At Last

July 10, 2010 in Uncategorized

We are nearing the end of our time here in Ethiopia. I cannot believe how fast the time has flown by. It’s been an amazing trip but I am excited to get home and start our new life together.

So sorry for the late posting. I just haven’t had the desire to get on the computer since we left Denver.

One of our first family photos

Below are a few more pics of our time here in Ethiopia.

Hiking with the locals in the Simien Mountains in Gondar

Short hike at Lake Hora just outside of Addis

Mom and Makai hanging out at Kuriftu Resort

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About This Blog

This blog is dedicated to our journey of faith and obedience through international adoption. We want to invite you to join us on this adventure as we experience the joys, challenges and spiritual growth of adopting a child from Ethiopia.

Below is a timeline of our journey:

August 2008: Began adoption research for Ukraine.
September 2008: Experience tremendous road blocks with Ukraine. Decide to adopt from Russia and submit application to A Helping Hand adoption agency.
October 28, 2008: Orientation with placing agency, A Helping Hand. Begin to gather documents for dossier.
November 2008: Submit application to home study agency, Hope's Promise. Orientation with Hope's Promise. Begin to gather documents for home study.
December 2008: Submit home study documents.
January 2009: Begin to pray about switching to Ethiopia. Meet with friends adopting from Ethiopia. Make decision to switch. Have to find new placing agency because A Helping Hand does not have an Ethiopia program.
January 20, 2009: Home Study session #1 - couple interview
February 2, 2009: Home Study session #2 - individual interviews
February 9, 2009: Home Study session #3 - home inspection and final couple interview
February 11, 2009: Home study approved!
February 11, 2009: Orientation with new placing agency, Gladney Center for Adoption
February 13, 2009: Celebrate approval of home study at Ethiopian restaurant.
February 21, 2009: Begin 10 hours of on-line Hague adoption training.
February 25, 2009: Ethiopia conference call with Gladney staff and other adopting families.
February 27, 2009: Submit Gladney application part 1 & 2.
February 28, 2009: Receive random check in the mail from old friends wanting to contribute to adoption expenses! Huge blessing!!!
March 5, 2009: Submit Gladney program fee #1 and homestudy review fee.
April 1, 2009: Home Study is finally written and sent to Gladney for review.
April 3-4, 2009: Mandatory adoption training through Hope's Promise.
April 18, 2009: Submit post-placement fee to Hope's Promise.
April 22, 2009: California documents (birth certificates, marriage certificate, bank letter, reference letters) sent to Sacramento for authentication.
May 4, 2009: Received authenticated documents back from Sacramento.
May 6, 2009: I600a application (request to US immigration to adopt) finally mailed!
May 14, 2009: Launched ONE*C campaign and website to raise orphan awareness and help fund our adoption.
May 22, 2009: Went to immigration office to submit electronic fingerprints for our I600A application.
June 4, 2009: Finally approved by Gladney and submitted program fee #2!!!
June 26, 2009: Received immigration approval letter I-171H - the final document needed to submit dossier!
July 15, 2009: Turned in Colorado documents to the Secretary of State for authentication
July 16, 2009: Picked up authenticated documents from CO Secretary of State and sent completed dossier to Gladney via FedEx.
July 17, 2009: Received email from Gladney that they received our dossier and are officially on the wait list!!!
March 17, 2010: After exactly 8 months of waiting, we got our referral for a 12 month old baby boy!
May 7, 2010: The new travel 2x policy goes into affect, but get a call that our paperwork made it to court in time and we'll only be traveling 1x.
May 13, 2010: Get a call that our court date is set for June 4th
June 4, 2010: Court date delayed until June 7th due to a clerical error on paperwork
June 7, 2010: Pass court! He is officially ours!!! Embassy date set for July 8th
July 4, 2010: Gotcha day! Together at last.
July 13, 2010: Arrive home from Ethiopia

July 2010
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3 comments

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July 14, 2010 at 7:36 pm

Amy

“Short hike at Lake Hora” made me chuckle! Hope the rest of your trip home went well!

July 16, 2010 at 9:12 am

Nikki Zimmerman

I’m so glad Dean forwarded the blog to me. Your family picture brought tears to my eyes. What a blessing you three have – a family! Enjoy your time at home, Travis. If we can help in any way, let us know!

September 7, 2010 at 7:23 pm

Jennifer

I just came across your blog and I just wanted to congratulate you and tell you that you guys make an adorable family. We are also adopting from Ethiopia (just started blogging about it) after switching from Russia and I feel happy knowing another family out there has gone through making the same hard decisions.

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