a little more info...

A few things...

This piece of paper. It's basically a piece of paper that says that USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) thinks we will be good parents. Don't get me started on that one... This form - the I-171H will be forwarded to Guangzhou to the US Consulate. After we have adopted Abe, we will fly to Guangzhou (that's a big hint to where he is NOT living right now) and present our adoption paperwork. Then the US Consulate will issue his immigration visa based on this piece of paper.

Our problem - in a nutshell - was time. We actually had an approved I-171H for Anna's adoption that expired tomorrow that was approved to adopt two children. There is a really, really long and crazy story behind it all and maybe if you really want to know, you can call me ;)

We waited for 10 1/2 weeks for this silly thing. I know that a LOT of people are waiting a long time right now. My advice? Get your Senator involved. Did you know that casework is actually part of what we pay them for? They ARE your intermediary with the US goverment offices. Pretty good stuff.

I think Wendy asked when day 77 was.

There's a story.

When we adopted Amy, special needs adoptions were a little less complicated. We got a call with our TA (travel approval) and that was our "nod" to go get her. That call came on day 77. When we adopted Anna, things were a little more complex. We got a call with the LOA (Letter of Acceptance) and then a few to 3 weeks later came the TA. Our LOA call came on day 77 for Anna.

So. Day 77 for Abraham is September 18.

Maybe it won't take that long?

He is 18 months today.

Amy is 4 1/2 today.

There's another new piece of info for you.

:)

Four of my peeps are safe and sound in their beds. One peep is safe and sound in the arms of Jesus - in his bed a half a world away. I am longing for him to be safe and sound - still in the arms of Jesus - but in his bed upstairs.