Latest stats from the CCAA

That's the China Center 0f Adoption Affairs, to all you novices.

A batch of referrals came through yesterday, for families whose dossiers were received on or before March 8, 2006.

That's a 37-month wait. And I am faaaaaaaarther down the line.

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Another milestone

My second set of fingerprints expire today.

I wonder if the Columbus Citizenship and Immigration Services office has a 'buy two, get one free' discount?

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Things to do while I wait

It seems that progress is just as slow this year as it was in 2008.

I need to keep myself busy.

I decided to finish off the Master's degree I started. I hit a wall last year when I began researching my thesis topic and realized I wouldn't be able to collect valid data.

I had to take time off until I came up with a new topic. I start back to classes March 2.

If all goes well, I will be finished at the end of November. If my referral comes before that I'll have to adjust the school timeline.

Wish me luck and pray that I am quickly interrupted by that referral.

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Latest CCAA stats

Referral matches have been completed for all families with log-in dates (LID) on or before:

March 2, 2006.

That means there are 114 possible LIDs before mine.

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GoGo has left us

The house is a little emptier this weekend. GoGo, my blue point Siamese, passed on.

GoGo was a rescue from the humane society and lived to an amazing 21+ years. I won't go into her decline, or how she was at the end. I prefer to remember her as the sweet-tempered, comfort-loving companion she was to me for a long time.

I don't know if my other cat, and the puppy, realizes that she is gone but I certainly do.

The vet's office was wonderful and supportive. They even sent flowers the next day.

Now, before you say it, or do it - No one bring me any kittens or other cute, furry critters. I want all of us (cat, dog, me) to settle into this new life. We will have another big change once BeachBaby joins the family.

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Christmas 2005

Everything has been so slow of late, so I thought I'd go back in time a bit. Try to harness a few good memories of this process.

Three (yes, 3) years ago today, I was a nervous wreck. Actually, I'd been nervous for about a week but December 23, 2005 was the pinnacle of future mommy freak out.

I was waiting to hear from Great Wall if they had accepted my application.

GW, and the other agencies that dealt with single adoptive parents, had a limited number of slots for 2006. At the time, China limited the number of single parent adoptions each year.

For the previous week, I'd been receiving emails from GW letting me know that they were preparing to notify those they had accepted. The email on December 22nd let us know that they had begun their calls and would be finished by noon on the 23rd.

To my ex-boss, if you are reading this, I confess - I didn't get a lot of work done on the 22nd. Okay, I doubt I got any work done; I just kept staring at my phone, and willing it to ring.

It didn’t ring.

I took a vacation day on December 23rd, and spent the morning with my phone clutched in my hand. I didn’t shop, I didn’t eat, I didn’t go out.

It didn’t ring.

After about 1 o’clock, I resigned myself to the fact that I hadn’t made the cut. I told myself it was for the best and that I would apply next year. Maybe this was God’s way of telling me the time wasn’t right. So, I got up, went out for a bit, and then came home for a little pity party.

At about 3 o’clock my phone rang and honestly I thought it was work calling. I wasn’t going to answer until I realized I didn’t recognize the area code.

The woman on the phone said she was from Great Wall. I’d been accepted.

I was in shock. I don’t think I sounded excited to her; I probably sounded like I thought it was a joke.

I had a honest-to-goodness Christmas miracle that year. Best Christmas gift of my life. Better than a Dancing Ballerina doll, or a new flat screen TV, or anything made of cashmere/platinum/ diamonds.

Next Christmas, I hope I can say that gift has been topped by something, someone, even better.

Merry Christmas to all,

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Latest CCAA stats

Referrals issued for families with dossiers registered on or before:

February 23, 2006.

Reviews completed for families with dossiers registered on or before:

March 31, 2007.

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