Timeline to Mary

2/20/12..... we begin to seriously discuss adoption (although Mikki has felt a tugging for quite some time.....)
2/21/12.....attend Lifeline info meeting in Tuscaloosa
3/25/12..... begin application
4/2/12.... mail application to Lifeline
4/11/12..... received acceptance letter from Lifeline
4/25/12.... Orientation call with Beth
5/2/12.... Homestudy meeting #1 at home
5/13/12.... Mother's Day.... we publicly announce
5/10/12..... Mom Interview at Lifeline (homestudy #2)
5/14/12.... Dad Interview at Lifeline (homestudy #2)
5/30/12..... HomeStudy Interview #3
6/2/12..... Adoption Seminar at International Adoption Clinic
6/11/12.... HomeStudy Meeting #4 (Last one!)
7/17/12.... HomeStudy done! Karla Thrasher is our new Social Worker!
7/25/12.... Lockbox letter of receipt...USCIS
7/30/12....Received fingerprint appointment
7/31/12.... Walked in early for fingerprints in Bham...success!
8/15/12..... I800A approval!
9/7/12....DTC!
10/22/12....LID!
3/23/13.....sent in LOI
3/27/13.... PA!
3/28/13.... attend Travel Meeting at Lifeline
4/12/13....LOA!  (Day 17!!!)
4/16/13..... send off Visa paperwork AND I800 paperwork
4/18/13.... send photo album of our family to Mary
4/23/13.... send a care package to our girl through another adoptive Mama at same orphanage
4/25/13.... receive Mary's finding ad and learn new details of her beginning
4/26/13.... Visas and passports arrive safely!
4/26/13.... receive USCIS Lockbox receipt letters in the mail
4/30/13.... I800 approval!  (confirmed by phone call on 5/1/13)
5/2/13..... received I800 approval in the mail
5/3/13..... started emailing NVC for GUZ #
5/4/13.... finished Mary's room!
5/6/13.... had to scan Joe's birth certificate/passport to NVC.... birthdate was wrong!
5/7/13..... got GUZ # in the morning (immediately emailed for PDF)
5/7/13.... got PDF in the afternoon (immediately forwarded to Karla).... CABLED!
5/8/13.... Article 5 drop off
5/15/13.... surprise baby shower in my ladies Bible study group!
5/22/13....Article 5 pick up!
5/22/13.... surprise baby shower from my 4th graders and parents!
5/31/13.... final update on our girl!  Pictures and measurements!
6/17/13.... Travel Approval!
6/18/13.... receive CA!
6/21/13.... depart for CHINA!
6/24/13.... GOTCHA DAY!
7/1/13.... CA
7/4/13..... HOME!  Mary becomes a US citizen!