paperchase2

Paperchase for Claire Amelia

Wednesday, June 4,2003: I was notified by email from my agency that my name had been called on the Singles Waiting List and if I was still interested in adopting from China to let them know as soon as possible. Well, I emailed immediately with a resounding YES!!! I thought it would be at least another year before my names could be called, so I was so surprised! I ran around my school telling all the teachers that Kate was going to have a little sister! They were just as excited as me, if that is possible! Needless to say, I began putting my paperwork immediately.
Thursday, June 5, 2003: I've got almost all of the paperwork assembled. The homestudy is underway. I am filling out the application for the INS I-600A form.
Friday, June 6, 2003: I sent my application to INS with a copy of my passport and birth certificate and a money order for $510.00. The application is $460.00 and the fingerprinting fee is $50.00. I also went to the local police station and had my police clearance paper notarized. It cost $5.00. Things are well underway!
Tuesday, June 10, 2003: I rec'd a letter from INS saying that they had received my application and that the anticipated wait for processing I600-A forms was ONE YEAR! I almost had a heart attack! How could this be? Last time, in 2000, it only took one month! Well, I started calling friends to ask them and they told me theirs said the same thing and they got their applications approved in a couple of months! I hope that happens!
Wednesday, June 11, 2003: Today, I went for my physical. Everything is AOK. My doctor partially filled out the required medical forms for me. I have to return so he can fill out my blood work once it is completed.
Friday, June 13, 2003: Today, I had my homestudy. My social worker has been to my home before so it was a breeze! Thank God!
Friday, June 20, 2003: I got my homestudy report in the mail today! Boy, that was quick!
Monday, June 23, 2003: Mailed homestudy to INS to complete my requirements for the I171-H Approval to Adopt letter. I hope I get that back soon, as that is the ONLY paper I need in order to complete my dossier. I am hoping for August 2003 DTC.!
Tuesday, July 1, 2003: Got fingerprinted today. I hope they were allright. Now I am waiting for my I171-H form from the BCIS. The Miami office is really backed up on paperwork so I think an August DTC is out of the question. Here's looking at September DTC!!
Saturday, August 2, 2003: Still no word on my I171-H form from BCIS. I hope next week is the week so I can get my dossier finished and sent off to my agency. I want to be DTC in September or October at the latest!
Monday, August 18, 2003: Today I was notified that my homestudy had a glitch in it and needed more clarification on my willingness to marry in the future. So, my SW fixed that wording and we resent the homestudy.
Monday, August 25, 2003: The BCIS contacted me today to say that I my state clearance record was out of date as of 2 weeks ago. So, I had to send in more money to get an updated letter. I should be approved by BCIS as soon as I get the letter, which takes about two weeks. What a difference from last time I went through this process. The details are much more carefully checked. I am glad though, because I want to get it right before it gets to China and they have something to say.
Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003: Finally, I got my INS approval letter, better known as the I-171H form. It took so much longer this time, but now I know I will be DTC in October!
Wednesday, October 1, 2003: I went down to the Secretary of State's office to have my dossier documents verified. The entire process took 5 minutes! That was the quickest part of this entire paperchase! Afterwards, I went to Mail Boxes, Etc. and sent the entire dossier to the Chinese Consulate in Houston, TX to be authenticated. I enclosed a pre-paid Fed Ex envelope so the consulate could forward my dossier to my agency in Seattle. The only problem I encountered was that I forgot that the Chinese Consulate was closed Oct. 1-3 for holidays. So, they authenticated my dossier on Monday, Oct. 6 and sent it to my agency on Tuesday, Oct. 7th. My agency rec'd the final dossier on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003!
Monday, October 13, 2003: I emailed my agency to see when my dossier would go to China and they told me they were missing one thing from my file. Passport pictures! So, I ran over and had them taken and sent them off to Wacap immediately!
Monday, October 20, 2003: DTC!! My paperwork was sent to China today! Now, I know everything is going to happen for sure! I'm so excited! The agency said they would let me know what date China logs in my dossier. They said it normally takes about 10 days! I hope I make it in time for October DTC!
Friday, October 24, 2003: The CCAA logged in my dossier today! I am officially DTC in October! To keep busy after the paperchasing, I decided to volunteer to create the October DTC Website. By default, I was also asked to moderate the October Yahoo Group. What a way to stay busy! Here is the website address if you would like to visit or join. We are called the Smashing Pumpkins!
The Smashing Pumpkins October 2003 DTC Group
Christmas Eve, December 24, 2003: Kate and I are spending Christmas at our new home in Savannah. We just put out Christmas cookies and eggnog for Santa and Kate left out a banana for Rudolph! She is so excited about Santa this year! We have been talking about how next year Claire will be with us to see Santa. Kate is just beginning to grasp the idea of a baby sister.
Easter Sunday, April 11, 2004: Kate and her friend, Daniella, had an Easter egg hunt at our home today. They had a wonderful time searching the yard for little colored eggs. We had such a great morning and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Claire. It is getting so close now. I am going to say that our referrals will come the week of June 7, 2004!
May, 2004: The rumors are really beginning to fly! Everyone is hoping for an end of May referral. Somehow, I doubt it but one never knows. I'm still thinking about the first week of June.
June 8, 2004: I GOT THE CALL!! I was sitting at the Mexican restaurant with Kate & Grandma Patty Poo and my cell phone rang! It was Sharon at WACAP to say that I had a beautiful baby girl. Her name is Hong Zan Die and she is 11 months old. Born on July 10, 2003 in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China. I am overjoyed!!
June 28, 2004: We expect to get our approval to travel to China this week. I cant wait!
July 28, 2004: Gotcha Day!! Today I received, by the grace of God, another beautiful baby girl with fair skin and no hair! She will be Claire Amelia Zan. Thank you Sophie Wong for all of your help and support while in China!
August 7, 2004