This is better

This morning we received word that referrals are on the way for parents who were logged in October 27-November 1, 2005. It seems worse than it is (6 days' worth). Those folks who track information relentlessly thought if referrals came through October 31 it would be a good thing. Apparently October 27 and October 31 were HUGE days for parents being logged in.
All this to say, we're 7 days away now, and it looks good for our referral to come in early June. Early July at the latest, which means we will likely travel in August or September.
It's starting to feel real now...

a setback

Referrals came (a week later than expected - on April 6) and they were for parents logged in October 25 and 26, 2005. Two days' worth of referrals is unheard of, and a huge disappointment for those of us waiting "on the cusp." The CCAA has been averaging 13 days worth of referrals; we are now 13 log-in days away.

For the first time last night I had a good, hard cry. A cry for the child we've waited and prayed for month after month, and a cry for my family, who has been through so much in the past year and just deserves a bit of happiness. Nothing would make me happier than for our parents to be able to hold our daughter and take in the sheer joy of a baby.

This morning our adoption agency called to check in with us and to say how sorry they are for the wait. We are very lucky; we have a good agency that's doing the best they can to serve their families. Our agency still thinks we have a chance of being included in the next batch of matched parents/babies, and that the 2-days' worth of referrals was a fluke. Time will tell!

Thanks again for your continued prayers.

Referrals are coming! From what we've heard online, the CCAA has matched and sent referrals for parents logged in October 25-early November. Not sure of the cut-off date yet, but we'll know Monday (if not sooner). It's doubtful we're in this batch, but even if we're not included this time, we'll know we are NEXT.
The next batch of referrals should come the week of April 23 or April 30.

Our journey to Vivian

We've created this blog for our friends and family to get updates on our adoption. As most of you know, we began the process two years ago (March 2005) after much discussion and prayer.

Our log-in date with the CCAA (the China Center for Adoption Affairs) is November 8, 2005. That's the day our translated paperwork was received at CCAA and put into the pile of waiting parents. The CCAA moves through parent dossiers by date, and as luck would have it, we were logged in at the beginning of a major slow-down. Our 6-month wait has turned into 16 months and counting.

Parents and children are "matched" approximately once a month, in batches. As it looks now, we should be in the batch for late April/early May. At that time we will receive a referral, which includes pictures, a medical history and information about our daughter (where she was found, her birthdate, where she lives now, etc.) We will travel approximately 6-8 weeks later, and we will be in China for two weeks.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us on this long journey - we couldn't have done it without our friends and family. Stay tuned for further updates!!