Done???

OK, so after 6 weeks of chasing papers, I have mailed off the second batch of my paperwork today.  It's been a frustrating 6 weeks -- the amount of paperwork I had to assemble was simply ridiculous and repetitive.  For example -- I needed to get a certified deed to my house; then I needed to get my social worker sign a letter "verifying my residence"; and then in addition to the fact that all my paperwork referenced my home address -- I also needed a letter from the City of St. Louis that I live where I live.  That was a maddening process -b/c of course none of the City offices wanted to write such a letter -- it's "not what they do", everyone kept reminding me.  Finally, I contacted my alderman, who contacted the City Assessor -- who happens to have 2 adopted children, and within 5 minutes had my letter written, notarized and ready for me.

Then there were the ridiculous mistakes of people signing things on the wrong line, forgetting to notarize things, putting the wrong date on documents - very frustrating.

On the upside, a lot of people friends and strangers alike bent over backwards and went way out of their way to help me out, and help me complete this process in a timely fashion.  I am so thankful to the people that brainstormed with me, called in favors with their friends for me -- and those that listened to my incessant complaints about the process.

So now, we wait.  I am hoping that all my papers are in order, and I didn't overlook anything.  My documents will be sent over to Moscow, where they'll be translated and handled by the Moscow team.  HELLO OLGA.  They'll submit it to the municipal court, and then I wait for a court date.  My agency has informed me recently that more often than not, the Judge requires additional documents, or requires some of the documents to be redone -- so I have that to look forward to.  I am also concerned that as we get into summer, the Russians start going on vacations.  And, as in most European countries, their vacations are 3-4 weeks. So that could mean a big delay.  But, I have no control over this -- as over much (any) of this process.

So now we wait.