Monday, March 17, 2014
Another Piece of the Puzzle
Today we accomplished another step hopefully taking us
closer to completing our adoption! We were able to file our I600 while
here in Haiti. (The I600 is another bunch of paperwork that is filed
with our government - how's that for an explanation!) :) I've heard
that filing it in Haiti as opposed to in the US, which CAN be done,
makes for a slightly quicker process. If you file in the US, you have
to have ALL required documents at the time you file. If you file in
Haiti, you need MOST of these, but can add the rest later.
Additionally, once you file, the Embassy schedules a birth parent
interview. Because birth parents can sometimes take a while to find, or
could be sick, etc filing in Haiti and having the interview done ASAP
even if all of the paperwork isn't turned in yet often makes for a
faster timeline than waiting until all is done, filing in the US, and
THEN getting the birth parent interview. Of course some argue that
there really isn't much of a difference. Either way, MY agency doesn't
have parents file in the US. Not sure why, they just don't. SO... they
were looking at requiring a THIRD TRIP to Haiti, where I'm barely
affording (not really at all) this two week trip and a homecoming trip.
So... needless to say... this was a big deal today to file!
I asked for prayer from friends and family because I was quite nervous about the process. I had also heard most families say they wait inside 3-4 hours for about 5 minutes at the "window". We must have had answered prayers! We waited outside a little over an hour until our line started going in. Took maybe 10-15 min through the line. And then were inside just over an hour! And done!
After finishing we were able to go to the airport to pick up our new "online" friends who are now "real life" friends who are coming to begin THEIR two week visit with their little guy! It was so exciting to see them take in the wonder of Haiti for the first time as we did just over a week ago, and then to watch them meet and begin to bond with their little guy for the FIRST TIME! So neat to be a part of that! And I look forward to getting to know them even better as the week goes on!
We were so glad to see Macy today since we weren't able to the past two days! We heard that she missed us and asked for us. Break my heart! Only four more days and it will be SO HARD to leave! When we did have to leave today after what seemed like such a short visit, she said "No." I was so sad! But at least we will see her tomorrow! Today was just a bit shortened with the Embassy and airport and all.
Later we went to a grocery store with the guest house manager. Such an experience. It was so "American" I guess you could say, except with armed guards out front! LOL Olivia and I wandered the store checking things out and oogling the cakes and pastries. We ALMOST splurged on some Ben and Jerry's (as I've been missing my ice cream!) BUT... when I converted the cost in my head and realized that ONE PINT was about NINE DOLLARS American... I thought NO WAY! Sorry Ben and Jerry! :)
Haitian taptaps... like a US taxi, but crammed with people in back!
I SO want to ride in one!
I asked for prayer from friends and family because I was quite nervous about the process. I had also heard most families say they wait inside 3-4 hours for about 5 minutes at the "window". We must have had answered prayers! We waited outside a little over an hour until our line started going in. Took maybe 10-15 min through the line. And then were inside just over an hour! And done!
After finishing we were able to go to the airport to pick up our new "online" friends who are now "real life" friends who are coming to begin THEIR two week visit with their little guy! It was so exciting to see them take in the wonder of Haiti for the first time as we did just over a week ago, and then to watch them meet and begin to bond with their little guy for the FIRST TIME! So neat to be a part of that! And I look forward to getting to know them even better as the week goes on!
We were so glad to see Macy today since we weren't able to the past two days! We heard that she missed us and asked for us. Break my heart! Only four more days and it will be SO HARD to leave! When we did have to leave today after what seemed like such a short visit, she said "No." I was so sad! But at least we will see her tomorrow! Today was just a bit shortened with the Embassy and airport and all.
Later we went to a grocery store with the guest house manager. Such an experience. It was so "American" I guess you could say, except with armed guards out front! LOL Olivia and I wandered the store checking things out and oogling the cakes and pastries. We ALMOST splurged on some Ben and Jerry's (as I've been missing my ice cream!) BUT... when I converted the cost in my head and realized that ONE PINT was about NINE DOLLARS American... I thought NO WAY! Sorry Ben and Jerry! :)
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Olivia - 14
Braeden - 11
Liam - 9
Macy - 5
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3 comments:
We filed and paid for our I600 in Haiti. But then with the earthquake, we had to start over in the U.S. and pay another $900 each for the citizenship paperwork and interview and such.
I hope your file moves quickly through the rest of the steps. If you are not in Pap, it should go fast once out of IBESR.
I made five short trips (3-5 days) to Haiti during our three year adventure.
Is there a rough timeline from this point?
Hi Katie! Unfortunately no. I think that's the hardest part of Haiti adoptions. There is a step by step process that doesn't change, but the timing for each step seems completely arbitrary. Some families may take one time to get through a step and someone else could be way quicker or way slower. Also, since all of this is "new process" now we are technically in uncharted territory anyway. I'm the first from my agency to go on the new two week bonding trip and there haven't been all that many besides. So your guess is as good as mine. Some have guesstimated 4-6 months, some are guessing a year, but it's a complete guess.