This week started off on a disappointing note - frustrations with timelines, etc. - and gradually improved. Each day we received word that some document that we needed to complete our home study or dossier was on its way to us. We even asked if one agency could expedite our request (their paperwork is six weeks behind) and they agreed - we should have it next week. Our hope now is that our home study can be complete by the end of June and subsequently, we can send our paperwork to USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). This will start the longer wait (60-90 days) but at least our paperwork compliation for the most part will be complete - until we the get the approval :)

Then documents that were notarized (virtually all of them) need to be certified by the Secretary of State of the state the notary signature was acquired in......once those are certified (for a price of course), they then need to be authenticated by a Chinese Consulate's Office (for a price).....then they are ready to be sent with photographs, fees, etc. to our adoption agency.  But, at least at this point the documents are all completed...they are just getting approvals at all levels.

Persistence and asking the right questions (I'm learning) are key.