Ethan's Story: Starting Out

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Starting Out

In November of 2005, Tyler and I (Misty) began to think about adoption. We had two children at the time and knew we wanted more. God gave us a desire to adopt the next child and I began to research international adoption for the next year. On November 1, 2006 Evan had recently turned 1 (the required age for our youngest child before we could begin the process) and we applied to adopt from Vietnam through Children's Hope International (CHI).

We had originally said that we wanted a child "as young as possible". We then changed our minds and said up to 12 months old, then 18 months, and eventually 2 years. We knew we would get a boy because we were open to "either" and there are more boys available in Vietnam.

Why Vietnam? I don't know. At first it was because we couldn't adopt from the other countries we were looking at because of some of the rules they had. To us, Vietnam seemed to be the best fit. But in the end, I believe it was God leading us to our son. Now, even though I have never been there I am in love with Vietnam. It is a beautiful land and I look forward to the enrichment it's culture will bring into our home and lives.

Application For CHI

No comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Adoption Timeline

1. Acceptance by the adoption agency (done)

2. Home Study—This is where a social worker comes to our home and interviews us then writes a report on our family and approves us to adopt. (done)

3. Apply to the CIS (Citizenship and Immigration Services) for the 171-H—This is basically where we ask our government to allow us to bring an orphan into the US as an immigrant. The 171 is the approval. (done)

4. Waiting List—After receiving the 171 we will be put on the waiting list for a referral. At this point the estimated time for the wait is 12-15 months. This is the regular process. However, we have been placed on a list of families willing to take "waiting children" (children with special needs). This means we will likely receive a referral sooner, but we have no idea on the timing of this. (done)

5. Dossier—This is a ton of paper work that must be sent to Vietnam. First we gather all the documents (employment letters, marriage certificates, police clearance, etc.) and get them notarized. Then we send each document to the state of origin for state certification. Once everything comes back we send it all to the Vietnam Embassy for authentication. After that we will send it to our agency who will send it to Vietnam. Yes...very complicated! (done)

6. Referral—This is when our agency assigns a specific child to us, or we accept one of the waiting children. We will be given a name, picture and some limited medical information if available. (done)

7. Travel—This takes place 4-5 months after we get our referral. At this point Tyler and I will travel to Vietnam and pick our child up from the orphanage and finish the adoption process. We will be in Vietnam 2-3 weeks! (In our case we have to wait 5-6 months because our dossier was not in Vietnam at the time of referral) (done)

8. Rest—This is what will never happen with three kids!

Adoption Check List

November 1, 2006--Applied to Children's Hope International Adoption Agency
Novermber 11, 2006--Accepted by Agency
December 14, 2006--Home Study
January 22, 2007--Appointment with CIS to apply for the 171-H
March 9, 2007--Received the 171! Put onto the waiting list for a referral
March 22, 2007--Started Dossier
April 21, 2007--Received our Dossier back from Vietnam Embassy in Washingto DC (we sent it to them on the 11th)
May 7, 2007--Doan Phu Loc placed on waiting child list
May 21, 2007--Received Referral for Loc! Also, sent Dossier to CHI
June 15, 2007--Dossier sent to Hanoi, Vietnam
October 29, 2007--Recieved our G&R (Giving and Receiving Ceremony) date so we can go to Vietnam in 2 weeks!