The Up Side to Paperwork and Well Wishes to All Waiting Families

Today, the paper-race begins! It is not fun or exciting, but necessary to get all of our new documents put in place. Scott had to get a Power of Attorney Letter notarized today so that I could act on his behalf for the adoption proceedings in China. We also just sent in the paperwork for Jiliang to be a Michigan Citizen. My little Chinese Michigander. :) Ni Hao UP'ers, here we come!

Because Scott is not traveling, it is going to cost the equivalant of airfare-to-China to finalize her adoption once I return to the states. There is more paperwork and fees because we are not both traveling. Scott refuses to fly and that is a mute issue. To have the Power of Attorney form Authenticated for China, it travels to my agency in Utah, to Lansing, to Chicago, The Chinese Consulate, back to my agency, back to me, and then to China with me when I fly over. That one little POA form is going to cost us at least $130 to have authenticated. I also just found out that I also need to fill out an authentication application just for that one little form too.

I have to get my travel Visa, and that requires hand-delivering everything in Chicago. We hire a courier for that. Otherwise, I'd be calling Mrs. Chevy up to arrange for a Girl's weekend in the Windy City. After that, there's more paperwork. I am honestly just taking it one day at a time. I used to stress about everything. It is stressful, but that is why I have an agency that walks me through the process. West Sands is a great agency, for any of you who are looking for a good place to begin your adoption process. Amy Coray at West Sands is awesome!
We were also blessed with an awesome adoption caseworker, Theresa Light, who brought a sense of humor and light-hearted approach to the grueling paperwork chase.

The paperwork and wait do seem endless, yet I would do it again in a heartbeat to be where I am today: getting Jiliang. I do feel fortunate to be nearing the end of this chapter in our lives, and to finally be getting our daughter, once referred fondly as "Kaityln", but now forever as Jiliang Josephine Koeppe.
Blessings to all of my blog readers, and sincere wish to all of my fellow adoptive families - may they have sweet, uneventful, swift waits as they journey to meet the children born in their hearts.
Jill :)