We got our PAIR letter!

When we first began this process, the agency mentioned over and over again that we'd be under the "new PAIR (pre-adoptive immigration review) process" for Ethiopia.  A process they even today are still trying to figure out, because it's new.  It was implemented on September 1 of this year, so our adoption would be included in this.  It is basically changing the order of the adoption process in Ethiopia and making sure all the "t's" are crossed and the "i's" are dotted before the final court date where a child would be officially adopted.  The USCIS does a complete investigation making sure the child is truly an orphan and meets the orphan standards by the US, so he/she can be issued a visa to come to the US. It is also supposed to help avoid long wait times between the court date and homecoming.

It's hard to believe that we are here!  Our investigation is complete and pending our final court date, our baby boy can come home to live with his forever family!  We received our PAIR letter yesterday in the mail and had it in our possession a whole hour (maybe).  We scanned it to our agency and got down to overnight it to be authenticated in Washington D.C.

 Last Christmas, I had no idea how God was going to grow us and bless us this year.  I cannot wait to hold our boy in my arms.  It won't be long!!

• Apply with agency
• Home Study Process
• Home Study Approval
• File USCIS Paperwork
• Complete USCIS fingerprinting and biometrics screening
• Assemble International Dossier for Ethiopia
• International Dossier authenticated in Washington D.C.
• Accept Referral of our baby boy
• File PAIR agreement
• PAIR letter submitted to Ethiopia
• Embassy Birthmother interview
• Court issues first court date for birthmother
• First court date with birthmother
• Investigation complete
  
• PAIR approval letter issued
• Receive PAIR letter
• Approval Letter Authenticated in Washington D.C.
•  OUR court date is issued and make arrangements to travel.
• Meet our boy face to face!
• Go to court.
• Case passes court.
• Court issues adoption documents
• Agency applies for new birth certificate and passport for our boy.
• Medical appointment by an Embassy approved physician.
• Submit case to Embassy
• Clear Embassy
• GO GET OUR BABY BOY AND BRING HIM HOME!!!!