What Happens Now... the Remix....

So as many as you know, this has been a long, lengthy,  journey for me. If you know me, you know it has been one emotional journey as well. I have had my ups and downs. Frustration with time, and money to get things done. One thing that I have learned in life, it is  that time is going to pass no matter what I do, how I choose to spend it. Money, however, this is a different story, and quite frankly... a different blog post. It is something I wish for everyday, the funds to bring her home. But today I want to tell you what is going on with me... and where I am in this journey.

It has been a long winter. I will start with that. I have had these series of classes to take. They have been cancelled, postponed.. and all leading up to my homestudy taking MONTHS to finish... I mean MONTHS!!! With great news... I will be taking my last class this Monday coming up! My homestudy has been submitted to my adoption agency for approval. I am expecting to get a copy for myself anytime as well. Once I take this class the homestudy agency is going to submit it to the USCIS office. From there, they will compare my FBI background, to my homestudy, and see if there are any "issues". I am not expecting any issues at this point. In the mean time I am spending some time getting together some documents for my dossier, and my court papers... 

Now this is where the "remix" comes to play... Just a few weeks ago I got word that the region that Vika is in has changed their processes. It sounds official doesn't it... I am going to try and simply it best I can, there are 23 steps to this... and some may have got lost in translation... LOL... literally... 

1. I will send Boris (who works with families on the Russian side) copies of the primary documents, all notarized, and apostilled). He looks at the documents and they will be reviewed, and translated. Once those documents get to Russia, the Education Department (ED) has 10 DAYS to examine them, find errors, request more documents. After the updated documents are received, the ED has yet another 10 DAYS to examine them. If they are in order, the family (me) is registered. 
2. ONLY THEN (according to the law) the ED starts looking for the children corresponding with the requirements of the parents and available for international adoption.
3. When such children are found, the ED officially passes us the proposal with short official information about the child health, including main diagnosis, and other short information. This information does not include complete name and surname of the child (this is confidential and is issued only when parents are going to meet with the child). In this case it will be Vika. Maybe a couple more children to get some information on them .
4. The childrens informations will be sent to me.
5. Once I have the documents completed, I can get a travel date in 2-4 WEEKS.  This is where the "remix" comes in. In the past, we have appointed a POS (Boris), to deliver all of our court papers, and official documents. However, in this particular region. They are now requiring the potential adoptive parents to hand deliver the documents ourselves. With that to consider. As adoptive parents, we need to have ALL of our court papers completed, and sent to the country 7-10 days prior to travel so they can be translated. IF we decide not to do that. That would mean we would have to make an extra trip just to deliver court papers!!  TRIP ONE
6. During the first visit, I must pass medical exam and receive medical conclusion for the court, receive more detailed medical and other information about the child at the ED. I willhave to submit in writing a personal meeting with Vika. Once I meet her, I write a refusal/agreement of intent to adopt. Once I "Agree" I can submit my court papers, including the 171 form, FBI information and fingerprints, as well as all (40 something other documents) that I will be working on as well. 
7. The court is considering the submitted documents during 10 DAYS and issues official written conclusion, usually indicating which documents need to be corrected or something should be added. The court can request any additional document from the parents, Department or Agency that are considered necessary to decide about this adoption.
8. After additional documents are received and the court is satisfied, the date of court is appointed. Usually it's about a month after the documents are approved.
9. I would then travel back for  court. TRIP TWO
10. Before the court, it is necessary that I meet with Vika for several days and receive official confirmation of their good relations with the child from the officially empowered person.
11. Court sitting. For the positive decision on adoption, all documents must be in order. The Dept, the prosecutor and the court must be ensured that this adoption promotes s interests of the child, that parents are serious and reliable people and can provide care for this child, that there is no risk of canceling of adoption or her being passed to another family, etc.
12. The court decision comes in force after 10 DAYS (I would need to wait 10 days to apply for her passport and Visa). After that, the representative of the Agency organizes receipt of Certificate on adoption and new Certificate of birth. Then one of parents (in person) submits application for issue of Russian and foreign passports for the child.
13. After the application for the passport is done, parents may return to the US.
14. Official term for the authorities to make the passport is 1 MONTH. TRIP THREE
15. After the Agency received information that the passport is ready, parents may come to receive the passport, medical examination of the children, visa and consular registration.

Confused yet!!! I have read this a few times over.. and it is making a little more sense each time. But thank goodness I have my friend Ann to help my way through this!!
 But this is where I stand now.. I am in a paperwork madness... I have lots of paperwork to do, so the moment I have the 171 from the immigration office (Aka.. an okay to bring an immigrant to the USA), I can submit everything, an plan to travel... please.. feel free to think, and love and to pray for me that I will make it though this!! This lovely little girl is counting on it (and so am I).


To everyone who has supported me, and has followed this journey. Thank you so much! You have no idea how much it means to me!