I received my LOA (Letter of Acceptance) on Dec 28th. I was able to sell enough items from my Facebook fundraising page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/790715917640575/) with some money from my budget that was allotted to the adoption to send to USCIS. I sent in my I-800,my I-800 Supplement 3, and so many more documents with the $360 check due to my address change. I overnighted it (another $58) to USCIS and it was received by them on Jan 8th. On Jan 12th I received my lockbox notice (this is an automated text and email sent out to families letting them know that my paperwork was received) and my check was cashed. A few short days later I received my receipt notice in the mail.
Last week I sent a request to my adoption agency requesting a final update (which is usually updated pictures and measurements). I am looking for arm crutches and clothes to take. I have toys and other girly items to take. I am taking lots of hair accessories since she loved the ones I sent to her a few months ago. I am taking both size 8 and size 10 because I don't quite know for sure what size she is. I am making sure all waist bands are elastic or adjustable and shirts are flowy but not too big. I have NO idea what size shoes to take for her nor do I know what kind yet. Still working on that one...
I also asked my adoption agency if they could ask the orphanage if they would allow me to video chat with her before I travel. I am still waiting for an answer to the update and the video chat. I hope to hear soon because I hit the 'refresh' button on my email so many times a day. I would LOVE to have newly updated pictures of my girl.
A few days after I sent in my paperwork to USCIS I realized that I forgot to send in my updated homestudy proving the address change. Well, not my most smoothest moment. Mommy fail #204... I called my USCIS Officer and asked him what I should do. He was so very sweet and told me to make a cover letter, he explained how to fill it out, where to send it and when to send it. They received it on Saturday the 16th. I called USCIS today and found out that my officer is out and a new officer is taking over his case load. I was transferred to his desk and left a message. He called me back within the hour. He too, was very kind. He told me that he received my I-800 forms on his desk this morning and issued me an RFE (Letter Seeking Additional Information) because my homestudy update was not in the paperwork. I have 30 days to get my homestudy to him once I am issued an RFE. I explained to him my conversation with the other officer, that they already had it in house and that I am hoping it can be resolved soon. He said that he should have my homestudy by the end of the week and I should have my approval for my I-800 by the end of the week. He told me to call back on Friday. I was so happy to hear that because I didn't expect to have I-800 approval until the end of the month or early February.
I should have TA just after Chinese New Year! I would be able to travel the last week in February BUT because of my two grandchildren's birthdays, my second daughter's 21st birthday, my youngest daughter's Family Retreat Cancer Camp, and work obligations I will either be traveling March 18, March 25th or April 1st. I need to sit down and talk to my older children and my work to see which date works best for them. Since I will be pushing my travel out several weeks to a month after I receive my Travel Approval (TA) I will be able to purchase my tickets early and hopefully at a lower rate. I will most likely be traveling by myself since my two older daughters, my mother and my sister are unable to travel with me due to medical reasons or not having time off of work.
Please say a prayer that the reaming funds come in and everything goes smoothly. We are still needing to raise $15,500 before I travel.
Here are some great items I am selling
Are you ready for our exciting piece of jewelry? This beautifully donated piece is brand new, never worn. $175 including shipping.
Real 18 inch Tiffany & Co Roman Numerals Charm necklace.
Each charm Retail is $149.99 EACH. Total retail is over $800.
$175 including shipping
