A little after noon today an email arrived from USCIS saying our case had just been completed and we would be receiving a new I-171H form within a few days - PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me back up a day: After receiving no answer from USCIS in response to an email sent by me Tuesday night, Mike called our federal senator and representative as well as local to ask for help. After work, I faxed our Privacy Act Release Forms to both our senator and representative's offices. By 10am this morning there was an email from USCIS stating they had received our requests and specifically wanted to know, in writing (but email form was fine) from both parents (to which I signed both Mike's and my name to the email) what we wanted changed or amended to our original form. I replied we wanted our new fingerprint expiration date and the age increase to 0-6 years old.
I don't know exactly what got things rolling but I know that God's people prayed for us and He moved!! To Him be all glory and honor and praise!
After we receive our form in the mail, we'll phone NVC (National Visa Center) to verify that the information was forwarded to them and then ask our agency to email the Embassy and verify that they have received the information (and on the advice of our Yahoo Group, we ask for written confirmation that the Embassy has the info!).
What a ride!!!!
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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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2010
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January
(21)
- 1/27/10 - The Saga Continues
- 1/25/10 - The New I-171H Form Arrives
- 01/21/10 - Surprises from My Coworkers
- The Paper Chain
- 1/21/10 - Update and HUGE PRAISE
- 1/19/10 - Update on the Age Range Update
- 1/18/10 - Paperwork and Plane Ticket Update
- 1/16/10 - Paperwork Update
- Stuffed Animals and Blankets for the Boys!
- Recent Newspaper Article
- 1/13/10 - WE HAVE OUR TRAVEL DATES!!
- Video of the Boys!
- 1/12/10 - No Dates Yet
- Care Package Update
- 1/08/10 - Do You Know When You're Traveling Yet?
- 1/07/10 - Merry Ethiopian Christmas!
- 75% Off Target Finds!
- Getting Ready for the Plane Ride - The Boys' Backp...
- The Murals Are Done!
- The Boys Are Ready for Winter!
- Christmas Presents for the Boys
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January
(21)
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