The Process...

As we learn more about the long process of intercountry adoption, we'll keep you updated as to our next steps. For now, here's what we know...
  1. Complete our initial adoption application. Approval takes two weeks.--DONE!
  2. Begin gathering paperwork, complete home study, fingerprinting, etc. Takes 5-8 months.
    1. Gathering home study documents--DONE!
    2. Get fingerprinted and apply for FBI Clearace--DONE!
    3. Complete 10+ hours of online Hague required adoption education--DONE!
    4. Gathering documents for dossier...many of which were from the home study process, but need an additional certification called and apostille.--DONE!
    5. Take psychological tests and get evaluation--DONE!
    6. Two or three home study appointments and interviews--DONE!
    7. Get home study approved--DONE!
    8. Send home study to US Customs and Immigration Services for I-800A filing--DONE!
    9. Receive I-797 from USCIS and get fingerprinted (again!) to get customs clearance--DONE!
    10. Complete compiling of dossier, which includes approved home study, gazzilion documents, FBI and Customs clearances, psychological evaluation and family pictures--DONE!
    11. Dossier is translated and sent to Colombia for approval--DONE!
  3. Wait...depending on the age of the child, we will wait from 24-36 months before receiving a referral from Colombia. We expect a more realistic timeline is 36+ months.
    1. During part of that time, Jon should be deployed. I'll be home with Madison starting school. All of us will stay busy learning more about Colombia and hopefully learning Spanish.

      APRIL 30, 2013--STOPPED PURSUING OUR ADOPTION FROM COLOMBIA DUE TO CHANGES IN THE EXPECTED TIME, COST, AND THE FACT THERE IS LITTLE TO NO HOPE THAT WE'LL GET A BABY.
  4. Referral! This is when we'll learn if it's a boy or a girl. We'll have up to two weeks to accept the referral and have any medical information on the child reviewed.
  5. Pack! We'll have 6-8 weeks to pack for our trip, firm up childcare for Madison and prepare the room.
  6. Travel to Colombia! Jon and I will both be required to travel to Colombia and remain in country for the 3-5 week process. We should get our child within 24-48 hours or arrival and he or she will be with us throughout the trip.
  7. Come home...the Lord only knows what this will entail, but I can't wait!
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