5/22/98
We applied to Associated Services for International Adoption and we're happy to announce that we've been accepted! We received our program packet today, so I've started work on our dossier. There's so much we still need to do! Somehow, our house must get in order for a homestudy--I'm assured that this event is really no big deal, but I still think it's intimidating. As soon as the certified copies of our vital records (birth certificates and marriage certificates) arrive, I'll send off our I-600A application. On Sunday, I'm teaching my first Sunday school class, something that I find rather intimidating. I've enjoyed "volunteering" with the class, but now I think that perhaps I was a little nuts when I said I'd teach it full-time . . .
5/31/98
The paperchase is well under way. I've scheduled our homestudy visit for just a few weeks from now (what was I thinking?!), so we're cleaning the house like mad! We also plan to attend a Chinese Culture Day at the end of June. It's so exciting to think that we're to learn about our daughter's culture (wow, "our daughter", we like the sound of that!)
7/7/98
Happy Birthday to me! I had a wonderful birthday, Terry bought me a copy of Children in China. It has many wonderful pictures of adorable Chinese children, as well as many interesting tidbits on Chinese culture. 7/8/98
Things are moving right along! You can read about our homestudy details. Our expense page shows not only what expenses we've incurred, but it also gives a general idea of our progress. Preparing our dossier is so exciting! It actually feels like we're getting a lot accomplished. We recently filed our I-600A form with the INS, and we're waiting for our fingerprint appointment. We have our second homestudy visit this weekend--we're much more relaxed than we were for our first one!
8/25/98
Our second homestudy visit was a breeze! Lots of things have happened since I last wrote. At the end of July, dh and I had our fingerprints taken. I was a little discouraged since it was so late in the month, but I just called the FBI last week, and they have already cleared! How's that for fast? IMHO, I think the FBI is a quality organization. I spoke with a very nice lady and she even called me back. I was pleasantly surprised. We applied for our passports, and again, there was a superfast turnaround--two weeks! Now for the bad news . . . my homestudy was supposed to be done last week. Well, I still don't have it. I want to call the sw and ask where it is, but I hate to appear impatient when I'm trying to make a good impression. I really wanted to have a September dtc, but it's beginning to look like that's not going to happen. :-( But we should have our documents in China by October, I would think.
9/6/98
Our homestudy finally arrived. I had just about given up on it! For future reference, I will be sure to give my homestudy provider pre-paid, trackable mailers for any future homestudy transportation! So, the coveted study has been expressed off to the INS, for their seal of approval. Now, we wait with baited breath for the elusive form 171-H. The plot thickens . . .
9/27/98
The waaaiting is the hardest part . . . .
It has been almost a month since I sent our homestudy off to the INS for their approval, but still no 171-H. To say that I'm a little impatient is something of an understatement. I will refrain from venting. We have almost all of our dossier documents together except for that. I have to re-do our medical forms to comply with China's new policy, which is not a big deal. It is very comical to see Terry and I racing to the mailbox, always looking for an envelope from the INS, which is never there!
10/22/98
After almost two months, we finally received our beloved I171-H form from the INS office. Imagine my shock to see that it's just a photocopied piece of paper! After all this anticipation, I had expected it to have gilt edges and be tied with red ribbon. So, we immediately sped off to the Secretary of State's office and state-authenticated our dossier. It's now been shipped off to the Consulate. Hopefully everything is in order, after being checked and re-checked! Once the Consulate has done it's job, our dossier will finally be shipped off to China, and the "great wait" will begin! So, right now, we're waiting to be waiting!
2/20/99
After wanting a child for so long, it feels great to finally be buying baby things. I have had the most fun preparing for our daughter's arrival. Her room is actually starting to look like someone will live there soon! I have loved researching baby products for usefulness and safety. It's really kind of funny how much thought I put into every purchase! The waiting isn't without it's turmoil--naturally, we want our daughter now, but I'm trying to make a point of savoring our last time together as a couple. Sometimes I succeed, other times, my impatience gets the best of me! One thing I recommend to pass the time is trying to learn Chinese. I have really enjoyed the CD-rom "Power Chinese", and I recommend it. Although others I know disagree, I've found the wait so far to be mostly less stressful than the dossier-paperchase. The paperchase is full of pitfalls, waiting can't be messed up!
BELATED UPDATE 8/2000
Due to changes in Chinese adoption law, we very nearly weren't allowed to adopt from China after all. Shortly after our dossier went to China, a law was passed that only couples who were over 30 years old could adopt from China. Since I was only 25, that definitely let me out. But, the law didn't take effect until April, and the CCAA was gracious enough to expedite our referral. With much thanks to our agency ASIA of Oregon, we were able to adopt our wonderful daughter Avery Gen, from LePing, JiangXi, PRC. You can see Avery's referral picture. We lovingly referred to her as "the most disgruntled baby in China". We travelled to Nanchang in March 1999 to complete her adoption. It was truly a wonderful trip, and Avery is such a blessing. Hopefully, I will post updated pictures in the next few days, as well as our belated travel story and packing list.
Email me at laurief@geocities.com if you would like to share your China adoption story, in the meantime. My pages are always a work in progress, so stay tuned for future developments. Please come back soon and visit me.