What's Next?

Morning Glories growing up the front porch railings.
I love these! I planted them from cuttings I got from across the street in the ditch!

"Now that you're submitted; what's next?"
I'm so glad you asked!

First of all, to be submitted means that our facilitator/translator was able to get the SDA (social services in Ukraine) to accept our dossier (paperwork). This is HUGE. To get this far is a matter of many weeks of trying and failing. The problem mot being with our facilitator or with our dossier but due to the fact that the SDA does not feel much motivation to accept these. They have set limits and quotas and it is very hard to even get them to honor those. At any rate, we're in! Phew!

Now, it does not by any means guarantee smooth sailing from here on out (until we get 'in country') but it has been characteristically so for most others lately. This is very encouraging to us.

So, here is what happens now --probably :

• 20 business days after submittal we are to get our notice of our appointment date.
  For others, this has so far been very exact. 20 business days is about one month.
  This means mid-September for us.
  

• We get an appointment.
  This means an exact date and time to be at their office in Kyiv, Ukraine to view files of children and choose who we would like to meet.
  This is generally exactly three months from the submittal date. In our case, November 20th or so.
  

• In country, we will choose the file of siblings that we both agree on. Then will travel in a few days to the orphanage/s to meet the children and at that point accept or reject this referral.
  

• If we accept (let's hope we do!), then, most likely, our court date will be 20 days from then.
  

• After that we will wait 'in country' for another 10 days manditory waiting period in which anyone interested can appeal the court's decision.
  

• Once the children are ours (can't wait!), we will begin getting visas and passports for them. (The passport thing looks like it is working itself out as you will appreciate if you have been following our other blog.)

• Somewhere in there, Steve's mom will arrive as well as his oldest sister Laurie to help us escort the children home. This will be very helpful as we navigate customs and airports with 3 children who don't speak the same language as their parents!

• Home! (really can't wait for this!!!)
  This will be a very important and, I expect, crazy time where we all get to "bond" as a family. Just like with a new baby, we will want to just be with them and convey love and security. This is where reality will set in! LOL!