Paperwork: an Update

I am beginning to think that it is my moral duty to plant a few trees this spring in order to make up for all of the paper Tony and I have used thus far in the adoption process. After several months of intense paperwork, essays, meetings and more paperwork, the past month has been, blissfully, paperwork free.


Yesterday we were informed that the time has come to become better acquainted with the USCIS and work on our next form, the I-600A. Now to be clear, we both thought that we had completed the I-600A in February with our acceptance paperwork, but alas, it was the I-600.


Let's be sure we don't get them confused! According to the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services):
I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
Purpose of Form: To classify an alien orphan who either is, or will be, adopted by a U.S. citizen as an immediate relative of the U.S. citizen to allow the child to enter the United States. The petition is filed by the U.S. citizen who is adopting the child.


I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition
Purpose of Form: For adjudicating the qualifications of the applicant(s) as prospective adoptive parents. Filing this form will generally speed up the part of the processing relating to the qualifications of the prospective adoptive parent petitioner(s). 


For one letter difference in the form's code, the meaning of the two forms is certainly different! What amazes me is this. I am a college educated, professional woman who has navigated the ins-and-outs of health insurance forms/requests/legalese; filled out college and job applications; purchased a home; opened an IRA. Yet rarely an adoption-related form goes by that doesn't elicit the "What exactly does this mean" question.


So, that's where Tony and I are in the adoption process at this particular moment. We are working to complete a 3 page form that has 8 pages of unhelpful instructions along with a 1 page instruction sheet from our agency. We are compiling more birth certificates/marriage certificates/naturalization papers to include in the packet. Once it is all submitted, we will receive our I-171H authorizing us to get federally fingerprinted in St. Paul. 


Let the good times roll!

The Glorious Sweet Potato

I think sweet potatoes qualify as my favorite vegetable (though grilled zucchini or sweet corn come in at a close second). I don't remember eating them when I was younger but am so glad to have discovered them as an adult! The sweet potato is only distantly related to the regular potato. It's high in beta-carotene and vitamin A and can be eaten as is or made sweet (with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, etc.) or savory (think onions, rosemary, thyme, garlic, sour cream, etc.). They are good baked, roasted, sauteed and added to couscous or pasta, sliced and treated as fries, mashed or grilled. You just can't go wrong!

My personal favorite is the Red Garnet. It's deeper in color and flavor than the traditional yam and is usually found right next to them in the grocery store. Last night we enjoyed a mashed variety. I've dropped the recipe below as it's one we've made a few times. The result is quite tasty! Just be sure to slice the potatoes as directed, otherwise they take a long time to cook up. Enjoy.

Herb Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Caramelized Onion

From Cooks Country; Serves 4 to 6

This recipe can be doubled and prepared in a Dutch oven, but the cooking time will need to be doubled as well. If you prefer, substitute 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme for the thyme sprig (but do not remove in step 2).

Ingredients

5
 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 5 pieces

3 
tablespoons heavy cream

1 1/4 
teaspoons sugar

2 
pounds sweet potatoes (2 large or 3 medium), peeled, quartered lengthwise, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

1
 sprig fresh thyme (see note)

1 
small onion, chopped

1 
tablespoon sour cream

Instructions

1. Combine 4 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons cream, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon sugar, thyme, and sweet potatoes in large saucepan. Cook, covered, over low heat until potatoes are fall-apart tender, 35 to 40 minutes.

                       

2. While sweet potatoes are cooking, melt remaining tablespoon butter in small nonstick skillet and add onion, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook over low heat until onion is caramelized, about 15 minutes. Set aside until sweet potatoes are done cooking.

                       

3. Once sweet potatoes are done cooking, take pan off heat. Discard thyme sprig, add remaining tablespoon cream, and mash sweet potatoes with potato masher. Stir in onion and sour cream. Serve.

Revising the Reading List

As you know, one of the true pleasures in my life is reading. I mostly enjoy fiction, though an occasional biography or non-fiction book finds its way into the mix (typically thanks to my awesome book club). 


In December Tony and I had our first Home Study meeting with our social worker. As part of her inquisition interview, she asked for a list of the books we had read so far about parenting and/or adopting. My heart sank. Panic began to rise up. I immediately felt like the worst parent-to-be...a complete failure. Not only had I not ready anything, I hadn't even started a reading list or bought a book! I thought she might reject us right there on the spot.


Luckily, she didn't (seem to) judge me for having not already become a parenting and adopting expert. Also lucky for me, she narrowed the agency's extensive list down to a reasonable four books to get us started. I'm happy to report that I've made my through the first three, with the fourth one proudly taking its place on the book shelf. The books have opened my eyes to a lot of things I hadn't even thought to think about! They have scared me, empowered me and attempted to prepare me. While not the "lightest" reading, they have been highly worthwhile. 


I want to share two of the books with you here. In no way am I suggesting you need to read these books, nor am I under any illusion that you've just been itching to know what adoption books you should add to your own reading list! However, if you have a lot of questions about adoption and how that plays out in real life, or perhaps you know a lot of families built through adoption and you want to be in a position to better understand and support them, one or both of these might be time well spent for you.


The first book is one that I recommend on the FAQ page, and it is one Tony and I gave/will give to our parents. It is specifically written for the friends and family of the people adopting and has a lot of great information and helpful suggestions. It covers all types of adoption: foster care, domestic, international, infant, toddler and older child. It's an easy read and you can skip around to the sections that are of interest. 

In On It: What Adoptive Parents Would Like You to Know About Adoption. A Guide for Relatives and Friends. - by Elisabeth O'Toole

The second book is more specifically geared toward the adopting parents and focuses on adopting a toddler (domestically or internationally). If you are interested in understanding what our little guy might be going through and how his adjustment to this new life could go, this book can answer your questions. It goes into a lot of (sometimes scary) detail on attachment issues, grieving and developmental delays. A much more serious read, but probably the best thing I've read so far.

Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft - by Mary Hopkins-Best

If you are looking for suggestions on fun books to read, you can always check out my Goodreads list for ideas. That's where I track my book club books and other "just for fun" reading. Happy reading!

14 Hours

That's the time difference between Seoul and Minneapolis...14 hours. For more than half of my day, it's already tomorrow there. 

I find myself thinking about that in the quiet of the morning while I am getting ready for work but Tony is still asleep. I wonder what our little guy did all day. I look at his picture and think, Did he laugh a lot today? What new thing did he discover? Is he already asleep and dreaming or is he just winding down and getting ready for bed?

He's already lived the day we are about to live. He greets tomorrow well before we do. I find it oddly reassuring.