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!