More Paperwork

Just when we thought we were doing so good to collect all the paperwork for the adoption agency we now find out there is a whole stack of additional docs the BCIS (former INS) requires. The agency didn't tell us about this set of docs before because they don't want people to focus on the wrong docs early in the processes. The new docs include getting some of the first docs certified by the state and authorized by the Chinese consulate in that state. For instance, Bob has to send his birth certificate back to Texas to be certified by the secretary of state. Then he has to send it to the Chinese consulate in Houston to have them approve the Texas state certification!! Kelsey's birth certificate is more complicated because there is no consulate in North Dakota. Instead, once we receive the N.D. sec. of state seal, we have to have it certified by the U.S. Dept. of State in D.C. then taken to the Chinese embassy in D.C. We also have to write a letter to the government agency in China explaining why we want to adopt one of their children and what our lifestyle is like.

Then, all these docs have to be translated into Chinese!

Name Short Lists

Here are the short lists for Bob and Kelsey. It's pretty likely our daughter will be named from one of these 11 names:

Bob's List	Kelsey's List
April	Brianna
Daisy	Carly
Dakota	Dakota
Emmy	Morgan
Sabrina	Sabrina
Marissa

Are YOU qualified to be a parent?

Adopted children in the U.S. must have the best, most qualified parents of any kids. The tests, questions, scrutiny, background-checks, letters of reference...and all that supposedly ensure we are ready and capable of being great parents. We've had to submit three years tax returns, recent banking statements, get fingerprinted, be subjected to questions about our personal lifestyle, have complete physical exams...we've literally had to give our blood for this child.

It's pretty strange that any jane-and-joe-blow with functioning biological equipment can make a kid...no matter their financial, emotional, physical, ethical situation...without any oversight or intervention by anyone. But, those of us wanting to care for the unwanted children of the world have to "qualify." On the other hand, I wouldn't want jane-and-joe-blow able to adopt, either. So, I guess it's a necessary evil.

Names

In the midst of all the paperwork, we have started thinking about names. We have a long list on the white board in our home-office, complete with current popularity rankings and trending (is the name on the rise or decline). Yes, we are over-achievers. Sheeesh! (If you want to see a cool name web site, check out Name Voyager. Once the applet loads, type in a name to see its popularity over the last 100 years.) One of the challenges for us is to pick a name that we really like and is "hip" but that also will be classy and distinguished for an older woman. Studies have suggested that women with certain "cutesy" or "sexy" names don't do as well in the business world.

Currently on our list:

Olivia	Ginger	Summer	Gabrielle	Reese	Sylvia
Sabrina	Jasmine	Chloe	Carly	Lily	Clara
Briana	Marissa

Any suggestions? Email us.