More Paperwork

This is not the most exciting part, but it is where we are so I will post about it. On Friday, we received our I-797 approval in the mail, which sent us into paperwork mode again. This form allowed us to fill out the next two forms, the I-800 and the I-864W. We spent all of Friday evening filling out forms, calling Great Wall to clarify how to fill out said forms, and making copies of documents to include in the packet. These forms are essentially asking for Maisey to become part of our family, US government-style. Once we get this approval, we wait about another week to hear from the Consulate, then we can mail everything back to Great Wall and hopefully get a travel approval (TA). We are still probably a month from that point, but it feels good to make progress.

Fingerprints

Yesterday, Steve and I were fingerprinted at USCIS for Maisey's Immigration. This is not an exciting step, but a necessary one. It allows us to proceed to the next step, so I am glad it is done. We now will wait for the approval, called the I-797C form. With that, we can apply for the next two approvals. It is a game of hurry up and wait. But wait we will.

In the mean time, Nana and I are shopping. This is going to be one well-dressed little girl. It is so fun to finally know age, size, and season. I have to admit, it is really cool to look in the baby girls' section of the store. Having two boys, I never looked a whole lot unless it was a gift for someone. Boy clothes are really adorable, too. But the shoes! Seriously, the little shoes! I can tell this is going to be a problem.

This is one of my favorite songs about adoption...

Steven Curtis Chapman's "When Love Takes You In"

Where We Are Now

Things are moving along. Last week, we received our Letter Seeking Confirmation. This is China's approving our referral and allowing us to proceed. It is a very big step. We expected it to take 1-3 months, and we received it in just a couple of weeks. Now, we are waiting for the United States to catch up. We received our appointments at the Department of Homeland Security to be fingerprinted next week. Once that is done, we are waiting for our I-797C form. This is basically a general immigration form. Once we receive it, we have to apply for Maisey's immigration and visa. It is only after we receive these two things that we can send everything back to the adoption agency and work on travel dates. We are still several steps away, but it is great to be moving along.

This month, we are four years into this adoption process. One year to complete all of the initial paperwork, and three years logged in and waiting. It is so amazing to know that we are this close, yet so difficult to look at that sweet face and not be able to go get her yet. It overwhelms me how in love I am so quickly. Although, I know there is a flood of emotion I haven't even begun to let out, too. When I had my boys, as the doctor placed each one of them on my stomach after they were born, I looked into their eyes and was instantly, overwhelmingly in love. I talked to so many people as we waited for this baby. Everyone said that we would know, just know, who our baby was and I believed them. I really did. But still, it caught me by surprise. That flood. That certainty. That overwhelming, instant, forever love. And all I have are five, grainy pictures. It is enough, though. Enough to know. I can't wait to see who this little one is and how she will forever change our family. Make her mark. Grow us. Teach us. 

Lisa


I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14 NIV84)

A letter from your father

Dear Maisey,

Maisey in China at 1 year old

We don't even know each other at this moment, but I will be your father through adoption.  We, my wife Lisa (your adoptive mother,) and I have been heading to this moment from well before you were born.  It brings us the greatest joy to know that we will be coming to get you soon.  

It's hard to know where to begin, I could give you so many details, but I won't.  Know that we have seen the hands of the Almighty God work with skillful precision throughout this whole journey to you.  I will tell you that the thought of being a Dad one more time is exciting.  We have two boys in our family who are all too excited to become your brothers. Our oldest is nearly 9 years old.  He's a very serious and intelligent boy who loves building Lego, crafts, and helping me around the house.  He is already well on his way to becoming a great man.  I'm so excited to see who he will become.  I'm sure he will be a lifelong source of council and friendship.  

Our youngest is 6 years old, soon to be our middle child.  He is a strong and passionate boy.  He loves intensely, cares deeply and will be your lifetime protecter.  He has been asking about you and planning, with great expectation, to be your big brother since he was 3.  We also have two pets.  Gunner, our Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and Spartacus, our Bengal cat.  They provide a lot of joy and happiness to our family.  

On April 16, 2012 at 11:04 PM we were awoken from a deep sleep when the phone rang.  It was our adoption agency calling us with the great news that you had been matched to our family.  The irony, and the most visible act of God's hand, is that we could have easily have been away in the Bahamas when the call came, and we would have missed this call.  But due to circumstances at my job, which I could not understand at first, I was not selected to join my other sales co-workers at the event in the Bahamas.  We were so excited when we were able to say "yes" to you.  We immediately prayed and sent in our letter of intent to the Chinese government.  We prayed that things would move quickly, and instead of two weeks, the pre-approval came in 3 days.  Then we sent our packet with our home study to China.  This will result in a "Letter Seeking Confirmation" which can take up to a month.  It came back a mere week later on May 3rd.  So here we are on the 5th, waiting to submit our final paperwork.  So things are moving very quickly, we expect to see you in 3-4 months.

I also want you to know that even though we've only seen your pictures we now know your name given by us, Maisey.  We are already in love with you!  I study the photos and often wonder what you're doing at any given moment.  Are you sleeping, or playing, are you hungry or scared?  When I think of those things, the "Papa Bear" comes out and I want to go get you immediately.  We have been praying that things would move quickly, and they have.  We are ready to come and get you as soon as we are able to do so, don't worry little girl your forever family is ready to receive you!  

Your Loving Father