Ok, now I understand.
...because yesterday I received the list of documents that I need to gather for the dossier. Yes, the home study really is only a small part of the process. I received a link to this post in an email yesterday. It made me fill a bit better. If someone who has adopted internationally twice already feels like that about the dossier then my feelings are more than valid!!
the paper chase begins...
A few things on today's agenda: go to health department to get copies of birth certificates, go to post office to get passport photos taken and turn in our passport applications, go to bank to get documents notarized, call fire marshal to schedule inspection of home, mail letter to sanitation department to schedule inspection of home. Oh yeah, and then cook dinner for 19 people tonight. Help me?
Our next few weeks are filled with running to and from appointments, getting fingerprinted, too many trips to the notary, and meetings with social workers. I'm told that the home study just a minor step in the whole process... really? That scares me actually. Can't I just skip to the good part where I bring home my kid?