Dec. 25, 2006 – Our family made the commitment to pursue the little girl God has for us in China.
Jan. 10, 2007 – Ordered my Passport, doctors letters, and birth certificates.
Jan 18, 2007 – God closed the door on the first agency we were using, but in the process, HE blessed us with terrific new friends (which He used to guide us in our journey), He strengthened our faith and gave us even more clarity of the call to pursue our little girl in China, and He also gave us our daughter’s name ~ Joy! Psalm 19:9 ~ “The life maps of God are always right, and they always lead to joy.”
Feb 5, 2007 – We met with Dave and Chrissy from Hope For Children and we were so blessed, in more ways than one! What a God send this agency is, and so refreshing!
Feb. 6, 2007 – Application is off to HFC and the official “paper chasing” has once again “lifted off”!
Feb. 13, 2007 – We ordered our bank letters, kid’s physical forms, and letters from the local police dept.
Feb. 14, 2007 – Picked up police clearance letters, had fingerprints taken for background checks, and Tony completed his physical. Completed the orientation with Chrissy at HFC and was encouraged at the “jump” we have in the paperwork needs.
Feb. 15, 2007 – I received the Guardianship letters and forms that will go with our Dossier, completed our Home Study, and talked with our Social Worker that will do our Home Study, Sandra.
Feb. 16, 2007 – Picked up kid’s medical forms
Feb. 17, 2007 – Received bank letters, second copy of our marriage license, and employment verification letters.
Feb 20, 2007 – First Home Study meeting. I LOVE Sandra and the meeting went great! She was very informative. We celebrated with Chinese for lunch afterwards! We also had our passport photos done for the Dossier.
Feb. 23, 2007 – Have our medical forms and one reference letter in hand.
Feb. 27, 2007 – My passport arrived along with another reference letter.
Feb. 28, 2007 – Tony had his interview for the Home Study.
Mar. 8, 2007 – I met with Sandra for my interview.
Mar. 13, 2007 – We completed our final Home Study meeting, as well as, the home inspection. Everything went extremely well. Sandra is amazing, professional, and a blast to work with. I wish everyone could work with her!
Mar. 22, 2007 – Home Study is done and proofed!
Mar. 23, 2007 – Mailed our i600-a form along with our Home Study. The paper chasing is almost done!
Mar. 20, 2007 – Dossier authentication is underway as everything is in the hands of HFC and we have received confirmation that the 600a form is in processing. Now we wait for the famous fingerprinting appointment to get our 171 (the final form to add to the Dossier).
Apr. 14, 2007 - Received our fingerprint appointment, but had to change it because we have a commitment that day in Nashville. UGH! I mailed the request for another appointment day, so now we wait a little more for the new appointment time.
May 1, 2007 - Received our Fingerprinting appointment notice. We are scheduled for May 9th!!!
May 9, 2007 - Had USCIS Fingerprinting done
May 19, 2007 - Received the long awaited 171 Form and faxed it to Hope for Children! All that's left now is the DTC (Dossier to China) for the LID (Log in Date)
June 6, 2007 - Our Dossier is heading to China!!!
June 11, 2007 - Dossier Arrived in China via Fed Ex Priority
June 13, 2007 - LID
October 2008 - Begin updating paperwork that will expire next month
November 2008 - Paperwork updated and filed, and we wait for a new fingerprint appointment, only to continue to WAIT some more...
November 17, 2008 - Hope for Children closed its doors and we were faced with the big decision on what agency to transfer to.
November 28, 2008 - After much prayer, we transferred our adoption files to Holt International and decided to proceed with their China Child of Promise Program. They say it could be 6 to 12 months before a referral of a special needs little girl.
December 2008 - Transfer was confirmed and now we are waiting to hear if we are going to loose our LID (Logged in Date), this will mean that our "place in line" will be lost after 18 months of waiting.
January 4, 2009 - Received the call from Holt that informed us we did not loose our LID and we had a referral for a beautiful little girl with VSD (a heart disease). It was a pleasant surprise as we were taking down the Christmas decorations.
January 5, 2009 - Submitted our LOI (Letter of Intent) to adopt a little treasure, named Ma Fei Fei. WOW!
April 7, 2009 - Received LOA (Letter of Approval) from the CCAA. We have officially been given permission to adopt Ma Fei Fei. We overnighted the package back to accept and now we just wait for TA (Travel Approval).
June 15, 2009 - Got TA (Travel Approval) after an extended wait due to the swine flu. Beginning the real travel planning...
July 7, 2009 - China Departure Day!!!
July 12, 2009 - Gotcha Day!!!
July 15, 2009 - Adoption Finalized in China!
July 29, 2009 - Adoption Ceremony with the US Consulate and Joy's Visa is IN HAND! All that's left is packing and the long flight HOME!
July 31, 2009 - Arrive Home sweet home and celebrate Joy's new US citizenship!!!! The US never seemed so wonderful!
