June 2006
Hello - we're Mick & Joanne and we're excited to announce we have finally embarked upon one of the most exciting journeys of a lifetime - international adoption. We both thought about adopting a child, and after our daughter Kadavy (kad-uh-vee) was born, we took the first initiative and contacted a home study agency. Time for #2.

The home study is basically to make sure you're in good health, you can provide a good home and that you're financially - and - mentally stable. It's also required to be sent to US Immigration and Naturalization (INS) in order to complete your I-600A form titled "Petition to Classify an Orphan as an Immediate Relative". This form is your request to immigration to adopt a child from another country. Even though you are at the very beginning stages of paperwork, this is something that must be completed before your dossier is sent to the country where you plan to adopt.

Our I-600A form took exactly 79 days for Atlanta Immigration to process. The office is about 2 miles from our house and it was frustrating to know that it was sitting in an office 'down the street' from us, just waiting to be reviewed and approved.

OK - back to the home study.....Before we were even assigned a social worker, we had to complete a mountain of paperwork! Already! The longest and most involved form was the autobiographical form -which consisted of 10 pages of questions! We both had to get physicals, background checks from our local police department, and we both had to complete the on-line course With Eyes Wide Open: A Preparation Guide to International Adoption.

August 2006
Once we got about half of the paperwork completed, we were assigned a social worker. The China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA) requires 4 in-person interviews and naturally, we wanted to get them scheduled as quickly as possible. (Editor's Note: See New Requirements for China Adoption) We knew our adoption journey would be a long one and we didn't want to waste any time. Unfortunately, our first social worker didn't work out. She kept rearranging our appointments and we felt as though we hit a brick wall, therefore, we requested another social worker who came highly recommended. This was a great move as the new social worker lined up all of our interviews in about 2 weeks!

Our first meeting was in her office and it went very well. There really wasn't anything we needed to prepare for - she just asked questions about - us. She wanted to know how we met, what we initially thought of each other, our lives, our family, our work, etc. It was a very comfortable, low-key meeting.

The home study requires the social worker to inspect our home. It's not as intimidating as it sounds (they don't go through your drawers or do a white glove test!) they just need to know have a decent home that's safe and tidy. We were thrilled (at least I was) when she mentioned in our official home study that our housekeeping standards were excellent!
By the time we completed all our interviews, our adoption course and forms, it was September! Our home study was not officially completed until October 23, 2006 and it went straight to Atlanta INS, which as mentioned above was necessary to complete our request to adopt an orphan (I-600A).

Meanwhile, I was non-stop busy and lost in the whirlwind of the 'paperchase'. The paperchase is the long, tedious and nerve-wracking process of collecting official documents for your dossier. Your completed dossier is all of your authenticated documents that goes to China. It also includes photos - family, individual and various home shots.

(We at Adopt.com will be showcasing real stories that highlight the process of adoption. The Story of Mick and Joanne Bergstrom is ongoing and we will provide updates and information as they progress on their family adventure.)