Paperwork anyone?

So when putting in a formal application I filled out approximately 35 pages. A couple of papers had to be notarized which a family friend offered to do for us which cost us nothing. I have to admit how naive I was in thinking wow this is what they mean by "paper pregnant." Oh how I was wrong. I received via email the forms I would need to complete my dossier. I honestly started to go through them and hyperventilate.. seriously. I was just overwhelmed. I mean how does one work on raising the funds necessary, gather all the documents needed, get everything notarized, apostilled, deal with a home study AND continue to run the household for the kids here???

I got some great advice which was even printed in one of the packets.. it says to breathe and relax. Take one packet at a time so that is what I am attempting but I have to admit I still have to remind myself to breathe every once in a while. The instructions they give are soooo detailed down to the exact position where the notary must sign and how the date has to be so many months within submitting the dossier. I now realize that the notary I planned on using to help save costs will have her commission expired in August this year and many forms state the notary has to have like 12 months left.. so I am in need of a local notary who will not charge an arm and a leg who is available in the later hours so my husband does not have to take more time off of work. Oh yeah they cant be close to their "expiration" date.

This weeks plan- Medical appointment,passports, first packet filled out, notarized (when I find someone), faxed for approval then drive 2 hours away to get apostilled then shipped to the country we can't name. Also the plan this week is taxes, Jacob's early on appointment, Cody's 18th birthday, contact the home study who apparently we are under contract with but has yet to set up an appointment with and oh yeah figure out how to raise 15,000 more to bring the little guy home.... Yep just breathe!!!

If I could say one thing to Cliff it would be this... Hang on baby, momma and daddy are working very hard to get to you!