Here it is, in all it’s agonizingly long glory…
11/01/08 ~ learn about WACAP from my friend Anne (whose in China now!)
11/15/08 ~ ask Chris about adopting again, he kindly says, “no”.
1/27/09 ~ learn more about WACAP’s subsidies for SN kiddos
1/30/09 ~ we see our girl on a list at WACAP
2/02/09 ~ our LOI is on it’s way to CCAA
2/03/09 ~ Vivienne’s file is officially locked
2/06/09 ~ first HS visit
2/07/09 ~ send off state clearances
2/08/09 ~ last HS visit
2/09/09 ~ order new birth and marriage certificates
2/11/09 ~ 1st state clearance back
2/12/09 ~ PRE-APPROVAL!
2/14/09 ~ 2nd state clearances back
2/17/09 ~ 3rd and 4th state clearances back
2/18/09 ~ labs drawn for physicals
2/25/09 ~ 5th state clearances back
2/27/09 ~ Chris’ physical done
3/07/09 ~ my physical done
3/21/09 ~ final state clearances back. at last.
3/31/09 ~ i800A application on it’s way
4/17/09 ~ last dossier doc collected
4/24/09 ~ fingerprinted
5/08/09 ~ word from USCIS of a potential setback
5/20/09 ~ finally word that our approval was on the way!
5/22/09 ~ USCIS approval
6/05/09 ~ DTC, baby!
6/22/09 ~ LID!
6/27/09 ~ moved out of our old home
7/31/09 ~ moved into our new home
8/05/09 ~ new homestudy update started
9/10/09 ~ LOA at day 80!
9/14/09 ~ homestudy update completed
9/25/09 ~ homestudy update sent to USCIS, finally!
10/14/09 ~ word from USCIS that they need more evidence
10/19/09 ~ approval processed and on it’s way!
10/23/09 ~ I800 paperwork and new approval will be on their way to USCIS!
11/09/09 ~ I800 approval!
11/17/09 ~ I800 cabled from NVC to Guangzhou
12/04/09 ~ Article 5!
Oh my gosh. I’m exhausted just writing this timeline up… this has been quite the journey to our Vivienne. I have been asked in the past how long a special needs adoption takes and typically, the answer is around 9 months. Ours have ranged from 8 to 10 months. Well, not this time. And we’ve been bustin’ our hineys ever since we saw her face last January. Sometimes your timing just isn’t His timing. And this has been one of those times.
the picture that started it all…So, to clarify where we are right now, I’ll need to explain where we’ve been for the last, oh, month and a half or so. We’ve been nowhere. Not moving *forward* at all. Because we needed a new homestudy update, and a new approval from USCIS, our China paperwork has been at a complete and utter standstill. We are not one day closer to TA than we were the day we received our LOA. A month and a half ago.
Yeah, it’s been a hard pill to swallow. But that’s the deal, and I’m not going to complain. Because complaining would be questioning God’s goodness, God’s timing and God’s provision. And I know He can be trusted on all three counts. So I’m certain that there is one, if not many, very wonderful reasons for this delay. Maybe Vivi isn’t quite ready to make the transition yet? Maybe I’m not ready to make the transition yet?
Or maybe I’m going to meet up in China with someone He specifically intended? (who’s gonna be in China around the beginning of the year?)
So really, who knows why? All I know is it’s gonna be all good once she is finally home: the timeline, the waiting, the work, the waiting, the wondering, the waiting… it will all melt away.
I think.
Oh, the timing talk. Lately, I've been needing to have the talk about timing with my heart and my mind. Not necessarily over the wait.
But about the season in which Li'l Empress is right now. About the wait to get to the next wait. About the season in which we are in as a family.
That cliche, "it's all about timing" is all too true. I guess that's how it got to be a cliche . . .
It WILL all melt away!! 🙂
Oh the timing…will I EVER get that lesson in my head??!! lol!! I talk a good game, but I gotta learn to walk the walk AND talk the talk!
You, my friend, have the right attitude!! Always an inspiration to me! 🙂
HUGS!!!
(sigh) Patience is tough. ESPECIALLY when we are waiting for our kiddos on the other side of the world!
Praying for things to move right along now!!
I thought the wait would be so much easier the second time around…WRONG!
The one thing I am constantly reminding myself is that His timing is perfect. I am just praying that we are there before he turns 4.
Hugs and Prayers,
Mandi
Did I miss the part where Chris said "yes"? lol
This timing thing is very new! I am working hard to be patient and reading your posts help me!!
Maybe we WILL travel together….who knows!!!
God has a plan, it may not be our time but His. We may not like it but ultimately it is His plan.
I know this from experience. Our journey to Rachel has also been a struggle.
Here is a verse that helps me quite a bit!! (maybe a wild olive shirt…hint hint..LOL)
However, I consider my worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.
Acts 20:24
We on our first adoption (China SN) and we are looking at 18mo. from start to finish. How do you get yours through so fast? We are on day 43 waiting for our LOA and it's all I can do to not pick up the phone everyday to bug our agency.
Me!! I am!! We are waiting for TA and our agency thinks maybe mid to late Dec for travel. Who knows!!!!!!!!
Our agency was hopeful that we would hear something yesterday. They did not. We continue to wait.
Our Special Forces all-grown-up son used to say something when he was just a teeny-tiny little tyke…it comes to mind as we all wait, "Maybe goon, maybe goon." (maybe soon, maybe soon)….
I continue to pray….in the meantime are you nesting some more in your new home? We are picking colors for walls in our new home. I will probably post some pics soon.
May God's grace be sufficient for each of us as we wait…xo
We sure know about waiting!! We're still waiting for LOA (day 156)…..Maybe (just maybe..) if our LOA comes soon and we get started on our TA paperwork, we'll catch up with you all in Guangzhou!
Yes, it will fade away. 🙂 During two of our adoptions we experienced an odd, unexpected delay. Both times, we met Christians (from the US) in China who are still dear friends today. God always has a plan!
We are going sometime soon to then……..
We are just waiting on TA! still no article 5, so no TA can even come till we get that.
I thought it would be easier to wait this time, I was wrong and I think it may be harder.
Timing, it's a hard one, isn't it??
What and encouragement your post (and all the comments) was to me. I really appreciate the reminder. Waiting is the hardest thing I have ever done. Especially, when the waiting is on other people. I am convinced if people worked as quickly as I have on this dossier, my little one would have been home months ago!
HUGS! Your time is near!
Wow, I'm feel'in ya on this post. I know that our timing isn't always the same as His. But I know and trust we will travel to Khloe in His perfect timing. One day the 'wait' will all make sense… but on this side of the fence, that is sometimes a hard pill to swallow.
Blessings and Hugs,
~Tanya
Stefanie – as you said it is on His time. It is 'meant to be'
Check my blog later…I am donating hair in honor of my friend Tommy.
Thank you for sharing your timeline to Vivi! It is helpful to those of us that are behind you!
It feels so grueling even when things go as they should. Our last 2 adoptions were the I600 now we are doing the I800- so things are different.
Blessings on you journey to Vivi! I'm hoping God is planning for things to move along (quickly)!
Our girls are also in Guilin, in a foster home. Are you planning to visit Guilin when you get Vivi?
We hope and pray WE ARE IN CHINA around the end of this year receiving Eli!
We were there a couple of days after you were there for your youngest son! (Journey to Philip at myadoptionwebsite.com just above your site)
Your adoption journey to Jude (and Linny and DW's journey to Isaiah) inspired us to look at special needs and boys in particular! Thus, we have our precious Philip!
Wouldn't that be a hoot and just like God if we were in China the same time you were??
We are on day 78 of our wait for our LOA!!
In Christ,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting for Eli
http://ThreefingerprintsofGod.blogspot.com
It is so hard though. Yeah you trust God but you are missing your baby. Big hugs and yes, soon you will have Vivi in your arms.
Ha ha! I'm with Anonymous. When did Chris weigh in on this a second time? LOL!
I hope things start speeding up for you now! I can't wait to see your precious Vivi in your arms!!
Stefanie,
Oh how I understand having God's peace about the timing and yet still not really liking it…
I pray that you'll be home for the holidays!
Hang in there (I know easy for me to say). I have been wondering how things were going {{{hug}}} Soon soon soon…keep the faith!!!
Go and take a look at the LOVE BUS.
xoxo,
A
Good things Come….My friend.
All of the people that have been to China and back keep telling me that it will all just melt away once we have out babygirl!! Yesterday was month 42 and that does not include the 6 months it took to paperchase, so nam I ok with the wait….not so much but I too know that all in good time HIS plan will be revealed.
I think Vivi is absolutely gorgeous and I cant wait until she is home!!
Love and blessings, Kristy
Hi Stef,
haven't posted here in a while…but just wanted to let you know I'm still checkin in;-). Yes, you know all too well that His timing can be frustrating to us at times, but remembering He ALWAYS knows best helps soothe the ache you must feel in your heart.
Vivi is so adorable….praying things kick into overdrive for you soon!!
Hugs((()))),
Tami
Sorry for the Anon post but, I'm figuring this out. It's me, Leigh.
I just want to say I appreciate your honesty. We waited 21 mos. (no paperwork included in this timeline) for our NSN daughter from China. It was agonizing and so revealing of my true character. I was demanding not trusting, resentful not restful, spinning not abiding. It was God's process to take me through to show me the depth of my need for Christ. He is my only HOPE.
I am grateful that, even though I reacted so poorly to the situation, God blessed us. We have the most amazing daughter. We named her Grace and really, we didn't know why. Let me tell you, she's the picture of God's grace and faithfulness toward me, in spite of me.
Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Yeah, Stefanie. I'm on your page. Not complaining one bit! It is a different process this time around for us, too. I will not say why…but it rhymes with plague.
😉
Just prayed for you this morning!
Someone told me once to let God's perfect timing be His perfect gift to me. I like thinking like that!
Thanks for showing the world that waiting IS hard, but WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!!
Hang in there, Stef. All in His time…He is never, ever wrong. Maybe Vivi's foster family needs her….her sweet smile, her laugh, her baby silliness because of something going on in their lives. You may never know why you are waiting. It took 13 months to bring Bailey home. It took 6 to bring Brinley home. I know you can't wait to hold her and know that she is yours. Praying for you as you wait!
You know it's going to be FANTASTIC when you FINALLY get your hands on that bundle of lovliness!
And, who knows maybe one of your midwestern mama's will be there at the same time!!!!
I like that LOA number…. Come on CCAA!!! 🙂
Love ya,
Diana