Did I Mention I Loathe Paperwork?

I've never liked paperwork.  I'd much rather just DO something and avoid spending my life filling out forms and sending off papers.  I would never make a good accountant or receptionist.

So needless to say, this adoption paperwork is kicking my behind.  There's SO MUCH to do.  I knew there would be a lot, but I didn't expect it to be THIS MUCH.  And it all seems like it needs to be filled out, gathered, signed, sent off, and received again at the same time.  Trying to keep up with it all is overwhelming to say the least.  I want someone who's adopted before to come sit with me for the next several weeks and make sure I'm doing it all when it needs to be done and that I'm doing it correctly.

It seems I already screwed something up.  Hopefully not, but it's looking that way.  I read online that in order to have a birth certificate apostilled (with the state seal and an official signature - this is used for international Hague adoptions), the document must have an original ink signature.  Meaning it cannot be a copy of a signature.  In order to obtain a birth certificate with an original ink signature, you have to indicate on the record request that the document is for apostille purposes, otherwise they'll send you a certified copy.  Well guess what?  I failed to indicated the the birth certificates were needed for an apostille.  I did however hear from another adopting mom who said that her state didn't require an original ink signature.  So we're hoping the certificates I ordered will work fine, but we're not counting on it.  Anyone know what the answer to this is?  I can't seem to find consistent information online and I haven't gotten around to calling anyone yet. 

That's just a little glimpse into this paperwork mountain.  We also have background checks, autobiographies, discussion questions, official paperwork, visits to the vet, visits to the doctor, and more paperwork.

It's no wonder I have trouble sleeping at night.  It's also no wonder that I have a million lists floating around the house and would forget my head if it wasn't attached.  :)

I'm learning that pregnancy and adoption are very similar.  They're both hard.  Different kinds of hard, but still hard.  They both are exhausting, stressful at times, overwhelming, and extremely busy.  And they're both worth every night of lost sleep, every tear, and every disappointment.

If you've read through this entire boring post, I'd like to ask you to pray for two things.
1. That our fingerprints will be acceptable for the FBI to run background checks.  We're hearing rumors that they are very picky.

2. That the documents I've ordered will be able to be apostilled so that the process isn't delayed.  If they are not able to be apostilled, it could delay the process by 2-3 weeks.

Thanks, friends.  We have every confidence that the timing of this adoption is in God's hands.  And if we experience delays it is because He allowed them to sift through His hands.  But I still don't like knowing that I'm the one who caused the delay.