We submitted our dossier to our agency in 11/04. Registered in St. Pete 7/05. Referral 1/06. First trip 2/06. Second trip 5/06. I would not say ours was easy, but I can't really fault our agency. It was the whole accreditation mess.
I was stunned when we finally got our referral of Guanna-to-be-Julia, who turned six between our referral and first trip. I was ready to quit. Keith wasn't - but I was tired of having the lives of our entire family (including three bio DD) on "hold." I was afraid to take a vacation day for fear I'd need it to travel. I was afraid to spend a dollar for fear of a new cost. I was telling our three bio DD "no" all the time, and I was sick of it. If we hadn't made our first trip by spring break (march) of 2006 - I was calling it quits and figuring it just wasn't meant to be.
As it was - it was meant to be.
Julia's been home two years now, and she's worth every bit of irritation.
:-)
Becky
The Woodworth Family in Beautiful San Antonio TX