the one where I'm a blubbering mess

I knew there was a lot of waiting in the adoption process.  I knew it would be hard.  I knew there would be times I would be upset by the waiting....what I didn't know is that it would be during this part of the process.

when we started, brendan and I said we would do whatever it takes to do the things dependent on us as fast as possible. we wanted our part to be done as fast as we can because we knew those on the other end of the equation don't have the same sense of urgency we do.  so if we could do our part quickly it would, theoretically, shorten our wait...even a little.

our initial application documents and medical exams and fingerprinting was complete in 3weeks, which they say is fast. we waited on brendan's employment letter the longest. then the home study visits got moved up...GREAT!  then we spent a long month waiting on someone to review it.  IT SHOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN THAT LONG! then we got to review it...I thought that was it and in a matter of days we could send off for the immigration approval I had heard takes so long.


WRONG!

the state had to approve it, that took 2weeks.  at the same time our primary adoption agency had to review it.  they finished today...and they have revisions!  meaning the social worker has to re write some things, maybe question us again!  she says she hopes to have it done by MONDAY!  we already hold state approval...that should be enough!  this review process is bordering on the ludicrous!!!!!!!!!  

crying...lots of crying gone on in the last 2 weeks...month...LOTS!   and no one cares.  all I get from anyone in the process is...everyone has to wait, it's part of the process...hang in there...

this is not ok! it should not be...but we tolerate it because we have to...there has to be a way to change this...there HAS to!  I am paying A LOT of money to these agencies to do this service for ME!  there should be a way to demand their timely review and completion. they work for me...right? 

apparently not. because according to them, I have to tolerate the wait, and it upsets them when you question why it's been so long.

I'm a mess...this isn't right...it just isn't right!

the one with the pre-approval

 it is our pleasure to FINALLY introduce our sweet girl to the world!

we got our PA this morning and are so excited because now we are allowed to share some pictures.  We still can not disclose her full chinese name until we have our official approval, but at this point we are planning on calling her Sarah.

 

she seems like such a little ham, and we do have a video (which I may post at a later date) in which she is making these silly faces as she reads and we feel like she may have a bit of a sassy side :)

we are waiting now to be able to file our pre approval with immigration, that should go out this week.

thank you everyone who is praying for our journey...we are so grateful!  we now pray for quick approvals by immigration (i800a) and then by the chinese government on our official acceptance (called LOA)

at this point I think we could be traveling in June, or sooner if the approvals come quickly :)

the one with the patience

it has been a long couple of months.  the things I thought we would breeze through for the adoption took longer then I expected. (makes me nervous for how long it will take for the things that usually take a long time)  the home study visits went quickly but the writing and reviewing has taken sooooo long!  finally on dec30 we got to review it ourselves and sign off on it.  now it goes for approval from Dillon (our placing agency) then the state.  then we can finally send it to immigration for their pre-approval!  sheesh!  and in the mean time we are sending in a letter of intent (LOI) to China for pre-approval (PA).  that should only take a couple of weeks while the US pre-approval takes up to 2months!!  uggg!  this is so frustrating! 

please pray with us that these approvals come faster then average.

so, I will TRY to be patient as we wait for all these things.  we will begin some adoption education in Feb.  at least that will make me feel like I am doing something towards the goal.

fundraising isn't going so well as I had hoped either....  and that's fine.  we know God will provide.  I think brendan may get to work a bit of overtime in the next month or so, so that will help.  we have gotten one donation so far, which we are so grateful for.  we will be starting to build our puzzle with that donation. 

I have been collecting spare change in a half gallon jar.  it's almost full.  I can't wait to take it in and see how much it is.  I deal mostly in cash so I just take any and all change I get and dump it in the bottom of my purse, then when I get home I dump that in the jar :)

it would be great, if anyone else out there deals in cash and wants to join me in filling a jar, we'd love the support :)  I'd be happy to give you a big jar like mine or you can just use any jar you have.