Another Big Step up our Mountain

It's hard to believe the progress that's been made. Our home study report is complete. This report was sent off with our I800A application to USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services, AKA "Immigration") today. Now we wait for their approval of us to be adoptive parents. This first part of the process (home study and application to Immigration) typically takes about 4 months. We have somehow moved through in about 2 months! Can I get a "WOOP WOOP"?! Anyone and everyone with adoption experience says that no adoption goes without a kink along the way. We are certainly expecting that ours will be no different. For now, we are thankful that things are moving so smoothly.

According to our agency, it takes about 2-3 months to receive approval from Immigration. While we are waiting for their approval, we begin compiling what's called our "dossier". This is a fancy term for the collection of documents required by the Chinese adoption officials. Back to gathering we go! Just yesterday we had a fun-filled, family afternoon at the Post Office, applying for passports, and legal stuff at the courthouse... yeah, not so much fun really... do your kids always have to go poo-poo in public places too? Geez!

I must give a special shout-out to our home study social worker. You are such a doll... amazingly efficient, knowledgeable, considerate and compassionate. I am so thankful we found you! We really look forward to you visiting for our MANY post-adoption evaluations (feel free to stop by before then). Thank you for everything!

You know I'll keep you posted as soon as we get approval from Immigration. Stay tuned!

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