CCAI called us today while Chris was home for lunch! We are so excited. Normally, we'd travel in two weeks, but we'll be delayed an additional three weeks (due to a two week trade fair and a week off for China's government). So we will be traveling in May instead of April. This will allow us to get some more homeschooling weeks underway and possibly allow us to get better airfare (we hope!).
I am anxious about all the details (booking flights, flight insurance, hotels, packing). If anyone can find any "Dawn Wash N' Toss" dish clothes, please get them; I'll pay you back! Wow, we are going to China!!!!!
Homecoming
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Minor updates because I can't write "TA!!!"
(TA is travel approval and that's what we are waiting on! Meantime, we are checking on travel insurance, packing lists, and the best way to buy flights on short notice!)
Updated prayer requests are at the bottom of the page; just scroll down!
We were saddened last week when we received a statement from our insurance denying payment on our immunizations. It seems the County Health Department is not a network provider so insurance did not have to pay. I know, I should have checked first. When we called the health dept. I told them our insurance coverage was supposed to be the same as whatever would be covered by BC/BS, so they thought it was 100% coverage. But I didn't think about county health departments not being network providers.
As I was finding this out over the phone this am with the insurance rep., she told me immunizations to travel to a foreign land wouldn't have been covered anyway, even in network. Surprised, I said, "But it's for an adoption; we could be exposed to those diseases by her, so even if she were escorted home, we'd need the immunizations!" Immediately the demeanor of this lady changed and she put me on hold. When she came back on, she said she would re-process the charges as if they were in-network! Yeah!! Then she asked some questions about Josie. The typhoid fever won't be covered, but the Hep A and MMR updates will be!
On another happy note, my sis brought up the bunk beds she found so I have those to re-finish. And we are 3/4 of the way done with the paperwork for our two grant applications. I think we have a shot at one of them, the other is iffy since they take 60-90 days to process and don't help post-adoption. Josie will probably be home before the board would make their decision. And they want to know what we've attempted for fund raisers. Um. Nothing. They also wanted to know if we are in a small group currently at church. Um. No. Oh, I so wanted to say, "It's just a one semester reprive!" Then they wanted contact info for our senior pastor. Um. vacant. But we have two awesome associate pastors! We'll see what God does.
Updated prayer requests are at the bottom of the page; just scroll down!
We were saddened last week when we received a statement from our insurance denying payment on our immunizations. It seems the County Health Department is not a network provider so insurance did not have to pay. I know, I should have checked first. When we called the health dept. I told them our insurance coverage was supposed to be the same as whatever would be covered by BC/BS, so they thought it was 100% coverage. But I didn't think about county health departments not being network providers.
As I was finding this out over the phone this am with the insurance rep., she told me immunizations to travel to a foreign land wouldn't have been covered anyway, even in network. Surprised, I said, "But it's for an adoption; we could be exposed to those diseases by her, so even if she were escorted home, we'd need the immunizations!" Immediately the demeanor of this lady changed and she put me on hold. When she came back on, she said she would re-process the charges as if they were in-network! Yeah!! Then she asked some questions about Josie. The typhoid fever won't be covered, but the Hep A and MMR updates will be!
On another happy note, my sis brought up the bunk beds she found so I have those to re-finish. And we are 3/4 of the way done with the paperwork for our two grant applications. I think we have a shot at one of them, the other is iffy since they take 60-90 days to process and don't help post-adoption. Josie will probably be home before the board would make their decision. And they want to know what we've attempted for fund raisers. Um. Nothing. They also wanted to know if we are in a small group currently at church. Um. No. Oh, I so wanted to say, "It's just a one semester reprive!" Then they wanted contact info for our senior pastor. Um. vacant. But we have two awesome associate pastors! We'll see what God does.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Feast or Crumbs?
Often friends and family let us know how sad they are that we didn't have biological children or they try to be very sensitive when telling us their good news of expecting a child. I have not struggled with feeling sorrow or anger in being infertile. Before we were married, Chris and I planned to adopt. So being entrusted to raise our children has never felt like "plan B." Still, I know other couples really do struggle with why God gives children to mothers who abort them. I belong to an e-mail list serve and one woman shared her grief after a friend announced her pregnancy. Others rallied to her support on the list and she wrote back the following note, quoting her favorite response. I want to share it because I believe the author quoted expresses my heart so well!
"Dear, sweet friends -- I will never be able to thank those of you enough who responded to my sad little e-mail about my girlfriend's pregnancy. It's good to know that I am not alone in my sadness! The BEST response I got...one that will truly get me through this long wait...was:
'...when I asked God for an older, special needs child from China, I was begging for the crumbs at a feast where everyone else was getting their fill. But now that I have my son here, I see that God was refusing to give me the crumbs because he was saving the best seat at the banquet for me. [Name removed] is the son I was always meant to have. I am sooooo thankful for just how perfectly he fits into our lives and hearts. The truth is there are no "crumbs" at God's banquet, only perfect matches that He makes in His infinite wisdom. Children perfect for the families He has chosen for them. Your place at the banquet is being prepared. I know it's hard, but hold on to the thought that He is making it Perfect for you.'
"I think I will always struggle when I hear about people getting pregnant. And it will probably tear at my heart that [name removed] will never look like us or be told things like, "You have your mom's eyes" or "You look JUST like your dad"...things our bio daughter hears every day and DETESTS!! I'll have to take comfort in the hopes that maybe she will get [my] offbeat sense of humor or [my husband's] love of cooking!"
"Dear, sweet friends -- I will never be able to thank those of you enough who responded to my sad little e-mail about my girlfriend's pregnancy. It's good to know that I am not alone in my sadness! The BEST response I got...one that will truly get me through this long wait...was:
'...when I asked God for an older, special needs child from China, I was begging for the crumbs at a feast where everyone else was getting their fill. But now that I have my son here, I see that God was refusing to give me the crumbs because he was saving the best seat at the banquet for me. [Name removed] is the son I was always meant to have. I am sooooo thankful for just how perfectly he fits into our lives and hearts. The truth is there are no "crumbs" at God's banquet, only perfect matches that He makes in His infinite wisdom. Children perfect for the families He has chosen for them. Your place at the banquet is being prepared. I know it's hard, but hold on to the thought that He is making it Perfect for you.'
"I think I will always struggle when I hear about people getting pregnant. And it will probably tear at my heart that [name removed] will never look like us or be told things like, "You have your mom's eyes" or "You look JUST like your dad"...things our bio daughter hears every day and DETESTS!! I'll have to take comfort in the hopes that maybe she will get [my] offbeat sense of humor or [my husband's] love of cooking!"
Friday, March 16, 2007
Josie's Reports
Here is a glimpse of the daughter we already love (from her Nanjing Social Welfare Institute reports):
*She has 16 teeth!
*In November she weighed 10.6 kg (probably including several layers of clothes) and was 82 cm tall.
*She was sitting at 6 months, but only in her crib.
*She eats eggs every morning.
*At around nine months, when her hands touched for the first time, she "laughed out loud."
*"When she is having fun, she makes "da da" noises and saliva dribbles out of the corners of her mouth."
*Her "personality is open, lively, and extroverted."
*"She loves sweet food."
*She lives on the Rainbow floor. (Perfect for a rainbow family.)
*She sleeps "soundly and well"! (8:30 pm to 6 am and then naps from after breakfast to 8:30 and noon to 1:30.
*Her favorite person is her Half the Sky (see link) grandmother.
*She has a good appetite.
*Favorite activity: playing outside.
*Favorite toy: toys that move when she presses them.
*She imitates words (a local dialect of Mandarin).
*She is active, fond of playing with toys, has a ready smile, gets along well with others, and is fond of reading picture books. She is "obstinate sometimes."
*Her update says "They love that her personality, she is very docile."
*She has 16 teeth!
*In November she weighed 10.6 kg (probably including several layers of clothes) and was 82 cm tall.
*She was sitting at 6 months, but only in her crib.
*She eats eggs every morning.
*At around nine months, when her hands touched for the first time, she "laughed out loud."
*"When she is having fun, she makes "da da" noises and saliva dribbles out of the corners of her mouth."
*Her "personality is open, lively, and extroverted."
*"She loves sweet food."
*She lives on the Rainbow floor. (Perfect for a rainbow family.)
*She sleeps "soundly and well"! (8:30 pm to 6 am and then naps from after breakfast to 8:30 and noon to 1:30.
*Her favorite person is her Half the Sky (see link) grandmother.
*She has a good appetite.
*Favorite activity: playing outside.
*Favorite toy: toys that move when she presses them.
*She imitates words (a local dialect of Mandarin).
*She is active, fond of playing with toys, has a ready smile, gets along well with others, and is fond of reading picture books. She is "obstinate sometimes."
*Her update says "They love that her personality, she is very docile."
China, Here We Come!
Nanjing is in Jiangsu Province which in in pink (includes Shanghai) on the east coast. We will spend one week there. The other week we will spend in Guangdong Province where the US Embassy is located. We will later decide whether to fly into Beijing (north), or Hong Kong (south), but if we go in a group, we may not have a choice!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Mail Call
It's in the mail, trust me, I have tracking numbers going for the USPS and Fed Ex! Our confirmation letter was "over-nighted" on Monday and as of Wednesday noon, still has not arrived. It has been to Nashville though! But it may work out well. Our other package left the Chinese Consulate in Chicago today, so maybe it will get here tomorrow and all the little papers can go their merry way back to Colorado Thursday or Friday! We'll see which company better delivers (pun intended). Meantime we had four documents notarized yesterday and have another one to do today. Yeah, Lori! She is always so willing for us to interrupt her day with these notarizations.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Her Name
When we received the referral, we were told her name, Cao (surname) An Hong. Cao, we were told is one of the 100 traditional surnames in China and Nanjing Social Welfare Institute gave this surname to all the children who entered their orphanage in 2005. We were told it is pronounced "TS" but the way they said it did not sound like that to me. I'm still working on figuring out how to pronounce it. They also said it had no translation since it was not the "chosen" name to which the Chinese people give much thought. Since then I have read it can mean "people of the same kind."
An means "peaceful" and this was chosen by her caregivers soon after her arrival at Nanjing's SWI. At that time, since An would have been in much pain from her nerve injury, the nannies were probably hoping she would experience peace! In her report from the SWI they said "she cried nonstop" and that "we hope her life will be peaceful." Hong means "red" according to our agency, but I've also noted it can mean "rainbow."
In chosing her name, we knew right away we wanted to keep the "An." We have kept part of the original name of each of our children. But we had a more difficult time with the first name. We'd long thought of "Katie." Then came "Lucy," "Sarah," and "Sophie." When Aunt Janice thought we should name her "Pizza," Chloe retorted, "she's our baby; we get to name her!" But we think we have decided on Josie. Our baby name book told us it derived from "Joseph" and we immediately thought of Joseph, from Genesis, who was sold into slavery, taken against his will to another land, falsely accused, imprisoned, forgotten, and yet he held tenaciously to God's promise for his life. He later said to his forgiven brothers, "What men intended for evil, God intended for good." What an inspiration for our daughter as she faces the injustices of her own life! Joseph means "God will increase" and a friend has told me Josie relates to increasing in wisdom.
An means "peaceful" and this was chosen by her caregivers soon after her arrival at Nanjing's SWI. At that time, since An would have been in much pain from her nerve injury, the nannies were probably hoping she would experience peace! In her report from the SWI they said "she cried nonstop" and that "we hope her life will be peaceful." Hong means "red" according to our agency, but I've also noted it can mean "rainbow."
In chosing her name, we knew right away we wanted to keep the "An." We have kept part of the original name of each of our children. But we had a more difficult time with the first name. We'd long thought of "Katie." Then came "Lucy," "Sarah," and "Sophie." When Aunt Janice thought we should name her "Pizza," Chloe retorted, "she's our baby; we get to name her!" But we think we have decided on Josie. Our baby name book told us it derived from "Joseph" and we immediately thought of Joseph, from Genesis, who was sold into slavery, taken against his will to another land, falsely accused, imprisoned, forgotten, and yet he held tenaciously to God's promise for his life. He later said to his forgiven brothers, "What men intended for evil, God intended for good." What an inspiration for our daughter as she faces the injustices of her own life! Joseph means "God will increase" and a friend has told me Josie relates to increasing in wisdom.
Monday, March 12, 2007
We're in the Match Room!
Okay, I know this is a bit confusing since we already have our match. But it is still wonderful news, let me explain briefly. Before we were just a file, a reviewed file, but just a file, sitting among thousands of files in a storage room. Now, in the match room, they have taken our file and put it with Josie's file. Here's the important part, as soon as we sign our acceptance letter (which is flying to us as I type) and return it to China, they will move our joined files into the TRAVEL ROOM! Once in the travel room, they will wait for our documents which are being authenticated by the Chinese Consulate in Chicago. Once they have those, they can issue our travel approval. After we receive travel approval, our agency makes our appointments and we fly in 2-4 weeks (depending on if we hit the no-travel zone of the trade fair). So, please pray our authenticated documents hit the post office tomorrow, arrive by Wednesday and are sent to China by Chloe's birthday! I have a tracking number on that return envelope. Any guesses how many times I check it tomorrow? They received it on the 7th and say it takes 4 business days to process. If this goes very, very well, we could travel and return by mid April! If not, it will be May. Either way is a month plus better than our previous best-case scenerio! If we do get to go in April, we will get to be there with our friends, the Hoods! Okay, can't get my hopes up like that...
Tomorrow we'll try to squeeze in school between our many new documents that need to be notarized and our visa applications! Little did I know when I planned this week's unit on birds I'd feel like it was "for the birds"!
Tomorrow we'll try to squeeze in school between our many new documents that need to be notarized and our visa applications! Little did I know when I planned this week's unit on birds I'd feel like it was "for the birds"!
Friday, March 9, 2007
From Grams
March 7, 2007
Dearest An,
Today is your birthday! You don't know it yet but you are being adopted into a family that already loves you very much! I am so happy for you and for us that I get tears in my eyes just thinking about you! I can hardly wait to hold you and tell you in person that I love you. Your daddy's family and your mommie's family are eagerly waiting your arrival. I know Chloe and Michael are ready to be your sister and brother. We have waited for you for a long time. You will be brought up in a home that loves Jesus and will teach you about Him. I and others have been praying for you for a long time. We have prayed that you would be in good health and that God would watch over you while you are in China, on your flight [home] and all of your life. So Happy Birthday, An. Welcome to our family. We love you very much. Grams
Dearest An,
Today is your birthday! You don't know it yet but you are being adopted into a family that already loves you very much! I am so happy for you and for us that I get tears in my eyes just thinking about you! I can hardly wait to hold you and tell you in person that I love you. Your daddy's family and your mommie's family are eagerly waiting your arrival. I know Chloe and Michael are ready to be your sister and brother. We have waited for you for a long time. You will be brought up in a home that loves Jesus and will teach you about Him. I and others have been praying for you for a long time. We have prayed that you would be in good health and that God would watch over you while you are in China, on your flight [home] and all of your life. So Happy Birthday, An. Welcome to our family. We love you very much. Grams
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Attachment Issues
The following is a little story about hope, adoption, and the ability to learn to love.
I am About to Cry
By Christina S.
I am an adoptive mother of a beautiful 8-year old girl. My daughter had bounced around in 5 different foster homes before she was 5 years old. Some of the professionals expressed concerns that she may not be able to fully attach to us given all the moves and trauma she experienced. However, we found that over time, with patience, love, and consistency, she learned to trust us more and definitely learn to attach to us. We saw this especially after she experienced adoption milestones (e.g. at 18 months when she had lived with us longer than she had lived with any other family).
Well, one morning, I surprised her with a little gift. I framed a large postcard she liked that had a picture of a cute dog (the one that the Post Office has on their "pets" stamps) and set it out for her to see when she came down for breakfast. She was so overwhelmed by this small gesture of love - I think she was moved that I really paid attention to what is important to her - that she covered her face with her hands and kept repeating quietly, "I don't believe it… I don't believe it." She then sat down and wrote me this poem:
"The time has come
It has opened my heart
Sweet of all I love
Rose mine
I am about to cry
I love you."
Written by Sharonda S., age 7 to her mom.
She writes "I am about to cry." I have the same reaction every time I read this poem. I hope that other adoptive parents of older children will feel encouraged by this poem, to know that children can heal, and that they are definitely key in helping their children to heal.
I am About to Cry
By Christina S.
I am an adoptive mother of a beautiful 8-year old girl. My daughter had bounced around in 5 different foster homes before she was 5 years old. Some of the professionals expressed concerns that she may not be able to fully attach to us given all the moves and trauma she experienced. However, we found that over time, with patience, love, and consistency, she learned to trust us more and definitely learn to attach to us. We saw this especially after she experienced adoption milestones (e.g. at 18 months when she had lived with us longer than she had lived with any other family).
Well, one morning, I surprised her with a little gift. I framed a large postcard she liked that had a picture of a cute dog (the one that the Post Office has on their "pets" stamps) and set it out for her to see when she came down for breakfast. She was so overwhelmed by this small gesture of love - I think she was moved that I really paid attention to what is important to her - that she covered her face with her hands and kept repeating quietly, "I don't believe it… I don't believe it." She then sat down and wrote me this poem:
"The time has come
It has opened my heart
Sweet of all I love
Rose mine
I am about to cry
I love you."
Written by Sharonda S., age 7 to her mom.
She writes "I am about to cry." I have the same reaction every time I read this poem. I hope that other adoptive parents of older children will feel encouraged by this poem, to know that children can heal, and that they are definitely key in helping their children to heal.
Pre-Approval
CCAI called us today to let us know we have pre-approval. I wish this were a sign that travel approval is just around the corner, but really it just means they've received our information requesting to be allowed to adopt Cao An Hong and they don't see a problem with that. We also sent our documents to the Chinese Consulate today for authentification and we sent a care package to Josie. The care package will also serve as notice to the orphanage staff that Josie has a family! It should arrive in a week. We put in a baby album of pictures of us with the Chinese characters for mother, father, big sister, big brother, and our dog. It also included a disposable camera, clothes, candy for the nannies, a little outfit, a book, and a bunny. But mainly I hope they use the picture album so she won't be in total shock when she sees us-blonde hair and all. Tomorrow is her birthday! Great-Grandma Hazel sent us a card ( :
Monday, March 5, 2007
Prayer Requests and Praises-updated 4/5/07
Prayer Requests
*for planning and care and adjustment of Chloe and Michael while we're away (as well as for their caregivers!)
*for Josie's protection, health, and favor in the eyes of her caregivers
*for Josie to be prepared for our arrival as much as possible, for quick and good bonding
*for safe and smooth travel
*for our grant applications (sent in 3/29).
Praises:
*Our match to An Hong!
*Agreement (between Chris and me) in deciding on the name "Josie".
*She likes books!
*Our friends Mike and Amy are enjoying their new daughter in China!
*We already have an appointment with a brachial plexus team!
*Chloe is excited to share her room ( : We have bunk bed frames!
*We have family members willing to care for our two while we're gone.
*Our agency has been great and we should be well lead in China.
*There is a couple we've met over internet who have all the same landmark dates as us for our referrals, are from the midwest, are traveling through the waiting child program to the same orphanage in China and are using the same agency! It will be nice to "know" someone else! And now we're flying with them too!
*We had a very speedy road to travel approval from referral, compared to others.
*Our tickets are purchased! Phew, such relief!
*for planning and care and adjustment of Chloe and Michael while we're away (as well as for their caregivers!)
*for Josie's protection, health, and favor in the eyes of her caregivers
*for Josie to be prepared for our arrival as much as possible, for quick and good bonding
*for safe and smooth travel
*for our grant applications (sent in 3/29).
Praises:
*Our match to An Hong!
*Agreement (between Chris and me) in deciding on the name "Josie".
*She likes books!
*Our friends Mike and Amy are enjoying their new daughter in China!
*We already have an appointment with a brachial plexus team!
*Chloe is excited to share her room ( : We have bunk bed frames!
*We have family members willing to care for our two while we're gone.
*Our agency has been great and we should be well lead in China.
*There is a couple we've met over internet who have all the same landmark dates as us for our referrals, are from the midwest, are traveling through the waiting child program to the same orphanage in China and are using the same agency! It will be nice to "know" someone else! And now we're flying with them too!
*We had a very speedy road to travel approval from referral, compared to others.
*Our tickets are purchased! Phew, such relief!
Breakdown
Done!!
CCAI application
Original home study
Immigration update home study
CCAI fee #1
Passports
Immigration filing and fingerprinting
Immigration filing and fingerprinting second time
Birth and Marriage Certificates
Certifications (first and second batches)
Authentications (first and second batches)
CCAI Fee #2
CCAA (China) Fee
Physicals and Lab Work
Photocopies and express mailings
Passport photos #1
Photos
Luggage
Immunizations to travel
Visas
CCAI post-placement deposit
Express mailings
Airfare
In-China accommodations (flights, hotels)
Still to Come:
Passport Photos #2
Authentic Chinese food ( :
Child passport, physical and visa
Orphanage donation -required
Orphanage donation: new 0-12 month clothes needed
Post Home Studies
Special Thanks: We have been blessed by prayers and support and financial donations from family and friends along the way. Aunt Janice (digital camera); Grandpa and Grandma (for giving us cash instead of presents at Christmas even though it wasn't as much fun); the Simmons family; Lasting Life; Jim and Linda: Thank you for the extra encouragement. Thank you to Lori Jacobs for taking our dossier photos and to Lori Reneau for being our faithful notary over the years.
CCAI application
Original home study
Immigration update home study
CCAI fee #1
Passports
Immigration filing and fingerprinting
Immigration filing and fingerprinting second time
Birth and Marriage Certificates
Certifications (first and second batches)
Authentications (first and second batches)
CCAI Fee #2
CCAA (China) Fee
Physicals and Lab Work
Photocopies and express mailings
Passport photos #1
Photos
Luggage
Immunizations to travel
Visas
CCAI post-placement deposit
Express mailings
Airfare
In-China accommodations (flights, hotels)
Still to Come:
Passport Photos #2
Authentic Chinese food ( :
Child passport, physical and visa
Orphanage donation -required
Orphanage donation: new 0-12 month clothes needed
Post Home Studies
Special Thanks: We have been blessed by prayers and support and financial donations from family and friends along the way. Aunt Janice (digital camera); Grandpa and Grandma (for giving us cash instead of presents at Christmas even though it wasn't as much fun); the Simmons family; Lasting Life; Jim and Linda: Thank you for the extra encouragement. Thank you to Lori Jacobs for taking our dossier photos and to Lori Reneau for being our faithful notary over the years.
Documentation
Sometimes folks ask about the process of international adoption, so I've compiled some of the steps below. It is important to have a good agency to walk you through each step, but it is not for the faint of heart or paper phobic (as I recently told a friend).
1. Decide upon international adoption, agency, and country. (China, CCAI)
2. Apply to the agency (8 pages) and sign agreements.
3. Compile the dossier.
a. Write adoption petition.
b. Order birth and marriage certificates.
c. Have employer(s) verify employment or write non-employment verification.
d. Write financial statement.
e. Complete physicals (and lab work) and have physicians fill out form.
f. Obtain police clearances.
g. Complete Home Study.
h. Obtain I-171H from Immigration (see below).
i. Apply for and copy passport.
j. Have family photos taken.
4. Have documents notarized, certified (Secretary of State), and authenticated (Chinese Consulate)
5. Apply to Immigration/Homeland Security
a. File the I-600A.
b. Drive to regional immigration office for fingerprinting
c. Send copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates.
d. Send home study when completed.
e. Repeat process as necessary until travel is complete.
6. Agency translates and sends dossier to China. China logs in your dossier. China reviews your dossier and approves you to adopt.
7. China either matches you to an orphan or, if you have told your agency you would like to receive a waiting child match (as we did), you are presented a child you may decide to adopt.
8. Letter of Acceptance, or if in waiting child program, homestudy update and addendum to adoption petition (notarized, certified, and authenticated) followed by letter of acceptance.
9. Apply for visa after you receive travel approval from China.
10. Travel. There is more paperwork ahead in China as the adoption is officially approved and finalized in the province, and the child receives his/her passport and certificate of citizenship from the Embassy in China.
11. Home Study updates are due twice more after returning home.
1. Decide upon international adoption, agency, and country. (China, CCAI)
2. Apply to the agency (8 pages) and sign agreements.
3. Compile the dossier.
a. Write adoption petition.
b. Order birth and marriage certificates.
c. Have employer(s) verify employment or write non-employment verification.
d. Write financial statement.
e. Complete physicals (and lab work) and have physicians fill out form.
f. Obtain police clearances.
g. Complete Home Study.
h. Obtain I-171H from Immigration (see below).
i. Apply for and copy passport.
j. Have family photos taken.
4. Have documents notarized, certified (Secretary of State), and authenticated (Chinese Consulate)
5. Apply to Immigration/Homeland Security
a. File the I-600A.
b. Drive to regional immigration office for fingerprinting
c. Send copies of birth certificates and marriage certificates.
d. Send home study when completed.
e. Repeat process as necessary until travel is complete.
6. Agency translates and sends dossier to China. China logs in your dossier. China reviews your dossier and approves you to adopt.
7. China either matches you to an orphan or, if you have told your agency you would like to receive a waiting child match (as we did), you are presented a child you may decide to adopt.
8. Letter of Acceptance, or if in waiting child program, homestudy update and addendum to adoption petition (notarized, certified, and authenticated) followed by letter of acceptance.
9. Apply for visa after you receive travel approval from China.
10. Travel. There is more paperwork ahead in China as the adoption is officially approved and finalized in the province, and the child receives his/her passport and certificate of citizenship from the Embassy in China.
11. Home Study updates are due twice more after returning home.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Time Line
2004 We realized God had placed on both our hearts a desire to adopt from China.
6/2005 We submitted our application to Chinese Children Adoption International.
12/2005 Our paperwork was received and logged into China's adoption center.
9/2006 Our paperwork passed the review room.
2/14/2007 We accepted the referral of An Hong from the Waiting Child Program.
2/19 We sent our letter of intent for An Hong.
3/6 We received pre-approval from China.
3/7 Josie An celebrated her second birthday!
3/9 We received our I-171H for the second time (immigration paperwork).
3/12 Our agency received the letter for confirmation which China sends when our file is taken to the match room. We will sign and return this to the agency ASAP (done 3/15).
3/16 We sent our last documents: the authenticated adoption petition addendum and the home study addendum! CCAI should receive it Saturday and then it can be sent to China!
3/28 We received our travel approval from China! Now we just wait out the trade fair and the week off for China's government workers and we can go!
4/? We have our finalized travel plans and have booked all our tickets.
5/3 We leave for China.
5/8 We receive Josie (Chloe's day was 4/8).
5/19 We should be home.
Timeline for other China adoption folks (in code):
LID 12/30/05
MCC 1/06 and 4/06
R 2/14/07
LOI 2/19/07
PA 3/6/07
LOA 3/9/07
TP2 3/29/07
CA 5/18/07
6/2005 We submitted our application to Chinese Children Adoption International.
12/2005 Our paperwork was received and logged into China's adoption center.
9/2006 Our paperwork passed the review room.
2/14/2007 We accepted the referral of An Hong from the Waiting Child Program.
2/19 We sent our letter of intent for An Hong.
3/6 We received pre-approval from China.
3/7 Josie An celebrated her second birthday!
3/9 We received our I-171H for the second time (immigration paperwork).
3/12 Our agency received the letter for confirmation which China sends when our file is taken to the match room. We will sign and return this to the agency ASAP (done 3/15).
3/16 We sent our last documents: the authenticated adoption petition addendum and the home study addendum! CCAI should receive it Saturday and then it can be sent to China!
3/28 We received our travel approval from China! Now we just wait out the trade fair and the week off for China's government workers and we can go!
4/? We have our finalized travel plans and have booked all our tickets.
5/3 We leave for China.
5/8 We receive Josie (Chloe's day was 4/8).
5/19 We should be home.
Timeline for other China adoption folks (in code):
LID 12/30/05
MCC 1/06 and 4/06
R 2/14/07
LOI 2/19/07
PA 3/6/07
LOA 3/9/07
TP2 3/29/07
CA 5/18/07
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