Update

Here is a short update on the adoption.

Sept. 29, 2008 was our 2 years of waiting anniversary.

Referrals were matched at the end of Sept. for people with LID (paperwork dates in Ch*na) through Feb. 15, 2006.

The line is still moving. People are still receiving referrals.

March is a huge month of people waiting. We hope they can get through that month by Jan 2009.

Our USGIS paperwork will expire in Sept. 2009. I hope we have a better projection of the time frame.

I took a new job and love it! This keeps me focused and organized. Maybe I should use this time to get established in my job/career so that when princess does come, I can have both.

Another update

We took another small step in line this month. I think the term "baby steps" is an ironic play on words in this case.

We were lucky to have a set of referals this month since the speculation was there wouldn't be any due to the Olypm*cs. Most of the gov agencies have closed until they are over. Next month will also be small IF they are able to get any at all. Many people still waiting in IA are hopeful that the rumor of things speeding up after this month comes true. There are many prayers for more matching, and we are among them.

The predictions if things continue or slow even farther down are horrible. But we are almost in our 2nd year of waiting. There are many more important needs in the world than my desperate plea for answers. I have seen my selfish ways too often. If I can keep busy enough and avoid the daily speculations- I can get through this using more patience.

Someone the other day didn't like how I was rushing to get something back from service- She scolded me and said "slow down, You have to have patience. Just wait, in time."
Blah! Blah ! Blah! I wanted to shout like a two year old - I have been waiting! I am tired of it!" Then wanted to throw myself down in a temper tatrum. BUT I did not. I did manage a half smile through gritted teeth though.

We can do this. 2010 doesn't look so far away anymore. A special little girl is there for us. I love to see the people's news of the latest referrals. Someday it will be us, looking back telling people it was worth the wait.

Latest Referrals

The latest referrals were for people logged in (LID) with paperwork was from January 13-20th. That is seven days further we move up. Better than last month's batch but slower than last year at this time. Moving forward is still a plus.

The rumor is to get to March 2006 by the end of this year. March has a lot of families logged in. It will take a while to get that paperwork done & matched.

We are LID end of September 2006 & still in line hoping for some faster matching.

Congrats to all those who waited for 29 months to see their new family members!

What do you say?

The question is caring & hopeful but my answer is so full of emotions that I am not sure if this is what people are ready to listen to. Everyone means well, but do they really want to hear me ramble again?

"How is the adoption going?"


My favorite picture. Patience.
We are waiting. Still waiting. Yes, this is the longest wait for IA with Ch*na. Our paperwork will expire again in May 2009. We will have to decide to continue by refiling the paperwork or pull out. I am desperately hopeful at this point. Why so long? Many reasons- but this is the way it is right now. We have a closet full of clothes, books & toys for "princess." The boys have written stories about having a sister to play with, take care of and spoil.
I was devastated by the news of the Ch*na earthquake, the schools and the people that lost their lives, homes, family. I did get upset though that I counted at least 20 orphanages in the effected region. Why are there that many orphanages when there are so many willing people?

I guess it is a culture that I will have to keep learning about, empathising, and understand.
Thank you for asking.

Interesting Quote

Consider the postage stamp;
its usefulness consists in
the ability to stick to one thing
till it gets there.

-josh billings 1818-1885

No news. Still waiting...

For Fun

Not much is new. We are very excited to have spring here and some nicer weather. Here is our dog with her pal playing tug O war.

We passed our 18th anniversary of waiting. We haven't rec'd our latest update paperwork but the longer our gov takes to process this then the longer we have until it expires.

We rec'd our passports in just 4 weeks. They are good until 2018. I hope we have travelled to China before then!
Just keeping busy & enjoying the boys. Maybe applying for a new job.

The latest referrals were reported to take the current placement date to Jan 9th, 2006. Congrats to those who are celebrating. At least we are in 2006.

Still waiting

I haven't posted much since there isn't much to post.

Just Waiting...
Waiting for the next set of referrals to be official.
Waiting as we just passed our 17th LID anniversary.
Waiting for the new 171 form from our paperwork renewal.
Waiting for answers to many questions with IA adoption in China.
Just Waiting.....

Starfish Supply Raiser...

This information is posted on fellow adopter's blog Red Mary Janes to spread the word about helping out a special charity.

Starfish Foster Home is run by an angel. The dedication she has for the children is beyond any words. If you are not familiar with Amanda or the Starfish Foster Home in China, please visit their blog at 'Chinese Starfish Blog' and the Chinese Starfish Organization website for donations and information.

Starfish Foster Home is always in need of small-item donations! Some things are just difficult to get in China. At the moment, they need the following items. Due to import regulations, it is better to receive new items.

Long sleeved onesies or body suits from 0-3to 2T. We need some for next year
Winter sleepers, the ones with covered feet from about 6-9 months to 3T.
Any summer clothes, Preemie to 2T.
Summer shoes from 0 to 6 children's.
Vick's Baby rub
Infant Motrin and Tylenol
Gripe Water from Amazon.com
Pelican plastic bibs
Baby sunscreen
Plastic backed changing table covers
Plastic backed bibs
Playtex Bottles (the ones with the bags in them)
Playtex nipples (the have four different kinds some of each will do)

If you would like to help the Starfish Foster Home by supplying any of these items or any other items for small children, e-mail Kim at timnkim@gmail.com or go directly to the Chinese Starfish site to get mailing information.

She will be collecting the items throughout the month of February and then mailing them to Chinese Starfish at the end of the month.

Even if you cannot donate at this time- please check out the Chinese Starfish blog and the mission of this foster home at Chinese Starfish Foster Home. It is very inspiring to know that angels are out there.

It is 16!

This case it is not a sweet sixteen.

Right now this adoption blog is nothing more than a reminder of another month waiting.

The current wait is 24-26 months. What this means is that people who have just received a child referral have waited 24-26 months. Rumors & speculations are telling us that we have 3-5 more years. 2008 is not really possible without a miracle. 2009 is less likely to happen also.
Have Faith. I do. But not necessarily that this adoption will actually take place. I have faith that the divine power is in control and knows what is best. His plan may not include this adoption. That I am accepting. Depressed? Of course, but we have our paperwork in through 2009. Then we will see what will happen.

We are looking into other countries IA programs. We are trying to find the right fit. We started off wanting to expand our family. We decided not to add another into the world with children needing homes. So Ch*na was a perfect fit for us but we would have to wait a year. Well that changed.

We are currently researching Eth*opia. The orphanages and country is in extreme poverty. This seems to be where the need for a new life is greatest. Just some health factors and emotional issues to work through. It isn't the perfect fit but we may be led this path.

So another month waiting. Thanks for reading....see you next month.

The latest updates

The rollercoaster continues. The latest referrals were for LID up to December 19th, 2005. This was another small batch. Remember I am a Sept 2006 LID.
There is HUGE concern over what is happening with the IA program in China.
People want to know but there doesn't seem to be much information given. This is when the rumors and speculation is high. People need to figure out what is going on and many people have ideas.
I have been bouncing around to check out some.
The Olympics is probably a factor. Speculation is that China is planning on minimizing some of the IA program because image.
There are other rumors that they will only be through Feb 2006 at the end of 2008. Again, this is a tough one- drawing out a lot of emotions on all grounds.
I am going to have to trust this is the path I am meant to take.

This is part of my daily prayers & readings:

"May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. (this is really hard on some days)....
Let His presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love....."

We are renewing our paperwork. All of our doctors reports were good & we are now waiting for the home study update. This should take us into 2009.