Jan. 4, 2011: Trent and I pray about the desire to parent through adoption, feeling as though we're about to step off a cliff. I've already done a ton of research into various domestic and international adoption options, but now that this is more than a dream I launch into full-scale research mode.
Jan. 7, 2011: We email our sponsored children in Lesotho. I call Cheryl with Americans for African Adoptions and ask questions about Lesotho adoption.
Jan. 10, 2011: Initial application! Paperwork begins...
Jan. 19, 2011: Kristi's medical.
Jan. 24, 2011: Mailed homestudy paperwork.
Jan. 31, 2011: Mailed dossier paperwork to AFAA (ice storm delays its receipt). Kristi's first homestudy interview.
Feb. 3, 2011: Trent's first homestudy interview.
Feb. 15, 2011: Family homestudy interview.
Feb. 16, 2011: Trent's medical.
Feb. 22, 2011: Completed education requirement.
March 4, 2011: Home study draft received. (Cheryl in Africa.)
March 30, 2011: Cheryl, back from Africa, never received our home study draft. Turns out all of our emails to her during the month of March ended up in her spam! Updated with 2010 tax returns.
April 11, 2011: Home study finalized (finally!) Notarized copies added to dossier. Applied for 1-600A through USCIS.
April 16, 2011: Received Power of Attorney and Adoption Agreement paperwork from AFAA.
April 20, 2011: We notarize paperwork and mail it to AFAA along with half of Lesotho adoption fee. Dossier ready to go to Maseru...
May 19, 2011: I receive a message. "Match Meeting. You are P's mom."
May 27, 2011: USCIS fingerprinting.
June 12, 2011: USCIS approval.
July 7, 2011: AFAA emails P's birth certificate and police report.
Sept. 7, 2011: AFAA mail's P's medical information form.
Oct. 20, 2011: Important adoption meeting with Lesotho DSW and adoption agencies to clarify policies and procedures.
November 2, 2011: AFAA emails recent photos of P. He's gorgeous!
March 28, 2012: APPROVAL! We receive the paperwork approving our adoption of P.
March 29, 2012: Notarize and FedEx approval paperwork to lawyer in Lesotho. (Find out courts are closed for Easter holidays.)
April 18, 2012: High Court of Lesotho grants our adoption! P. is our son!
April 26, 2012: P.'s new birth certificate completed. Still waiting on passport.
May 3, 2012: We fly to Johannesburg to meet missionary family and drive to Lesotho.
May 7, 2012: Drive to MIS to meet P. The caregivers forgot today was his joining day and sent him to school. We wait... Drive back to MIS at 2:00 pm and finally meet our son!
May 10, 2012: Apply for P's expedited passport.
May 16, 2012: Receive P's passport. Whew! Embassy meeting.
May 21, 2012: Say goodbye to Lesotho. Dr. appointment in Johannesburg.
May 23, 2012: Visa appointment at US Consulate. Appproved!
May 24, 2012: Receive Visa!
May 27, 2012: Arrive home!
April 20, 2011: We notarize paperwork and mail it to AFAA along with half of Lesotho adoption fee. Dossier ready to go to Maseru...
May 19, 2011: I receive a message. "Match Meeting. You are P's mom."
May 27, 2011: USCIS fingerprinting.
June 12, 2011: USCIS approval.
July 7, 2011: AFAA emails P's birth certificate and police report.
Sept. 7, 2011: AFAA mail's P's medical information form.
Oct. 20, 2011: Important adoption meeting with Lesotho DSW and adoption agencies to clarify policies and procedures.
November 2, 2011: AFAA emails recent photos of P. He's gorgeous!
March 28, 2012: APPROVAL! We receive the paperwork approving our adoption of P.
March 29, 2012: Notarize and FedEx approval paperwork to lawyer in Lesotho. (Find out courts are closed for Easter holidays.)
April 18, 2012: High Court of Lesotho grants our adoption! P. is our son!
April 26, 2012: P.'s new birth certificate completed. Still waiting on passport.
May 3, 2012: We fly to Johannesburg to meet missionary family and drive to Lesotho.
May 7, 2012: Drive to MIS to meet P. The caregivers forgot today was his joining day and sent him to school. We wait... Drive back to MIS at 2:00 pm and finally meet our son!
May 10, 2012: Apply for P's expedited passport.
May 16, 2012: Receive P's passport. Whew! Embassy meeting.
May 21, 2012: Say goodbye to Lesotho. Dr. appointment in Johannesburg.
May 23, 2012: Visa appointment at US Consulate. Appproved!
May 24, 2012: Receive Visa!
May 27, 2012: Arrive home!
