Friday, August 31, 2007

Off to TECO!

Well, after the most stressful week EVER - our paperwork should be at TECO - more hopefully - on it's way back to our agency FROM TECO. TECO is the third step in confirmation that Alex and I really and truly signed the adoption documents (Oh my gosh, what have we done?!?!?). Yep, first the docs have to be notarized (and that is not as easy as it seems if you have to "fan out" your documents so the notary stamp can be seen on ALL document pages... so glad that protocol changed the day we were sending our stuff in) Next, to the Secretary of State to be certified (although not consistent with every state- what the heck!?!?! Just to make it more confusing!!!) Finally, TECO (Taiwan Economic and Culture Org. has to confirm that the notary is legal, the secretary of state is legal. Translation $200!





Here's the result - An adoption agreement and Power of Attorney forms - yippeee!








Anyway - thanks to my great, spectacular husband - the docs made it through the grind. If it wasn't for him, I would be in prison for choking someone to death by now. Seriously, I cannot express my gratitude for him enough. He stayed relatively composed, logical, precise, and best of all, extremely organized through the whole thing! Leo's lucky to have him for his daddy!





Now all we need are some updated pictures! Please God, let there be a smile on that child's face!

Please keep the other blogettes who are still struggling with this paperwork crud in your thoughts this week. It's a shame that it's not more cut and dry....

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4 comments:

Debberoo said...

Oh no, I'm sorry the paperwork was difficult - that kind of thing is so stressful. Here's to smooth sailing from here on!

September 1, 2007 at 5:30 AM
Lori said...

I know I've said it before but Leo is sooooo cute!!! Congrats on grinding through the paperwork...it is a exercise in patience isn't it?!? We are hoping for a quick process for you guys so that your little guy can come home to his forever family FAST!!!

September 1, 2007 at 5:30 AM
Unknown said...

I am so happy for you guys. You will be great parents. I hope the rest of the process goes smoothly and that Leo is back in AZ with you soon!

September 1, 2007 at 8:20 AM
Anonymous said...

Hi guys.. that's great im happy for both of you.i am looking forward to see him with you. send me picture if he already arrive...

September 1, 2007 at 2:33 PM

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Learn Chinese!

Timeline


January 8, 2007 Attend Adoption 101 Information Session in Mesa, AZ
January 22, 2006 - Apply for preapproval from our agencyand Taiwan
January 23, 2007 - Application for USCIS (I-600A) form submitted
January 28, 2007 - 1st Homestudy meeting
January 28, 2007 - Sign adoption contract with our agency
January 29, 2007 - Approved to adopt from Taiwan
February 1, 2007 - Clearance from state of Arizona
February 6, 2007- Maricopa application to adopt is filed
February 13, 2007 - Clearance from state of Michigan, Medical clearances, and Fingerprint invitation arrive from USCIS
February 24, 2007 - Fingerprinted for USCIS
March 11, 2007- Homestudy Complete and Court Certification from Maricopa County received
April 28, 2007 - Homestudy is translated into Mandarin
July 1, 2007 - Finally receive 171-H in the mail
July 6, 2007 - Get new case manager
July 22, 2007 - Sign adendum to contract
August 8, 2007 - Our lucky day! Referral for Lin Kai-Yi, born 6-3-06
August 8, 2007 - accept referral
August 13, 2007 - Sign Child Referral Agreement
August 23, 2007 - Paperwork arrives in Tucson
August 24, 2007 - Paperwork arrives to us
August 26, 2007 - Documents notorized (How many adults does it take to use a stamp?)
August 28, 2007 - Documents certified by AZ Sec. of State
August 29, 2007 Documents sent to TECO to be authenticated
September 4, 2007 - Documents arrive in Tucson from TECO
September 6, 2007 - Documents sent to Taiwan! YEAH!
September 10, 2007 - Update day! We receive 4 pics and a video!
October 2, 2007 - Receive word from TWCA that our hearing date is October 9, 2007 (this happened extreamly fast!)
October 9, 2007 - Keep your fingers crossed for a quick 1st ruling (even better yet, keep your fingers crossed for a final ruling!)
October 11, 2007 - October updates are here!
October 19, 2007 - Receive more pictures and videos from Ray's visit to Taiwan!
November 5, 2007 - November updates are here!
December 2, 2007 - December updates are here! Can't believe there has been no news all month!
December 13, 2007 - FINALLY! Word of our First Ruling! Yippeee! It happened on Dec. 13th in Taiwan (yesterday here)
January 4, 2008 - January updates
February 4, 2008 - February updates
February 28, 2008 - Leaving for Taipei!!!
February 29, 2008 - Arrive in Taipei!
March 4, 2008 - Gotcha Day! Can you even believe it!?!?!?
March 5, 2008 - FINAL RULING FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY! (by the way, our paperwork says the final ruling was issued December 24th!)
March 6, 2008 - First AIT appointment
March 7, 2008 - VISA DAY!
March 10, 2008 - Leave for home!
March 10, 2008 - Arrive home with our boy!!!!!!!!!!!
July 5, 2008 - Find out about Wil's arrival!
March 10, 2009 - Wil Shan-Yi Shaffer is born at 3:38 am 8 lbs. 4 oz. 20 inches long