Adoption To-Do List
1. Homestudy
2. Dossier Preparation
3. Approval
4.Matching
5. I-800 finalization
6. Travel
I keep thinking we can cross more things off the list, but then we look and we are only 85% or 99% of the way done with stuff.
The Dossier, for example. We have 22 of 23 items crossed off. The last item is completed, but pending a final approval before getting notarized here and then submitted. The whole packet of original documents had to be Notarized in New Mexico and mailed to our Adoption Service Provider (ASP). The ASP is having the entire file apostilled into the state of Alabama (a legal process for certifying that thing is indeed the original thing of the thing it is). Then it will be translated into Portuguese and submitted to CEJA (Brazil's Central Adoption Authority).
Or the I-800, which we were delighted to hear has been approved by US Customs and Immigration. But I guess there are some outstanding specifics once we have been officially matched by CEJA to the kids for whom we submitted a letter of intent back in March.
I'm learning new things every day!
Speaking of learning new things ... education for adoptive parents is intense! There are some bare minimum legal requirements due to the Hague Treaty, which governs International Adoptions and sets some guidelines for member countries regarding expectations for parental education. It saddens me to think it, but apparently there are lots of people out there who think that parenting will be easy and when it is difficult they just give the kids back or try to annul the adoption. I'm so grateful for our ASP and the emphasis that they place on education. Beyond the bare minimum requirements, Lifeline Children's Services has a list of additional resources for Erica and I to read/review.
The scope of this education goes far beyond "what to expect" when you're adopting. Starting with a book called "The Connected Child" and including information from the US State Department about the risks of traveling to Brazil and the ins and outs of international adoption law.
Education is a good thing. My parents taught me to love learning and to be hungry for information. Erica and I homeschool our kids so that we can pass that same value on to them.
So that's what we're working on. Learning how to be adoptive parents! It is challenging when we have been parenting for 10 years already to be open to instruction, but we are learning with open minds and hearts. We are applying some things to our current parenting and saving some other ideas in the "wait and see" category.
We are waiting to hear back on multiple adoption grants. It looks like we are still needing about $45,000 in total funding between now and finalization of everything. Lots of fundraising opportunities available, including just gifts. Contact Erica or send me an e-mail and ask how you can help if you are interested.
As always, your prayers are most appreciated and your ongoing encouragement is and has been so valuable. Thank you, thank you!
3. Approval
4.
5.
6. Travel
I keep thinking we can cross more things off the list, but then we look and we are only 85% or 99% of the way done with stuff.
The Dossier, for example. We have 22 of 23 items crossed off. The last item is completed, but pending a final approval before getting notarized here and then submitted. The whole packet of original documents had to be Notarized in New Mexico and mailed to our Adoption Service Provider (ASP). The ASP is having the entire file apostilled into the state of Alabama (a legal process for certifying that thing is indeed the original thing of the thing it is). Then it will be translated into Portuguese and submitted to CEJA (Brazil's Central Adoption Authority).
Or the I-800, which we were delighted to hear has been approved by US Customs and Immigration. But I guess there are some outstanding specifics once we have been officially matched by CEJA to the kids for whom we submitted a letter of intent back in March.
I'm learning new things every day!
Speaking of learning new things ... education for adoptive parents is intense! There are some bare minimum legal requirements due to the Hague Treaty, which governs International Adoptions and sets some guidelines for member countries regarding expectations for parental education. It saddens me to think it, but apparently there are lots of people out there who think that parenting will be easy and when it is difficult they just give the kids back or try to annul the adoption. I'm so grateful for our ASP and the emphasis that they place on education. Beyond the bare minimum requirements, Lifeline Children's Services has a list of additional resources for Erica and I to read/review.
The scope of this education goes far beyond "what to expect" when you're adopting. Starting with a book called "The Connected Child" and including information from the US State Department about the risks of traveling to Brazil and the ins and outs of international adoption law.
Education is a good thing. My parents taught me to love learning and to be hungry for information. Erica and I homeschool our kids so that we can pass that same value on to them.
So that's what we're working on. Learning how to be adoptive parents! It is challenging when we have been parenting for 10 years already to be open to instruction, but we are learning with open minds and hearts. We are applying some things to our current parenting and saving some other ideas in the "wait and see" category.
We are waiting to hear back on multiple adoption grants. It looks like we are still needing about $45,000 in total funding between now and finalization of everything. Lots of fundraising opportunities available, including just gifts. Contact Erica or send me an e-mail and ask how you can help if you are interested.
As always, your prayers are most appreciated and your ongoing encouragement is and has been so valuable. Thank you, thank you!
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