CCAA - Cutoff is May 25th, 2005

Well its official, the China Center of Adoption Affairs has updated their website. I can't imagine, we won't be next...

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office in June 2005.
The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before May 25, 2005.

Another Rumor

There's a new rumor on the yahoo group message board from a fellow 5/31 LIDer.

We just spoke with our Agency - it is official, the referrals are cutoff at May 25th. Our China Coordinator is over in China right now and was just told by someone at CCAA that this batch only covers through May 25th. The referrals are coming on Monday.I am absolutely heartbroken. That's all I can say.LID - 5/31

If this is tue, we'll be waiting another month. ----BUMMER

I need some retail therapy now!!!!

Latest Rumors

I belong to a yahoo group for parents who've submitted their paperwork to the CCAA in the month of May. Posted on the message board was the latest rumor from this individual’s adoption agency. IT IS JUST A RUMOR, but I can't help but get excited.

The good news is that the agency contacted the CCAA this morning to check on referrals. The director told us that they will definitely finish up with all the May LID's by the end of the month. March 1st they will start with June!!!!!!!! We still think the referrals will come by the end of the month.

Map of China

chinaadmimap
Originally uploaded by Mommy2Eva.

Where will Éva be from?

FAQ - Faith International China Adoption

What's the first step?
Opening your heart. This process will change your life and the life of a child forever and it is important to understand the gravity of this commitment. If you are sure that you can give the love and support needed, you begin the process by completing a home study, then file an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and begin collecting documents for your adoption dossier.
Are there age restrictions?
Adoptive applicants must be at least 30 years old. The average age of the babies are 8-12 months. Applicants over age 45 should be prepared for a child 12-18 months, and couples with both applicants over 50 should be prepared for a 2 year old. While this is the 'rule', it is very common for applicants 45 and over to be matched with an infant 8-12 months. Due to restrictions, single parents cannot adopt from China once they reach 50 years of age.
How long does the paperwork process take?
Depending upon your motivation to complete the paperwork and the current efficiency of USCIS, anticipate that your dossier will be ready to send to China 3-5 months following your initial application.
How long before we get a picture?
Currently it is taking 9-12 months from the time your dossier is logged in at the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA). Traditionally, this wait can speed up or slow down (a year ago it was taking 12-15 months), but it is better to anticipate the long end so you will not be disappointed if it takes longer.
What will we know about the health of the child?
You will receive a very cursory medical report with your referral. It will basically indicate that your child is healthy. In the international adoption arena, China is well known for the good health of the children.
When will we travel, and how is that coordinated?
Typically, you will travel 6-8 weeks following referral. Faith International Adoptions makes all travel arrangements and provides excellent guides in China.

Finding Ad

Finding Ad
Originally uploaded by Mommy2Eva.

The Chinese government states that children have to be abandoned for several months to give their parents time to claim them. During that period "finding ads" are placed in the newspaper. Here is an example of a finding ad. Hard to imagine our daughter's picture being in one of these ads

Ron&Beth

Ron&Beth
Originally uploaded by Mommy2Eva.

Lunar New Year Dinner / Raffle Item

When we arrived at the dinner, we were directed to the registration desk where we received our seating assignment. Our assignment was table 3. Our dinner guests included Jennifer and Joe Kabrin (our travel companions), Dr Todd Ochs (a Pediatrician well known around International Adoption circles) , his wife and their 4, special needs adopted daughters from China. Dr Ochs and his wife have one adult biological daughter and ten years ago began adopting from China. Their daughters range from 10- 3 years of age. They are truly remarkable and giving people. Dr Ochs was a speaker at the Midwest Adoption Concerence I attended last year. He and his wife are very knowledgable and provided some very hepful information.

There was a raffle held at the dinner and when we arrived I purchased $20.00 worth of tickets. There were several nice items but one in particular I was determined to win. I think I used half of my tickets for this item alone. The item was an Adoption Referral Medical Evaluation (Valued:$175.00) This includes referral medical evaluation, calling in prescriptions for travel, and being available to the family (by phone or email) while in-country. The donor of this item was Dr Ochs and...

I WON IT!!!!

Lunar New Year Dinner

Ron and I belong to an organization called Family with Children from China - the FCC Chicago Chapter. They hold many interesting events throughout the year. Ron and I have attended many. This Saturday (2/4/06) we will attend the Lunar New Year Dinner at the Furama restaurant in Chicago. A couple in our travel group will also be attending. We have never formally met but have exchanged emails.

I'm becoming increasingly more anxious and I'm sure the next few weeks will seem like an eternity. Some of you know how I get at Christmas time, when I have packages waiting to be opened. It's TORTURE.

The Latest News - Travel Time

We received an email from one of our travel companions this morning. He had spoken with Jill from Faith International Adoption Agency. Faith International will arrange our travel plans, tours and the appointments with the American Consulate. Jill stated, she will try her best to schedule our appointment with the American Consulate in Guangzhou, toward the end of April so we can squeeze it in before the May Holiday, when everything shuts down for the first week. This will be the last leg of our trip. So far... it looks like we'll be traveling in mid-April.