After a quiet week of waiting, it appears we will have to make two trips (or, as I am hoping, one longer trip). No one seems to know what this means or how it will be implemented, so we wait. My update email this week was uneventful, as there are still families ahead of us waiting for infant boys, and the whole system is moving more slowly. "I think we're getting close," was the best phrase in the response, and those of us with AAI know we've heard that one before. ;)
In this case, waiting is a good thing. We need time to regroup, time to see what the new rules mean exactly, and time to prepare to meet the challenge of this change.
God is faithful, and we are growing patience!
Rebecca
Showing posts with label progress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label progress. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Will We Make The Cut-Off?
This is the question in our house this week regarding our adoption.
April 18th marked 11 months of waiting-list time for us, and May 9th marks the implementation date of a new requirement in Ethiopia that adoptive parents appear at the adoption court hearing. Anyone who has a referral and whose file is submitted to the court (to receive a hearing date) before May 9th will not have to travel for the hearing. Anyone whose adoption is submitted May 9th or later will have to travel for the hearing. (This means TWO trips to Ethiopia instead of the one for which we planned.)
We are waiting and praying, waiting and praying. Of course, in everything, we trust that the timing and details will be just right, but we also know we WANT to have a referral and be submitted to court in the next two weeks! It will take an act of God in order for us to only travel once, but we aren't ruling out an act of God!! :)
We have enjoyed watching many new families form in the last few months, as most of the friends we have gained through this process have traveled to get their children, and several others will be on their way soon, including a special couple in our church.
Now, of course, as always, we're ready for it to be our turn!
In many other blog posts, I have posted "next steps," with no change really occurring in what should take place "next" in many, many months. Below, though, I have posted two sets of "next steps," listing the steps should we meet the looming deadline and the steps if we don't.
Happy reading!
Next steps if we receive a referral and are submitted to court before May 9:
1. Referral
2. Submission to court & court date scheduled
3. Court date
4. Wait for embassy date to be scheduled
5. Travel for embassy date and to bring home child(ren)
Good news: Easier and Cheaper
Next steps if we are not submitted to court before May 9:
1. Referral
2. Submission to court & court date for documents scheduled
3. Court date for child's documents, living relatives, etc.
4. Pass first court date
5. Court date scheduled for us to attend.
6. Travel for court, meet baby(ies), see Ethiopia
7. Come home without baby(ies) - unless embassy date can be schedule reasonably quickly.
8. Wait for embassy date to be scheduled.
9. Travel to pick up child(ren) or have them escorted home.
Good news: Since we saw the child(ren) before the adoption was final, the child(ren) are automatically citizens when we reach US soil.
I personally prefer the one with the fewer steps! ;)
We'll let you know what we know in two weeks!
Rebecca
April 18th marked 11 months of waiting-list time for us, and May 9th marks the implementation date of a new requirement in Ethiopia that adoptive parents appear at the adoption court hearing. Anyone who has a referral and whose file is submitted to the court (to receive a hearing date) before May 9th will not have to travel for the hearing. Anyone whose adoption is submitted May 9th or later will have to travel for the hearing. (This means TWO trips to Ethiopia instead of the one for which we planned.)
We are waiting and praying, waiting and praying. Of course, in everything, we trust that the timing and details will be just right, but we also know we WANT to have a referral and be submitted to court in the next two weeks! It will take an act of God in order for us to only travel once, but we aren't ruling out an act of God!! :)
We have enjoyed watching many new families form in the last few months, as most of the friends we have gained through this process have traveled to get their children, and several others will be on their way soon, including a special couple in our church.
Now, of course, as always, we're ready for it to be our turn!
In many other blog posts, I have posted "next steps," with no change really occurring in what should take place "next" in many, many months. Below, though, I have posted two sets of "next steps," listing the steps should we meet the looming deadline and the steps if we don't.
Happy reading!
Next steps if we receive a referral and are submitted to court before May 9:
1. Referral
2. Submission to court & court date scheduled
3. Court date
4. Wait for embassy date to be scheduled
5. Travel for embassy date and to bring home child(ren)
Good news: Easier and Cheaper
Next steps if we are not submitted to court before May 9:
1. Referral
2. Submission to court & court date for documents scheduled
3. Court date for child's documents, living relatives, etc.
4. Pass first court date
5. Court date scheduled for us to attend.
6. Travel for court, meet baby(ies), see Ethiopia
7. Come home without baby(ies) - unless embassy date can be schedule reasonably quickly.
8. Wait for embassy date to be scheduled.
9. Travel to pick up child(ren) or have them escorted home.
Good news: Since we saw the child(ren) before the adoption was final, the child(ren) are automatically citizens when we reach US soil.
I personally prefer the one with the fewer steps! ;)
We'll let you know what we know in two weeks!
Rebecca
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
More Prep Work
While there is no news on the adoption front, there are plenty of signs in our house that preparation is still happening.
First, there are the many excellently crafted picture frames Ryan covered with fabric last week. These complement the home-made wall hanging created from part of an African painted cloth. Next, there is the fabric in my living room waiting to be sewn into baby bedding. Well, at least 90% of it is waiting to be sewn. Imagine that - it's turning out to be more of a project than I expected! ;) Lastly, there is the lovely smell of stain on the baby room wood floors. Fumes have engulfed our abode and the out-of-doors for the last couple of days, as we attempted this weekend to make sense of damaged wood flooring. This, it turns out, was much more successful than my continued attempt at sewing. The floors look good. Soon, the smell will dispell, too, just in time to polyurethane!
We are none-to-patiently waiting and trusting that God's timing is perfect. In the meantime, we have a few projects yet to be completed.
A dear friend said to me just the other day, "If you're waiting on God, he is purifying the results. He has already laid the path and set your way. You don't need to worry or fret at all!" This is encouraging, as it reminds me God still has work to do, in our baby, ourselves, our work, and our home, preparing us for a gift that has been carefully placed in space and time.
Rebecca
First, there are the many excellently crafted picture frames Ryan covered with fabric last week. These complement the home-made wall hanging created from part of an African painted cloth. Next, there is the fabric in my living room waiting to be sewn into baby bedding. Well, at least 90% of it is waiting to be sewn. Imagine that - it's turning out to be more of a project than I expected! ;) Lastly, there is the lovely smell of stain on the baby room wood floors. Fumes have engulfed our abode and the out-of-doors for the last couple of days, as we attempted this weekend to make sense of damaged wood flooring. This, it turns out, was much more successful than my continued attempt at sewing. The floors look good. Soon, the smell will dispell, too, just in time to polyurethane!
We are none-to-patiently waiting and trusting that God's timing is perfect. In the meantime, we have a few projects yet to be completed.
A dear friend said to me just the other day, "If you're waiting on God, he is purifying the results. He has already laid the path and set your way. You don't need to worry or fret at all!" This is encouraging, as it reminds me God still has work to do, in our baby, ourselves, our work, and our home, preparing us for a gift that has been carefully placed in space and time.
Rebecca
Friday, July 10, 2009
July Un-Date
Updating is a bit over-rated in the adoption process because there is so little to say. After a very brief camping vacation in Arkansas, we came home to find our pre-approval letter for an orphan visa (the document by which our child comes home). This is truly the last "approval" step for us as future parents.
The rest of the process involves documenting our future child - who they are, from where they came, how they came to need a family. We expect to wait until sometime in September or October for any new information. We can check in monthly with our agency (and have already done so once), but until they get closer to you on the list, they only give vague information.
One bit of rumor is that the Ethiopian courts will not be closing this year. Typically, the court system closes from August through the beginning of October. During this time, families can receive referrals (our next step - picture and information on a specific child), but no adoptions can be completed. This slows down all adoptions, as the courts are flooded with backed-up cases once they re-open. We can only hope that rumor is truth and that the courts will remain open this year. This gives us a much higher chance of actually seeing the completion of our adoption before the end of the year.
Next Steps:
1. Wait for referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4-5 months from our DTE (dossier to Ethiopia) date of 5-18-2009.
2. Wait for document submission to Ethiopian court. - A few weeks to a couple of months from referral acceptance.
3. Wait for our adoption to finalize in court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Finalization is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
4. TRAVEL! - Approx. 3-6 weeks after our adoption is finalized.
The list is getting shorter!!! Just can't wait until we get that baby information!!! :)
On a much more personal note, I am definately ready to be a mom. I know it will be hard and present challenges we haven't even thought to think of...but if 18 and 19 year old single girls can figure it out, I am confident Ryan and I can make it work!
Waiting - But not TOO anxiously
Rebecca
The rest of the process involves documenting our future child - who they are, from where they came, how they came to need a family. We expect to wait until sometime in September or October for any new information. We can check in monthly with our agency (and have already done so once), but until they get closer to you on the list, they only give vague information.
One bit of rumor is that the Ethiopian courts will not be closing this year. Typically, the court system closes from August through the beginning of October. During this time, families can receive referrals (our next step - picture and information on a specific child), but no adoptions can be completed. This slows down all adoptions, as the courts are flooded with backed-up cases once they re-open. We can only hope that rumor is truth and that the courts will remain open this year. This gives us a much higher chance of actually seeing the completion of our adoption before the end of the year.
Next Steps:
1. Wait for referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4-5 months from our DTE (dossier to Ethiopia) date of 5-18-2009.
2. Wait for document submission to Ethiopian court. - A few weeks to a couple of months from referral acceptance.
3. Wait for our adoption to finalize in court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Finalization is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
4. TRAVEL! - Approx. 3-6 weeks after our adoption is finalized.
The list is getting shorter!!! Just can't wait until we get that baby information!!! :)
On a much more personal note, I am definately ready to be a mom. I know it will be hard and present challenges we haven't even thought to think of...but if 18 and 19 year old single girls can figure it out, I am confident Ryan and I can make it work!
Waiting - But not TOO anxiously
Rebecca
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Fathers and Fingerprints
This Fathers' Day I have thought a lot about what next Father's Day might look like and what it will be like to be on the other-side of Fathers' Day. This morning, as I sang in the men's chorus at church with my own father, I thought about how different our family will probably look in a year and how wonderfully exciting and promising that is. I could never have imagined that fatherhood would be such an enchanting prospect.
Friday morning, as Rebecca and I hurriedly got ready for the day, we received a phone call from the immigration office to verify the contact information for our adoption agency. Two weeks ago, during our fingerprinting appointment, the fingerprinting technician (a title I have concocted for my own purposes) told Rebecca that she would probably have to be re-fingerprinted, as they were unable to obtain a clear enough digital image. When we received the phone call from immigration, we were informed that both of our fingerprints had passed and that we were (as of June 19, 2009) officially approved by the United States Government to bring to the U.S. a child of foreign birth.
We have now completed the largest body of paperwork for the adoption of our child that we will have to complete. It is remarkable to imagine that, as our documents are being translated for use by the Ethiopian Government, that our child may have already been born. During the next several months, as we wait for our referral, we will both try to imagine what our child will look like, what gender it will be, what his or her personality will be like. I suppose that the next several months will be much like the time frame in a traditional pregnancy when you await seeing the baby move in an ultrasound and await hearing the beating of his or her heart for the first time. The next few months will undoubtedly be filled with much wonder and more than a little excitement and anticipation. It is reassuring to know that sometime, in the not so distant future, we will receive a picture of our child - possibly the most incredible 3-D ultrasound we could receive.
Ryan
Friday morning, as Rebecca and I hurriedly got ready for the day, we received a phone call from the immigration office to verify the contact information for our adoption agency. Two weeks ago, during our fingerprinting appointment, the fingerprinting technician (a title I have concocted for my own purposes) told Rebecca that she would probably have to be re-fingerprinted, as they were unable to obtain a clear enough digital image. When we received the phone call from immigration, we were informed that both of our fingerprints had passed and that we were (as of June 19, 2009) officially approved by the United States Government to bring to the U.S. a child of foreign birth.
We have now completed the largest body of paperwork for the adoption of our child that we will have to complete. It is remarkable to imagine that, as our documents are being translated for use by the Ethiopian Government, that our child may have already been born. During the next several months, as we wait for our referral, we will both try to imagine what our child will look like, what gender it will be, what his or her personality will be like. I suppose that the next several months will be much like the time frame in a traditional pregnancy when you await seeing the baby move in an ultrasound and await hearing the beating of his or her heart for the first time. The next few months will undoubtedly be filled with much wonder and more than a little excitement and anticipation. It is reassuring to know that sometime, in the not so distant future, we will receive a picture of our child - possibly the most incredible 3-D ultrasound we could receive.
Ryan
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Waiting...
It has been a while since I have posted in numerical order where we are in this process...so, to make me feel better and to give you an idea, here goes...
Next Steps:
1. Wait for referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4-5 months from our DTE (dossier to Ethiopia) date of 5-18-2009.
2. Official advance authorization from the US Department of Homeland Security to bring our future child home. - Anytime
3. Wait for document submission to Ethiopian court. - A few weeks to a couple of months from referral acceptance.
4. Wait for our adoption to finalize in court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Finalization is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
5. TRAVEL! - Approx. 3-6 weeks after our adoption is finalized.
It will go fast, I just am not sure if it will go fast like a lunch break or like high school.
Rebecca :)
learning patience every day
I really don't like paitence nor the act of learning it.
Next Steps:
1. Wait for referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4-5 months from our DTE (dossier to Ethiopia) date of 5-18-2009.
2. Official advance authorization from the US Department of Homeland Security to bring our future child home. - Anytime
3. Wait for document submission to Ethiopian court. - A few weeks to a couple of months from referral acceptance.
4. Wait for our adoption to finalize in court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Finalization is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
5. TRAVEL! - Approx. 3-6 weeks after our adoption is finalized.
It will go fast, I just am not sure if it will go fast like a lunch break or like high school.
Rebecca :)
learning patience every day
I really don't like paitence nor the act of learning it.
Monday, May 18, 2009
D.T.E.
The adoption process seems to be a process characterized by a series of beginnings, which culminate in yet another beginning - the formation of a new family. Today marks another such beginning.
Around 6:30 this evening we received an official email from our agency notifying us that our dossier (all of the paperwork we have so diligently been gathering)is in the mail to Ethiopia where it will be translated and processed. Among families adopting from Ethiopia, this is known as being "D.T.E.," dossier to Ethiopia. Essentially, this begins the official adoption process.
Each month between now and when our referral (the picture and known medical information of a child)is received we will be able to contact the agency for an update on the anniversary date of our D.T.E.. We hope to have a referral sometime after Labor Day, and to travel to Ethiopia sometime between December 2009 and Spring 2010. While this is far from a timeline, it does provide some framework in which to work.
In the beginning, when everything seems far off, this crude framework offers some sense of control and stability. Ultimately, the timeline is not our own. We will continue to anxiously anticipate seeing our child's face for the first time in a picture, and we will continue to anxiously anticipate holding our child for the first time.
We could not be more excited as we look forward into what seems like endless seconds, hours, weeks, and months from one beginning toward the next.
Ryan
Around 6:30 this evening we received an official email from our agency notifying us that our dossier (all of the paperwork we have so diligently been gathering)is in the mail to Ethiopia where it will be translated and processed. Among families adopting from Ethiopia, this is known as being "D.T.E.," dossier to Ethiopia. Essentially, this begins the official adoption process.
Each month between now and when our referral (the picture and known medical information of a child)is received we will be able to contact the agency for an update on the anniversary date of our D.T.E.. We hope to have a referral sometime after Labor Day, and to travel to Ethiopia sometime between December 2009 and Spring 2010. While this is far from a timeline, it does provide some framework in which to work.
In the beginning, when everything seems far off, this crude framework offers some sense of control and stability. Ultimately, the timeline is not our own. We will continue to anxiously anticipate seeing our child's face for the first time in a picture, and we will continue to anxiously anticipate holding our child for the first time.
We could not be more excited as we look forward into what seems like endless seconds, hours, weeks, and months from one beginning toward the next.
Ryan
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
One tiny form...
is lost in mail never-never-land. It will hold up the rest of the process for our file while we re-sign it, re-notarize it, re-authenticate it through the Secretary of State, and re-mail it to AAI. This is the true story of any adoption. Little things become big as we work through this process.
Today I was with a very good friend who told me a story of how she has marveled at the way God orchestrates changes in our lives through tiny movements unbeknownst to us as we scurry through. In the Bible, there is a story about a man named Joseph who was cherished by his father but not his brothers. He was sold by his brothers into slavery, yet through it all, God brought the right people to the right places to act out a great work. Joseph became a great man in the nation in which he began as a slave. He ended up feeding his brothers during famine and caring for his first family when they could not care for themselves. My dear friend recounted this story as she shared with me how wonderful it was to know that God is "behind the scenes" working a wonderful plan for us.
As we chase yet another state seal and another important form, I rest in the hope that God is orchestrating a very delicate and detailed process to bring about great beauty for our lives and the lives of those around us.
Just a few days ago, I was a bit discouraged and wondered truly if Ryan and I have the faith this process requires. Indeed, at the time, I felt we did NOT have the faith needed. This verse which has been fairly meaningless to this point became a source of God's answer to me in that moment.
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
God does not begin with "if you have enough faith, let the children come..." He simply asks us to stand out of the way of progress for those to whom the kingdom belongs.
Rebecca
Today I was with a very good friend who told me a story of how she has marveled at the way God orchestrates changes in our lives through tiny movements unbeknownst to us as we scurry through. In the Bible, there is a story about a man named Joseph who was cherished by his father but not his brothers. He was sold by his brothers into slavery, yet through it all, God brought the right people to the right places to act out a great work. Joseph became a great man in the nation in which he began as a slave. He ended up feeding his brothers during famine and caring for his first family when they could not care for themselves. My dear friend recounted this story as she shared with me how wonderful it was to know that God is "behind the scenes" working a wonderful plan for us.
As we chase yet another state seal and another important form, I rest in the hope that God is orchestrating a very delicate and detailed process to bring about great beauty for our lives and the lives of those around us.
Just a few days ago, I was a bit discouraged and wondered truly if Ryan and I have the faith this process requires. Indeed, at the time, I felt we did NOT have the faith needed. This verse which has been fairly meaningless to this point became a source of God's answer to me in that moment.
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
God does not begin with "if you have enough faith, let the children come..." He simply asks us to stand out of the way of progress for those to whom the kingdom belongs.
Rebecca
Monday, April 27, 2009
ONE GIANT LEAP
Okay, "giant leap" might be a slight overstatement; yet, it perfectly describes my sense of excitement as I share that:
Our paperwork is only a few hours from being in the mail to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to get pre-approval to bring an orphan to the US.
AND
Our dossier (our WHOLE file of personal documents) is only a few hours from being in the mail to our agency!!!
The ONLY reason these things aren't in the postal system at this very moment is because I am waiting for Ryan so we can mail these things together (if it were up to me, they would be at the post office 5 minutes ago...).
What's next? WAITING, and lots of it.
Everything we have any control over is out of our hands as of this evening when we place those envelopes in their respective metal boxes (USPS and UPS).
Next Steps?
1. Fingerprinting appointment to complete US authorization for future child to come home.
2. Dossier to Ethiopia - about one month from now, our file should go to Ethiopia. This is when we officially get on the waiting list for a child.
3. Referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4 months from the date Dossier goes to Ethiopia. (September?? Maybe a nice birthday surprise!)
4. Wait for court. - Likely 2-3 months after we accept a referral for a child.
5. Wait to pass court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Passing is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
6. TRAVEL! - Approx. 6 weeks after we pass court in Ethiopia.
This has gone much faster than I anticipated and God has continued to provide everything we need to complete this process. We are so thankful to be on this journey and are learning ever more each day to walk (or LEAP!) by faith.
Rebecca :)
Our paperwork is only a few hours from being in the mail to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to get pre-approval to bring an orphan to the US.
AND
Our dossier (our WHOLE file of personal documents) is only a few hours from being in the mail to our agency!!!
The ONLY reason these things aren't in the postal system at this very moment is because I am waiting for Ryan so we can mail these things together (if it were up to me, they would be at the post office 5 minutes ago...).
What's next? WAITING, and lots of it.
Everything we have any control over is out of our hands as of this evening when we place those envelopes in their respective metal boxes (USPS and UPS).
Next Steps?
1. Fingerprinting appointment to complete US authorization for future child to come home.
2. Dossier to Ethiopia - about one month from now, our file should go to Ethiopia. This is when we officially get on the waiting list for a child.
3. Referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4 months from the date Dossier goes to Ethiopia. (September?? Maybe a nice birthday surprise!)
4. Wait for court. - Likely 2-3 months after we accept a referral for a child.
5. Wait to pass court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Passing is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
6. TRAVEL! - Approx. 6 weeks after we pass court in Ethiopia.
This has gone much faster than I anticipated and God has continued to provide everything we need to complete this process. We are so thankful to be on this journey and are learning ever more each day to walk (or LEAP!) by faith.
Rebecca :)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Another VERY small step...almost
We spoke with our social worker again today, and our home study has been faxed to our agency and a hard copy is in the mail to us. After four weeks of anxiously awaiting the completion of this step, it has nearly come to pass.
Several weeks ago we were notified that the individual to whom we originally gave power of attorney in Ethiopia is no longer working for our agency. Because the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) is unwilling to issue their letter (which must be included with all of the other documents before a family can pass court) without updated POA's we have had to re-do our Power of Attorney and resubmit it to the State of Oklahoma for authentication, a process that will take a few weeks.
We are continually learning (and relearning) what it means to be patient. Recently, when people ask how long the adoption process will take, I jokingly tell them "forever," and sometimes it certainly seems like it will be. Perhaps the most glorious thing about this process is that the timing - whatever it is - will be right.
Ryan
Several weeks ago we were notified that the individual to whom we originally gave power of attorney in Ethiopia is no longer working for our agency. Because the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MOWA) is unwilling to issue their letter (which must be included with all of the other documents before a family can pass court) without updated POA's we have had to re-do our Power of Attorney and resubmit it to the State of Oklahoma for authentication, a process that will take a few weeks.
We are continually learning (and relearning) what it means to be patient. Recently, when people ask how long the adoption process will take, I jokingly tell them "forever," and sometimes it certainly seems like it will be. Perhaps the most glorious thing about this process is that the timing - whatever it is - will be right.
Ryan
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Timeline
One of the questions we get asked frequently is, "How long will it take?" Here is a guide with approximate times...
1. Get official homestudy document from social worker. - Maybe 3 weeks from now.
2. I-600A to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS): Just a form, kind of like doing your taxes. Lists basic info about us and gives them forewarning that we want to adopt. We have to wait on our homestudy before we do this. - Fingerprinting will probably be 4 weeks from when paperwork is sent...
3. Fingerprinting: The USCIS calls us to tell us we can have an appointment for fingerprinting. I think this is for visas or something. - comes back maybe 2 weeks from fingerprinting appointment?
4. Dossier to Agency: Everything goes together to be bound by our agency and shipped off to Ethiopia. This is TECHNICALLY when the process BEGINS. - One month to 6 weeks after our homestudy document is finalized.
5. Dossier to Ethiopia - about one month after it goes to the agency.
6. Referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4 months from the date Dossier goes to Ethiopia.
7. Wait for court. - Likely 3 months after referral is accepted
8. Wait to pass court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Passing is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - This is when you start praying. Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
9. TRAVEL! - Approx. 6 weeks after we pass court in Ethiopia.
1. Get official homestudy document from social worker. - Maybe 3 weeks from now.
2. I-600A to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS): Just a form, kind of like doing your taxes. Lists basic info about us and gives them forewarning that we want to adopt. We have to wait on our homestudy before we do this. - Fingerprinting will probably be 4 weeks from when paperwork is sent...
3. Fingerprinting: The USCIS calls us to tell us we can have an appointment for fingerprinting. I think this is for visas or something. - comes back maybe 2 weeks from fingerprinting appointment?
4. Dossier to Agency: Everything goes together to be bound by our agency and shipped off to Ethiopia. This is TECHNICALLY when the process BEGINS. - One month to 6 weeks after our homestudy document is finalized.
5. Dossier to Ethiopia - about one month after it goes to the agency.
6. Referral of a child with information and a picture! - Likely 4 months from the date Dossier goes to Ethiopia.
7. Wait for court. - Likely 3 months after referral is accepted
8. Wait to pass court. (Some people end up having multiple court dates. Passing is NOT guaranteed on the first round). - This is when you start praying. Could go very fast, could take 6 months or more!
9. TRAVEL! - Approx. 6 weeks after we pass court in Ethiopia.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Homestudy Complete
After a 24 hour clean-a-thon, the home study is complete. Our social worker, Earlene, did not peer into our closets, rifle through our drawers, or even conduct a white-glove test of general good housekeeping. In fact, I am now certain that the 24 hour clean-a-thon was completely unnecessary.
Earlene did spend just over two hours talking with both Rebecca and me about our perceived strengths and weaknesses, our thoughts on discipline, our own childhoods, and our motives for adopting from Ethiopia. We truly had a positively delightful visit. Earlene will take about three weeks to type a draft of our home study for us to review and for AAI to review as well. Once we have signed-off on any minor corrections, she will send us four official copies. One copy will go to the USCIS along with other documents where Visas will be issued for the adopted child or children. An additional copy will go with our Dossier to Ethiopia for each child being adopted.
Earlene also explained the mysterious re-adoption process to us during our visit. Through this process our child will gain U.S. Citizenship. Under Federal Law, if a child is seen by the parents prior to the legal completion of the adoption, they can be granted citizenship once they are physically on American soil. Since the entire legal adoption process will be completed before Rebecca and I ever travel to Ethiopia (and since we will not have actually seen the child in person), our child will not be granted citizenship until we have been home six months and have completed several post-placement home studies (which are already required by our agency), and filed a petition with an Oklahoma Court to re-adopt the child. Once re-adoption is completed, the child will be issued a Certificate of Foreign Birth that is virtually identical to any other domestically issued Birth Certificate. If we choose to make any changes to our child's name, that will be done as part of the re-adoption process as well.
We are excited to complete yet another step in the journey to become parents.
Ryan
Earlene did spend just over two hours talking with both Rebecca and me about our perceived strengths and weaknesses, our thoughts on discipline, our own childhoods, and our motives for adopting from Ethiopia. We truly had a positively delightful visit. Earlene will take about three weeks to type a draft of our home study for us to review and for AAI to review as well. Once we have signed-off on any minor corrections, she will send us four official copies. One copy will go to the USCIS along with other documents where Visas will be issued for the adopted child or children. An additional copy will go with our Dossier to Ethiopia for each child being adopted.
Earlene also explained the mysterious re-adoption process to us during our visit. Through this process our child will gain U.S. Citizenship. Under Federal Law, if a child is seen by the parents prior to the legal completion of the adoption, they can be granted citizenship once they are physically on American soil. Since the entire legal adoption process will be completed before Rebecca and I ever travel to Ethiopia (and since we will not have actually seen the child in person), our child will not be granted citizenship until we have been home six months and have completed several post-placement home studies (which are already required by our agency), and filed a petition with an Oklahoma Court to re-adopt the child. Once re-adoption is completed, the child will be issued a Certificate of Foreign Birth that is virtually identical to any other domestically issued Birth Certificate. If we choose to make any changes to our child's name, that will be done as part of the re-adoption process as well.
We are excited to complete yet another step in the journey to become parents.
Ryan
Thursday, March 5, 2009
A Quick Update
Rebecca spoke with our social worker, Earlene earlier this week; It looks like we may have a date set for our home study in the next week or two.
It's good to know that the wheels are turning.
Ryan
It's good to know that the wheels are turning.
Ryan
Friday, February 20, 2009
My Wife has Pretty well Covered it but...
As we journey further into this process it becomes clearer that we may not be as good at waiting as we had anticipated (this will NOT come as a surprise to most of you, only us). As we are anxiously awaiting our home study, I thought I might provide a pictorial review of our journey thus far.
First, pictures of Rebecca, Me, and Mister Freud with the envelope containing our application to adoption advocates.
First, pictures of Rebecca, Me, and Mister Freud with the envelope containing our application to adoption advocates.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
One Bedroom Begins Baby Makeover
We had a slightly-long and very productive weekend. Our "baby room" (the one that is so tiny I'm not sure what else you would do with it) got a good layer of texture and a butter-cream colored paint. It really looks good. Now there is some touch-up to be done on the trim, a second, second coat on the woodwork, and a few baseboards to be painted and cut to fit all around.
We have a wall reserved for a crib, and we even spent a good part of the weekend looking for a crib. In the end, though, I decided I couldn't quite handle a crib just yet. It would just make me more anxious having a crib in a room waiting on a baby with a very INDEFINATE due date. We'll reserve this purchase for a little closer to the end result.
In other news...my husband is the best. He and the guys from our Sunday School class cooked up a very special Valentine's Day dinner for all of the ladies in our SS class on Saturday evening. They even cleaned up! Those who missed it missed out on one of the best Valentine dates ever!
Rebecca ;)
We have a wall reserved for a crib, and we even spent a good part of the weekend looking for a crib. In the end, though, I decided I couldn't quite handle a crib just yet. It would just make me more anxious having a crib in a room waiting on a baby with a very INDEFINATE due date. We'll reserve this purchase for a little closer to the end result.
In other news...my husband is the best. He and the guys from our Sunday School class cooked up a very special Valentine's Day dinner for all of the ladies in our SS class on Saturday evening. They even cleaned up! Those who missed it missed out on one of the best Valentine dates ever!
Rebecca ;)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
On Our Way to HomeStudy Land
We submitted our documents for our homestudy the beginning of this week. Once our social worker has all of the OTHER paperwork (that over which we have no control), we should be on our way.
Next Steps:
1. Homestudy: an interview with a social worker on how and why we are adopting (at least that's what I assume). Also known as a "home visit," where a professional makes sure your house can accomodate a child. Makes one wonder...."should we buy a crib? or wait?"
2. I-600A to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS): Just a form, kind of like doing your taxes. Lists basic info about us and gives them forewarning that we want to adopt. We have to wait on our homestudy before we do this.
3. Fingerprinting: The USCIS calls us to tell us we can have an appointment for fingerprinting. I think this is for visas or something.
4. Dossier to Agency: Everything goes together to be bound by our agency and shipped off to Ethiopia. This is TECHNICALLY when the process BEGINS.
5. Waiting list...wait, wait, wait, wait...
6. Referral of a child with information and a picture!
7. Wait for court.
8. Wait to pass court.
9. Wait to travel.
10. TRAVEL!
So, who's ready for step 10?
Rebecca ;)
Next Steps:
1. Homestudy: an interview with a social worker on how and why we are adopting (at least that's what I assume). Also known as a "home visit," where a professional makes sure your house can accomodate a child. Makes one wonder...."should we buy a crib? or wait?"
2. I-600A to United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS): Just a form, kind of like doing your taxes. Lists basic info about us and gives them forewarning that we want to adopt. We have to wait on our homestudy before we do this.
3. Fingerprinting: The USCIS calls us to tell us we can have an appointment for fingerprinting. I think this is for visas or something.
4. Dossier to Agency: Everything goes together to be bound by our agency and shipped off to Ethiopia. This is TECHNICALLY when the process BEGINS.
5. Waiting list...wait, wait, wait, wait...
6. Referral of a child with information and a picture!
7. Wait for court.
8. Wait to pass court.
9. Wait to travel.
10. TRAVEL!
So, who's ready for step 10?
Rebecca ;)
Sunday, November 16, 2008
More information arrives
Yesterday, November 15th, 2008, we got our introduction packet from the adoption agency. It included information on our next steps in this process, including signing a "commitment" to the process and to caring for orphans in general. We were extremely excited! We had promised we wouldn't tell anyone about this choice until we heard back from the adoption agency and better understood the process. Although we still don't fully understand the process (I Googled the definitions of the words "dossier" and "homestudy" last night), we have decided it is probably okay to let people know we have begun this journey.
Our paperwork said adoptions from Ethiopia were moving swiftly, and that we should begin assembling our dossier as soon as possible after we receive the dossier packet. The dossier as I understand it is a large file of documents outlining our health condition, financial condition, supposed fitness for caring for a child of another race, etc. It requires such things as certified copies of our birth certificates, marriage certificate, divorce decrees, and other legal documents as well as verification that we have health insurance, life insurance, jobs, etc. Many times I have seen adoptive parents and thought they had it easy because of the lack of birthing and potentially potty-training. How ignorant I was!!! In the U.S., no one asks you to prove your efficacy as a parent before becoming pregnant. Nor do they request proof of health, well-being, positive home life, or financial intelligence! I don't think I will be calling this process easy ever again!
Ryan and I are doubly excited. We have already looked at Babies 'R Us, Stork Land, and Baby USA, dreaming about baby stuff. Of course, dreaming is a little different than when you are pregnant. We could get a two-year-old and skip the crib altogether...
Rebecca :)
Our paperwork said adoptions from Ethiopia were moving swiftly, and that we should begin assembling our dossier as soon as possible after we receive the dossier packet. The dossier as I understand it is a large file of documents outlining our health condition, financial condition, supposed fitness for caring for a child of another race, etc. It requires such things as certified copies of our birth certificates, marriage certificate, divorce decrees, and other legal documents as well as verification that we have health insurance, life insurance, jobs, etc. Many times I have seen adoptive parents and thought they had it easy because of the lack of birthing and potentially potty-training. How ignorant I was!!! In the U.S., no one asks you to prove your efficacy as a parent before becoming pregnant. Nor do they request proof of health, well-being, positive home life, or financial intelligence! I don't think I will be calling this process easy ever again!
Ryan and I are doubly excited. We have already looked at Babies 'R Us, Stork Land, and Baby USA, dreaming about baby stuff. Of course, dreaming is a little different than when you are pregnant. We could get a two-year-old and skip the crib altogether...
Rebecca :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)
