Prayer Requests
*for planning and care and adjustment of Chloe and Michael while we're away (as well as for their caregivers!)
*for Josie's protection, health, and favor in the eyes of her caregivers
*for Josie to be prepared for our arrival as much as possible, for quick and good bonding
*for safe and smooth travel
*for our grant applications (sent in 3/29).
Praises:
*Our match to An Hong!
*Agreement (between Chris and me) in deciding on the name "Josie".
*She likes books!
*Our friends Mike and Amy are enjoying their new daughter in China!
*We already have an appointment with a brachial plexus team!
*Chloe is excited to share her room ( : We have bunk bed frames!
*We have family members willing to care for our two while we're gone.
*Our agency has been great and we should be well lead in China.
*There is a couple we've met over internet who have all the same landmark dates as us for our referrals, are from the midwest, are traveling through the waiting child program to the same orphanage in China and are using the same agency! It will be nice to "know" someone else! And now we're flying with them too!
*We had a very speedy road to travel approval from referral, compared to others.
*Our tickets are purchased! Phew, such relief!
Homecoming
Monday, March 5, 2007
Breakdown
Done!!
CCAI application
Original home study
Immigration update home study
CCAI fee #1
Passports
Immigration filing and fingerprinting
Immigration filing and fingerprinting second time
Birth and Marriage Certificates
Certifications (first and second batches)
Authentications (first and second batches)
CCAI Fee #2
CCAA (China) Fee
Physicals and Lab Work
Photocopies and express mailings
Passport photos #1
Photos
Luggage
Immunizations to travel
Visas
CCAI post-placement deposit
Express mailings
Airfare
In-China accommodations (flights, hotels)
Still to Come:
Passport Photos #2
Authentic Chinese food ( :
Child passport, physical and visa
Orphanage donation -required
Orphanage donation: new 0-12 month clothes needed
Post Home Studies
Special Thanks: We have been blessed by prayers and support and financial donations from family and friends along the way. Aunt Janice (digital camera); Grandpa and Grandma (for giving us cash instead of presents at Christmas even though it wasn't as much fun); the Simmons family; Lasting Life; Jim and Linda: Thank you for the extra encouragement. Thank you to Lori Jacobs for taking our dossier photos and to Lori Reneau for being our faithful notary over the years.
CCAI application
Original home study
Immigration update home study
CCAI fee #1
Passports
Immigration filing and fingerprinting
Immigration filing and fingerprinting second time
Birth and Marriage Certificates
Certifications (first and second batches)
Authentications (first and second batches)
CCAI Fee #2
CCAA (China) Fee
Physicals and Lab Work
Photocopies and express mailings
Passport photos #1
Photos
Luggage
Immunizations to travel
Visas
CCAI post-placement deposit
Express mailings
Airfare
In-China accommodations (flights, hotels)
Still to Come:
Passport Photos #2
Authentic Chinese food ( :
Child passport, physical and visa
Orphanage donation -required
Orphanage donation: new 0-12 month clothes needed
Post Home Studies
Special Thanks: We have been blessed by prayers and support and financial donations from family and friends along the way. Aunt Janice (digital camera); Grandpa and Grandma (for giving us cash instead of presents at Christmas even though it wasn't as much fun); the Simmons family; Lasting Life; Jim and Linda: Thank you for the extra encouragement. Thank you to Lori Jacobs for taking our dossier photos and to Lori Reneau for being our faithful notary over the years.
Documentation
Sometimes folks ask about the process of international adoption, so I've compiled some of the steps below. It is important to have a good agency to walk you through each step, but it is not for the faint of heart or paper phobic (as I recently told a friend).
1. Decide upon international adoption, agency, and country. (China, CCAI)
2. Apply to the agency (8 pages) and sign agreements.
3. Compile the dossier.
a. Write adoption petition.
b. Order birth and marriage certificates.
c. Have employer(s) verify employment or write non-employment verification.
d. Write financial statement.
e. Complete physicals (and lab work) and have physicians fill out form.
f. Obtain police clearances.
g. Complete Home Study.
h. Obtain I-171H from Immigration (see below).
i. Apply for and copy passport.
j. Have family photos taken.
4. Have documents notarized, certified (Secretary of State), and authenticated (Chinese Consulate)
5. Apply to Immigration/Homeland Security
a. File the I-600A.
b. Drive to regional immigration office for fingerprinting
c. Send copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates.
d. Send home study when completed.
e. Repeat process as necessary until travel is complete.
6. Agency translates and sends dossier to China. China logs in your dossier. China reviews your dossier and approves you to adopt.
7. China either matches you to an orphan or, if you have told your agency you would like to receive a waiting child match (as we did), you are presented a child you may decide to adopt.
8. Letter of Acceptance, or if in waiting child program, homestudy update and addendum to adoption petition (notarized, certified, and authenticated) followed by letter of acceptance.
9. Apply for visa after you receive travel approval from China.
10. Travel. There is more paperwork ahead in China as the adoption is officially approved and finalized in the province, and the child receives his/her passport and certificate of citizenship from the Embassy in China.
11. Home Study updates are due twice more after returning home.
1. Decide upon international adoption, agency, and country. (China, CCAI)
2. Apply to the agency (8 pages) and sign agreements.
3. Compile the dossier.
a. Write adoption petition.
b. Order birth and marriage certificates.
c. Have employer(s) verify employment or write non-employment verification.
d. Write financial statement.
e. Complete physicals (and lab work) and have physicians fill out form.
f. Obtain police clearances.
g. Complete Home Study.
h. Obtain I-171H from Immigration (see below).
i. Apply for and copy passport.
j. Have family photos taken.
4. Have documents notarized, certified (Secretary of State), and authenticated (Chinese Consulate)
5. Apply to Immigration/Homeland Security
a. File the I-600A.
b. Drive to regional immigration office for fingerprinting
c. Send copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates.
d. Send home study when completed.
e. Repeat process as necessary until travel is complete.
6. Agency translates and sends dossier to China. China logs in your dossier. China reviews your dossier and approves you to adopt.
7. China either matches you to an orphan or, if you have told your agency you would like to receive a waiting child match (as we did), you are presented a child you may decide to adopt.
8. Letter of Acceptance, or if in waiting child program, homestudy update and addendum to adoption petition (notarized, certified, and authenticated) followed by letter of acceptance.
9. Apply for visa after you receive travel approval from China.
10. Travel. There is more paperwork ahead in China as the adoption is officially approved and finalized in the province, and the child receives his/her passport and certificate of citizenship from the Embassy in China.
11. Home Study updates are due twice more after returning home.
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