Thursday, November 29, 2007

Yahoo!!!!!!

As of this very moment, our payment and packet are in the mail on their way to the agency so we will be placed on the waiting list!!!
We were put back for a few days once again because the wrong photo album was sent to us. We re-ordered it and we didn't get it until after Thanksgiving.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers and of course to the couples who provided us with a reference for the home study. We will continue to need your support throughout this whole process.

Now it's time to...........WAIT!

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Finally moving forward!

Well, we are just one day from sending in the preliminary package to Commonwealth to be put on the waiting list! I created our photo album through the kodak website and the album should be delivered tomorrow!

While we are on the waiting list, the next step is to apply to US CIS. We will fill out an I-600A form and pay yet another fee. This is what the Commonwealth website states:

1. After you submit your I-600A and fee they will wait for your home study and then send your fingerprint appointment. Get your fingerprints taken as directed in the US CIS letter. The fingerprint results will automatically go to US CIS.

2. US CIS will mail to you pre-approval to adopt an orphan from overseas. It’s called an I-171H and is a one page white letter. Your I-171H from US CIS is very important. We will send it to the country from which you are adopting along with your Home Study as part of your Dossier.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Uplifting Experience

Still no change with the job situation, but we did find a way to come up with the money! Yay! I'll let you know when we are 'officially' on the waiting list.

We had a really uplifting, reassuring experience today. We attended an Adoption Fair at Dell that promoted their adoption benefits to their employees. They reimburse their employees for some of the adoption expenses, however, since Shane is only a Dell contract employee we do not qualify. BUT, we did get to listen to some great adoption stories from people that have adopted both domestically and internationally. At least 2 speakers that we know of went through our adoption agency (Commonwealth) with a positive experience. That's reassurance in itself. We have had a good experience with them so far but a positive testimony just brings more reassurance.

The key speaker of the adoption discussion was none other than our social worker that performed our home study! Coincidence? I think not. Out of all the social workers in Austin it just happened to be her. And another irony is that this is Dell's first EVER adoption fair...which happened to be held in the same building that Shane works in. And anyone that knows Dell, knows there are tons of buildings! I really think we were meant to be there. Especially with all the doubt that has gone through my head lately and the stumbling blocks that have been placed before us.

There was also discussion about domestic adoption through the state of Texas. I was sure to gather some information about that too because domestic adoption has also been put on our heart. Maybe sometime in the future... : )