Waiting for i800a

I haven't posted in awhile!  Nothing really to report.  I had my fingerprints done for USCIS on May 23rd.  I called USCIS today to see where I was in the system ... and I haven't been assigned an officer yet.  She suggested calling back in a week to see if anything has changed.  That I will do!

Here are the next steps I will be going through.  I think I got them all.  This is such a learning process!

DTC - Dossier to China.  I am hoping and praying I am able to send my dossier by July 31st!!!  Right now I'm waiting for my i800A, the first immigration document I filed for permission to adopt from a convention country.  So hopefully it is complete SOOOOON!  PRAYYYYY!!!

** The Westerkamp family here in The Woodlands sent their dossier to China in February.  They should fly out June 20th.  I am hoping to be on the same timeline (if not faster!)**

LID - Log in Date - the date when my dossier is logged into China's system

LOA/LOSC - This is a Letter of Action (Letter of Seeking Confirmation) sent by China to confirm that I am approved to adopt Bryson and seeking confirmation that I wish to proceed with the adoption.  UMMMM YA!  At this point I owe my next payment to the agency.

i800 - This is the second immigration document I will file (I have already filed and am waiting for the i800A).  The i800 approval grants me permission to adopt Bryson.

GUZ # - Applications for immigration visas are assigned a number.  This will be issued from the US Consulate in Guangzhou (GUZ).  I have been told this is a small step in the process.

PDF/RTF - This is the email version of my National Visa Center approval letter.  The NVC processes the visa Bryson will be issued to enter the US after his adoption is completed in China.  Bryson will fly home on a Chinese passport.  The visa will verify that he will become a US citizen once his paperwork in processed by immigration wherever we first land in the US.

Art 5 Pick-up - Article 5 is a document issued by the US consulate in Guangzhou which verifies to China that my paperwork is in order.  It takes 10 business days for the document to be prepared by the US consulate.  Once this document has been sent to the Chinese Center for Children's Welfare and Adoption my travel approval will be issued!

TA - Travel Approval issued by China inviting me to enter the country to finalize the adoption.  I have 90 days after the TA is issued to complete Bryson's adoption.

I am headed to Playa del Carmen for four days, three nights on Friday.  When I get back Cotton and I are headed to Iowa for a short (for us) trip.  In Iowa I will be researching more grant options and trying to figure out the financial side.  I will be talking to Both Hands to get my next fundraiser rolling!

Thanks for checking in and following my journey!

Have a great day!

~Jen