Busy bee

I can't believe how much I've accomplished in the last week. First, the big things, I finished my home study (just waiting for the report) and changed agencies. I'm relieved the first one is done, but I'm so happy I did the second! I had to call twice with questions this week, and I actually spoke with my coordinator- no message necessary! She was there! I always had to leave messages or send e-mails with the last agency and then they were rarely returned.

The other big thing is that I started my dossier. I'm in the paperchase! I was overwhelmed at first when I received the 60 page manual, but once I organized myself and made a list it really isn't that bad. I've already finished all the things that I can. And everything else is submitted to the appropriate people. I'm a little concerned about the CIS paperwork though. Nothing can be over 3 months old when it is reviewed by the Vietnam Embassy. I had to have a physical for my home study so the clock is ticking on the physical. If I don't get the I-171H in three months then I'll have to have another physical. Ick! I'm holding of on getting anything notorized until I get the I-171H and then I'll get the notorizations and send it off to the state.

Regarding the I-171H, I was on the CIS website for San Antonio and it says they are currently (as of September 12th) working on May 11th. Does it really take 4 months to get through the CIS paperwork. I thought it was 2-3 months?

Big change...

Well, after second guessing my agency decision, I've decided to change agencies. I can't say a lot of nice things about my current agency as I only received a call back once. I didn't leave for ethical reasons as there was nothing that seemed unethical. It was more for customer service issues. I didn't like waiting a week and a half for a return on a question (there's a VM I sent in three weeks ago that still hasn't received a reply.) I switched to another ethical agency that I haven't heard a bad word about. I mentioned my dissatisfaction with my social worker on Sunday and she said I should look into the agency I switched to. It was my second choice originally, and I'm very happy with my decision. They received my application today and I received an email as well as a phone call welcoming me and asking if I had any questions she could answer. AND...I immediately have access to dossier information so I can start organizing my approach to the paperchase! Yay!

Otherwise, life is great! My mother called this weekend and told me that she and my father were talking about the adoption and they BOTH want to come to Vietnam too! I love my family!

It's a milestone!

Yay! My home study is over and went really well! I'm off to celebrate! Paperwork, here I come!

Whistle while you work...

Being under the weather all week has put me behind in my schedule to get ready for my home study, which is tomorrow. I must say that having so much to do today has put my nerves at bay. I know that my place doesn't have to be spic-and-span, but I haven't really given the place a good cleaning in a while, so this has given me a good reason to thoroughly clean too! LuLu (my dog) hasn't been very helpful. I tried to explain to her why we needed to keep the place tidy, but she kept pulling ALL her toys out of her basket after I picked them up! Silly LuLu!

Is it normal to second guess your decisions when it comes to adoption. Normally when I research something and make a decision I feel pretty confident in it, but with my agency selection I just don't know. I picked an ethical agency with positive recommendations, but I've been hearing such wonderful things about my second choice that I keep thinking maybe I should change. Sigh... Oh well, I'll keep praying about it. I'd better get back to work. Only my bedroom and the entry stairs to go! Whoopie!!!

Moving along

Things are moving along. I have my home study on Sunday, but progress on getting the home ready have been hampered as I caught strep throat from my sister. Luckily, I haven't felt as bad as she did! I'm slowly working through my list of things to do, so I expect Saturday to be a marathon day of cleaning and organizing that will last into the night. Otherwise, I have my physical on Tuesday and most of my recommendation letters have been written. The people writing my letters of recommendation have been sending me a copy and I've been really touched about what they wrote. I know I'm looking forward to being a mother, but the words that people have used to describe me as a mother have been quite touching!

Since I told my sister about my adoption plans she began saving hand-me-downs from her two little girls. Most of the items are at least 18 mos. in size, but everything is in wonderful shape and I will never have to buy a cute swimsuit for my daughter! I've packed everything up in a storage bin until it is needed. It's odd thinking those items will be in there probably for two years! Sigh...

Not much on the adoption front

I just spent the day getting ready for my home study and finishing up my education requirements. Last night I tried for a few hours to put a new (non-Blogger) template on my blog, but I later (2 a.m.-ish) realized that they don't work with Blogger Beta. Who knew?!? I guess I'll have to put the few programming skills I have to work, but on another day. Maybe during the wait? Until then I girled it up by changing it to pink. I'm not a big pink girl, but most of the other templates are green and blue- far from my favorite colors. Oh well!

Lazy Saturdays

I had a rough day yesterday. After getting access to my agencies list, I became uncertain if I chose the right agency. I took a lot of time to make sure I chose an ethical agency that was giving referrals in the time frame that I was looking for- I'm on the slow route. I guess it's always normal to second guess yourself when making decisions. I said a prayer, slept on it and felt much better this morning. Especially since I received an educational packet to keep me busy today.

I spent much of the day working on adoption education, making a list of things to do before my home study, watching the TCU game (go frogs!), and hitting the gym for a workout. I love weekends! Also, thank you to Mrs. Broccoli Guy for the Vietnam Adoption Blogroll. I have had a great time reading other families experiences! I think I've been motivated to try to change up my template to something more exciting than what is supplied by blogger. Let me know what you think when I get it changed!

First step...

Well...I did it. I took the first step and sent in my agency application. I've had a smile on my face all day long! Although it could be because it's Friday after a long work week, but I think stopping off at the Post Office to mail my application had a lot to do with it too!

I'll say this early and often, I have the best sister in the world! She has been absolutely amazing to talk to about this journey and supports me 100%! She actually has already offered to travel with me to Vietnam, whenever that day may be! I love her so much and am so happy that I moved back to Texas since I can see her and her wonderful family on a more frequent basis!

I guess that is all for now. Hopefully, I'll hear back from the agency in the next week or two and can get started on my homestudy! Yay! Let the fun (and the paper chase) begin!