Our Adoption Journey to Colombia: November 2002

Friday, November 1, 2002

Our Trip to Norway, Sweden, and Amsterdam

Our last big trip before Lori's stroke! We traveled to Norway, Sweden, and Amsterdam and had a wonderful time. We are so thankful we had the chance to go!

Special Dates

3/1/97 When we first met
6/23/97 When we were engaged
3/28/98 Our Wedding Day!
6/1/02 Dainis graduates with his Bachelor's Degree
1/24/03 Lori's stroke
5/5/03 Dainis was laid off
7/1/03 Dainis moves to AZ
9/1/03 Obstacle three hits our family
11/10/03 Therapy begins at SWAN Rehab
8/5/05 Our current home
3/28/08 Our 10th Year Anniversary
3/28/09 Our 11th Year Anniversary
3/28/10 Our 12th Year Anniversary
5/8/10 Dainis graduates with his MBA
6/5/10 Our first fundraiser: A Huge Benefit Sale
7/12/10 Our first meeting with Lutheran Social Service 7/22/10 Our pre-approval letter was sent to Colombia 7/25/10 Our first fingerprints
7/26/10 Our second fingerprints
7/30/10 Our registration forms were sent to LSS
8/7/10 Our first home study meeting with ICF!
8/25/10 LSS received our application
9/1/10 Our home study is done!
9/10/10 Our home study rough draft was sent to LSS 9/20/10 We received Pre-Approval from Colombia to adopt! 9/24/10 Our third set of fingerprints are on their way to the FBI 9/30/10 Our psychological evaluation is done
10/1/10 Our I800A Form was sent to LSS
10/2/10 Our home study was sent to AZ court for approval 10//10 Our jewelry and candle fundraiser begins
10/16/10 A big change to our adoption plans
10/31/10 Our home study was approved by AZ court! 11/9/10 Our approved FBI fingerprints arrived today! 11/15/10 Our approved home study and I800A forms are on their way to USCIS
11/20/10 Our I800A forms made it to USCIS in TX 11/29/10 Our I800A forms made it to MO for processing 12/16/10 WE ARE MATCHED!!
12/17/10 Our fourth set of fingerprints are off to USCIS 12/20/10 Our dossier is on its way to Colombia!
1/7/11 Our I800A was approved by USCIS!
1/17/11 WE GOT OUR REFERRAL!!
1/19/11 Our I800A approval from USCIS is off to Colombia! 1/24/11 We sent our acceptance letters to Colombia! 1/24/11 This is the 8th anniversary of Lori's stroke
1/29/11 Our kids's presents arrived in Colombia
2/9/11 Our fifth set of fingerprints are off to renew our FBI fingerprint approval, which expires every 6 months
2/17/11 We are officially approved to adopt the kids by ICBF! 3/1/11 Our translated documents are at our agency
3/3/11 Our Official Referral Call!
3/7/11 A very special day for our kids
3/11/11 USCIS received our I800 and it is now in process 3/14/11 We received our I-797C, Notice of Action from Homeland Security
3/24/11 Our I-800 Approval has been faxed to the US Embassy in Colombia!
3/24/11 Our travel call with LSS to start preparing for travel 3/28/11 Our 13th Wedding Anniversary
4/8/11 We arrive in Colombia!
4/12/11 Presentation Day with our kids!
4/27/11 Our Defender of Minors meeting
5/2/11 Our adoption is submitted to court
7/11/11 SENTENCIA FINALLY!!
7/12/11 Old birth certificates to the notary
7/13/11 Pick up new birth certificates, get passports, meet wih the Embassy doctor
7/14/11 Apply for the Visas
7/15/11 Pick up Visas
7/19/11 FINALLY FLY HOME!
4/12/12 Our first Gotcha Day as a family!
7/18/12 Our first anniversary of being home
7/26/12 Our Re-Adoption in AZ

James 1:27

Friday, November 1, 2002

Our Trip to Norway, Sweden, and Amsterdam