Please join us in praising God for this good and perfect gift!
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Our Wedding Day - July 17, 2004
February 16, 2012 - THANK YOU Raykiewicz Family, Ms. Alison, Uncle Paul, Moore Family, Dave and Judy, and Nana!!
November 2012
Together at Last! February 19, 2010
Ethiopia
America
Our Ethiopian Adoption Journey . . . and Beyond "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18
Mike and Amy
Our Wedding Day - July 17, 2004
About Me - Amy
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
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!!
Posts
Blog Archive
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2009
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December
(11)
- Care Package Updates
- 12/30/09 - So What Happens Next?
- 12/24/09 - WE OFFICIALLY PASS COURT
- 12/15/09 - Still Waiting
- Mom and Dad's Dresser Drawers
- The Waiting Place
- The Boys Christmas Tree
- New Staff at the Transition House
- 12/10/09 - Care Package Updates
- 12/02/09 - Court
- 12/01/09 - My Verses for Today
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December
(11)
8 comments:
Mike and Amy,
Your boys are adorable!!!!Congratulations and Merry Christmas.
Blessings,
Sydney
What a wonderful Christmas gift!
This video montage will be a special gift to the boys. Can't wait to meet them!
Oh my goodness!!! Mike and Amy - they are beautiful!!! I am soooo happy for you and the boys.
Merry Christmas!
Love and Blessings,
Michelle Schaefer
Just checked in and suprise - great news!!! So happy for you guys!! Feel free to email if you need anything before and after travel. gillmanbk@hotmail.com
I will be praying for your trip!
What a Christmas present huh?
So happy for you!!
Kim
what a beautiful video! Congrats our dear friends....
I think my cheeks are going to be sore for a week -- I am smiling so wide watching that video!
What a wonderful God we have!
Great tribute to God's Plan A!
Congradulations! I am so very excited for you! Your boys are adorable and I am very excited for you to bring them home!
Merry Christmas!!!!!
-Rebecca (Threshold's niece)
We are so happy for you! What a great gift!
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