10-31-07 The curse of the medical form CONTINUES!! Apparantly it was supposed to be filled out on the Dr.'s letterhead and it wasn't. This is a bit "off" to me b/c the form I was given was a pre-printed one that just needed to be checked off. There was no mention of him having to re-copy it onto a letterhead. The agency just asked for his address and phone number and think they can "figure something out". urgh!

10-30-07 My dossiers was sent to Chris to be translated. Then she will put the dossier together. (Big project!). After that it will go to the Kaz embassy in DC (photo shown). Then to the Kaz embassy.

10-24-07 Went to pick up my re-done pics at Walmart and oh yea, they were still bad! I had to take my neighbors digital camera, run around retaking them, dropped them at Wallgreens and finally got them right. Put them in fed ex envelope along with a big check to the agency, and THATS IT!!! :) Finally all submitted and out of my hands! Don't know that they'll be anything to report too often now but we'll see.... Make sure you take the poll on the front page!

10-23-07 Got another doctor to re-do my medical form and luckily he had a notary in the office. Picked it up at noon and back to Trenton AGAIN!! Dropped off for it to be Apostilled. It'll be done and Fed Ex'd to agency tomorrow. But now I needed pictures of every room in my house, a formal one of me, one of a nearby school and a park. Well, if anyone was following me they'd think I was stalking children or something! Got pics done and went to Target to get developed in 1 hr..... yea right.... OF COURSE....its under construction and isn't open. Off to Walmart....dropped off, waited an hour, went to pick up and they're all blurry and cropped wrong! Seriously?!?!?!? Can NOTHING go smoothly this week? They're re-doing them and I'll go get them tomorrow. Hopefully. Agency said rest of my dossier is on its way to the translator! :)

10-22-07 Ok, I just need to vent! I'm at the end of the good ol' paperchase and just as I think my dossier is done, there's always another problem. So now, my medical evaluation form. My doctor recently left the practice but knew I'd need this filled out, so he still agreed to do so. He then had it notarized (correctly) in NY (I live in NJ) NEVER THOUGHT THIS WAS GONNA BE AN ISSUE! Sent all my dossier docs to be apostilled. Paid $620 to have it expedited! Went to pick it up today and the medical form was rejected. I was unaware that where I was going in NJ was only good for NJ notaries. So now after numerous calls to my agency while practically in tears out on the sidewalk, I would have to get a county certification in NY first THEN apostilled in NY. OR get him to re-do and notarize in NJ. Fine. THEN.... oh yes... it gets better. I realize my "doctor" isn't even an MD. He's a DO (or something like that) so Kaz won't accept it from him ANYWAY! Tomorrow I have to track down another doctor entirely and have to find one that will get it notarized....and the right way. I thought this was all gonna be done as of today. Nothing like a little bubble bursting. My dossier is submitted to my agency now,though. Joe went with me and helped me make the apostille copies and attach to all the other 6 copies. Took over an hour! They can begin translating it but just waiting for this medical form, and then apostille it...AGAIN. waaaaaaaa!

10-19-07 Picked up realtor's letter, perfectly done! Made my necessary copies of it, and had CIS approval notarized and drove straight to Trenton to drop off my entire dossier to be apostilled!!!! (this is pretty much a notary of the notaries... really, I know!) Trip took me only about 50 minutes. The regular service is $5 per document (which I had 31) and was told usually takes 7-10 days. Well apparantly my luck they're so backed up they're looking at closer to 30 days!!!! Oh good God no, I'm not losing another month. So you can have them done quicker for an ADDITIONAL $15/per document~ So $620 later.... I'm picking them up on Monday (today is Fri). I will pick them up, and bring the entire thing, and all my document copies to the agency for the final drop off!!!! It was completely bizarre dropping it off today. All this hard work, energy, stress, asking people favors, timelines.... just to turn it over to someone you dont know and pray nothing happens to it. I got in the car and felt like "wow" finally. Yet still feel like I must be missing something, I can't have NOTHING to do now (in terms of this paperwork). But that REALLY is about it (I think). I'll pick it up Monday, drop it off to agency and wait....about 5 months.

10-18-07 GOT CIS APPROVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "Notice of favorable determination concerning application for advance processing of orphan petition" wow! finally!!! Told Don and he said they actually never even got thru to plead my "case". Just need the Realtor's letter and I'm done!

10-12-07 Picked up my medical form completed and notarized perfectly. I needed the "home ownership" form filled out by a realtor, mortgage company, etc. Well the mortgage company I HAVE MY MORTGAGE WITH wouldn't do it b/c they can't vauge for the amount of rooms, bathrooms, etc. But if I wanted to pay for an appraisal first, THEN they'd do it. Moving on... Asked the realtor that sold me my house. He kindly did it, but picked it up today and he didn't follow ANY of the notary rules I told him.... notarized completely wrong. Said to use ink stamp not raise seal. Got raised seal no ink stamp. Said spell out New Jersey. Got NJ. Commission can't expire within one year. Expires in 2 months. Completely useless. He was already a bit annoyed at all the "rules" (which he didn't follow anyway) so I couldn't ask him to re-do them. I got in the car and walked in to the first real estate office I saw, explained what I needed and they agreed to help. So just need this letter AND THE CIS APPROVAL!

10-11-07 MAJOR MELTDOWN DAY! The overwhelming paperchase has officially taken its toll. I sat here trying to make heads or tails of what I had done, what I still needed, who I needed it from, was everything in the right order, were all the staples in the right place (seriously, not kidding, a missing staple can ruin everything!) What needed to be notarized, what was able to be copies (and notarized as such), how many originals for dossier #1, #2 and the 5 additional copies.... WHERE THE HELL IS THIS CIS APPROVAL! I'm doing the "timeline math"... when I first started it looked like I'd be traveling in Feb.. 3 weeks there 2 home and 3-5 days on 2nd trip. Now that it took a month longer than expected to get my homestudy report submitted and this CIS pain... looking like traveling in END of Feb. Then I find out its not 2 weeks home but 2 weeks of the mandatory waiting period THEN 2 weeks for them to process the baby's paperwork (birth certificate, visas, etc). THEN go back for 2nd trip so now looking at not bringing her home till end of April! Ok, I know EVERYONE wants their child as soon as possible. And everyone is anxious. But I started this process at a specific time for a specific reason. In the business I'm in I can't be taking off a month or two when my busy season is just starting. So there's the stress of THIS time issue. Anyone that knows whats been going on with my grandmother, well she's not doing well at all. She's on 2nd round of chemo and dr's saying if it doesn't "work" this time, it could potentially leave her with a matter of months. She's saying to me "I'm ONLY hanging in here to see this baby. Is there anything you can do to hurry it along?" OH nothing like a punch in the gut. Its out of my hands. I'm frustrated its taking this long. And There's nothing I can do. I lost it. I called Don at the agency and told him I needed to come over. I brought all my papers and needed to make sense of everything. I started to tell Sonja (our director) and Carol (Social worker) what I was going thru. I started crying. They didn't realize my situation was this detailed and said they'd put another call in to see if it could be rushed. I spent the next 2 hrs going over everything spread out over their conference table and piecing together what goes where and what still needs to be done. There was no way I could have done it via phone. It was a huge help and I'm grateful that they always DO seem to be there when you need them! I went to my office and began the dreaded copy making. 5 full copies of the complete dossier... front and back, staples vs. no staples, correct order, etc. Feel like I made headway today.

10-10-07 Still no CIS approval! I called my agency and told Don my dilemma with the receipt number and how I can't seem to find out what the hold up is. He put a call in, just to find out... Oh yea, they HAVE it but looks like another 1 1/2-2 weeks!! So disheartening when everything that was in your control was done the right way in the shortest amount of time and now all these other steps are taking longer than you planned.

10-3-07 Ok, I was supposed to have this CIS approval back in 2 months from the day my homestudy was sent in (Aug 1st). Still nothing. They give you this phone number to check on the status of your application but they ask you to punch in your 10 digit account number in the upper left corner of your receipt but I have 6 digits in the upper right corner. So NOW WHAT? Of course you can't get a human either. Just a "sorry, you've entered an invalid #" Guess I have to wait. Had to track down my Dr. (since he left the office I used to see him in). Fortunately for ME....I originally met him when he hired me to videotape his daughter's BarMitzvah last year...so I had his home info! He already filled out the medical forms I needed for the homestudy and had agreed to fill out the one I'd need "in the future". Well that time is NOW and he's left the office. After sending him a pleading letter to his home, he called and said it would be no problem! Yea! Phew.

9-15-07 Minor heart attack! I just got a letter that my agency's corporate President has resigned. As of October 1, 2007, the agency's name will be changed to "Child Promise". I was worried that THIS would be a problem since ALL my homestudy approvals have Reaching Out's name on them, but after a frantic phone call I was assured that the new license will be in conjunction with the old one. They will be "formerly Reaching Out" and maintain their active license, I guess until everything changes over.This is not supposed to effect me in any way. Phew!

9-12-07 I've made some contacts with fellow families thru my agency that also have adopted from Kaz. I was also informed of a yahoo forum singlekazmoms kinda cool! :) Got an "informative sheet" from one mom about what to expect while over in Kaz. Everything from the fact that their hot water is brown and smells (yes thats the only water to use for showers) to the fact that they dont have the white refined sugar we use, and its hard to find coffee so we have to bring our own instant. Very interesting. Women ALL where heels and well dressed. You'll never see them wearing tennis shoes/sneakers and hardly jeans. Alot of coats, hats and boots lined with fur. Its also not appreciated to smile and say hello to a stranger you pass on the street. Oh going to be an experience!

9-7-07 Got official letter in the mail saying Kazakhstan approved my home study. Got 3 copies of actual report/packet that will be used in the dossier and all my original reference letters. In the meantime, I've almost completely finished re-finishing the toybox my grandfather made me... I'll post a pic when it's done ;) Oh, and I bought a stroller :)

8-25-07 The morning after my friend Cathy's wedding, I had to be in Newark at 8 AM to be fingerprinted...yes for the 3rd and final time for the USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services) this is the fingerprinting they send you for after they receive your I 600A application.(Advanced Processing of Orphan Petition). They put you in this cold dirty "auditorium" that makes you feel like a herd of cattle that was just in "off the boat". All in all, it was quick and I was out of there within 45 min. Just need to wait about a 1 1/2 months for that to come back. I need to have the rest of my paperwork in order to compile my dossier so its all ready to hand over to the state to be apostilled when this approval comes in the mail.

8-22-07 Got my FBI backround check approval in the mail! Yea! Not that I thought there was any devious criminal issues to worry about them finding, but nonetheless a major U.S. step checked off the list.

8-17-07 Got this email today: Hi Jennifer, Just wanted to update you--your adoption HS was approved by our partnersfor Kazakhstan. (That means everything in the home study was all there and they approve the result of it)

8-16-07 Susan and I spent the day at Babies R Us and I created my registry. (I also have one at Target). It was pretty exciting and she got a kick out of making fun of me saying "uh what the heck do you need THAT for" or "how do you use THAT?" or the fact that I wanted everything pink, regardless of it being the most boring of the toys. (Emma doesn't have to enjoy it, it just has to be pretty LOL). Having been around babies most of my life, I really thought I was way more educated then I actually was! haha

8-10-07 Finally sent in my FBI backround check info. I had the fingerprinting done and ready to go back in April but was told to hold off on sending it b/c everything is time sensitive and it may have not been good later on. This can take 6-8 weeks to receive back. I have some other things to start working on so when these approvals come back my dossier will be ready to go.

8-1-07 Reaching Out sent my final HS report to CIS. They should now have my completed application and beging processing it. I hear it could take up to 2 months to receive result.

7-25-07 Got homestudy approval!!!! YEA! (not that I didn't think I'd be approved, still surreal to see it in writing) "Jennifer has met all of the pre-adoptive requirements for the State of New Jersey. At the conclusion of the home study process, Jennifer was approved as a potential adoptive parent. She is very excited about the prospect of having a child, and is ready to proceed with both referral and placement at this time.... I am happy to favorably recommend that Jennifer be approved for adoption through the nation of Kazakhstan." There were a few corrections I needed to address, wrong phone number, etc but I'm told it should be corrected and ready for release by end of July. Apparantly its also forwarded to the social work associates in Kaz for their feedback, but won't know about it for a bit. Kaz also "closes" essentially for the month of Aug for vacation! The whole country.... nice, huh?!? Glad I'm not one of the ones waiting for their approval this month. I also got receipt from Homeland Security today (I feel like Jack Bauer on "24") saying they received my I600A and are awaiting my HS report before sending me info on where to go for, yet, another set of fingerprinting.

7-17-07 Mailed in my I600A form (application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition)to US Citizenship & Immigration Svcs. I was able to send it (so its post marked) and forward my homestudy report along later. They won't process it without receiving it. Called agency wondering where report is...

7-12-07 More "good news" : CIS fee increases to be effective starting 7/30. I found out as long as its postmarked prior to the 30th, the new fee won't be assessed. I went over ALL the dossier forms with Don today for over an hour on the phone (Bless him!!) and feel like I have a better handle on what I need to do. It was all a bit overwhelming to see all this time sensitive stuff and not know what to do, without messing it up!

7-11-07 Lots going on in KAZ! There has been some major changes for the Almaty region. Agency has checked for Karaganda (where I want to go), and we have been told that they DO NOT plan to make any changesto the process.In Almaty, the first trip may be 4-6 weeks, or the families may end upmaking another trip. Also,Karaganda officials are holding families from traveling. This is due to an agency that did notcomply with the post adoption reports. ( sorry but we cannot say who theagency is due to legal issues).Our coordinator just contacted us and said the officials are indicating that they will lift the ban soon. We have been able to get a lot of the reports already.This WILL NOT affect the processing of the dossiers. All dossiers go thru the same process until the family is approved. Then it is approved for the specific area.

6-27-07 I put a deposit on 2 pieces of furniture for the baby's room! I found them in an antique store and they're just beautiful. One is an armoire with glass doors and the other is a 3 drawer wide dresser (that will also be used as a changing table). :)

This is the "look" I'm going for.... light sage & pink colors This is the same wall border I got.

6-18-07 Had my last social work in-home meeting. All went well and it was more of a question session, like "are you prepared for this...." "how do you think you'll handle this..." type thing. But its all done now! :) She said she should have her report done by the end of the month then it goes to the agency to look over then to me to look over. Then onto the next step....not quite sure what THAT is yet. Some type of Government backround check that takes about 2 months. Movin' right along :)

6-11-07 Today was the first of 2 home visits by Lynette, my social worker. All went well once I realized it wasn't a "white glove test". She needed to see the rooms in the house, that I had smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and a fire extinguisher in the kitchen (everyone in MY family SHOULD have this by now!) We just talked, and went over issues from the educational class. It was nothing more than a review of that, really. The whole thing was about 2 hours long.

6-2-07 I attended my first home study requirement...A 4 hour educational class at Reaching Out's office. It was just me, Carol Eifferman (social work coordinator) and one other couple. The class was very informative and it was nice she only had to concentrate on our two countries (the others were adopting from Guatemala). We were given packets on information from support groups, what to bring when we travel, U.S. doctors to contact for medical record reviewing, to different types of "diseases" and/or illnesses to look out for. All in all, it was very relaxed and comforting. I continue to feel in the right hands.

5-30-07 I heard from my social worker! Her name is Lynette and she's been working with adoptions for about 9 years. She also works or DYFS during the day. It took so long b/c she had the wrong phone number and didnt know it...kept getting busy signals. She was also in the process of moving, so it took longer for her to contact me. We're on the way now. There are 3 meetings required for the homestudy. (1 educational class and 2 meetings with her, at my house.) I was told there is an educational clas THIS weekend, and luckily I wasn't working so I can attend. The next one wasn't until July so I got lucky! Each meeting needs to be 7 days apart so we scheduled my 2 at home meetings for the 11th and 18th. She said not to go crazy cleaning and getting nervous, the hard part of the homestudy is already over (the autobiography, references, etc.) and this is really more of an educational lesson on both our parts...for me its about the process and adoption in general and for her, its to learn about me. Lynette said my home study will then be done by the end of June!! I can't believe it. I thought it was going to take months....I hope I'm not "missing" something.

5-8-07 I mailed in all my homestudy papers. Three days later I got a message from Carol Eifferman saying they recieved my packet and she's touched base with a social worker that may be assigned to me but not sure of her work load. She's going to talk to her again and see if she'll be the right fit. I'm to wait for a social worker to contact me.

5-4-07 Got test results back already...since yesterday! All fine, picked up copies.

5-3-07 Got my physical from Dr., had bloo work done 2 weeks ago so I can use that, don't have to re-do but have to go for HIV test, since that wasn't ordered.

5-1-07 A busy day.... I finished my autobiography!!! PHEW! I finally got a chance to tell Patrick and though he was completely aware of the possibility, I told him the process had begun. He was very happy and accepted my offer of being The Godfather. Carrie, my next door neighbor, mailed out her reference letter. Made a copy of my passport and liscense. Signed and filled out the CARI (child abuse backround check) form with a check to the agency for it. Filled out most of the financial info form, just need to get copies of my bank statements. Signed "philosophy policy on discipline" form. Signed and notorized the homestudy services contract. Called Dr. to schedule physical...told me just to come in.

4-29-07 Roxanne/Quinn and I met up with Kathy/Meredith for lunch and had a nice time. We went to this awesome scrapbook place and I picked up a few baby things! Think I may cheat and try to copy the "first year" book Rox did... I loved it. On my way home I stopped at Tierney's and told her and her parents. Everyone was surprised and again, very supportive! I think Tierney's still trying to figure out how to get to come with me over to Kaz~ haha.

4-28-07 I went down to Maryland to visit "the girls" and had a blast telling them. Everyone was very happy and supportive. It was nice to be able to tell them... made it real. I was taken back when Martina started talking about college funds already! too funny! We had a toast and started throwing around middle names. ;)

4-26-07 Today is mom's birthday and we all went over her house for dinner. I told Keirstin and Alexa about the adoption. I never thought THEY'D be the hardest people to tell! Keirstin had more intellectual questions and Alexas just wanted to know when her new cousin would be "into" American Girl dolls with her! I said "probably by the time you're getting ready to get your drivers liscense." haha They were excited. Keirstin gave me a big hug and kiss and said "Congratulations!" :)

4-26-07 Today is mom's birthday and we all went over her house for dinner. I told Keirstin and Alexa about the adoption. I never thought THEY'D be the hardest people to tell! Keirstin had more intellectual questions and Alexas just wanted to know when her new cousin would be "into" American Girl dolls with her! I said "probably by the time you're getting ready to get your drivers liscense." haha They were excited. Keirstin gave me a big hug and kiss and said "Congratulations!" :)

4-25-07 Was so anxious to start things rolling I got my ink fingerprinting done for FBI clearance. (for downloaded coversheet and fingerprinting cards) http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm Good thing I called Don with a question b/c there's a time frame they're good for so he told me not to send them in yet, but instead wait till homestudy is underway a bit. He said "I never had anyone get them done that fast...." lol I should just concentrate on the homestudy stuff first and take one step at a time.

4-24-07 Got my 2nd referral letter.. Thanks Trishy!

4-23-07 Began writing the dreaded autobiography. Its pretty hard to sum up you're whole life in 3-6 pages, especially with the amount of details they give you in the outline to touch upon.

4-20-07 Got fingerprinted and received my first reference letter back from my friend/co-worker John. Thanks John, you're a funny one!

4-18-07 got info in the mail~A LOT of forms! I already forwarded the guidelines for the reference letters to those who will be writing them for me. Made my appointment for fingerprinting needed for the homestudy (only have to wait 2 days) Something tells me, it won't always be this easy ;)

4-13-07 Wow, I can't believe it~I got home and there was a message from Carol, from Reaching Out, with a welcome message and instructing me to check in the mail for the Welcome Packet for Kazakhstan!

4-12-07 I mailed in the application today! As I put the stamps on th envelope, I was deciding which design of return address label to use...Isn't THAT silly!?!? Just seemed like such an important document, to me, that it should be perfect...not labeled with "Sammy the Seagull" from my SSU alumni labels. as I dropped it off at the post office I sat in the car and took a deeb breath. Wow. I did it. I'm oing this. I'm not sure it has sunk in yet.

The beginning

1-31-07 I've decided on "Reaching Out thru International Adoption" in Sommerdale, NJ. After a lot of research and interviewing. I met with coordinators Sonja and Don and was SO comfortable with them and the extensive 3 hours they spent talking with me till all my questions were answered. They're very professional, supportative and knowledgeable. I just felt this was the right place.