Long wait and getting longer

So I'll keep it short...because I have little to say. It's been a depressing fall. I am no closer to my dream of adopting. Kazakhstan was going to issue a progress report in September but as of the end of October -- not a word. SO I wait. I am giving it until the end of the year then I have to decide what to do...stay with my agency and continue to wait or switch programs/agencies. I am trying to keep the faith and hope that in a years time I'll look back at this blog and realize it was all worth it!

Disappointment and waiting

So I've had a whirlwind last three weeks. On May 14th I was informed that on May 15th Kazakhstan is putting all adoptions on hold so that Kazakhstan can join the Hague Convention. That's a really positive move, however, it affects so many of us waiting to adopt from there. I was devastated...I didn't know what to do or think...I've already invested so much time, energy and a lot of money. It was a rough weekend!

The following week on about May 18 I was informed that it looked like Kazakhstan would re-open adoptions in September. I could wait until September and see if that really happens or I could investigate other programs. I was more confused now -- do I wait and trust that in September adoptions will re-open or do I switch programs and basically start over.

Then on May 20 I received an email from my caseworker that they have decided to accept some more dossiers and process them for Kazakhstan and if I could get my medical done then mine could be included. That weekend involved much driving to and fro in Chicago, notaries, paperwork and stress! I did everything I needed to do, fed ex the info and then re-routed it later that day to get to the Embassy in DC. It successfully arrived on Tuesday, May 25 and I was relieved! I made it.

Then on June 1 my world crashed again --the embassy changed their mind and decided they wouldn't accept more dossiers...mine was being returned. So now I get to make the decision of whether to wait or change programs...so far I've decided to wait to actually make that decision. I have to trust God and that He has a plan. So I'm trying to be patient and hope that all will work out for the best.

It is an agonizing wait and seems so crazy...I want to call up the "manager" and complain until I get my way but adoption does not work that way!

So, I'll try to blog and share any news I have but right now I'm just watching the days pass by....however, I know I have a daughter out there and I pray daily for her happiness and health and that we will meet soon!

Update

Well, I know it's been along time since I've blogged. But frankly, nothing exciting to report until today! Previous to today I have been chasing down paperwork for various people and places. My entire life is on 60 pieces of paper which is weird! So you can see there hasn't been much to report other than my frustrations in mounds upon mounds of paper.

I went to Chicago this morning with all 60 of my documents; birth certificate, home study, immigration clearance, financial reports, etc. and had them all apostilled! Which is a very official certification of all the notary public stamps. One was rejected, the one by Chase Bank because the notary didn't sign her name the way her notary stamp listed it. I had a baby meltdown but then just found another Chase downtown and huffed and puffed until someone there would re-do the paperwork correctly. Then went back to the Secretary of State office to have that last document apostilled! This is a huge step because it now gets translated and sent to Kazakhstan where I will be assigned a region to adopt from! I also have to make my 3rd large sum payment. It's beginning to feel close!

So the next question I usually get is when will I travel to Kazakhstan to meet my daughter...well, that answer depends on the government in Kazakhstan. I've done all of the things I can control here in the US, now it goes through the system there...and there is some thought that the paperwork moves more quickly in spring/summer -- so I'm hoping to travel in August! I'll be praying for a speedy process!

The picture above is of my daughters bed! It's so cute. My friend Stephanie made the cafe curtains!