We drove to Charleston, SC on November 28, 2005, to get our fingerprints taken by the regional Citizens and Immigration Services office. The CIS is under the Department of Homeland Security of the federal government.
After we dropped the kids off at school, we headed out on our road trip. Al was in town for Thanksgiving, so he and I - along with Tricia and Ken - drove the 2 hour trip up the coast of SC to the office building. Tricia and Ken had to be fingerprinted also because they were mentioned in our home study. Since we are living with them while this paperchase process continues, they are required to be checked out as well. The CIS will conduct a thorough background check on all of us and when completed, they will issue the I-171H document that states we are approved to adopt internationally. They said it can take up to 90 days!! We had a very nice trip, just us adults. Thanks for the lunch and the driving, Ken!!!
Once we receive the I-171H, then we can submit the last of our dossier paperwork and have it finally be sent to China. There was a new directive issued a week ago stating that the referral time has been extended. That means that the time between when your dossier is logged in in China at the CCAA and the time you are referred a child has been lengthened to 10-12 months.
So, really, the waiting has just begun. I used to dream about having "Little China" with us by Easter. At this point, we will be lucky if we have her by Christmas 2006!!!!!!!!! Say a prayer!
I do not feel like we are closer to getting to her yet. I wish for and dream about her, but I can't feel her all the time. It's just too distant yet. Sometimes, when I am lucky enough to feel her in my heart, I melt. We sure do love her though!
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