Saturday, October 6, 2007

Good News / Bad News

THE GOOD NEWS:
Our dossier is back from translation and ready to submit to the Consulate of Kazakhstan in New York. Yay!!!

THE BAD NEWS:
Our home study agency's license (which is a part of our dossier) will expire in mid-November. According to the new Kazakhstan law, no document in our dossier can expire at any point during our adoption process. We need a copy of the NEW license now. But the SC Dept. of Social Services (DSS) will not issue the new license until after the old one expires in mid-November. This means we will have to sit on our hands (and dossier) until then. Six weeks will tick by with nothing happening. Not only that, but once we finally submit it, our processing time will likely be slowed by the holiday season. Blech.

THE GOOD NEWS:
Our adoption coordinator and home study social worker are trying their best to find a way around this snag. They are asking DSS to write a letter vouching that the 2008 license is forthcoming. IF DSS agrees, then it should be sufficient and we can proceed. Yay!!!

THE BAD NEWS:
They can't ask DSS for the letter until Tuesday, when they have a site visit by a DSS inspector scheduled. And there is a chance DSS won't write the letter because they are ... you know ... bureaucrats. Blech.

THE GOOD NEWS:
We don't want all the other dossier documents to start expiring, so if DSS won't write the letter and everything gets delayed, our adoption agency will try to get us through the Consulate phase as quickly as possible to help make up for lost time. Yay!!!

So that's where we are. It's not soul-shaking news, but a little frustrating.

Frank and I decided last night, over chips 'n salsa and Coronas, that it's time to buckle our seat belts. We've been riding on the kiddie roller coaster up until now. We both honestly feel that the universe will conspire in our favor because we are trying to do something good. We just have to ride it out and not get our proverbial panties in a bunch. We are spiritually saying, "Que sera sera," but we would also certainly accept some string-pulling by anyone out there who has connections to DSS!

I don't think it was a coincidence that last week, during a business trip, I listened to the (randomly chosen) CD of the bestselling book The Alchemist. It's a symbolic story of a boy's journey that is full of unexpected detours and lessons. Each twist makes his journey richer and more complete, and leads him to exactly where he needs to be at exactly the right time. All he has to do is listen to his heart along the way. Very metaphorical!

4 comments:

marsrob said...

Oh dear...that whole license expiring thing SUCKS! We are both - unfortunately - so familiar with the ups & downs of this process - so we know how challenging and frustrating it can all be. But, sounds like you guys are staying grounded and keeping your hearts & minds clear & focused.

Hang in there! We are thinking of you!

- Jen & Marshall

Angela said...

Yeah! and UGH! I am hoping and wishing that you find a way to expedite the process. I can completely relate to your comment about the "kiddie rollercoaster ride." I have been thinking something similar the last few weeks . . . something like, "Hold on! We're just getting started!" I really appreciate your levelheadedness, though . . . it is really inspiring.

Karen said...

We're in a similar situation: Our HS agency's license expires in December, but we were told that we could bring a copy of the new license with us when we travel.

Susan said...

Oh man, I am sorry. But, you have the right attitude. My dossier is all translated and about to go the embassy-but get this-we got our marriage license (and divorce decrees) in May, for my i-600a application) when we started this adoption adventure. Well, my i-171h took so long, that now, i have to get NEW marraige licenses and divorce decrees cuz they can't be more than 4 months old.
Now, that doesn't make much sense to me, as me and the hubby are still married, and the divorces we had before we met each other are still valid, so, um, why does it matter when we requested the documents.

So, I will try to get them quicky (last time it was a week) so that it can go the embassy.

We also had to find a new Dr since our dr's license expired in January-but that was when we were getting our dossier together-oh, and also our mortgage company wouldn't write us the letter we needed either.

SO, i guess i'm telling you this to make you feel better and it will all work out. :)

All your blogger stalkers can relate and comfort you because sometimes the process is, frustrating, to say the least.
I guess that is why my agency keeps telling me over and over.."we must be patient and flexible".

good thing I like yoga. I will keep it up. :)
BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT. :)