Airport Homecoming!

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Airport Homecoming!

Thank you to all our friends and family that came out to welcome us home! Here are some photos that Tammie and Lisa took at the airport. We were walking for what seemed like forever through the Miami Airport and Myke had put Chianna on his shoulders. We cam around the corner and saw the most awesome site of our friends and family waiting for us with balloons, posters and lots of love and smiles. I wish I had thought to take a pictured from our end, but I was overwhelmed! What a great day!

Cousins meeting for the first time!

The proud Papa!

Grandparents, finally and officially!

Kathleen taking a photo, Dawn & Jacob

Heidi, Mark, Brenda with Mae Li

Katie, My Dad, Dee Dee

My dad and Dee Dee taking pics of Chianna

Myke with Erin

Mark welcoming me home with a hug!

New Daddy

New Mommy

David, Kathleen & Olivia

Myke holding David

Joey with Madison

Shannon, Pattie & Tammie

Dee Dee with her welcome sign!

Lori holding Mae Li

David - one happy kid!

Madison and Katie

2 comments:

Tammie said...: It really was amazing to welcome you guys home. You even managed to get a picture of David there. Okay, so it's his tush in the last picture. Proof he really does exist. ;-); May 26, 2009 at 5:57 PM
Vivian M said...: OK, these pictures just made me cry! It is so awesome to finally see you both with your daughter Chianna. I have goose bumps all over again. Can't wait to hug you in person!; June 18, 2009 at 10:09 AM

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Kisses in the Wind

We hold you in our heart and touch you in our dreams. You are here each day with us, at least that's how it seems. We know you wonder where we are... what's taking us so long. But remember child, we love you so and that will keep you strong. Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin... Because tonight, just as always, we blow you kisses in the wind. We promise you, darling, we're doing all that we can do. Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend. But for tonight, just as always, we blow you kisses in the wind. May our love wrap you up and hold you very tight. And let the angels bring the kisses that we send to you each night.

--- Unknown - Modified by Me : )

Our Adoption Timline

May 10, 2009 - Arrive Home!
May 8, 2009 - Leave Vietnam
April 29, 2009 - Leave Ho Chi Minh City for Hanoi
April 28, 2009 - 4pm Giving & Receiving Ceremony
April 24, 2009 - Leave for Vietnam!
April 15, 2009 - Received G& R Date!
March 27, 2009 - INS APPROVAL
August 20, 2008 - OFFICIAL REFERRAL!!
July 21, 2008 - sent revised home study to Tallahassee for notary authentication
July 21, 2008 - received amended i171h approval
July 16, 2008 - sent revised home study to INS for approval
July 16, 2008 - received revised home study
July 3, 2008 - said YES, it's official, WE FOUND CHIANNA!
May31, 2008 - heard about 4 yr old in HCMC, starting gathering info
March 26, 2008 - waiting to hear from the DIA before proceeding with new documents
March 26, 2008 - received authenticated docs back from Tallahassee
March 24, 2008 - re-sent corrected docs back to Tallahassee
March 22, 2008 - realized two docs were not signed, Tallahassee rejected them
March 20, 2008 - received authenticated docs back from Tallahassee
March 17, 2008 - Received "official" word that we are logged in VN!
March 14, 2008 - mailed paperwork to Tallahassee
March 7, 2008 - Picked up new local police clearances
March 6, 2008 - Received new employment letters
February 29, 2008 - Shari's new medical form completed
February 28, 2008 - Myke's new medical form completed
Feb. 24, 2008 - Realized that some docs expired before getting logged in
January 14, 2008 - Dossier Arrives in VN!
January 7, 2008 - Dossier leaves SF for VN!
December 18, 2007 - Dossier Received at VN Consulate in SF
December 17, 2007 - Sending Dossier to VN Consulate in SF
December 5, 2007 - Received Sealed Documents Back from Tallahassee
November 26, 2007 - Sent Notarized Papers to Tallahassee for Authentication Seals
October 19, 2007 - I171h - INS Approval!
September 12, 2007 - Received Completed Home Study Report!
September 4, 2007 - Received Home Study Report Rough Draft
August 30, 2007 - Letter from INS requesting additional I600A Info - This means they are processing our application already!
August 30, 2007 - Passports Arrived!
August 17, 2007 - Mailed off final papers needed to complete Home Study
August 13, 2007 - Mailed off ADOPPT contract.
June 29, 2007 - Home Study Visit
June 27, 2007 - Had our fingerprints done at INS office.
June 27, 2007 - Received notification that INS received our 1600A application.
June 19, 2007 - Received Official Welcome Packet from A.D.O.P.P.T. with more papers to sign and have notarized.
June 15, 2007 - Mailed Home Study contract along with consent forms for FDLE and C&FS background checks.
June 15, 2007 - Mailed off I-600A form.
June 15, 2007 - Obtained certified copies of our birth certificates from the Bureau of Vital Statistics.
June 15, 2007 - A.D.D.O.P.T received application and "eveything looks good"!
June 13, 2007 - Obtained copies of background reports from Broward County Sheriff's Office.
June 12, 2007 - Passports applied for and mailed off.
June 12, 2007 - Passport photos done at CVS.
June 9, 2007 - Mailed Agency Application
June 5, 2007 - Found Home Study Agency & made our home study appt.
May 30 - Decided on A.D.D.O.P.T, Inc. for our agency.
May 27, 2007 - Decided that Vietnam was the best fit for us.
May 2007 - Joined FCC South Florida
May 2007 - Decided on International Adoption
January 2007 - Started Thinking About Adoption & Researching

From Beginning to Forever - Finding Chianna

Saturday, May 9, 2009