Hey, y'all! Sorry it's been so long since I updated on our adoption process. Here's the latest:
- Our home study was officially approved on September 16, 2009. Praise God! This is our official "waiting" date. Right now, the average wait for a referral (or match) is about a year. If all goes well after that, then it would be another three to six months afterward that our baby comes home. Lord willing, of course.
- Because Tanna is Korean, there is a chance--just a chance--that we could be given some amount of priority and receive a referral sooner. (I am not sure if I worded that correctly, but you get the idea.) There is no guarantee of this, obviously, and if the wait was shorter, there is no way to know how much shorter it could be. Apparently, many international programs offer preference to adoptive parents who share the same heritage as the child.
- We have completed more paperwork, including the USCIS I-600A, which is the Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition. This is a government form and has to be completed *just right*. So if you know how I am, you can imagine how particular I was over each answer, especially because of our situation. Tanna was born in Korea and is a U.S. citizen via naturalization, so there was a particular way to answer a few of the questions. Anyway, with some help from the great folks at our agency, we got it completed. After submission, we received a receipt from the office that we could expect a response within 90 days. But guess what? We got notice earlier this week that our appointment with the government is later this month. I think it is just for more fingerprinting, but it is progress.
- We still have to complete our online adoption training course. Our goal is to have this done before the end of the year--but I hope to finish before the holidays. We each have to complete the eight-hour course individually.
- I have been reading a few of the recommended adoption books as well as several adoption-related blogs, message boards, and the like online. Feel free to share your favorites!
- Thank you for your prayers. It's hard to imagine that a year from now, we could know who our child is--whether we'll receive a boy or a girl and his or her name and background, etc. All in God's timing, of course.
Getting soooo close. I continue to pray for your family!
ReplyDeleteThis is very exciting! :)
ReplyDeleteSomething in my gut tells me it is going to happen sooner rather than later, so I would get going on those online courses, etc...what if becasue of Tanna's heritage they call you in a few months? I'm just sayin'...you're pretty lucky like that! That is what I am praying for! Love you!
ReplyDeleteIt's exciting to watch your adoption progress! Yes, you do have to get finer printing for the I-600 form. The wait can be really long. We went to the center off of Northside in downtown Atlanta. I bet you will go there as well!
ReplyDeleteThe Lord's timing is always perfect. I'm praying for your family! Such an exciting time!
ReplyDeleteYou're still in our prayers and let us know if we can do anything to help! We're happy to babysit while you take training classes, etc.!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool for you guys. I know it will happen. :)
ReplyDeleteOooo, come to Douglas County to get your fingerprints...there is one lady that basically just does fingerprints all day long...never have waited in the 2 sets we had done! call me and I'll give you more info-we need to make a date anyhow!
ReplyDeletesooooo exciting! I am so excited for you! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is very exciting!!
ReplyDeleteexciting!
ReplyDelete