First let me say what an amazing honor it was to witness so many families see their children for the first time!!
And second let me say that it was an amazing day!! Way beyond what we even hoped, imagined, or prayed for. We have just returned from our authentic Ethiopian dinner and everyone is SO TIRED, emotionally and physically, so I'm just going to get the highlights and will add pictures when we get home (I don't think they have our picture program on this computer):
MORNING: Paperwork Party where we fill out the last (at least until post placement paperwork and readoption paperwork) of our adoption paperwork - yeah!!
LUNCH
TRANSITION HOUSE: There are actually two transition houses, so all the children 2 and older are at the other house but it is only about a block away. So all the babies were called first. Then the van carrying the boys drove through the gate!! Words cannot describe what it was like to know that our sons were just inside that van! All the older children are told their parents are coming and we were told by Famy, one of the America World workers, that our boys were excited!
Things we expected - John was all smiles (especially for the camera) and Ryan was a bit serious
Things we didn't expect - John walking up to me right away and giving me a hug! How tiny and totally cute they are! That they LOVED being chased and giggled like crazy when we picked them up and tickled then and kissed them and gave them raspberries! That it only took about 10 minutes and a game of chase for Ryan to smile! That John would spend 20 minutes coloring a page in the coloring book my Mom sent with us! Both boys holding bubbles out to us asking for help opening them! That Ryan would hold our hands and walk with us! That both boys several times would ask to be picked up! That when asked by the doctor who Mike was, John answered "Ababa" (Daddy) and who I was answered "Mommy" and where are we going he pointed up in the air for airplane!
Tomorrow we get to go get them and bring them to the Guest House with us - and the fun will begin!!
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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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February
(16)
- First Days at Home!
- 2/22/10 - First Days at Home
- Everything Went Great at the Embassy!!!
- Metcha Day
- We are here!!!
- 2/12/10 - "So how are you doing?"
- A Few Little Changes
- Look What the Stork Brought!
- Just for Fun - A Few Websites
- The Week in Ethiopia: A Preview
- Last Care Package Update
- Small Group Shower
- Care Package Update
- 2/05/10 - A Beautiful Email!
- 2/03/10 - Sorrow and Joy
- 2/1/10 - Not Too Much of an Update
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February
(16)
14 comments:
Oh Amy,
It sounds like a wonderful day! I am praying for quick attachment and painless flight home
Love you
Danielle
WOW AMY!!! YOU Made my night. i just about screamed when i saw you had posted!
Awesome. So glad you're enjoying this incredible journey and your precious kiddos.
gina
What a wonderful day! Thank you so much for sharing your joy and excitement. Praying that the transition will be very smooth for your family!
Oh Amy!!! I have chills just reading about you & Mike meeting the boys. My heart is so joyful and my eyes have tears! Praise the Lord for his awesome blessings to you! Enjoy your week! Love Pam
Amy & Mike,I have tears of joy in my eyes just reading this. Thanks for sharing your incredible journey! Have a great week and safe travels!
Dear Amy and Mike,
What a wonderful day you two have had. We are so happy for you, and we know what it's like to see your child(ren) for the first time - it is truly God's miracle.
With all our love,
Mom and Dad
I'm very excited to meet the boys!
Love,
Samantha
Ms. Amy!!!! We are super excited for you! It must have been amazing to meet your boys for the first time. Thanks for updating the site with so many details. Enjoy every minute in Ethiopia and congratulations on your family of 4!!!
Love the Wiley's
Mike and Amy,
I know it will come as no surprise to you that your boys are the topic of conversation at our breakfast, lunch, and dinner tables, at the dance studio, at Woodview school, in the car, and wherever we go. Your nieces are already filled with love for John and Ryan, and they cannot wait to grow up together. I'm incredibly happy for all of you.
Many blessings,
Penny Dawn
Beautiful!! Can't believe you are coming home soon with those boys! We are praying for you all.
~Katie
Amy,
I'm so excited for you! Hanging on every word!
Audrey Ferrel
Oh my gosh how exciting to read about your first meeting with your boys! I am SO happy for you and can't wait to see pics of your whole family together! God is so good!
:) Jeanine
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