You Might Be Adopting From China If:

(borrowed from The Shelton Family blog)

...you know that I-600 & I-171 aren't highways

...you've been expecting a baby for over 3 years

...you understand that it's 2006 in some parts of the world

...you've "paid for" 3 citizenships, but never brought anyone into the U.S

...you know that waiting for China has nothing to do with Macy's or dishes

...your homestudy is followed by a number (i.e. #3 or #4)

...you never know how many days next month will have

...you know that babies come in batches

...you've been fingerprinted four times, but never committed a crime

...you automatically assume everyone who is expecting is having a girl

...you own new clothing in 3 little sizes for all 4 seasons -because you don't know when or how big (I will add that she has more clothes than I do!)

...you look twice when you see a ladybug

...you're more interested in what will happen in April 2006 than in April 2009

...you know people who understand when you talk about 2 day months & 5 day months

...your due date hasn't changed by days, but by years

...you know who the Rumor Queen is ... AND ... you don't know who she is

...you know that forecast doesn't have anything to do with the weather

...you've waited so long, they re-checked your fingerprints to see if they changed

...trying to understand why they're printing you again, you study your own fingerprints and wonder if fingerprints grow wrinkles

...when you speak of "that time of month" you're talking about CCAA updates & referrals

This one made me laugh AND cry! God is good and if it is meant to be then it will be...

An Update of Sorts....

WOW! It has been five months since I did my last post. It isn't because I haven't been near a computer but as I said in my holiday letter - not much to say.

We are still waiting. We will go through another renew process this summer to keep our paperwork current. Way back I said that we wouldn't renew unless we were close. Well, we aren't much closer- random polls suggest anywhere from March 2010 on a good day to Dec 2015 on a bad day.
We will renew- it is just more waiting. While we soul search - I still feel the need to keep going. Like - I can't let go! I will try to use this time to keep reading information to help train us for a variety of adoption scenarios.

It has been 3 years this month since we made the decision and contacted an agency. The estimate at that time was 18 months. A bit long (*snort*) but we will use the time to get ready.

Still moving slowing but forward. They are on March 6th, 2006 LID - We are Sept 29, 2006 not far on a yearly calendar but may be years in a referral away. At this point - not much else to do....

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.