A Forever Family - Our Joyful Journey: Our SWEET PEA

Adoption Terminology

GAS - Global Adoption Services (Pakistan IA agency)
LH - 3rd IA Agency - Lighthouse Adoptions (Ann Arbor, MI)
AA - 2nd IA Agency- Adoption Ark
CHI - 1st IA Agency - Children's Hope International
CC - Catholic Charities - (local HS agency)
PAP - Pre Adoptive Parent(s)
IA - International Adoption
PGO - Permanent Guardianship Order - required legal custody document for Pakistan.
IR-4 Immigrant Visa - Internatonal Child Adopted in the US - Adopting Country issues a Permanent Guardship Order. Child receives US residency (green card) until readoption in the US/State grants an Adoption Decree. Then child becomes a US Citizen. (Pakistan)
IR-3 Immigrant Visa - International Child Adopted Abroad - Adopting Country issues an Adoption Decree. Child becomes a US Citizen when child touches US soil. (Russia)
Dossier - Documents & paperwork bound together for the parents side of the adoption. Usually contains medical, psychological, financial, employment, etc. documents.
HS - Home Study - State required study of my home/family by a licensed child placement agency
NVC - National Visa Center - Organization that submits USCIS approved I-600A/I-600 to US Embassy for visa applicaton in adopting country.
I-600 - authorization to bring foreign born child into U.S.
I-171H - U.S. approval of I-600A to process an international adoption. Requires HS and biometrics.
Biometrics - Fingerprinting of PAP
I-600A - U.S. application to process an international adoption
USCIS/BCIS - United States Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (Homeland Security). Approves I-600A/I-600, performs Biometrics, issues 171-H
Apostille - State Dept. verification of Notary Public signature & seal on dossier documents.
SOS - Secretary of State
PPR - Post Placement Report
MOE/DOE - Ministry/Department of Education - Russia's governing dept for adoption
Referral - The child offered to the PAP for adoption.
BH - Baby House - Orphanage for children 0 - 3 or 4 years of age.
Kemerovo - Region of Russia (like our state). Located in the area of Siberia (like our Midwest or South)

May 19, 2014 - Marina Grace's Humanitarian Parole expiration date! Will the residency/citizenship ruling from USCIS come in time? We will see ...
Jan, 2014 - Now the 3-6 month wait for USCIS ruling
Jan 10, 2014 - Dossier for permanent residency & citizenship filed with USCIS ...
September 27, 2013 - Expedited hearing for Adoption by Tulsa District Family Courts. A favorable ruling & Marina Grace Baney becomes my daughter & I become MG's Mama! YEAH!!!
Aug, 2013 - US Petition for Adoption & US Adoption Dossier finished! Sent to Tulsa District Family Courts ...
June, 2013 - US Domestic Home Study complete! Begin US Adoption process with Petition for Adoption ...
Jan, 2013 - Begin process of US Domestic Home Study
September, 2012 - Begin the process of "next steps" for permanent residency & citizenship for Gracy! What do we need to do? Visits with attorneys & experts on how best to get through it ALL!
May 21, 2012 - HOME at LAST!!! Arrive in Tulsa, OK (5:30 p.m.) - Wonderful Airport Party of Family/Friends! YEAH!!!
May 20, 2012 - Arrive in Houston, TX (Emirates Airline). Arrive 4:30 p.m. Waited in Customs/USCIS for 4 hours to get HP parolee stamp in MG's passport. 2 year parolee stamp (5/20/2014). Drove to Austin, TX for the night.
May 19, 2012 - Going HOME! Emirates flight from Islamabad, Pakistan (1:30 a.m.)
May 7, 2012 - USE/Islambd appointment for Humanitarian Parole Document pick-up.
Apr 15, 2012 - HP APPROVED by USCIS!!!
Apr 2012 - Supplemental HP RFE dossier filed.
Mar 2012 - HP reviewed by USCIS & supplemental RFE dossier required. 8 add'l RFE requested.
Feb 2012 - Humanitarian Parole application resubmitted I-131 with I-134 application included.
Feb 2012 - HP application rejected.
Jan 2012 - HP application (I-131) resubmitted with additional documentation/evidence.
Jan 2012 - Humanitarian Parole application (1-131) rejected.
Jan 11, 2012 - Mama returns to Pakistan to continue taking care of SP.
Dec 7, 2011 - Mama returns home to US to spend time with Nicky & family (5 weeks).
Dec 21, 2011 - Submit Humanitarian Parole application (I-131 form). Since we have exhausted ALL visa options for SP to travel to the US for treatment of her hydrocephalus, we are applying for a HP. This is a travel document (not a visa) for travel to the US & a temporary stay up to 12 months. Hopefully this will be approved so SP can travel for shunt surgery for Hydrocephalus. It will take 4-6 months to process through USCIS for the HP.
Oct 18, 2011 - Submit I-290B appeal legal brief with evidence to AAO in Washington, D.C. The formal I-600 Appeal (I-290B) will take 12-24 months to process through USCIS/AAO in Washington.
Sep 21, 2011 - Non-immigrant medical B visa denied by USE/Islamabad. Since SP needs medical attention for her hydrocephalic condition, we tried to obtain a medical B visa for her to travel to the US for specific medical treatment - - - it was immediately denied by the USE/ISL.
Sep 16, 2011 - Submit formal Appeal (I-290B) for USICS Denial.
Aug 18, 2011 - Formal Denial received from USCIS New Delhi, India.
Aug 8, 2011 - Submit legal/appeal response to NOID.
Jul 16, 2011 - NOID received from USCIS New Delhi, India.
May 31, 2011 - USE/Islamabad decides case is too "complex" to grant I-600 orphan status approval. Forwarded on to USICS New Delhi, India for evaluation & approval.
April 20, 2011 - Submit USCIS I-600 application/dossier to USE/Islamabad.
April 15, 2011 - Pakistani Civil Court issues Certificate of Guardianship.
April 12, 2011 - Pakistani High Court grants guardianship order appeal changes per US Immigration law.
Mar 13, 2011 - Uppa D returns to the US to take 24/7 care of our All Star.
Jan 24, 2011 - Physical custody of Sweet Pea! Mama & Uppa D took a taxi to Edhi Home. At 3:30 p.m. Sweet Pea was handed to Mama . . . Forever!!!
Jan 19, 2011 - 2nd Guardianship Order is granted by Pakistani court of law.
Jan 11, 2011 - Mama & Uppa D travel to Pakistan!
Dec 20, 2010 - 1st Pakistani court hearing for new, 2nd guardianship order.
September 2010 - "Green Light" from legal services to attempt a 2nd Pakistani guardianship order & complete the adoption of Sweet Pea!!!
April 2010-Aug 2010 - Remediation/"Clean Up" of Sweet Pea's identity documents.
April 2010 - Criminal case of child trafficking is closed with 4 Pakistani individuals arrested, tried in a Pakistani court of law & sentenced.
PRAY for a MIRACLE!
At this point in time, Custody of Sweet Pea is undetermined. Awaiting, hopeful, a mid-Jan final decision from Pakistan & US authorities.
Oct 15, 2009 - Sweet Pea is placed in an Edhi Home orphanage, a government recognized & approved legal child placing entity.
Oct 15, 2009 3:30 AM - Left Islamabad, Pakistan, back to US, without Sweet Pea!
Oct 14, 2009 3:00 PM - US Embassy in Isamabad denies Sweet Pea's immigrant visa. After the I-604 investigation of identity documents, SP's birth cert & b.mother's death cert. are verified to be forged. SP is taken into custody of the FIA (Federal Investigation Agency), Islamabad, Pakistan.
Oct 14, 2009 1:00 PM - 3rd visit to US Embassy & final interview. Submitted final documents, I-600, I-864 & attested PGO.
Oct 14, 2009 11:00 AM - Finally received the attested copy of the PGO. Had to wait 2 days for an attestment (notarized) copy. Rush to US Embassy for final intervew & immigrant visa approval.
Oct 13, 2009 - Electronic I-600A file issues through NVC is finally resolved; resubmitted & assigned to Islamabad, Pakistan. Received I-600 form to complete & submit to US Embassy. Final interview & appointment for immigrant visa set for 10/14/09. SO EXCITED . . . going HOME! After all the stress, a celebration & evening of shopping!
Oct 12, 2009 - 3rd Court Hearing. Finally! PGO is dictated & signed by judge.
Oct 8, 2009 - 2nd Court Hearing date & final court decision on PGO. I officially have legal cusody of Sweet Pea/Marina Grace. However, judge continues dictating the order until 10/12.
Oct 7, 2009 - 2nd visit to US Embassy; Submitted I-230 form, received I-864 form, discussed issues with electronic I-600A file with Director of American Citizen Services (Mr. Frank Tu). He is now the agent assigned to our immigrant visa application case. I originally thought it was because of our electronic I-600A file issue with the NVC, but now know it was due to Mr. Tu's investigation into GAS.
Oct 5, 2009 - 1st visit to US Embassy to begin application for SP's immigrant visa. Submitted all SP's identity documents (except final PGO) to begin verification. Received I-230 form. Learned that PAP electronic "physical" file (I-600A) is not assigned to Islamabad (still assigned to Russia). Contacted National Visa Center to try to resolve.
Sep 29, 2009 - 1st Court Hearing to submit documents/evidence to court; Court/Judge's final decision continued until 10/8.
Sep 25, 2009 - Received signed Deed of Adoption; Public-at-large Notification in several public newspapers. Need to wait the required 10 days for any b.family members to contest adoption.
Sep 24, 2009 - Registered Deed of Adoption; Court Hearing for Permanent Guardiansip Order set on docket for 9/29; Met birth father.
Sep 23, 2009 - Appointment with Pakistan attorney & GAS to review court documents.
Sep 21, 2009 4:30 PM - "Gotcha Day"!
Sep 21, 2009 - Arrive in Islamabad, Pakistan. (8:30 am)
Sep 20, 2009 - Arrive in Dubai. (14 hour flight from Houston,TX)
Sep 19, 2009 - Leave for Pakistan & Sweet Pea!!!
Aug 28, 2009 - Pakistan adoption for the same baby girl is back on - Everything has finally worked out! YEAH!
Back in the WAIT for RUSSIA or PAKISTAN.
Aug 20, 2009 - Baby Girl in Pakistan has not worked out.
Aug 19, 2009 - Received updated I-171H for country change to Pakistan.
Aug 10, 2009 - Received Visas for Pakistan.
Aug 1, 2009 - Court Dossier FINISHED. Sent to LH & GAS.
July 28, 2009 - Apply to USCIS for I-171H approval w/Country Change to Pakistan.
July 28, 2009 - Apply for Visa.
July 28, 2009 - Home Study updated w/Country Change to Pakistan.
July 16, 2009 - YES to Referral - Baby Girl 10 days old!
July 12, 2009 - USCIS Approval for I-171H update (3rd approval).
July 8, 2009 - REFERRAL from PAKISTAN!
June 15, 2009 - Conversation & Interest in Pakistan program w/LH.
********** Added New Country - PAKISTAN **************************************************************
Jun 12, 2009 - USCIS Biometrics appt for I-171H update.
Jun 1, 2009 - Waiting for Referral - July Estimate
May-Jun, 2009 - USCIS I-171H update.
Mar 1, 2009 - Waiting for Referral - Late May Estimate
Jan 2, 2009 - Registered in Region - Krasnoyarsk (Siberia)
Dec 16, 2008 - Add'l docs required from HS Agency
Nov 11, 2008 - Dossier sent to Russia/Translation
Oct 24, 2008 - MOE Dossier Complete!
Oct 10, 2008 - Signed with Lighthouse Adoptions (LH), new IA Agency
********** Change in Agency ****************************************************************************
242 Days of Time invested with AA
Currently Registered in 2 Regions (Kemerovo/Vladivostok)
Jun 20, 2008 - Kemerovo Region Open
May 20, 2008 - Competed MOE Dossier - Vladivostok
Apr 2008 - Kemerovo Region Closed
Feb 28, 2008 - Sent to Russia!
Feb 25, 2008 - Completed MOE Dossier - Kemerovo
Feb 4, 2008 - Signed with Adoption Ark (AA), new IA Agency.
********** Change in Agency *****************************************************************************
744 Days of Time invested with CHI
Jan 25, 2008 - received updated I-171H. Good for another 18 months!
Jan 7, 2008 - USCIS I-171H - apply for extension (expires after 18 months)
Dec 21, 2007 - CHI Accreditation APPROVAL !
Sep 2007 - USCIS Biometrics update (expires after 15 months)
Aug 2007 - 2nd CC Home Study Update (expires after 12 months)
Jan 1, 2007 - Russian Family Law signed by Pres. Putin
Jul 29, 2006 - Dossier Completed & Sent to CHI/Russia
Jul 14, 2006 - Trip to OKC for dossier appostilles
Jul 13, 2006 - USCIS I-171H aproval!
Jun 4, 2006 - USCIS/BCIS/INS Biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment
May 15, 2006 - USCIS I-600A application
May 15, 2006 - CC Home Study approval & report
May 13, 2006 - CHI Accreditation EXPIRES !
Apr 2006 - CC 2nd Home Study visitation
Mar 2006 - CC 1st Home Study visitation
Feb-Mar 2006 - Medicals, Psychological Eval, Police Report, etc.
Jan 2006 - CHI Adoption Appliction/Contract; CC application

Adoption #1 Time Line - Complete Sept 2004

Dec 19, 2007 - Nicky turns 5!
Sep 2007 - 4th Final PPR (36 months)
Jul 2006 - 3rd PPR (24 months)
Jun 2005 - 2nd PPR (9 months)
Apr 24, 2005 - Baptism
Apr 22, 2005 - Readoption Court Hearing
Dec 2004 - 1st PPR (3 months)
Dec 19, 2004 - Nicky turns 2!
Sep 24, 2004 - HOME Oklahoma!
Sep 23, 2004 - Home NYC
Sep 21, 2004 - 2:00 p.m. U.S. Embassy Interview
Sep 20, 2004 - 5:30 a.m. flight back to Moscow; 2:00 p.m. Nicky's medicals (dr appt 3:00)
Sep 17, 2004 - "GOTCHA" Day - picked up Nicky at 10:30 a.m.
Sep 16, 2004 - COURT Hearing; 10:00 a.m. (30 minutes)
Sep 15, 2004 - Saw Nicholas for 2 hours; court hearing briefing
Sept 14, 2004 - walking tour of Moscow (Fabulous!); left Moscow 10:00 p.m. Siberian Airlines arrived Novokuznetsk early next a.m.
Sep 12-14, 2004 - Flight schedule same as Trip #1; US domestic flight through Delta instead of AA
Sep 12-24, 2004 - * 2nd TRIP *
Aug 20, 2004 - CHI called with Trip #2 schedule & Court Date !
Aug 16, 2004 - Back to Work :o) (trying hard to stay awake) !
Aug 15, 2004 - left NYC 12:00 p.m.; left Atlanta 4:30 p.m.; arrived Oklahoma 6:00 p.m.
Aug 14, 2004 - left Novokuznetsk 5:30 a.m.; left Moscow 2:00 p.m. arrived NYC 8:00 p.m.
Aug 13, 2004 - Signed Petition to Court; finalized name - Nicholas Ivan
Aug 11, 2004 - 10:00 a.m. - 1st Meeting with Artyom Victorovich
Aug 11, 2004 - 6:00 a.m. arrive Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo (Siberia)
Aug 10, 2004 - left Moscow 10:00 p.m.; Siberian Airlines
Aug 10, 2004 - Driving tour of Moscow
Aug 9, 2004 - arrived MOSCOW 1:00 p.m.
Aug 8, 2004 - left Oklahoma 7:00 a.m.; left Atlanta 10:30 a.m.; left NYC 8:00 p.m.
Aug 8-15, 2004 - * 1st TRIP *
Jul 16, 2004 - "The Call" - no info, blind referral
Dec 29, 2003 - CHI called with assigned region - Kemerovo
Nov 29, 2003 - Completed Dossier Sent to CHI/Russia
Nov 15, 2003 - I-171H Approval!
Oct 14, 2003 - USCIS Biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment
Sep 2003 - CC Home Study approval & report
Aug 2003 - CC Home Study 2nd visitation
Jul 2003 - CC Home Study 1st visitation
Jun 2003 - CHI application & contract; CC application
Mar 2003 - Defining moment - flight from LA - Adoption decision made