Once upon a time, not so long ago, there lived a man and woman in the country of Ethiopia. This First Mommy and First Daddy had two little boys and they loved these boys so much!
But one sad day, First Mommy went to be with Jesus in Heaven. First Daddy was very sad and he tried very hard to take care of the two little boys.
Some time later the Lord whispered to First Daddy’s heart, “There are a Forever Mommy and a Forever Daddy in America waiting for two little boys.” First Daddy wondered and prayed. Could his little boys be those little boys the Lord spoke of? First Daddy was very brave. He made an adoption plan – he brought the two little boys to a special home to stay in until Forever Mommy and Forever Daddy could come for them.
Meanwhile, in the country of America, there was a man and a woman who so wanted to have children in their home. One day, God whispered to the man and the woman’s hearts, “I have 2 children for you in Ethiopia.” The man and the woman wondered and prayed. They trusted God and wrote a letter to Ethiopia asking if they could adopt two children. They waited and trusted and one day the phone rang. “We have 2 little boys for you!”
Now the man and the woman were a Forever Daddy and a Forever Mommy and they were so excited! They got their house ready. They painted the bedroom walls, bought a new bedspread, and laid out matching footy pajamas. They sent pictures and toys to their two boys in Ethiopia and waited for the day they could go get them and bring them home.
That day finally came! Forever Mommy and Forever Daddy took a long plane ride to Ethiopia. They rode in a white van to the Transition House to meet their boys. Forever Mommy and Daddy saw their boys and cried with joy. The boys saw them and one gave a big hug and one was unsure. Everyone was a little worried. How would they be able to talk with each other? Then they all played tag and everyone was happy and okay!
At last, the Forever Mommy and Daddy had met the two precious boys that the Lord had known would be entrusted to them since before time. And a Forever Family was born.
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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!!
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