Researching

We've been busy reading everything we can get our hands on pertaining to adoption, international adoption, parenting, parenting adopted kids, Congo and fundraising.  I think the librarians might know our names based on how many trips we've made to the library recently.

There's just so much information out there that we are hungry to learn, much more than we had anticipated even existing.  We have especially enjoyed all that we have learned about the DRC.  I am hoping that the traditional woman's hair style is not required to adopt.

We also came across a great graphic (thanks Pookie!) that shows just how large the DRC is compared to all of Western Europe. 

In a country this size, it was not surprising to learn that there are over 200 African ethnic groups.  Four tribes make up 45% of the population.  The official language is French although most citizens speak more than one language.

We have also been busy filling out paperwork to begin our home study.  There was a lot of hurrying to get the necessary documents together so that we could mail in our paperwork as quickly as possible and get the process started.  We had to get reference letters filled out, physical exams and letters from our doctors, employer verification letters, tax returns...the list goes on and on.  Here I am surrounded by one night's worth of paperwork.

We will be mailing out our paperwork tomorrow!