Cheatham Chat: The Amazing 8

Well - a big shout out to Melissa and her awesome photography once again! We got all 8 grandkids together for a photo shoot for Derek's mom's Christmas card. Now this was quite a task - taking pictures of 2 kids 2 and under and my sweet nephew that has autism. The numbers on their shirts represent their birth order. Thanks again Melissa! You did a fabulous job!

The 3 girls: Halle Caroline, Emily, and Ellison

Timeline

2009

December 26: Request packet from an agency. We are starting to get serious about this.

December 30: Submit pre-application with the same agency.

2010

January 11 : Awesome phone conversation with a friend...She highly recommended Gladney...Gladney is local and has a wonderful reputation...Submit pre-application to Gladney

January 22: Phone Orienatation with Gladney

Katie's Big Blog Post - one more affirmation from God that this is what we are supposed to be doing!

January 25: Submit request for application with Gladney

January 27: Receive Formal Gladney Application

January 26: Complete I600

February 19: Sent Group 1 documents and I600 -- No turning back now!!! That was a big chunk of $$$$!

February 19-22: Told family and friends

March 3: Heather's TB results - negative- yippie!

Derek's Dr. appt

March 5: Fingerprints done and sent to FBI

March 7: Received an email along with several other friends that our peeps are holding a garage sale as a fundraiser for our adoption. We are overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness and generosity. Our friends are lovely and sneaky!

March 9: Mailed a bunch of stuff to Gladney and to Kate

Just have to collect reference letters now and deal with the non notarized insurance verification letter.

March 15: Received FBI fingerprint clearance! Woohoo! We aren't criminals!

March 30: Homestudy

April 14: God provides a nice deposit to the adoption fund via IRS refund. He really is working out all the details amazingly.

April 17: Garage Sale and He DID provide!

April 18: Homestudy completed and sent to Gladney!

April 29: Gold Party! God provided again!!! Amazing!

May 17: Officially Gladney Approved!

May 17/18?: Homestudy sent to CIS

May 21: Phone call with our caseworker, Sara Cox. Lots of excitement coming our way!

June 15: My friend Michelle hands me an envelope with a bundle of cash to donate to our adoption fund from a gold party she had to benefit our adoption. God Rocks!

June 22nd: Fingerprint (Biometrics) Appointment

September 29: Received call from USCIS asking us to resend all documents: homestudy, I600a application, verification of payment, birth certificates, marriage certificate. All was emailed to them this day.

October 1: Cannot get a hold of our caseworker. Told by someone else at CIS that we are not in the system.

October 6: Received our I-171H (finally!)

October 8: Kate received all remaining documents (we are officially done with the paperchase!)

October 12: Officially on the WAIT LIST!!! Dossier complete and sent to Washington DC

2011

July 27: refingerprinted

August 3(ish): received renewed 1-171

November 13: blown away by receiving a financial gift that pays our entire Ethiopia and misc agency fees plus a plane ticket or 2! God is so awesome!

To Come:

Referral (we get to see who God picked for us and learn all about him!!!)

Court date(s) (wait for a court date is average of 3-4 months)

Embassy Appointment (average wait time is 3-6 weeks after passing court)

Gotcha sweet boy!

Friday, December 5, 2008

The Amazing 8

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