Alysa's Big Adventure: Finally!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Finally!

The I171H form arrived yesterday! Woo-hoo! This is the approval from US immigration to bring an adopted foreign child home as a US citizen. Now for a quick run through the pile of documents with my agency coordinator, then off they go to the Colorado Secretary of State to be apostilled, then it's time to send them off to Kaz. There are many steps in that process too, but for today, I'm just happy to have made it this far!

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Timeline

October 26, 2008, 4:38pm MDT -- Newest US Citizen
October 26, 2008 -- Homeward Bound
October 12, 2008 -- Left Aqtobe for Almaty
October 7, 2008 -- We are family! (Gotcha Day)
October 3, 2008-- Return to Kaz - Trip 3
October 1, 2008 -- Adoption Decree signed by judge - You're mine!
September 15, 2008 -- Kaz Court
September 9, 2008 -- Return to Kaz - Trip 2
August 9, 2008 - End of Trip 1
July 22, 2008 -- I found you!
July 19, 2008 -- On da plane to Kaz
July 10, 2008 -- Letter of Invitation Received
February 1, 2008 -- Dossier sent to Aqtobe MOE
November 9, 2007 -- Aqtobe is my region!
November 5, 2007 -- Dossier to Ministry of Foreign Affairs
October 10, 2007 -- Dossier to Kaz Consulate in NY
October 5 -- Dossier in translation
October 2, 2007 -- Dossier FedEx'd to LMI!!!
August 21, 2007 -- I171H (approval from US immigration) received!
August 9, 2007 -- Homestudy submitted to USCIS.
June 15, 2007 -- Homestudy completed again! Sent to USCIS -- Not!
May 31, 2007 -- Homestudy completed. Not!
March 2007 -- Signed agency contracts
January-March 2007 -- Researched agencies, countries, etc.
March - November 2006 -- decided to move out of CA, found and started new job, sold CA house, bought CO house, and moved!
February 2006 -- Realized I needed a fresh start, whether or not I adopted
October 2005 -- Started researching adoption

A Bit About Kaz

Kazakhstan is the largest of the former Soviet republics in size (after Russia) and is the ninth-largest nation in the world. It shares a border with Russia on the north and is west of China. Kazakhstan gained its independence from Russia in 1991, and although traditionally a nomadic and pastoral society, the current way of life and culture reflect strong Russian influences. Kazakhstan has a population of over 15 million people comprised of 46% Kazakhs, 35% Russians, 5% Ukrainians, 3% Germans, and the remaining 11% a mix of other European and Asian ethnicities. While Kazakh is the "state" language, nearly everyone is bilingual in Kazakh and Russian.

About Me

Yep, I'm 40-something and going to be a single first-time parent!

And yes, many nights (days, nights, and more sleepless nights) I think I may have just lost my mind! But, I'm also excited and am looking forward to all the challenges, thrills, sweet little moments, panic, hope, messes, joys, and mostly love that will be an everyday part of my life.

I've changed my life pretty dramatically in the past year (new job, new state, new house, new life!) in part because I wanted a fresh start, but also because doing so allowed me financially and emotionally to pursue adoption.

Most of you know that my mother had me at nearly 40 and raised me alone. And this was back when being a single mom, and especially an older single mom, was not a very acceptable thing to do. I'm sad that Mom will never know her grandchild, but I know she would be thrilled that I am doing this. From her I have learned independence, tenacity, resourcefulness, and that family is not defined by numbers or what society thinks it should be, but by love and support. Thank you, Mom, for setting the example that has given me the courage to follow, in my own way, in your footsteps.

Alysa's Big Adventure

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Finally!

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