Walking the Line

It seems that I need to walk a very thin line between relaxed ambivalence and dogged persistence. If I am too relaxed, I feel that nothing will get done. If I am too persistent, I run the risk of pissing people off and stressing myself out.

Here is what is going on in our adoption process currently.

I talked emailed our agency yesterday. I found out that there has been a larger than normal interest in the Thailand program. I am part of other Asian adoption groups, and I am hearing about increased wait times, due to increased popularity of programs all over Asia. A couple of the reasons are the new Chinese regulations and the status of the Vietnam MOU. I am beginning to learn that the world of international adoption is ever changing.

Here is the list of immigrant visas issued to orphans coming to the US. As you can see, Thailand is one of the countries with fewer visas. The number in front of the country is the number of visas for that year. 2006 is the last year available. This information is from http://travel.state.gov/family/adoption/stats/stats_451.html

TOP COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN

FY2006
1. (6,493) CHINA - Mainland
2. (4,135) GUATEMALA
3. (3,706) RUSSIA
4. (1,376) S. KOREA
5. (732) ETHIOPIA
6. (587) KAZAKHSTAN
7. (460) UKRAINE
8. (353) LIBERIA
9. (344) COLOMBIA
10. (320) INDIA
11. (309) HAITI
12. (245) PHILIPPINES
13. (187) CHINA - Taiwan Born
14. (163) VIETNAM
15. (70) MEXICO
16. (67) POLAND
17. (66) BRAZIL
18. (66) NEPAL
19. (62) NIGERIA
20. (56) THAILAND

We were encouraged to get our dossier in as soon as possible. However, in order to get our dossier in, we are at the mercy of several state and federal government agencies.
So we pray that we have favor with each of these agencies.
The first big hurdle is the Colorado Bureau of Investigation; they rejected our first set of fingerprint cards, so we are in the process of resubmitting new cards. Having CBI approval is necessary for our home study to be complete. CBI can take 2 to 5 months to process a background check. We pray that our file moves quickly through this system.
The next hurdle will be completing and submitting our I800a to the USCIS. This is a new form, so the potential for delays and confusion is great.

I also found out today that instead of being able to take the Economics of Management as my first class, I am required to take 5 pre-requisites. This changes my whole schedule, impacts us financially and causes the program to be a bit longer.

I also realized that the next installment of the bible study my mom and I are writing is due.

So to say the least, I am feeling a little crazed. Doug will be putting the floor in my craft room tonight, so hopefully I can work on some of these issues.

But, without fail, the boys make me laugh!!! (and Belle, the other girl in the house).

Here is a picture of Doug, Charlie & Alex goofing off!!!