My first post

I wanted to wait until we received our I-171H (which is the US government's 'permission to adopt' form) before I went public with our adoption plans. Well, we received our I-171H on Friday, April 27, 2007. This is a very important day for us because on that date two years ago, our dossier was logged in with the CCAA in China for our daughter, Natalie. So to receive our "golden ticket" for Nora on that date, was another Red Thread Day for us. (a Red Thread is something that happens and you later find out that it hold a certain significance in your adoption - it's something that ties or bonds you to this new child - a special connection) Another example of a Red Thread is a charcoal picture that I bought while in Natalie's province in China. I thought that the scene depicted the Three Gorges River in Chongqing, China. But when I saw a photo of Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, it was the exact same scene. I had felt drawn to buy this picture, and now I know why.

Yesterday I sent the notarized, state certified I-171H to San Francisco, CA to the Consulate General of Vietnam. There it will be given an authentication stamp and be returned to me. This is the last piece of our dossier. I will need to gather some photos of Jon, myself, Natalie and our home to include with our dossier. Then I will submit everything to our adoption agency, Families Thru International Adoption (FTIA). Once they double check our documents, making sure all the I's are dotted and the T's are crossed, it will be sent to Vietnam. And after being translated, our official wait will begin.