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Thanks Hank, Yes. My stepson wants very much to be adopted and to take on my family name. This is my biggest motivation: to please him and show him my love and make him feel closer to me since he loves me so much. Now, the patience... From what I gather, this is not a fast process. thanks, jim

Thanks for everyone's comments and replies. I do intend to discuss it with an attorney, if for no other reason than to get some better insights. Thanks for the FL Bar link. I will check it out too. I'm considering to offer money to (him), along with dissolving his requirement to pay child support. But this is a last resort because he could really play this hand out all the way if he wanted to. Thanks, jim

Does anyone possibly know what is involved for me to adopt my new (Chinese) wife's son from her previous marriage in China here in Florida? I brought him here with his mother on K1/K2 visas. Now that we are married, I'd like to adopt him to give him my family name and make him feel more a part of our family. The big problem is that I'm not sure if it is possible to get her ex-husband's consent for me to adopt (his) son. Is there a way around this? Has anyone done this themselves, with or without a lawyer? At the legal library today, the librarian told me that it certainly wasn't something she would attempt to do herself. Having been through the K1/K2 and then the AOS process already, I'm not afraid of paperwork. I just need help. Thanks in advance. -jim

Wishing you the best Alex. Keep the faith and spirit. Best of luck, jim and Ning Ning

Hope you and Xiaoqin have a great time. Do spend time to take a boat cruise down the Huang Pu (sp) river. I proposed to my lovely Ning Ning in the Oriental Pearl Tower. I didn't plan it that way, but I did it in front of God and everyone else on the second level. I was taken by emotions. Almost one year later, she got her visa and we have been happily married ever since Feb 3rd of this year. Shanghai is a beautiful city with very warm friendly people. Everyone was very happy to take our pictures when we asked. We got a really good price on a platinum/diamond engagement ring in one of the main jewelry stores on Nanjing road. Lots of things to do there. Be sure to go to Yuen road. Its like a open flea market road. Lots of good bargains. Have fun. Enjoy... jim and Ning Ning

You are best to either order a set of forms yourself or download them from the official DOS or GUZ web site. http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/fo...forms_1342.html http://www.usembassy-china.org.cn/guangzhou/ Good luck, jim and Ning Ning

Mark and Mary, We just went through the same thing in Melbourne. They charged us $100 each for basically reviewing our vaccinations and completing the vaccination supplement sheet which they didn't know how to do. They even argued with us that a full physical was required of Ning and Sean even though I told them I called USCIS twice and verified that only the Vaccination Supplement sheet was required. So, not knowing how much to charge us, they made an impromptu decision to charge $100 per person: visa credit card or cash only -jim and Ning

Congratulations. Good luck. Good to hear the good news. -jim and Ning Ning

Suggestions: Remove any and all references to 'Candle-For-Love'. Besides what Donahso mentioned, any association with any internet group should probably be avoided. Next, I have heard the 'black hole' referred to as"visa detention" on the BBC and on other news media. I think this is the accepted term these days. Finally, I think it would have much more impact if everyone copy and paste the letter and print it out and send it themselves. If you would provide the names and addresses to copy also, that would be even more helpful. Typically these offices are obligated to reply to everyone copied on the letter, which makes their reply that much more formal and responsible. I for one would be more than happy to send the letter. I don't mind the $5 postage for global priority, especially when it will help so many people who will follow. -jim

Our prayers are with you Alex. Keep the faith. The only thing I can add is that you should probably make it a point to visit her as absolutely possible. I think this will strengthen both of your hopes and love. Best of luck. -Jim and Ning Ning

Don't forget the Cheetos...

Congratulations again Phil and Jeining! -Jim and Ning Ning

I use 1stphonecard.com (http://www.1stphonecard.com/phonecardInfo.cfm?ProductID=100&CountryID=1) The price is less than 2 cents per minute using local access numbers. I then use my cell phone which has unlimited calling to USA numbers on weekends and after 9:00pm (10:00am in China). Excellent logs and records. -jim

Fantastic news!!! Congratulations. -jim and Ning Ning (now together in Cocoa Beach Florida)

Congratulations to Helen and Sonny!!! Congratulations to Mike and Xie!!! Wonderful news!!! Keep those white slips rollin'. -Jim and Ning Ning (together in Cocoa Beach, Florida)

Congratulations Phil and Jeining. That's wonderful news! Good luck to the both of you in your new lives! -Jim and Ning Ning

Congratulations! Whooooopppppeeeeeeeeeeee! That's fantastic! -Jim and Ning Ning

Congratulations Paul. Good luck on your new life. We've just started our new life too. Best of luck to both of you. Remember the magic word: 'patience'. -Jim and Ning Ning

I tend to agree with you Leejcandle. I also think the VOs are using intarigation tactics that might not seem obvious, such as during the interview asking some common questions than asking something very obvious like her fiance's name. The VOs are looking for reactions and differences of tone in speech. Considering how many people they have to process, I don't think the video is unreasonable when they can't determine from the interview if the relationship is valid. I am surprised they don't require the current newspaper in the video to show the date was recent. If I were the VO, I know that I would certain request it. Just my two cents... Take one if you like, leave the change. -Jim

Fantastic and congratulations. Good luck in your new life. -Jim and Ning Ning

Glad to hear the good news Dan. Congratulations to both of you. -Jim and Ning Ning

Mark, Its great to hear Leigh was successful. I'm happy for you both. It was sure cold out there on the 14th wasn't it? I caught a bad cold from that day. How about you? I saw Ki on the 18th to pick up our visas, but I didn't see you or Jeff. Anyway, keep in touch. Maybe we can meet up again. -Jim and Ning Ning (now both in Cocoa, Florida)

Congratulations Jun and Jason. Now the fun begins! Best of luck!!! -jim and ning ning

You guys are all so wonderful. Thank you all a million times over. -jim and Ning Ning

After a full year, our K1 and K2 visas were approved on Jan. 14, 2005. Hurray! Yippee! Whoopee! A new life begins!!! First, thanks for everyone's help and moral support. It has been a very long and emotional wait while we practiced and supported each other every day with phone calls, emails, and especially Yahoo IM Chat with web cam. For the most part, everything went perfectly smooth. I attribute this to the preparations we did from help received by this wonderful group, the CUC and AAC Yahoo groups. My darling Ning Ning (and her son), are finally home with me. It is the most wonderful feeling in the world. It was worth everything we put into it and more. Ning Ning is the most wonderful woman in the world I have ever met and I am the happiest man in the world to be with her (and her son). As for the interview itself, my SO gave the VO my passport which he examined closely. Next, my SO gave the VO my personal letter to the consulate, which I had notarized the day before in the citizens center (of the consulate). This obviously showed I was there in GZ with her, along with giving her my original passport to show them. For the most part, the questions asked were standard and typical of everyone elses, but the VO did probe a little bit about each of our prior marriages and divorces. Next, the VO spent a lot of time looking at each and every one of the pictures we provided. Finally, near the end of the interview when he was approving the visa, Ning asked the VO if he wanted to see the I-134 which he apparently forgot about. Then, the good news came: "I'm going to approve your visa." Thanks again for everyone's help and now we start phase two of this process: Marriage, Adjustment of Status, Social Security numbers, immunizations, Employment Authorization Docment, etc. -Jim and Ning Ning, (and little Xinxin too)