So, we encountered our first of most likely many stumbling blocks on our road to adoption. As part of the adoption application, we are required to have our fingerprints taken and submitted to do a full background check. I called the department listed on the form and followed the instructions as outlined in the packet. I thought to myself, "oh, no big deal. I'll call this place, set up an appointment, get in there, take fingerprints, and get out. It shouldn't take more than 20 minutes, right?" Well, I was wrong.
First off, I should have known I was headed for trouble when I had to be transferred five times to talk to the department that does fingerprinting. Then once I reached someone who could set up an appointment for us, the soonest date for an available appointment was three weeks out.
I anxiously awaited the date for our appointment and had approval to leave work to go down town. I headed into town through the crazy traffic, one-way streets, adn impossible parking. I met up with Zach and entered the building and into the rom listed on our form. Then I hear the dreaded words, "Uh, ma'am, you're in the wrong place. We don't do finger printing for Human Services. We do fingerprinting for background checks for sex offenders and job applications. That form you have there is really old. We don't do those anymore."
So I got on the phone, made some calls, and sure enough we were in the wrong place. Luckily I was able to track down the phone number to the agency we needed and was able to set up an appointment just a few days away. The downside is another hectic trip into town and taking more time off work. The most frustrating part of the situation is the hassle of taking time off work, additional stress, and yet accomplishing nothing. Just a big 'ol waste of time. But it will all be worth it in the end.
