Our Ethiopian Adoption Journey . . . and Beyond
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18
09/02/09 - Mike's Quiet Time Verse
Mike will frequently write down verses he read during his daily quiet time on notes and index cards and place them around the house. Here's what was on the computer when I came home today:
I live in a small town in northern Illinois, half way between Chicago and Milwaukee. I am a child of God, wife, Mom to 3 beautiful boys born in Africa (2 home since 2010, one still waiting for), and child care provider.
As a family we love camping, going on adventures (and most of life is an adventure!), being with friends and family, and our sports teams - the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Cubs.
I am passionate about adoption and always available to answer questions or share from our experience. Please feel free to email me at mikeandamy@tds.net
Puzzle Progress
February 16, 2012 - THANK YOU Raykiewicz Family, Ms. Alison, Uncle Paul, Moore Family, Dave and Judy, and Nana!!
Adoption Fundraiser
We are excited to launch our adoption fundraising efforts in a unique way - a puzzle fundraiser! (see above picture) We are asking pieces be "sponsored" for a donation of $2.00 a piece. Donations can be given directly to us or mailed to us at: Mike and Amy Vagnoni, 408 South Slusser Street, Grayslake, Illinois, 60030.
Just Love Coffee
Purchase fair trade coffee – beans from around the world, roasted here in the United States, both whole bean and ground available. And we receive $5 for each 13 oz. bag sold! Visit https://justlovecoffee.com/about/beneficiary/thevagnonis/ for more information and to purchase!
Adoption #2 Time Line
09/30-10/1/11 - Attend the Crossroads of America Adoption Conference in Indianapolis
10/13/11 - Submit application to MLJ
10/14/11 - We are approved by MLJ!!!
10/21/11 - Adoption on Hold
01/13/12 - Decide to begin fundraising in hopes of beginning paperwork in late summer/early fall
03/05/12 - Submit application to Adoption-Link for international home study
03/07/12 - Approved by Adoption-Link!
04-06/12 - Meet with social worker, gather paperwork, and attend training
07/16/12 - Homestudy complete!
08/12 - Homestudy approved by DCFS and MLJ
08/12 - gather a few more pieces of paperwork
09/06/12 - I-600A form submitted to USCIS
09-10/12 - gather paperwork for dossier
10/12/12 - Fingerprinting appointment
10/25/12 - I171-H form arrives!
11/13/12 - Receive our Referral - It's a Boy!!!
01/15/13 - We have Danny's Passport
02/13 - We pass court in Danny's birth country - we are recognized as his parents!
03/12 - Sumbit I600 form
04/23/12 - US Embassy in country begins its investigation
01/28/13 - 9 months and 5 days later OUR INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE!!!
02/24/13 - Danny's Visa Appointment
Our Family!
November 2012
Entoto Mountain
Together at Last! February 19, 2010
Family of Four
Ethiopia
Family of Four
America
Adoption Time Line
02/29/08 - Attend Steven Curtis Chapman Concert Where We Learn About Upcoming America World Seminar
03/08/08 - Attend America World Seminar
05/22/08 - Send Program Application to America World
06/17/08 - Acceptance Call from America World!
07/08 - Read through Dossier Guidelines and books about Ethiopia from the library and complete 8 hours of Online Training
08/21/08 - Home Study Update Started
08/22/08 - Begin to Gather Paperwork for our Dossier
09/19/08 - Passports Arrive
09/26/08 - I600-A Form on File with USCIS
10/15/08 - We Are Fingerprinted
10/22/08 - Paperwork Complete!
11/18/08 - Home Study Update Completed!
12/01/08 - Home Study Approved by LCFS(our home study agency) and AWAA(our international adoption agency)
12/09/08 - Home Study Sent to Illinois Intercountry Coordinator at DCFS for Approval
01/26/09 - Read Through Changes in Dossier Guidelines and Begin to Regather Paperwork
01/26/09 - Home Study Endorsed by State of Illinois
02/09/09 - Home Study Sent to USCIS for Approval
02/27/09 - Corrected Home Study Resent to USCIS for Approval
03/15/09 - We have regathered all needed paperwork!!
03/30/09 - 2nd Corrected Home study resent to USCIS for Approval
05/01/09 - the I171-H form arrives in the mail!
05/14/09 - First Attempt to Certify Paperwork
05/21/09 - Second and Successful Attempt to Certify Paperwork
05/21/09 - Dossier and Other Papers FedExed to America World!
05/29/09 - We are Date to Ethiopia (DTE) - Our paperwork is on its way to Ethiopia!!!
08/27/09 - Receive Our "On Deck" Email!
09/18/09 - Home Study Update Begins (to increase our age range from 0-3 to 0-5 years old)
10/01/09 - Home Study Update Complete and Approved - Sent to DCFS for Approval
10/20/09 - Referral Day!!!!!
10/23/09 – FedEx Our Referral Acceptance Letter to America World!
11/12/09 - We learn our court date will be December 2!!!!
11/30/09 - Updated Home Study is FedExed to USCIS
12/02/09 - Court Date: We don't fail but we don't quiet pass
12/24/09 - WE PASS COURT!
12/30/09 - Refingerprinted because our prints expire January 15
01/04/10 - Begin another home study update due to Mike's change of job
01/14/10 - Receive Endorsement Letter from DCFS for New Home Study
01/21/10 - Our Case (Update) is Completed by USCIS
02/03/10 - Paperwork is Received at National Visa Center
02/05/10 - Embassy in Ethiopia Verifies They Have Updated Information
02/13/10 - Leave for Ethiopia
02/14/10 - Arrive in Ethiopia
02/15/10 - "Metcha" Day
02/16/10 - "Gotcha" Day
02/19/10 - Leave Ethiopia (but a part of our hearts remain!)
02/20/10 - Arrive back home a Family of Four!
04/01/10 - Readoption Day in Chicago
05/13/10 - Readoption Complete!
07/15/10 - Issued American Birth Certificates
11/08/10 - Apply for Certificates of Citizenship for boys
12/03/11 - Pick up the boys' Certificates of Citizenship!!
2 comments:
Love it!
I love it too!!a
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