August 2006

It is hard to believe that we started this process well over a year ago. When we first began talking about adopting, the process was taking 5-7 months to referral (picture and information about your child) after the paperwork was logged in at the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA). Our paperwork was logged in August 30, 2005 and we hoped to travel to China in April or May 2006.

The CCAA has processed dossiers (adoption paperwork) through July 22, 2005. Right now, it looks like we might get our referral in November or December, which means we will travel to China in January or February 2007. Of course, no one really knows. Referrals are sent out at the end of each month, so we just wait and see.

What are we doing in the meantime? Praying, a lot. Reading about China. Living vicariously through other websites like this one. Trying to get everything ready. Trying NOT to buy baby clothes when we don’t know her size or age!

We have had the nursery ready since last summer…Angie wanted to complete it before school started. Little did we know that we would not need it for another year or two! Poor Victor had to move out of his beloved den, but he didn’t complain!

Angie has been working on a scrapbook that will detail this entire journey. Her big project this summer has been trading and collecting pieces for a “One Hundred Good Wishes Quilt.” Victor has been keeping a personal journal that he will one day share with Becca.

We ended the month of August with a long overdue trip to Angie’s home in Milledgeville, Georgia, where we had a wonderful time with many family members and friends. While there, we visited Angie’s grandmother in the nursing home shortly after her 94th birthday. Angie thinks Granny was more excited seeing Victor than her! Several of Victor’s classmates from his residency in Savannah are practicing medicine in Milledgeville, and we were able to spend some time with them as well. It was so good to see all of our Georgia family and friends. (We’ll have more details and photos in our September update.)

While in Georgia, Angie and her mother had great fun with the quilt project. They loved looking at the scrapbook and the quilt pieces. Victor and Angie were surprised with a quilt that Grandmama Carol had already made for Becca. She said that this was a warm up for the 100 Good Wishes Quilt!