We are so thrilled to have I-800a approval!! WOOT!!! After talking to our adoption agency, and having multiple conversations with USCIS, we've decided to wait to submit our I-800 (the paperwork that identifies Zeb as the child we want to adopt) until we have our updated home study and can file the I-800a supplement 3. Yes, it's crazy how many steps there are. Basically, we hope that by keeping all of our paperwork together, we will eliminate the possibility of any delays in China. Once we get the I-800a supplement 3 and I-800 approved, the paperwork shifts to the US side in China and to the Chinese government. At that point, we want everything on the paperwork to be consistent, i.e. have our new address. So, as much as I hate to wait on sending in any piece of paperwork that's ready to go, I do believe this is a wise move in the long run. Our officer at USCIS knows that we are submitting these two forms together, and she says neither will take as long as the I-800a took to get approved. They take higher priority, which is reassuring.
Still, we need to pray. First, pray that our home study update is done no later than August 23. We are hoping to have our one home visit the day after we close on our new house. Then, we hope it takes a week or less to get the final draft in our hands. Please pray that this is the case. Once we have the updated home study, we will overnight it and the forms to USCIS. Pray that they will all get approved in record time--two weeks or less. This will set us up for travel in November. That has been on my heart and I continue to pray that it will happen. Thank you for being a part of our journey to Baby Zeb!!!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Transitions
We are getting closer to making the big leap from our current city, where we've lived since 1998/1999 to our hometown. It's a very bittersweet time for us. We just had a wonderful visit from some friends of ours who were at the airport for Zeke and Quilla's arrivals to Springfield. We just love them and I'm sad that they will not be at the airport when Zeb arrives. They have been such a precious part of our journey, offering prayers and support, throwing us a baby shower at church. This is why we say it feels like we're leaving family here to move closer to family.
On the Zeb front, we are getting closer to having USCIS approval of the I-800a. We're not there yet, though. Also, our agency is going to see if we have to wait until after we move, get the home study update, and have an update I-800a approval before we can file the I-800. We hope we DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT. Will you pray with us that there will be no hold ups in Zeb's adoption as we make this transition, which we believe is in the best interest of Baby Zeb?
One final thought: Please consider joining the effort to Save the Federal Adoption Tax Credit. The tax credit allowed us to get back part of the money we invested in Zeke's adoption, enough to begin the process to adopt Quilla. The tax credit is set to expire at the end of this year. PLEASE pray with us that it will get renewed and get active in advocating for its renewal in Congress. Click on the link at the beginning of this paragraph to learn more about how you can get involved in this critical issue that makes it possible for so many orphans to have homes.
On the Zeb front, we are getting closer to having USCIS approval of the I-800a. We're not there yet, though. Also, our agency is going to see if we have to wait until after we move, get the home study update, and have an update I-800a approval before we can file the I-800. We hope we DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT. Will you pray with us that there will be no hold ups in Zeb's adoption as we make this transition, which we believe is in the best interest of Baby Zeb?
One final thought: Please consider joining the effort to Save the Federal Adoption Tax Credit. The tax credit allowed us to get back part of the money we invested in Zeke's adoption, enough to begin the process to adopt Quilla. The tax credit is set to expire at the end of this year. PLEASE pray with us that it will get renewed and get active in advocating for its renewal in Congress. Click on the link at the beginning of this paragraph to learn more about how you can get involved in this critical issue that makes it possible for so many orphans to have homes.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Exciting News!!
First, on the adoption front...we continue to wait on immigration approval. Ugg...It's really slowed down and that's so frustrating!!
On the family front, we are MOVING!!! And we're going back to Tennessee!! I say back to Tennessee because we will be living in the city where Brad and I grew up. We will have grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and much more for the kids to enjoy right there in town. Brad is taking a new job and he's very excited about it. We are moving before Zeb comes home because it will be so much easier to focus on meeting his medical needs (i.e. surgery) if we are not also trying to worry about the move at the same time.
We've been praying about getting back to Tennessee for years. We're thankful for the way so many details are coming together! We're especially happy that the transition is not expected to slow down our adoption. We are working closely with our adoption agency to ensure we do everything necessary to keep things rolling along!!
On the family front, we are MOVING!!! And we're going back to Tennessee!! I say back to Tennessee because we will be living in the city where Brad and I grew up. We will have grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and much more for the kids to enjoy right there in town. Brad is taking a new job and he's very excited about it. We are moving before Zeb comes home because it will be so much easier to focus on meeting his medical needs (i.e. surgery) if we are not also trying to worry about the move at the same time.
We've been praying about getting back to Tennessee for years. We're thankful for the way so many details are coming together! We're especially happy that the transition is not expected to slow down our adoption. We are working closely with our adoption agency to ensure we do everything necessary to keep things rolling along!!
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