second picture show a page from Governor Kathleen Sebilous stating that Ron Thornburgh is the Secretary of State. I guess the Governor doesn't need anyone to say she is who she says she is.

I had 15 documents authenticated at $7.50 each for a total of $112.50. For the Guatemalan authentications it is $10 each - - - $150!!! No wonder international adoptions are so expensive.

My Kazakhstan Manual - Redoing Paperwork

How could I forget??? I emailed my LMI coordinator yesterday with a question about a form and she told me to refer to my manual. Silly me!! I forgot I had that! I am now redoing some of the forms I had saved on my computer to fit the way my agency wants them. They also have several forms that I hadn't prepared and I am typing those too. How many different ways can you tell the government of Kazakhstan that you will send post placements once a year for an adopted child? I think I typed four forms just stating that fact or something similar.

I hope my personal notary can come over tomorrow afternoon and notarize all these for me. I want to get them sent off to the State Secretary for Authentication on Friday. I found out some good news from the manual. For Authentication I only have to pay once for each notary!! I should only have three notaries since I am using a daycare parent to do all of my personal forms. That will save a little money there.

I finished painting the little rocking chair for Johanna's nursery. It doesn't look great but it isn't too bad either. I will probably find a large rag-type doll or a stuffed animal to put in it. I need to re-arrange my bedroom to give Johanna her own space. Glad I have a huge room.