One thing we've been told over and over is to not worry about the money - it will be there when we have to have it. This was proven today. We had two things that HAD to be done since we're working with a very tight deadline to get our pre-approval from China. Both of these things were VERY important and both cost several hundred dollars each. We were $80 short.
As I was talking with the International Adoption Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital about a mandatory consultation (to the tune of $805) they told me that they are going to waive one of the fees (it was $230!) So, instead of being short the $80, we actually have something left in our account!! We are thankful.
What has today looked like? I got up at 5AM, and have worked on our papers for about 9 hours so far. Much of the day was spent on the "Parenting Resource Plan" document. This beast (so far) is 32 pages of research on things such as medical conditions, attachment disorders, behavior issues, etc.etc. A new email/telephone friend put it like this, "It is so hard to find all the local resources you might, hypothetically, could need. Sometimes I think WACAP makes you fill that out just to test your perseverance." Yeah, she summed it up perfectly!
I spent an hour and a half on the phone with the International Adoption Center at Children's Hospital. Wow! If their review of the records are half as informative as what I was told so far, we will get a LOT from this review.
When Ethan gets home he has to notarize the request for his out of country birth certificate then hope it gets here before the usual several month waiting period. Did you know that China requires the birth certificate to be issued no more than six months before the dossier is sent? So much for thinking we were on top of things by having two of the hard-to-get certified documents in hand! A trip to the post office is scheduled next, then MORE professional passport photos. We wish we had known to request several photo copies the first time we had them done. They are needed for numerous other things in addition to the passports. As I type this, there is a huge thunderstorm raging outside. I'm thankful for the rain, but thinking there might be a better time to go have photos taken!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
July 17: Successfully applied for passports for Ethan, Randi and Tikvah.
Faxed our application papers to WACAP and we are official now. They say things look good and we're on track -- right before they send us an email with a whole list of things that we have ten business days to complete/obtain and send back so they can get pre-approval from China.
July 16: We receive the application from WACAP - primary facilitator of adoption. We receive the application from Adoption Star - secondary agency who will do the homestudy. Still typing, answering questions, researching...
July 14: We spend FIVE HOURS trying to get our documents and photos in order to apply for passports. Fail. They closed at noon and we weren't ready until 12:10.
July 13 - 15: Answering questions, researching, answering questions, researching, answering questions...
July 13: We tell WACAP that we want to go ahead with "Abigail's" adoption, keeping the way open to add "Ellla" if the other agency will allow.
I receive a phone call from another WACAP client who adopted two unrelated special needs children (about six months ago) at the same time. Super sweet mom (who is actually one year OLDER than me!) who was very encouraging. She gave a realistic view of what to expect. I am so thankful that God has sent so many folks along to encourage us.
July 12: We receive answers to the additional health questions and an unexpected bonus. Abigail's caseworker is able to obtain the actual CT images and we have a copy!! We will be scheduling a pre-adoption consultation with the International Adoption Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Such a consultation is required by our agency and by China.
We attend an informational seminar at the local agency that told us "No way." We ask them if they will consider transferring "Ella's" file so the other agency can facilitate both adoptions. We're told they will check into it.
July 11: One agency says, "No way can you adopt two at the same time." The other agency says, "Yes, it can be done, but it adds an extra layer of complication to the process."
The second agency sends us a "Parenting Resource Plan". Wow! What a lot of questions to answer!
July 8: We get medical advice concerning Abigail's files. More questions asked.
July 6-7: Said files narrowed down to 50. I read medical and background files and then read some more. Abigail will not leave my head or my heart. Ok, scratch that. There are two, "Abigail" and "Ella" I simply cannot think of leaving either one of them in China without a family. Big complication. Both are "Special Focus" children each assigned to one specific DIFFERENT agency to facilitate their adoption. Now what?
July 5: Another agency sends us info on 1797 children. I cry.
Among others, we receive "Abigail's" file.
July 3: Among others, we receive "Ella's" file.
July 2: Search begins in earnest. So many needy children. Can we really have only one?
June 29 and 30: Inform our adult kids who basically say, "You're going to do WHAT?"
June 26: Yes! We've talked about this for literally years. We are going to do it at last! Where to start? The Shepherd's Crook, Rainbowkids, All God's Children, Journeys of the Heart, etc. etc. etc.
Faxed our application papers to WACAP and we are official now. They say things look good and we're on track -- right before they send us an email with a whole list of things that we have ten business days to complete/obtain and send back so they can get pre-approval from China.
July 16: We receive the application from WACAP - primary facilitator of adoption. We receive the application from Adoption Star - secondary agency who will do the homestudy. Still typing, answering questions, researching...
July 14: We spend FIVE HOURS trying to get our documents and photos in order to apply for passports. Fail. They closed at noon and we weren't ready until 12:10.
July 13 - 15: Answering questions, researching, answering questions, researching, answering questions...
July 13: We tell WACAP that we want to go ahead with "Abigail's" adoption, keeping the way open to add "Ellla" if the other agency will allow.
I receive a phone call from another WACAP client who adopted two unrelated special needs children (about six months ago) at the same time. Super sweet mom (who is actually one year OLDER than me!) who was very encouraging. She gave a realistic view of what to expect. I am so thankful that God has sent so many folks along to encourage us.
July 12: We receive answers to the additional health questions and an unexpected bonus. Abigail's caseworker is able to obtain the actual CT images and we have a copy!! We will be scheduling a pre-adoption consultation with the International Adoption Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Such a consultation is required by our agency and by China.
We attend an informational seminar at the local agency that told us "No way." We ask them if they will consider transferring "Ella's" file so the other agency can facilitate both adoptions. We're told they will check into it.
July 11: One agency says, "No way can you adopt two at the same time." The other agency says, "Yes, it can be done, but it adds an extra layer of complication to the process."
The second agency sends us a "Parenting Resource Plan". Wow! What a lot of questions to answer!
July 8: We get medical advice concerning Abigail's files. More questions asked.
July 6-7: Said files narrowed down to 50. I read medical and background files and then read some more. Abigail will not leave my head or my heart. Ok, scratch that. There are two, "Abigail" and "Ella" I simply cannot think of leaving either one of them in China without a family. Big complication. Both are "Special Focus" children each assigned to one specific DIFFERENT agency to facilitate their adoption. Now what?
July 5: Another agency sends us info on 1797 children. I cry.
Among others, we receive "Abigail's" file.
July 3: Among others, we receive "Ella's" file.
July 2: Search begins in earnest. So many needy children. Can we really have only one?
June 29 and 30: Inform our adult kids who basically say, "You're going to do WHAT?"
June 26: Yes! We've talked about this for literally years. We are going to do it at last! Where to start? The Shepherd's Crook, Rainbowkids, All God's Children, Journeys of the Heart, etc. etc. etc.
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