Dear Son,

It's been almost a month since my last entry. I have a couple of excuses. First, I have been traveling all over the place - Philadelphia, Atlanta, Highlands, Phoenix and Tampa. Second, there have been some ups & downs that I thought best to keep private.

Nonetheless, I have never once stopped thinking about you and working towards bringing you home. Much progress has been made. In addition to the stuff I mentioned in a previous entry, I have received and completed the required medical forms (signed and notarized), I have completed the Petition for Adoption and the Letter of Obligation (signed and notarized). I have received my new passport made copies (signed and notarized). This morning, I am supposed to meet with a CPA to get a letter of verification of my employment and salary (signed and notarized). The last document is a Power of Attorney, which I hope to get tomorrow. And that should complete the paper chase.

All we are waiting on is the final approval from the INS. I called yesterday and they said I should have our answer in 1-2 weeks. Then, everything gets apostilled (state gov't stamp) - dossier completed. It's then sent to my facilitator/translator in Ukraine to be translated and sent to the NAC (National Adoption Center).

Then we wait....and wait...until we receive approval/invitation letter in the mail. Then, I send my requested appointment date and wait for their reply. Once a date is established, it's time to buy airline tickets and zoom (16 hrs) across the Atlantic to FIND YOU AND BRING YOU HOME!!!!

I am elated and terrified at the same time.
I love you
xoxo
dad