Arrival of the I-171H!!

After waiting a month for my fingerprint appointment, the "ok, you are not wanted by the FBI" form has arrived!!! What is doubly exciting about receiving it today is that the USCIS office was soooooo quick in processing the form!!!! It took only 7 days *including* the Christmas Holiday!!!Whoo-hoo to the local USCIS office!!! Some folks have waited months. Anyway, I got that little document notorized and on its way to be state certified!! A DTC date is surely in the works for January...could the LID (China Log in Date) be late January too?!?!? Dare I dream?!! Can I use the exclamation point key any more?!?!!?!!

Why I Chose You

My friend Cindy sent me and Ellie a couple of books. One of them, "Why I Chose You" had some very touching sentiments in it. This is one of my favorites:
"I chose you when I saw that you were waiting for someone to hold you close to their heart."
Awwww!!!

Why China?

Elena, r you?

My cutie pie niece (who just turned 2!) inspired the title of my blog. I wanted something personal and meaningful to us. One of K's many, many phrases (as a speech therapist I can attest that her language is above par!) was "[where] are you?" when playing hide and seek. So "Elena, r you?" is the question of the hour...or year as it may be! The spelling is kind of formerly known as Prince/cybertalk-ish but it works!
Here is K trying out one of her new gifts from Giggy and Papa. Play it, baby, play it!

My Timeline So Far

9/28/05 AFTH (adoption agency) Information Session
9/29/05 Application
10/5/05 Appointment with Social Worker
10/18/05 Appointment with Social Worker
11/4/05 International Adoption Class
11/11/05 Home Visit with Social Worker
11/14/05 Homestudy sent to USCIS
11/17/05 Fingerprint Appt. Letter Received
12/17/05 Authenticated Birth Cert (CA) Rec’d
12/22/05 Fingerprint Appointment
12/29/05 I-171H received!!
1/11/06 Authenticated Documents (DC) Rec’d
1/11/06 Documents to NY for Translation
February DTC (Documents to China)
2/7/06 Documents received by CCAA!!!! LID (Log In Date)
12/27/07 Homestudy Update Visit
2/1/07 February LID's out of Review Room!!!!
2/27/07 Homestudy/I600A Application Sent
3/8/07 Fingerprint Update Appt. Letter Received
3/17/07 Fingerprint Appointment
3/30/07 Renewed I-171H received.
3/25/08 Homestudy
4/7/08 Homestudy Recieved
6/17/08 Received Appt. Letter
6/24/08 Fingerprint Appt.
7/24/08 Renewed (and free!)I-1717 Received
Updated
10/10/08 Referral Received!
12/12/08 Leave for Hong Kong/China
12/14/08 Ellie in my Arms!
12/26/08 Back Home with Ellie

The sad news is that the wait between LID and being "matched" with my daughter is taking longer than ever. Everyone's fingers and toes are crossed that Elena will be home by next December. Told you it would be a long ride! =)

Fingerprints- Check!

The fingerprint appointment was super fast and easy. I hear the 'record' for the fastest returned paperwork is eight days. Well, figure in a holiday or two and I am hoping to see it in two weeks. Other cities take months so I should really count my blessings! Unfortunately cameras were not allowed at the USCIS building so Flat Stanley's visit could not be recorded. Instead he was taken on a consolatory visit to the local Starbucks/Barnes & Noble. Not quite as exciting, but at least he got out of the house, right?

Just thinkin' about toooooo-morrow!

Tomorrow is very exciting for two reasons. First, it is the start of the Winter Break and for the first time in 5 years I don't have a cold! Second, tomorrow is my fingerprint appointment at the USCIS office!!!! I have waited slightly over a month for this appointment. The paper issued (hopefully soon) after I am printed is the last bit of paperwork I need for authentication and then sending my dossier to China. I promised a student at school that I would bring his Flat Stanley guy along and take a picture of him if the USCIS people let me. Imagine if Flat Stanley's paper prints matched with someone "in the system." Maybe I'd better rethink this.... =)

The Very Beginning

Welcome to the inaugural post! I'm very excited to have a place to share my journey with all of my friends and family. Things have been happening relatively quickly over the past few months during my paperchase. Once that is over (late January?!) the wait is sure to be excruciating! Hopefully this will be one way to pass the time. =)