At this Point

When we received our referral on September 15, 2007, we were told that typical wait times to travel were between 3 and 6 months. We were naive enough at the time to actually have dreams we would be one of the fast families. But it's five and a half months later with still no word at all about our decree. At this rate, a 7-8 month wait is more likely for us.

Fortunately for us, I was lucky enough to find a support group. In December, I became acquainted over the internet with a fantastic group of ladies who were also waiting or had recently returned home from St. Lucy's Center with their babies. Some of them had already been waiting 6-7 months since their referrals. It has been so helpful to me to see that others have also waited this long, to know that our family is not alone, and to receive support and encouragement from people who know exactly how I feel. Since I joined the group, 5 more babies have come home, and one more is on his way home next week. It is great reassurance that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

But in the meantime, we have to get a homestudy update. Ours expires in March, and we finally resigned ourselves to the fact we won't be home with Alex by then. (And you know, I just happened to have an extra $300 I wanted to spend on this right now anyway). Quite by accident I learned we also have to get our I-171H amended, because a new policy went into effect last August that requires the age at the time of the visa appointment to match the age on the I-171H. Previously, the referral age was what was looked at. Alex will turn one on March 31st, making our 0-12 month range invalid. Thanks, Ally, for making me aware of this problem. Much better to find out and correct it now than to try to do it in Taiwan!

When I contacted the agency about our homestudy last week, the Taiwan coordinator told me she would have the in-country coordinator and the orphanage see if they couldn't find out where our case is in the courts. I am hoping that their inquiries will light a little fire under the judge!

It's a start

As of this moment, it has been one year and 12 days since we officially began our adoption journey to Taiwan. It has been 5 months and 10 days since we saw the first photos of Lee, Yueh Hsiang--the beautiful baby boy who is to become the didi (Chinese for little brother) in our family. I had never intended to become a blogger, but thanks to the influence of some fellow adoptive friends who have helped me endure the wait, here I am (Thanks, Jackie, for guiding me through the first steps).

I am being reminded at this moment why I didn't ever think I could blog. My 4 year-old, Amy is making shadow pictures on the wall and singing monster songs. Every 5 seconds she says, "Hey, Mom, look at this!" My 5-year-old, Laura is in the other room calling to me. I guess this is it for now. But hey, it's a start!