This is a little late but I wanted to update everyone on the September referrals. In early September the CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs) referred children to those waiting parents logged in through November 25, 2005. That is only 4 days worth of referrals, in one months time. At this rate we will be in our 40's before we would receive a referral. I have mentioned before that the wait is growing, and there seems to be no end in sight. Because of this, as well as many other reasons, we have decided to also be on our agencies "Waiting Child" List.
I have discussed the process for the Waiting Child Program in previous blog entries, but will revisit the process, for those that are interested. We notified our agency at the beginning of this year that we would be interested in adopting a child on the Waiting Child List. This program works as follows: an agency is sent a list of children with special needs. Typically the special needs are minor and/or correctable. The children range in age from 6 months to 12 years. After the age of 6 a child is considered "special needs" because of their age. Each agency receives a different list and is responsible for "matching" these children with interested adoptive parents. Each agency handles this "matching" process in their own way. Our agency handles it in what we feel is a very fair manner (unlike many other agencies). When we notified our agency that we were interested in this program they had us tell them what age and gender we were comfortable with, as well as what special needs we would consider. We told them that we would like a girl under the age of 3, and that we would consider any special need. When we made them aware of our desire they put us on a list with all the other prospective adoptive parents who were signed with them. When each new waiting child list comes in (every 3 months or so) they go in order and match the children with the parents they have on their list according to the parents list of acceptable special needs and the childs special need. If no match can be made they then allow those who are not signed with them already to request information on the child. Our agency received their last list in mid-August. After matching all the children on that list we are now around 9th on the list of waiting adoptive parents. The agency recieves a list of about 10 children, so we could be next! However, because most of the people in front of us are also requesting a girl around the same age as us, it is more likely that we will be matched in the list after the next one. We are very excited that we could see our baby girl's face sometime in the next 6 months are so. After we recieve a referral, and accept it, it will then be approxiamtely 3-4 months to complete all the necessary paperwork and head to China. We are really hoping we will be able to get to China before the Olympics begin in Beijing next August. Traveling during the Olympics (although we do not have to travel to Beijing) would be very expensive and much more difficult. Personally, I would really like to see China in the Spring. I may be too optimistic, and it may be more likely that we will see China in the fall. Whenever we go I know it will be a wonderful journey, and I can't wait to meet our baby girl.
As for now, I can't help but think that my Dad is in Heaven and he is looking down on China, and watching our baby girl! He was a big supporter of our adoption, and it makes me very sad that he will not get to meet his granddaughter, and she will never know the most influential man in my life. I will be sure and show her lots of pictures, and tell her lots of wonderful stories about her PawPaw!
