Dossier completed! (again)

We finally received the official forms for the new requirements. The FBI clearance was really easy to obtain and they sent us our "no record found" letters within 1 week. We also had to sign a statement saying that 1) we will allow a Kazakhstani official to visit our home up to twice per year and 2) we will continue with post-placement reports until Maks is 18. Though the first few have to be done by a social worker, the last can be done just by us.

The last hurdle was another medical statement proving absence of disease. At first, we were worried because Dr. Mandel wanted us to come in for another physical. Would we have to wait 2 weeks for our HIV test, then 1 more week for the "transcription department" to write our statements on letterhead??? When we got there, Kristina, Laura, and Dr. Mandel worked to help us figure out a way to finish the statements right away. But wait - we need it notorized. We called every Notary in the SB phonebook. The last lady couldn't do it but had a friend named Lori. Luckily Lori arrived at Dr. Mandel's office within 15 minutes. Everyone signed and the new requirements were complete!!

We took the documents to Mail Boxes and Fed Ex-ed them to Parasec for the apostilles. Hooray!!

Now, we wait!! Our dossier will travel to Kazakhstan to be translated, which might take 2 weeks, then back to the Consulate in New York. It should spend about 2 weeks there if Orson is correct. Then 4 weeks at the MFA , 1 week and the MOE and we will have our LOI. That's right, you guessed it, 8 weeks! We could travel in December. When they say "you can come to Kazakhstan to adopt your child" - I think we'll be on the first plane. : )

Soon!

We are going to immerse ourselves in boat work and hopefully this time will fly by....