D.T.CCAI

That's Dossier to CCAI - one step closer to DTC or Dossier to China! I can't even describe the knots in my stomach as I dropped the package into the UPS box. I don't think I'll ever forget that 'klunk' as the package hit the bottom. It was SCARY and exciting at the same time. I checked everything several times as I collected everything and again about 10 times after receiving it back and a few times again today. I can't believe my little "hobby" is now totally out of my control!

Here's a shot of our dossier package I sent to CCAI today. We only need one more piece - our immigration approval letter or I-171H. I wish I would have kept track of how many hours went in to collecting all of this stuff. How much stuff? Here's the list:

• Home Study Report
• Adoption Petition (also known as letter of intent)
• Financial Statement
• Birth Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Police Clearance Letters
• Physical Forms
• Employment Verification Letters
• 3 Passport Photos each
• 11 Photos
• Copies of our Passports

Now we wait for the I-171H. It's been 3 weeks so far...

2/16 Update from our agency: Congratulations! Your dossier has arrived at our office! :)

Rednecks and Child Safety

Our good friend got free tickets to see Jeff Foxworthy last night - you know "If...you might be a redneck". He was hilarious. He did a little talk about how we raise children differently these days compared to when he was growing up and a few things hit so close to home I almost hyperventilated laughing:

Today a 5 year old gets a computer - we got wooden paddles with a red rubber ball attached with a rubber band. When the ball snapped off, the paddle went to mom for future use...

Today kids playgrounds are so much more interesting and safe - we had the metal swing sets that were never properly cemented in the groud so when anyone swung more than 4 feet off the groud the entire frame would tip...

He also mentions lawn darts - remember Jarts? We had them! The real ones - the heavy metal ones!

What a difference 2-3 decades make!

Outsmarted

Our neighbor stopped over last night to invite us for Cuban dinner on Saturday (YUM). Unfortunately we have other plans, but as he chatted with Jacek over a beer we learned something interesting. Our little girl is sneaking out!

Tuesday has been jumping over our fence to say hello to neighbor! Why didn't we know this? Because when she's done she jumps back into the yard. Her agility trainer would be proud.

Looks like we'll have to budget for that tall privacy fence much sooner than planned.

Super Bowl Champs!

What a game! The Steelers are the Super Bowl champions! Woo HOoo!

We spent the game with about 1400 (no, that's not a typo) fellow Steeler fans at a (huge) Chicago sports bar. It was an incredible night! I don't think I'll have a voice tomorrow from all the cheering.

Here's a shot of Jerome Bettis with the trophy. We are so happy he finally made it to the big game and won - he deserves it more than anyone.

GO STEELERS!

Almost There

Our documents came back from the Chicago Consulate today. All that's left to complete our dossier is our I-171H - immigration approval letter. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter!