Well, the inaugural post. Where to start? I decided to create this blog to at least have some way of capturing the ups and downs, highs and lows, joys and sorrows that are sure to be a part of this chapter of our lives as we reach our goal of parenthood.
I guess a good start would be to explain when we actually started the process of adoption and where we are at today. After much research, Ferdy and I decided on international adoption and the country which spoke to us was Guatemala. Then, it was on to researching agencies and collecting references. We officially signed on with an agency at the end of November with a request for an infant girl and thus the official paperchase began. Overwhelming to say the least.
We had our homestudy visit in December ~ on my birthday of all days. Then, on to the collection of the mountain of paperwork that an international adoption entails. As of today, we are nearing the end of that (we hope!). We are currently in a frustrating wait for the final copy of our homestudy (don't get me started on my feelings on that subject right now). Once we receive it, we will be sending all of the many signed and notarized documents (the product of more than one redo) on to the Department of State in Tallahassee for a process called certification. From there, it's on to the Guatemalan Consulate in Miami for authentication. The last stop will be Dallas, Texas where our agency is based. They will then take over the care of those precious documents and see them off to Guatemala for translation and processing.
We will then be at the mercy of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services to give our final approval known as the I-171H. This is the golden ticket to our precious, not-yet-seen daughter. Unfortunately, it seems the Orlando office of the USCIS is not exactly the speediest in the country and it looks like we are probably at least a month away if not more from the I-171H. At any moment after receiving the I-171H, we could get a phone call from our agency telling us that they have a referral for us. Then, yikes!!!! A reality check will be in order.
So, that's the scoop for now. More to come.
4 comments:
Hey Alleen!
Hooray for your new blog! I know how long and frustrating that wait for documents can be...but it does happen and actual children are waiting at the other end! :)
Looking forward to updates--
Sam
I am so excited that you started this blog for your little girl and for us to follow the path that leads you to her! I can't wait until the day you can post a picture of her in your arms :)
-Kim
Can't wait to be an Aunt again! I miss shopping at Gymboree :-)
XO,
Sares
I am so excited for you and really appreciate you sharing this journey with us!
Jeri
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