May (late) 2010- Received text from my friend, Cassie, with a picture of Paulius. For the next couple of weeks, I would stare at this sweet boy's face in that text message and think of him non-stop! Finally, after a few conversations with Cassie, I decide to talk to Bryon about the possibilty of adopting Paulius. I sell him on the idea, but with some reservations (mainly financial concerns).
June 9, 2010- Inquire about Paulius and his availability
June 11, 2010- Send in pre-application to Bethany Christian Services
June 30, 2010- Met with our first of three caseworkers that we would have through our journey.
July 4, 2010- I tell my family that we are pursuing adoption.
August 27, 2010- A very lengthy, thorough and complicated Formal Application is completed.
Sept. 1, 2010- We receive new photos of Paulius and are over the moon!
Oct. 27th 2010- Home Study is completed on our end. (now with 2nd caseworker)
Nov. 11, 2010- Home Study FINALLY submitted.
Dec. 20, 2010- Dossier meeting (with now our 3rd caseworker)
Dec. 30, 2010- Received a late Christmas present... more pics of Paulius from his Christmas in the orphanage.
Jan. 5th, 2011- National office requests changes to our home study by our caseworker.
Jan. 19, 2011- National office FINALLY approves our home study (you know, the one we finished on October 27th!!! Talk about a test of patience!)
March 18, 2011- After a possible job change, we are finally able to submit our USCIS application.
March 31, 2011- Receive MORE pics of Paulius, and my heart just melts all over again.
June 6, 2011- After one hang-up, we receive our USCIS approval.
July 12, 2011 (my birthday!)- Our dossier is completed, notarized, apostilled and copied.
July 15, 2011- Dossier submitted to Nashville office.
July 26th, 2011 (Abigail's birthday!)- We learn that our dossier has been approved and sent to Lithuania!!! WOOHOO for progress!
August 16th, 2011- Our dossier translation is complete and all paperwork is submitted to Adoption Services of Lithuania.
And so now we are here... just waiting on that referral to come! And trying to fundraise and come-up with the money to accept the referral the absolute DAY it arrives! I will sell everything not nailed down if I have to! I am so ready to bring our son home! I will keep you updated and let you know when the referral comes. You will probably hear me as I shout it from the rooftop LOL!
To see someone adopting from Lithuania is very rare. Not many people even know where Lithuania is :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you!
No kidding! This was definitely a situation where God intervened. Had that picture not come to me from a friend in a text message, we probably would have never taken the first step towards international adoption because of the expense. We are trusting God to continue to send His provision and complete this process. He hasn't let us down yet!
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