Our Journey to Africa: 5 million orphans

Monday, August 8, 2011

5 million orphans - MINUS ONE!!!

There are approximately five million orphans in Ethiopia...

MINUS ONE!

We passed court! Amanuel has a family!

Allow me to introduce you to the newest love of my life:

We are overjoyed! And he turns one next week... I think a family is a pretty good birthday present, don't you?

Stay tuned for our travel plans... and a really cool giveaway I already had planned for this week!

18 comments:

newsom82August 8, 2011 at 4:19 PM
No wonder you were on my mind all day - I'm so excited for us all! And I will be celebrating his 1 year from Maine!!!! Love & big hugs to everyone, 'auntie'
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KathleenAugust 8, 2011 at 4:33 PM
So very happy for you!!!

He is absolutely darling!

Congratulations!
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Kim HeeschAugust 8, 2011 at 5:02 PM
So super happy for you!!!! Let's hope I get that letter this week and we can travel together!!! <3
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ZachAugust 8, 2011 at 6:04 PM
Awesome amazing news! Congratulations!
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The LambosAugust 8, 2011 at 6:39 PM
amazing!!! congratulations!!! maybe we'll see you over there ;)
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because HE first loved usAugust 8, 2011 at 6:51 PM
AMAZING!!!!!!! I just did a lil jump in my kitchen, cause I had just been praying for you! God really does move mountains!
He is ridiculously cute... seriously!
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MercyAugust 8, 2011 at 6:57 PM
Wonderful news!! Congratulations!!!
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SharlaAugust 8, 2011 at 7:09 PM
Oh Kirstin and Rob... I am so happy for your family!! He is so adorable!! Can't wait to see him officially in your arms forever!!
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Gail BackusAugust 8, 2011 at 7:12 PM
how amazing! he is just beautiful!!!!! congrats
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Gail BackusAugust 8, 2011 at 7:12 PM
wow - he's beautiful - congrats. what great news
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The Redman'sAugust 8, 2011 at 7:20 PM
woooo hoooooo!!!!! Very exciting!
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RebeccaAugust 8, 2011 at 11:39 PM
How am I not subscribed to your blog in google reader? I thought I was...but am now realizing I've missed out on everything. Congrats on your super cute little one. So precious!
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Laura@JourneyChicAugust 9, 2011 at 8:29 AM
Your new son is just such a cutie pie! Congratulations to you and your family!
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Robbins' NestAugust 10, 2011 at 1:40 PM
how precious is he?!?!? Congratulations!!
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KarenAugust 14, 2011 at 2:10 PM
Congratulations!
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lklegAugust 14, 2011 at 7:31 PM
love these pics. What a precious little boy!
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AllieAugust 16, 2011 at 12:50 AM
Oh my goodness, I loved following y'alls adoption story! And now your little boy is here, praise Him!
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Missy @ It's Almost NaptimeAugust 17, 2011 at 8:33 PM
He's beautiful!!! Congrats!!
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Our Adoption Timeline

Mid-December 2009 - officially requested an application from Edna Gladney
Jan 8, 2010 - Sent in our I600-A to the USCIS
Jan 12, 2010 - Did our FBI Clearance packets & overnighted them.
Jan 16, 2010 - Sent in about 2/3 of the Edna Gladney paperwork.
Jan 20, 2010 - Got word from Gladney that we'll be hearing about a homestudy soon. Paperwork part is almost done!
Feb 1, 2010 - First part of the Homestudy
Feb 4, 2010 - Sent all remaining documents to Gladney
Feb 12, 2010 - Second part of the homestudy... at our house
Feb 18, 2010 - Mailed all remaining/follow-up documents to KBS Dossiers, Gladney, and CIS
Feb 23, 2010 - Citizenship & Immigration fingerprinting appointments
March 10, 2010 - Ethiopian government changes the process and we learn we now will have to make TWO trips to Addis Ababa.
March 19, 2010- FBI Clearances came in the mail - it took 9 weeks!
March 25, 2010 - Offical Gladney Approval and homestudy sent to CIS.
April 14, 2010 - CIS Approval came!!! :)
April 17, 2010 - Finally got a new copy of my employer letter - hopefully notarized the right way this time
April 18, 2010 - Mailed CIS approval, FBI approval, and 2nd employer letter to KBS Dossiers.
April 30, 2010 - WAIT LIST! hooray!
October 14, 2010 - Letter writing party for Both Hands fundraiser
October 24, 2010 - PROJECT DAY for Both Hands!
December 28, 2010 - Learned of delay and started praying for a quick resolution.

April 11, 2011 - Delay resolved... waiting again for referral

April 28, 2011 - Citizenship & Immigration re-fingerprinting appointments

May 13, 2011 - THE CALL! We accepted a referral for an 8 month old baby boy!

June 22, 2011 - Learned about court! MOWA hearing on July 11th, we are to appear on July 21st.

July 11th, 2011 - MOWA hearing, but MOWA did not issue an opinion for us on this day.

July 19, 2011 - Met our little one for the very first time

July 21, 2011 - Court - but still no MOWA letter yet

August 8, 2011 - AMANUEL HAS A FAMILY! We passed court!

Sept 14, 2011 - Amani goes to live with Kirstin in a guest house in Ethiopia! And Riley turns 5 - what a great brother to share his mommy on his birthday

October 2, 2011 - Amani finally arrives in the US, into the arms of his daddy, brother, and sister

THE CASSELLS ARE NOW A FAMILY OF FIVE!

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Monday, August 8, 2011

5 million orphans - MINUS ONE!!!

18 comments: