Ethan's Story: Ethan and Friends

One of our friends just got back from Vietnam and are now home with their beautiful daughter. She sent me a few pictures of Ethan (thank you Jamie!). She said he seemed a bit shy. I hope he's not to scared when we meet him. It's funny, in the right light he looks so blonde! It must come from my side of the family. :)

You can just see the side of his face here.

Next to him is Jenna, a little girl, who is also

waiting for her family to come and get her.

This is my favorite one. I think he's sucking his thumb! :)

...Just like Mommy did

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!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Ethan and Friends

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