It was another small step, but a step forward nonetheless- we applied to UCIS (immigration petition to adopt an international orphan and to be fingerprinted)this week! The mailer contained our 12 page application, our 17 pg. Home study, 2 Social worker licences, a GWCA HS approval letter, 4 copies of vital records, a cover page, and a cashier's check. I was very compulsive in checking and re-checking the contents and signature pages as the slightest misstep could cause a delay. Now- time to start slathering the hands with lotion and babying them-HA HA! Sorry- no hard labor for about a month-what will become of my yard/plants? We wouldn't want our fingerprints to "not take" as has happened to some on my China mommies user groups.
Even more exciting news...I found a sweet surprise in my e-mail Friday morning- my contact sent me our daughter's measurement updates! This is a fantastic and rare treat! I am thrilled as a sweetie pie co-worker of mine has given me a bunch of adorable toddler girl clothes/shoes and now I know they will fit her! I am eager to send her a little summer care package and see her in the super cute sundress and short outfits!
This past two weeks, has been difficult for me in that knowing the paperwork part on our end is complete and things are truly out of our hands and we must wait for the powers that be to go through their processes. We pray this all goes as quickly and smoothly as possible. I am struggling, yet trying to remember to give it over to God as I know he is watching over our little Bennett and has her in his capable hands. He has led us to her and he will see us through.
Glory to god and blessings to all who share in our journey.
Love,
Dori&Bob
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
One more baby step forward...
We are relieved and excited to announce we have passed another (small) milestone! This past Thursday we met with our SW to review the final-16 page-copy of our Home Study report and our Intnl. agency reviewed and approved it the next day! This is exciting because we can now move on to the next step- which is apply to US Immigration! We already have the app. filled out and the fee ready to go- we expect to have notarized copies of our HS in our hot hands early next week and will then put it along with the I-800 application in the mail! Whew!Another step closer in getting our dossier to China and receiving our LID (log in date). We are thrilled!
On another note, as many people have been so generous in buying coffee, attending fundraisers, and donating to our cause, my mom got a surprise in the mail this week containing an anonymous donation to help bring home baby busby!
Bob and I want to thank everyone for your generous spirit and role in helping give a very special little girl a home and a mommy and daddy who have dreamt of her, planned for her, and ache to hold her. We ask for your continued prayers and welcome any questions and of course, parenting words of wisdom.
Blessings to all,
Bob and Dori
On another note, as many people have been so generous in buying coffee, attending fundraisers, and donating to our cause, my mom got a surprise in the mail this week containing an anonymous donation to help bring home baby busby!
Bob and I want to thank everyone for your generous spirit and role in helping give a very special little girl a home and a mommy and daddy who have dreamt of her, planned for her, and ache to hold her. We ask for your continued prayers and welcome any questions and of course, parenting words of wisdom.
Blessings to all,
Bob and Dori
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
So...when do you get to go to China?
Well...that is a bit up in the air all because of paperwork, paperwork, paperwork, or rather the processing of said paperwork. Bob and I have pretty much completed our task of paperchasing and now the long WAIT sets in. WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LOOOOONG? is the question we've been getting lately, so here is the best answer I have in the form of a copy/paste e-mail from my agency:
We know you are anxious to bring your child home, and the next few months will seem arduous and long. You should expect to travel 6-9 months from your log-in date. The next steps are as follows:
1. Letter Seeking Confirmation (LSC): This comes after the CCAA reviews and approves your dossier. Once they have approved your dossier, they will send your file to the matching room with child’s file already tagged to your family. The matching room will “officially” pair your child with your family. Once this is done, the LSC is issued. The complete review and approval process takes between 70-100 days.
2. I-800 application: Once we receive the LSC, you will file the I-800. The I-800 application takes approximately 10 days for approval.
3. Once you receive your I-800 approval, you will send a package back to Great Wall with your LSC, copy of your I-800 approval, and your child’s DS-230. We will forward this to our staff in China.
4. NVC confirmation: Once the I-800 is approved, the National Visa Center will send you a letter stating your approval has been sent to the Consulate. We send this letter to the Consulate along with your child’s visa application (DS-230). The timeframe to receive this letter varies.
5. Article 5: This is a document the consulate issues to our courier stating that all of your immigration approvals are up to date and you are approved to adopt your child. This is picked up by our staff and then sent to the CCAA. This takes 2 weeks from the time your child’s visa application (DS-230) is dropped off.
6. Travel Approval: once the CCAA has your signed LSC and the consulate’s Article 5, they will begin working on your Travel Approval. This takes them about 2-3weeks to send to us.
7. Departure will be 2-3 weeks from when we receive your Travel Approval.
We know you are anxious to bring your child home, and the next few months will seem arduous and long. You should expect to travel 6-9 months from your log-in date. The next steps are as follows:
1. Letter Seeking Confirmation (LSC): This comes after the CCAA reviews and approves your dossier. Once they have approved your dossier, they will send your file to the matching room with child’s file already tagged to your family. The matching room will “officially” pair your child with your family. Once this is done, the LSC is issued. The complete review and approval process takes between 70-100 days.
2. I-800 application: Once we receive the LSC, you will file the I-800. The I-800 application takes approximately 10 days for approval.
3. Once you receive your I-800 approval, you will send a package back to Great Wall with your LSC, copy of your I-800 approval, and your child’s DS-230. We will forward this to our staff in China.
4. NVC confirmation: Once the I-800 is approved, the National Visa Center will send you a letter stating your approval has been sent to the Consulate. We send this letter to the Consulate along with your child’s visa application (DS-230). The timeframe to receive this letter varies.
5. Article 5: This is a document the consulate issues to our courier stating that all of your immigration approvals are up to date and you are approved to adopt your child. This is picked up by our staff and then sent to the CCAA. This takes 2 weeks from the time your child’s visa application (DS-230) is dropped off.
6. Travel Approval: once the CCAA has your signed LSC and the consulate’s Article 5, they will begin working on your Travel Approval. This takes them about 2-3weeks to send to us.
7. Departure will be 2-3 weeks from when we receive your Travel Approval.
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