Status

On November 6, the China Center for Adoption Affairs had a regime change, with the hiring of a new Director. What this means for adoption from China, no one really knows. But they have not released any new referrals in a while and I doubt it's a coincidence. I have a feeling some changes are on the way. This is not a rumor or anything, just a gut feeling.


I thought the slowdown last year was bad, but this year has been significantly worse. Not only do they continue to refer fewer children each time, but they aren't even doing the referrals every month anymore. And no one knows why. There's speculation of course. It could be because of the H1N1 virus. It could be a quota in place on the number of adopted children. It could be anything really. No one knows for sure.

In early 2008 I had made the decision to put in my application for the Waiting Child program, but then I didn't do it. I researched many special needs and picked the ones I was comfortable with. But the timing wasn't right. I don't know why, but something was keeping me from doing it at that point. But now I feel pulled in the opposite direction. I feel like now is the time to submit my checklist and start the process for a Waiting Child.

So, my homestudy has to be updated in January when I renew my I-600 for the 3rd time. At that point, I will get everything in place to submit the checklist and start that wait. I think once I submit, I am looking at 1 to 2 years until referral. Hopefully no more than 18 months. Although I have been saying since I started this process that I would get a referral in 2010. I don't know why, but that's always been my gut feeling. So maybe if it's closer to 12 months, I'll actually do it. :) Even if it's 2011, that's ok. I finally feel like it's going to happen. And I couldn't be more excited or more ready. :)