It's A Small World...

A friend of mine told me about a Yahoo chat group that was for parents who are adopting specifically from the Henan Province of China, where Leo is currently living. I signed up and shortly thereafter was conversing with other adoptive parents who have been to Leo's orphanage to adopt in the past or who's child is currently living there. I came across a woman who is adopting her second daughter from China, a three year old who is living in Leo's orphanage. She gave me the email address for a woman (an American I think) who is living and working in the orphanage. I emailed her and she was able to tell me exactly where Leo is. He is living in a section of the orphanage that is run by a charity called Show Hope (showhope.org). They care for special needs orphans and have three centers in China. She was able to tell me that this is a very new facility and that it is very clean and tidy. There are full time nurses who work in this section of the orphanage. There is also a very low ratio of kids to caregivers-one caregiver for every three children. The children have access to toys, a park, a preschool for the older kids, and are very well stimulated and cared for. It is an excellent facility. Because she doesn't work in that exact facility she is unable to get pictures or specific information pertaining to Leo. However, just knowing that he is under their care makes me feel so much better and gives me peace of mind as I wait for him on the other side of the world.

I also spoke with other parents who have adopted from the Jiaozuo City Social Welfare Institute, where Leo is, who were able to tell me the hotels they stayed in, the restaurants they ate in, where to get formula, diapers, sightseeing spots, even where to find cute shoes! They were able to tell me what to bring and what I can get there. They even described the manner in which Leo will be given to us and what to expect that day. Knowing a little about what to expect helps to ease so many anxieties. It's also so incredible to hear about other people's experiences and adoption stories. Each parent seems to be overflowing with joy as they tell their story. They have each said the same thing-get ready for the adventure of your life!

UPDATE!

Yay! We got an update! I emailed our agency last night asking if they could ask for one. She replied telling me that we already got two which was pretty amazing so I shouldn't count on it but that she would try. She was even more amazed than I was to find an update in her email inbox this morning. I literally screamed when I opened up the picture. Is he a cutie or what? I just want to reach through the computer and kiss those cheeks!

We are still scheduled to travel in about the beginning of April. Winter is always a little long here in Chicago, but seriously, this one can't end soon enough! I hate to wish away a single day but I just want to be in China and hugging this little man!!

I800A HAS BEEN APPROVED!!

YAY! Our I800A has FINALLY been approved!!! After 70 long days I couldn't take it anymore. My patience was running thin and I found myself growing angry over this. Why should this process take so long while kids are waiting for their families and families are waiting for their kids? I have heard from a few people that their efforts to expedite their immigration approvals resulted in their paperwork actually getting trapped and their approvals were slower. I didn't want that to happen so I decided to just try to be patient.

Each day I was anxiously awaiting the mail and each day I found lots of junk mail, a couple bills, but no I800A approval.  Finally, yesterday after the mail had been delivered and did not contain the approval I decided to sit down and search the internet for a phone number. It wasn't easy to find, but I finally found it on a Chinese special needs adoption website. I was not expecting anyone to answer at all. Much to my surprise and amazement someone answered on the first ring. Not only did she answer but she was extremely nice and helpful! WOW! She told me that it is currently taking about 90 days to receive approvals. But, she asked my name and told me she would look it up. She then reported that it had been approved on Wednesday (1/4/12)! If I could have reached through the phone and hugged her I would have!  Now the countdown of 11-15 weeks until travel can begin!  Yay, another step closer to my sweet boy!

Of course, being the persistent (read: annoying) gal that I am I immediately called my agency to see if they could send my I800 off now that we have an approval. Unfortunately, they need the hardcopy. So, I called USCIS back to see if they could scan and email or fax it to me, but they can't. So, really we are waiting. But, being the helpful lady she is, she looked up when they sent it and it should be in my hands by tomorrow or Monday.

After I receive it we send in our second immigration form (I800) which is taking about 20 days for approval. In the meantime, we get to plan our trip to China, get our visas, etc. This is crunch time and boy am I ready! In 11-15 weeks I should have my little baby boy in my arms. And, probably not long after that I will be watching my two little boys shooting hoops, chasing, wrestling, and laughing together.

"Patience is not passive;

on the contrary, it is active;

it is concentrated strength."