The Windy City

Unfortunately since Hayden has gone back to school, in conjunction with his therapies, I haven't had much time to blog. I am amazed I know what day it is. Thankfully however, Hayden is in kindergarten, thus keeping me on my toes and sharpening my alphabet. ;)

This brings me to the tale of our wonderful adventure to downtown Chicago. Though it happened a few weeks ago, it's still an important day to mark on our calendar towards the movement of bringing Baby V home. With all our papers for the dossier notarized, we needed to head to the Secretary of State (in Chicago on State St.) to get these documents certified. So we had Michael's dad help get Hayden to the school bus and back while we trekked to the Metra. What we didn't know that morning was we should have brought a map. Once we arrived, we were informed by the Sec. of State that 3 forms in our dossier needed cover letters and needed to be notarized 1st (we had originally included them with other forms). So, to not waste the trip, we asked where the nearest bank was - for a notary. That only solved half our problem. We still needed to find a computer and a printer. (Something in my head told me to bring my handy dandy laptop, but I ignored it). Me being the techie one in the marriage, immediately thought FedEx Kinkos... I was sure there had to be one somewhere downtown. So we just started asking anyone we encountered.

Once we made it to a Kinkos, we were only to be disappointed again to hear they didn't have public computers... but rest assured there was another one in walking distance that did. So we walked some more. We eventually found it (managing to not take a cab) and had to wait. Three men were using all the computers and how thoughtful - 2 of them were checking their email! I could have screamed. We eventually got three cover letters printed and were off to a notary. None at a nearby currency exchange, but as we walked by the original Kinkos (being told they may have one) we thought to give it a shot. We headed in and quickly headed out and walked as fast as we could BACK to the Sec. of State for certification.

Now missing several trains and having to wait until the 3:55pm train to head home, we were saddened to not be able to get home in time to get Hayden off the bus. Being gone since 11am we had one whirlwind of a day Downtown. And boy did my feet hurt!

For a more recent update - we are keeping a close eye on the mail. We need one more form (our 171-H) for our dossier, a form that usually takes a while to come in. Once it does come in we can send it off to Springfield and have it certified (or make another trip Downtown LOL). Either way we have been in contact with our agency to see where exactly we are in the process, other than waiting. Technically until they receive all of our dossier we can't move up to the 2nd stage... However, we are crossing our fingers and praying that the 5 families ahead of us receive their referrals fast. If we happen to be next in line before all of our dossier is in to get a referral (pictures, medical information, etc. of Baby V), we may get that referral.

Yes this may be confusing. It is even frustrating at times. But we just need to trust that it will happen when the time is right.

Posted by Mel at 9:47 AM