Saving Sofia: Sofia is HOME!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Sofia is HOME!

Oh those sweet words...Sofia is home.

And because I'm not sure when I'll get another spare moment in the next few days of getting settled with our newest addition, I will send you over to my dear friend and "sister" Lisa at Genenetically Enhanced who was able to document us getting to the airport and some of our first few moments all together as a family.

Oh what a sight to see, our three golden boys waiting for us with Nana and a group of my closest friends and fellow "sisters". Thank you everyone for all the love and support. It means the WORLD to us.

Sofia's Homecoming!

I'll post again soon with how things are going as a family of six and some more photos and videos of the boys with their new sister and how Sofia adjust to being home in California.

Much love and blessings to you all!

20 comments:

BethanyJune 16, 2010 at 4:48 AM
SOB SOB SOB. I remember this moment so much from when we brought Nika home! OMG, and I remember how weird it was to get to the car and have to buckle in 3 kids instead of just 2. So happy for you guys!!
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RochelleJune 16, 2010 at 5:42 AM
Congratulations! She is beautiful, thankful you are all home together safe and sound!
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SunnieJune 16, 2010 at 5:48 AM
Welcome home Sophia!!!!!!
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summerJune 16, 2010 at 5:48 AM
I feel so blessed to be able to witness this - it is all so Amazing!!! I am overwhelmed with JOY for your family!!!! I can't wait for our family to be all together!!! Thank you so MUCH for sharing everything!!!
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KellyJune 16, 2010 at 6:03 AM
This is so wonderful!! Let the NEW memories begin:)
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MollyJune 16, 2010 at 6:10 AM
madly in love with your girl and that video. every former orphan should have that sort of a HUGE welcome!!! amazing!!!!!
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april narrettoJune 16, 2010 at 6:25 AM
thanks, now Im crying. So emotional but wonderful moment. She looks very happy, I loved the wave....is her hair light,b/c it look lighter in the video than in photos, none the less she is gorgeous.CONGRATS!!!!
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AnonymousJune 16, 2010 at 7:34 AM
I am in tears right now, I have been so blessed by your journey to adopt Sofia. Thank you for sharing your hearts and story. I also have 3 boys and my 3rd who will be one in July has Down syndrome. I have always had the desire for a girl and if it is in God's plan we hope to adopt one day. Thank you for being such an inspiration. God bless!
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PaulaJune 16, 2010 at 7:50 AM
Congratulations on a safe return!! May God bless your every day together! :)
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~*Brittany*~June 16, 2010 at 7:52 AM
OMG this was great. My favorite part was when Sofia was waving her little hand at everyone, right up until I saw Joaquin give her a kiss then that was my favorite part! Congratulations on being home!
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JenJune 16, 2010 at 8:51 AM
Ohhhh, the video brought tears to my eyes!!! She is one lucky little girl, and you are one lucky family to have been blessed by such a little sweetheart :o)
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AnonymousJune 16, 2010 at 8:55 AM
So happy for you all. (Yes, the waterworks are flowing.) That sweet first kiss between big brother Joaquin and baby Sofia was the sweetest thing ever. Your journey is over, and now a new one will begin! Was a pleasure and an honor to follow along. I have truly learned so much and experienced much wonderful change through following along on your journey. God Bless You All and Congratulations!
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The Mac's HouseJune 16, 2010 at 9:07 AM
So incredibly sweet watching the homecoming. Most impressive was JOAQUIN with his walking. How exciting was that to see.......

I loved his greeting to his new baby sister as well, too precious.

Welcome home Sofia!
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HeatherJune 16, 2010 at 9:31 AM
Sending love and blessing as you begin your journey as a beautiful family of 6!

I think a road trip up north for Miss Z and I, might be in order before summer's end!
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Anne and Whitney: Up, Down and All AroundJune 16, 2010 at 11:26 AM
CONGRATULATIONS!!! Welcome home Sofia, Hector and Jennifer!!!! I just LOVED the video and pictures on Lisa's blog - (hopefully you are going to read the comments there!) I had to have Anne go get me a kleenex after watching the video :) SO HAPPY FOR ALL OF YOU!!! thank you so much for sharing this special moment with us!
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TaraJune 16, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Waterworks, here after watching that! I cannot believe how smiley she was after such a trip and that overwhelming welcome! She is amazing and precious and beautiful. Congratulations! Enjoy the rest of the journey.
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AnonymousJune 16, 2010 at 2:59 PM
I just wanted to wish you all the best! Sofia is a lucky cute little girl! Congrats!
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Lisa S.June 16, 2010 at 6:32 PM
Oh how truly lucky you all are! What a wonderful gift!!
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medina familyJune 16, 2010 at 7:06 PM
I watched the video with tears in my eyes! What a wonderful welcome for such a precious girl. It was so cute when her brothers kissed her.

I have been following your amazing journey and praying for your sweet Sofia and the other children you've mentioned. You have a remarkable family and beautiful children. May God continue to bless you!

Susan
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The Hapa GirlJune 21, 2010 at 12:12 AM
YAY!!! So, wonderful!!!! I was away and didn't have internet service, but I'm so glad she is HOME! When can we set up a playdate??? LOL!!! What an awesome and amazing family you 6 are!
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Adoption Timeline

12-13-09- Grandma Esther passed away. Discovered Sofia at www.reecesrainbow.com and decided to donate to her grant fund in honor of Grandma and the Christmas Angel Tree Project. Couldn't get her off my mind.

1-1-10- Received Sofia's Christmas Angel Tree ornament and put it on our Christmas Tree. Still constantly thinking about her.

1-24-10- Hector and I decided to commit to adopting Sofia. Contacted Andrea at Reece's Rainbow.

1-25-10- Contacted Across the World Adoptions to begin the Home Study.

1-26-10- Sent our application to Reece's Rainbow and sent a check for the FSP Donation, Love Offering and Promise Trust.

1-27-10- Jen's physical completed. Vaccines administered. FBI and DOJ/Child Abuse fingerprinting completed.

1-28-10- Faxed Home Study Application and Agreement. Mailed hard copy.

1-29-10- Hector's fingerprints completed for FBI and DOJ/Child Abuse. Completed the required 10 hours of International Adoption education credits.

1-31-10- Mailed USCIS our I-600A application and fees.

2-1-10- Employment verifications completed for Home Study. School evaluations completed on Diego and Mateo. Received dossier paperwork from Reece's Rainbow.

2-4-10- Assigned a social worker for our Home Study at Across the World Adoptions. Had over 15 documents notarized.

2-5-10- Hector's physical completed. Vaccines administered. Child Specific Petition and Power of Attorney's notarized and ready for apostille.

2-8-10- CSP and POA's apostilled and shipped to Sofia's home country! First home study visit is scheduled for 2/15.

2-10-10- ALL paperwork completed for Home Study! YEAH! Working on gathering the rest of the dossier paperwork.

2-15-10- 1st Home Study Visit completed.

2-16-10- 2nd Home Study Visit completed.

2-22-10- Received our I-797C Notice of Action for our Orphan Petition.

2-25-10- State Police clearance fingerprinting done. Apostilled 20 documents at Secretary of State office.

3-1-10- Final revisions completed on Home Study.

3-2-10- Jennifer fingerprinted a third time for USCIS. Hector's police clearance letter received.

3-3-10- Hector fingerprinted a third time for USCIS.

3-4-10- Home Study, Agency License and Social Worker Licence notarized and mailed to us today.

3-11-10- USCIS Approval!

3-12-10- Dossier shipped out to Sofia's home country!

3-15-10- Dossier arrived in Sofia's home country!

3-25-10- Dossier officially submitted. Approximately 10 day wait to get travel date!

4-6-10- Received our SDA appointment for 4/22 at 9am! Booked our plane tickets for 4/19 arriving on 4/20.

4-14-10- Volcano erupts in Iceland causing flights to be grounded throughout Europe!

4-19-10- Flight is cancelled. No alternative routes are available. Requested new SDA appointment.

4-20-10- Got a last minute flight to Kiev through Vienna, Austria.

4-21-10- Arrived in Kiev, Ukraine!

4-22-10- Completed SDA appointment at 9am. Received referral at 6pm. Hopped on a midnight train to Dnep.

4-23-10-Arrived in Dnep at 7am and ran around Dnep for 11 hours today with our facilitator Marina gathering papers and getting notaries. Met Sofia!

4-26-10-Took Sofia out of the orphanage to get her picture taken for Visa immigration, US Embassy and the SDA. 7 day wait begins for court date.

4-27-10-Prosecutor says our documents are complete and ready for the judge and court proceedings.

4-29-10-Still waiting for interpol clearance so court date is set for 5/13.

4-30-10-Interpol clearance arrives. Court date moved to 5/6!

5-6-10- Court completed and Sofia Andrea Sanchez is officially adopted! 10 day wait begins.

5-16-10- Return trip is set for 6/6 and we'll arrive in Dnep on 6/8 to begin the process of bringing Sofia home, hopefully on or before 6/17.

6-8-10- Arrived in Sofia's region and completed all necessary paperwork for her new birth certificate and for her Ukraine passport.

6-10-10-GOTCHA day! Took Sofia out of the orphanage and home to our apartment.

6-11-10- Got Sofia's Ukrainian Passport and took overnight train back to Kiev. Changed return flight home to 6/15.

6-14-10- Got Sofia's Visa at the U.S. Embassy.

6-15-10- Going HOME!

6-16-10-Applied for Sofia's Social Security Card.

7-15-10- Received Sofia's official certificate of U.S. Citizenship in the mail.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Sofia is HOME!

20 comments:

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