Starting on the Dossier

Well, we are trying to get started as much as possible on our dossier (packet of paperwork to be sent to Ethiopia that serves as an application). We are still waiting for the formal dossier requirement list from America World, however we have been told of some of the items that we will need. The list that we have been orally given is SO much shorter and less complicated than what was needed for Ukraine - yeah!

What is so frustrating is that we just re-did our dossier in late January for Ukraine and if our Ukrainian facilitator, Yuri, would only return our documents, then we would have most of what we need for Ethiopia. It's not looking too good that Yuri is going to return our docs anytime soon, so I decided to go ahead and get started again.

• Yesterday, I ordered new copies of Jason's birth certificate, Ashton's birth certificate, and our marriage license.
• Today, I ordered new criminal background checks.
• Tomorrow, my father is traveling to Georgia, so he is going to pick-up a copy of my birth certificate and have it authenticated.
• We have our people lined-up for the referral letters, so those should be pretty easy to obtain as well.
• My cardiologist is signing another letter stating that I am no longer suffering from a heart condition.
• Our medical exams have been performed, so a new report should not be a problem (we have a pretty fantastic and supportive doctor).
• Our homestudy has been evaluated to make sure that all the information is updated to reflect our change to Ethiopia. A list of changes has been formulated and will be forwarded to the social worker when our police clearance letter arrives in the next week or so. Thankfully, our social worker knows of the switch and is ready to get started.
• On my agenda for tomorrow is to contact USCIS about updating our fingerprints and switching countries (this portion may have to wait for an updated homestudy).

All in all, I think we've gotten off to a good start. Anybody have any other ideas as to what we can do while America World is getting our packet together? Apparently the hold-up is that a portion of our funds paid to the agency is going to be applied towards the Ethiopian program and a formal letter has to be drafted stating which funds will transfer. The contract has to be modified to reflect the change in programs.

All I can say now is, please send our packet America World!