Thursday, June 19, 2008

CoolKazMoms

I just wanted to add that I wish there was more time for all of us to have together getting to know one another. I especially loved meeting all four planners and their families. I had spent so much time getting to know them a few months back that I really enjoyed finally meeting them.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Kazapalooza










We had such a great time in Chicago this past weekend at Kazapalooza 2008.
We finally got to meet in person some of the many families that we have become familiar with via their blogs about their adoption process in Kazakhstan and current lives back home.
I hardly make the time to continue our blog but thought for this occasion I must post some photos of our new friends. There were so many people to talk to we hardly got around to everyone but we all shared some special moments and a lot of love and fun.

Special thanks to Muriel, Michelle, Gretchen and Kristan for taking so much time and making the effort to pull this very successful event off. Good job girls, great to meet you all and will look forward to staying in touch and seeing you all again next year if not sooner. To everyone else who attended - I hope we can share in each others blogs and watch our beautiful children develop and thrive.

Timeline

11/08/07 Left Kazakhstan on route home to NYC
10/22/07 Left Arkalyk for Almaty
10/03/07 Court Day - Petition for Adoption Accepted!
9/15/07 First day in Arkalyk at orphanage, met Veronika
9/12/07 Departing NYC on route to Kazakhstan
9/04/07 LOI - arrived today!
8/24/07 Heard from Agency with information about children, region and some details about trip. (1 week to gather info while caseworker on vacation)
7/27/07 Began process of updating FBI clearance and medical forms
7/03/07 Dossier arrived in Astana, Kazakhstan at the MFA
6/27/07 Approved by Kaz Embassy in DC and shipped to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Astana, Kazakhstan (MFA is the 1st ministry to review dossier)
6/22/07 Dossier shipped to Kazakhstan Embassy in Washington, DC
6/01/07 Dossier fully translated and awaiting to be sent to Kaz Embassy.
5/21/07 Agency submitted dossier for translation.
5/15/07 Dossier complete / sent to adoption agency
5/09/07 I-171H Approval letter forwarded by INS to US Embassy in Almaty, Kazakhstan
5/01/07 Notarize, Authenticate, Apostille and copy of all documents
4/24/07 INS fingerprinting
4/08/07 Paper work hell...........working to gather all that is needed to complete dossier
3/12/07 Received notice of FBI clearance from US Department of Justice
3/11/07 Second home study visit
3/04/07 First home study visit
3/02/07 Had fingerprints taken for FBI clearance
2/28/07 I600A - Application filed with BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services ) for I-171H
2/21/07 Applied for home study review and began collecting documents for dossier
2/20/07 Signed with Adoption Agency - Adoption Ark