Monday, July 23, 2007
Coincidence? I think NOT!
Russia FINALLY started issuing new accreditation to agencies this month with the first ones going out in early July. Our agency was part of the 2ND wave that received them. Low and behold after waiting for a long time (they originally expected it back in March) the letter arrived dated July 19, 2007. For those who know us, this is a significant day. On this very same day we celebrated 10 years of marriage. Yet another message that we're following the right path. I'm a believer in signs and paying attention to them. How much clearer of a sign do we need?
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Government Efficiency --- A True Oxymoron
I pre-ordered the children's birth certificates today and drove about 50 minutes to the downtown area to pick them up. Since it took 30 minutes on the phone to place the order I knew I was in for quite a treat! I guess a simple web site where the orders could be placed would be way too easy.
Here's what I saw.....I walked in and there were 3 windows. Window # 3 had a line of about 15 people in it. There was also an almost full room of people sitting. No one was at Window #2 and 1 person was waiting to speak to someone (anyone) at Window #1. If you don't phone ahead, you fill out an application and get in line. They process at Window #3 (yes, a little backwards....again it's a government run agency) and you wait while they print off the certificate and certify it for pick up at Window #2. Window #1 is for corrections but seemed to be used more for an Info Window since there really wasn't one. In a sign on the wall they warn you it could be a rather lengthy wait and encourage you to go to the park next door while you're waiting. Keep in mind, I knew ahead of time to call and have it processed. However, I still had to wait in the line for Window #3. One person was servicing all applicants while 4 others were sitting at desks. I'm guessing these are the people who process the certificates. No one was available to assist those who phoned ahead in a separate line. I waited for about 20 minutes and it took literally 3 minutes to hand me the certificates and receipt the money. I know, you're wondering where I'm going with this.....it's my blog so I'm going to create Kimberly's Government. I would insist all birth/death certificates were pre-ordered either by phone or online (yes, I would actually have an online order taker and not rely on the very slow phone taker from my experience). Anyone who didn't pre-order would have their own very long line. All pre-orders would bump to the front. Therefore, it would be so encouraged to pre-order and explained fully to everyone. Rather than process the certificates while the room was full, it would be a mostly empty room. The processors would fill all orders (perhaps even after hours if you require 24 hours notice) and the day would be spent filling the orders as people showed up. Okay, I'm done changing the government. If they were actually spending time and money wisely we'd have nothing to make fun of anymore.
Bottom Line.....I have the children's birth certificates in my hand, David is the father and all information is complete and accurate. This in itself more than exceeds my expectations of a government facility.
Here's what I saw.....I walked in and there were 3 windows. Window # 3 had a line of about 15 people in it. There was also an almost full room of people sitting. No one was at Window #2 and 1 person was waiting to speak to someone (anyone) at Window #1. If you don't phone ahead, you fill out an application and get in line. They process at Window #3 (yes, a little backwards....again it's a government run agency) and you wait while they print off the certificate and certify it for pick up at Window #2. Window #1 is for corrections but seemed to be used more for an Info Window since there really wasn't one. In a sign on the wall they warn you it could be a rather lengthy wait and encourage you to go to the park next door while you're waiting. Keep in mind, I knew ahead of time to call and have it processed. However, I still had to wait in the line for Window #3. One person was servicing all applicants while 4 others were sitting at desks. I'm guessing these are the people who process the certificates. No one was available to assist those who phoned ahead in a separate line. I waited for about 20 minutes and it took literally 3 minutes to hand me the certificates and receipt the money. I know, you're wondering where I'm going with this.....it's my blog so I'm going to create Kimberly's Government. I would insist all birth/death certificates were pre-ordered either by phone or online (yes, I would actually have an online order taker and not rely on the very slow phone taker from my experience). Anyone who didn't pre-order would have their own very long line. All pre-orders would bump to the front. Therefore, it would be so encouraged to pre-order and explained fully to everyone. Rather than process the certificates while the room was full, it would be a mostly empty room. The processors would fill all orders (perhaps even after hours if you require 24 hours notice) and the day would be spent filling the orders as people showed up. Okay, I'm done changing the government. If they were actually spending time and money wisely we'd have nothing to make fun of anymore.
Bottom Line.....I have the children's birth certificates in my hand, David is the father and all information is complete and accurate. This in itself more than exceeds my expectations of a government facility.
Paperwork, Paperwork and MORE PAPERWORK!
We're drowning in paperwork.....save us! I should really say SAVE ME! I've taken on the task of handling all the adoption paperwork. It really needs to be handled by one person or it would get even more confusing. I bought an accordion file to keep everything organized. This is key so you don't lose your mind. I have a slot for the Home Study paperwork. Much of this paperwork will be part of our Russian dossier. You have to make copies of EVERYTHING so I'm spending a lot of time at the copy machine when I'm in the office. Of course, signatures are required everywhere. I put things together during the day and bring them to David at night. He must fill very important to have a stack of papers to sign. Truth of the matter, the signatures on this paperwork will change our life more than anything else we've ever signed. The house closing paperwork wasn't nearly as important. We're putting our signature on the hope for a child. It's symbolic of attempting conception although I'm sure the husband will agree not nearly as much fun!
We're almost done with the initial paperwork needed. Our FBI clearances are being sent out today. I pick up certified birth certificates of the children today. I was able to order the certificates by phone so I can pick up later and not wait long. We'll see how that goes.....I'm always skeptical when a government agency is involved. I ordered my birth certificate from Texas since I can't locate it. That was easily $60 once I paid the processing fees and postage costs to expedite.
The Home Study is progressing at a decent pace. I had my one on one session this week. Our social worker asked me to elaborate on items I had completed in advance. We discussed how David and I met (no, I didn't mention his ever famous pick up line) and a lot about my family life growing up. It was an easy discussion and lasted about an hour. David meets with her next week for his session. He's not a huge fan of discussing his personal life with others so that should be interesting. I almost wish I could listen in without anyone knowing. I guess I'll just have to read the report! The paperwork for the home study is near complete. David and I both need physicals done. This seemed easy enough, right? WRONG! I call my doctor's office who has always taken me promptly in the past to find out it will be almost a month before I can get an appointment. I even tugged at their heartstrings with my adoption story but it didn't work. This will actually delay our home study a week or so. I guess I should have been more on top of this but the timing is so tricky. Your documents have to be less than a year old at the time of adoption. If we had gone to the doctor too early, we may have had issues later. David hates going to the doctor and the needle in the arm. I certainly wasn't going to have much luck getting him to go again. He's more of a once every 5 years visitor.
Tomorrow I will spend a good hour standing at the copy machine making 2 copies of each of the last 3 years of tax returns. Since I have my own company I need to make copies of the company returns as well. Yes, it will easily be an hour. I guess this will be my morning sickness. See....it's just like a pregnancy!
We're almost done with the initial paperwork needed. Our FBI clearances are being sent out today. I pick up certified birth certificates of the children today. I was able to order the certificates by phone so I can pick up later and not wait long. We'll see how that goes.....I'm always skeptical when a government agency is involved. I ordered my birth certificate from Texas since I can't locate it. That was easily $60 once I paid the processing fees and postage costs to expedite.
The Home Study is progressing at a decent pace. I had my one on one session this week. Our social worker asked me to elaborate on items I had completed in advance. We discussed how David and I met (no, I didn't mention his ever famous pick up line) and a lot about my family life growing up. It was an easy discussion and lasted about an hour. David meets with her next week for his session. He's not a huge fan of discussing his personal life with others so that should be interesting. I almost wish I could listen in without anyone knowing. I guess I'll just have to read the report! The paperwork for the home study is near complete. David and I both need physicals done. This seemed easy enough, right? WRONG! I call my doctor's office who has always taken me promptly in the past to find out it will be almost a month before I can get an appointment. I even tugged at their heartstrings with my adoption story but it didn't work. This will actually delay our home study a week or so. I guess I should have been more on top of this but the timing is so tricky. Your documents have to be less than a year old at the time of adoption. If we had gone to the doctor too early, we may have had issues later. David hates going to the doctor and the needle in the arm. I certainly wasn't going to have much luck getting him to go again. He's more of a once every 5 years visitor.
Tomorrow I will spend a good hour standing at the copy machine making 2 copies of each of the last 3 years of tax returns. Since I have my own company I need to make copies of the company returns as well. Yes, it will easily be an hour. I guess this will be my morning sickness. See....it's just like a pregnancy!
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