Something happening ...

The dossier is back from translation. Now I feel like something is FINALLY happening. I still need to work on a cover letter and then arrange to Fed Ex it to the consulate in DC.

This is progress

I haven’t written in a while, which I should have, if only to document the painstaking and painfully detailed steps involved in producing a Kazakhstan dossier. But the good news is that I sent it off today to be translated into Russian. Pray for its safe arrival and good reception!

I’m so totally excited by this “milestone.” I guess that’s what you’d call it. There hasn’t been much to celebrate lately, and this is PROGRESS.

Fingers crossed ...

Well, I talked with my agency consultant about the pros and cons of moving forward and completing my dossier. The main drawback is that the documents are dated, and some may expire before the dossier gets approved or before I complete the trip.

On the assumption that taking any action is better than sitting on my hands and worrying, I told her that I’d like to forge ahead. I’m a little nervous about that, but I feel much better with an “action plan.”

So, fingers crossed : )

Spoke too soon ...

Although the intent to allow Kaz. adoptions to continue has been verbalized, the D.C. consul is still holding up processing. My consultant at the agency is trying to find a way to work around it. Apparently there's a consulate in NY also, but they're worried about a sudden influx of dossiers ...

My poor mom (grandma to 5 and future grammy to Kazbaby) is feeling the strain almost as much as I am. She's planning on going with me for the whole trip, which is huge and very appreciated. (She needs to stop mentioning my advancing age every time there's a delay, though.)

So, still waiting. Good thing I'm a patient person.

Good news!

I heard from my agency today that the Joint Council met with Kazakhstan Ambassador to the United States Erlan Idrissov and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Michelle Bond.

The good news is that the temporary suspension of dossier processing has been lifted. I am so happy! Just waiting to hear from my adoption consultant whether she expects any changes in the process before proceeding. They are saying to expect delays.

Click here for the whole statement.

Onward and upward (fingers crossed!)

The saga continues

Sorry for the lack of posts in the last month. The world of intercounty adoption can be uncertain, as I’ve found out yet again. And I find it hard to write when I’m feeling down.

Several weeks ago, word oozed out that there was a problem with adoption processing at the embassy. I was advised to hold off on my remaining paperwork until the situation was worked out. (This suggestion is intended to keep the paperwork as current as possible, datewise).

Still waiting.

Just this week a statement was released from the Joint Council for International Children’s Services (JCICS) stating that adoptions from Kazakhstan are “temporarily suspended.” Check here for the official statement.

This is very scary news, considering that this was about where I was last year with the process in Guatemala. I feel a depressing sense of deja vu. It’s like I’m standing outside of the gate, and no one will allow me in.

My adoption consultant, who’s in touch with “people in the know” assures me it’s nothing the same as Guat. and has advised me to hang in there. Apparently, it’s an issue with the Consul at the embassy here, not an issue for the Kaz. government (who are proceeding with cases and are supporting the process in country). Hopefully, this will be worked out soon.

Sigh.


*** JCICS is a “membership association of licensed non-profits, international adoptions agencies, child advocacy groups, parent support groups and medical clinics. ... whose mission is to advocate on behalf of children and to promote the highest standards of ethical practice in intercountry adoption. So they KNOW.

The back story ...

There’s not much new to post. Got my immigration approval (actually a change of country, since I had prior approval last fall). Ordered apostilled (not certified!!!) birth certificates and started my doctor on the med. forms (always a slow process). I continue to produce and fill out the many forms required by Kaz. law and I'm pursuing FBI fingerprinting and clearance.

It’s a strange feeling, living in two parallel worlds. One where I do all the normal things (work, grocery shopping, cleaning, paying bills, talking with family and friends) and one where I’m in a perpetual, uncertain, paperwork-filled limbo. It’s a little disturbing and often leaves me feeling a bit out of sync.

Anyway, I’ll post more progress as it comes to me : )

A little of my personal backstory, while I wait ...
Why adoption? For my first 30 years, I just assumed I'd have kids of my own, complete with hubby, house, 2 dogs and cool job. (sweet youthful dreams). Instead, I have the house, a cool job, five fantastic nieces and nephews to spoil and two adorable felines. Not a bad haul, so far. But, though the ticking of my biological clock has slowed to a near halt, I still harbor dreams of having my own family.

I explored adoption at a local informational seminar over fifteen years ago, well before I had any real intention of following through on this plan. My friend Mary, bless her heart, coerced me into keeping her company while she explored the possibilities for her own family. We split up to cover more ground, she to international adoption topics and I to domestic. We learned that choices for single women are fewer than for married couples. (And if you’re a single man, good luck.)

I began to think about international adoption as the most likely path to my future family. As the years passed, I avidly read magazine articles and books about international adoption and single parenthood. I engaged in a constant and low-level debate with myself. Can I do it? Should I? What will my family think? Finally, I gave myself a deadline.

So, here I am. Hoping to find Baby J in Kazakhstan, a country of great beauty and diverse culture.