digitally fingerprinted by the US government

We went over lunch and it was a cold and snowy afternoon.

receipt of I600-A and an invite to fingerprint!

We made an appointment to get electronically fingerprinted.

our case worker visits our home

We had our final meeting with our case worker. She’ll spend 15 min. or so with Max and the rest of the time with us. Should be able to start the dossier & Vietnam application right after that.

receipt that USCIS received our I600-A

On the list waiting to get invite for fingerprint. At least we know they received our completed form.

dropped off our completed I600-A

We are waiting for our invite to fingerprint from Immigration, USCIS. (hoping for 3-4 weeks, but could be up to 3 months)

returned our completed culture questionnaire

We also scheduled our next and final meeting with our case worker in our home.

received another document to complete

A several page questionnaire about Culture Awareness.

meeting with social worker at our agency

We had a great meeting, very easy-going. Discussed adoption overall and how we got “there”? Why we chose Vietnam? How our family felt? The people that support us? etc. A lot of deep conversation.

2 days of pre-adoption classes

Thursday 12pm to 8pm and Friday 8am to 4pm Met nice couples. Had break-out discussions. Watched two videos; "Daugter from Danang" and "Lost girls of China" hosted by Lisa Ling. Both films were powerful and the days went by quickly. We were thinking it would be a long two days, but everything was interesting. We only got more excited afterwards. Not a lot we didn't know, but it was great to interact with other couples and meet our case worker.

dropped off 2nd part of application packet

Included: Birth Certificates, Marriage License, Physicals etc.

we are now open

We confirmed our file is officially “open”. Case worker to be assigned by Monday. Will be able to have first meeting next week.

our agency is officially licensed in Vietnam!

Received an email from the program director sharing the great news. Had been in process for a long time, but now it is official that they can begin referrals from Vietnam.

the three of us get fingerprinted

We went to a local security agency and were fingerprinted for our homestudy.

we turned in the 1st round of paperwork.

Included application, background info, etc. etc. etc. Now we’ll be in the system and be able to schedule our first interview with our social worker. Still have more things to gather.

attended a cross culture class at our agency

Speaker was great. He was a trans-racial adoptee. Really fascinating. Had several break out groups, met nice people.

the lengthy paperwork begins

Dropped off first paper work and fee. Received big packet to begin completing. We will attend our first adoption class on Friday!

decided on a local agency and their Vietnam program!

We really felt good about our decision and were excited to tell our families and friends.

we met with a third local agency

We felt like using this agency could lead to a very lengthy process. Estimating nearly 24 months until home with baby.

interviewed a second adoption agency

Met with the program director in regards to adopting from Vietnam. We really liked her and the program, she herself has adopted from Vietnam twice.

began interviewing adoption agencies

Met with an agency in regards to their Guatemala & China programs