One year...

One year ago today, I was notified by my agency that I would had been accepted into the "singles" program. China adoption officials decided a few years ago that only 8% of the adoptions through China would be allowed to singles. That is 1 single for every 12 couples. So..getting a "singles spot" is sometimes difficult to do.

I had heard about CCAI (Chinese Children Adoption International / www.ccai.org) opening up some spots on December 1, 2004. Applications had to be in my December 7, 2004. They were choosing their applicants by lottery.

I took the biggest leap of faith I had ever taken...gotten my paperwork together...and sent it in. Just 6 days later...I received the announcement above via e-mail.

The wait gets longer...

I cannot tell you how hard it is to hear rumor after rumor about a slow down in the referral timeline. My agency confirmed this week that the projected wait time between LID (Log in Date) and Referral (Match day!) has been increased to 8-10 months. My LID is 7/20/05. Up until just last month, I was anticipating 6 months from LID to Referral. That would have made referral in January. Just 2 months away! Now...best case scenario is March. I'm not really counting on March, either.

I seem to be entering self-preservation mode. I am trying hard to NOT attach any expectations to when I will receive my referral. I am pretty certain that I can hope for a 2006 referral. I know..that's a long span..but if I don't attach a particular month..then I'm much better off emotionally!

Today I met the Moshers...

I took a road trip today...to Champaign, IL (about 3 hours Northeast of St. Louis). I was invited by a new friend and her family to spend the weekend with them. Diana and I have become friends online through a mail list for adoptive parents who all have similar LIDs (Log-in-Dates). Since Diana and I are both using CCAI, there is a great chance that we will be in China together..perhaps even in the same travel group.

We had a great time!