First big step done

We met with our social worker again yesterday, and gave her all the rest of the paperwork required for our dossier (and some special stuff the agency requires too). The only thing potentially missing are the background checks from Texas, but since those were mailed directly to the agency we think they're probably sitting on a pile there. But we submitted all the letters and pictures and clearances we had. Thank you, writers of references!

Next we wait a few weeks for our social worker to write up our homestudy. Meanwhile we can begin filling out the I-800A (16 pages!) to petition for the privilege to adopt "a" child internationally. (Once we identify "the" child, we file another form called the I-800.)

After we submit the I-800A with the homestudy, we will wait for the government to process it, get our fingerprints done and processed, and wait again for final approval. All this should take about 3 months.