Our Adoption Timeline

April 2006
Applied to Gladney Center for Adoption
Mailed CIS application (Advance Processing of Orphan Petition)
CIS Fingerprint Appointment
Completed medical exams
May 2006
Mailed homestudy application to Families First, our homestudy agency
(Our homestudy included an autobiography for each of us; personal recommendations; background checks; self statements on marriage and family life, parenting philosophies, child rearing expectations, child cared plans, financial status, religion, health, home and neighborhood, references, and completion of a 10 hour on-line parenting course)
1st Home Visit: Initial joint interview with social worker; Home inspection completed
Began gathering documents for homestudy and dossier
June 2006
2nd Home Visit: Aaron and I met individually with social worker
Continued to gather documents for homestudy and dossier
July 2006
3rd Home Visit: Second joint interview with social worker
Approval of international adoption homestudy
Completed parenting course “With Eyes Wide Open” through Adoption Learning Partners
August 2006
Homestudy mailed to Gladney and CIS
September 2006
Formally Accepted by Gladney into their Ethiopian adoption program
Authenticate dossier documents (several documents had to be redone and resubmitted)
Dossier completed and sent to Gladney
Dossier mailed to Ethiopia
October 2006
October 9th - RECEIVED REFERRAL FOR BEAUTIFUL INFANT GIRL!
October 31st - Received CIS approval
Final documents submitted to Gladney
November /December 2006
Waited to receive word on Ethiopian court date which would determine our travel date
Submitted final adoption fees
Read and re-read Gladney’s guarantee and encouraging statements to get me through this difficult waiting period.
Communicated with other adopting parents for support
Decorated Nursery
January 2007
January 12th! Received travel call
January 29th Left for Ethiopia
January 30th Met our daughter!
February 2007
February 7th – Embassy Court date
February 9th and 10th- Traveled home as parents!