We Received the I-171H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Great Wall of China

History Break: The Great Wall snakes through the countryside over deserts, hills, and plains for thousands of miles. The Great Wall was created only after the unification of China under Qin Shi Huangdi (221-210 BC!). Ultimately proven ineffective after some impressive battles, it was breached in the 13th Century by the Mongols and then, in the 17th Century by the Manchu.* Only few of the crumbling portions have been restored.

WHAT AN EXCITING DAY!!! LET'S CELEBRATE!!!

We received our I-171H from Immigration!

It may just look like a pretty boring government form, but it contains the verbage: "It has been determined that you are able to furnish proper care to an Orphan..." This is a big step in our journey! Closer to the wall, further along the red thread, closer to our daughter! It's the form needed before our Dossier can be sent to China!

So, What happens next?

• I'll take the form to CCAI to be notarized tomorrow, February 3rd, then will hand-carry it to the Secretary of State to be Certified.
• Once done, then it's off Express Mail to the Chinese Consulate in Chicago to be Authenticated.
• Once back from Chicago (which may take a week+), we will be able to turn it in to CCAI along with our personal and family photos and our Agency Fees for submission of the Dossier
• The Dossier gets translated from English to Chinese
• Then it's off to China for our 6 to 8 month wait (or more) for our "Match!"
• WE'RE GETTING CLOSER!!!!!!!!!
• We plan on celebrating and what better timing?? We will be attending the Chinese New Year & Asian Festival Celebration at the Phil Long Expo Center on Saturday - food, entertainment, and merchants selling various Chinese and Asian items. We hope to see many of you there!

*Taken from the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide, p. 106, 2005 Edition & Photo Courtesy Glant Havenar from her recent trip to China