Getting Started!!

I am excited to start my story to my much waited for, much loved daughter!!  I started my adoption paperwork by applying to and being accepted by Chinese Children Adoption Agency (CCAI) on August 26th, 2011.  I immediately started all the paperwork they wanted for them and the home study agency.  Since I live in Montana, there is only one Hague-accredited agency, A New Arrival Inc.   Both Agencies have been WONDERFUL!!  And patient with my over-analyzing self. hahahahaha. 


I have to have 4 home visits for China, and since I am single... none of them can be double-up like they can for married folks.  So I had my first visit on Sept. 12th with Katie, my Social Worker.  She was great!!  Checked out the house, asked a ton of questions of me... and answered a bunch of mine in turn... and my mom's who was visiting for the long weekend.  


Then it was paperwork, paperwork, paperwork.  Worked on Dossier paperwork - Birth Certificate, fiinancials, guardianship, employer verification, etc, etc, etc.   Finished up online Parenting classes....


And then my 1st MIRACLE HAPPENED!!!   I was at work on Sept 20, 2011 and got a call with a Colorado area code... I was trepidatious to answer... what if China had changed their rules about singles adopting.   But I answered and it was Sarah Harmon (the most beautiful person I have never met),,, and she told me if I want to accept... I have been MATCHED WITH A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL!!!    I was so excited and completely unproductive for the rest of the day!!!  

I called my Mom and forwarded all the information I had about Zhou Yin Yue (Respectful Moon) and I got in touch with my doctor.  I had a sit down meeting with her about Yin Yue's Special Need. (In China, Singles can only apply to adopt children with special medical conditions.)  her special need is significant, but with the support of my mom and aunts, it something I can deal with and help her manage as she grows.  So I sent in my Letter of Intent (LOI) to CCAI on 9/22/2011, they sent it to China on 9/26.  I also completed by last 3 home visits this week.  


On 10/8/2011 I got my Official Pre-Approval!!!   Now I just need to get my home study done, USCIS completed, etc, etc, etc    And not go crazy waiting!!


Currently, everything is ready on my home study, including CCAIs review and verbal approval, we are just waiting for ONE document from Virginia to arrive, and it feels like it is taking FOREVER!!  Once it arrives, Katie will finish up her report, let CCAI know and they will send their approval letter and then I should be able to submit it to USCIS.   Hopefully next week... keeping my fingers crossed.