Our Journal
When it all started . . .
Now that's a tough one. Would that have been when we realized Matthew was going to be a boy and we joked
about adoption being the only way we were going to get another girl? Or maybe it was when we felt God's call
to expand our family but neither of us were thrilled about the idea of another newborn. Was it when we had a
weekend away (thanks to Dick and Pattie) and in our first adult conversation in weeks looked at each other
and knew what the other was thinking before we even started talking? Finally, could it have been when we
filled out the application online because we could save $25? No, probably not this one. Although the $25
savings got us pretty excited, we then realized that the adoption would cost us 880 times this much. Kind of
tempered the joy.
Long story short - we're not sure exactly when it all started. But we know this. We serve an awesome God
and are honored to have even started!
. . . And since then
March 2005 – Having prayed about considering adoption and talking about it for a month or so, we decide to
start researching adoption agencies and getting more comfortable with the idea. After returning from Florida,
we completed our application and signed all the contracts during March/April. We believe the child we will be
matched with was probably born in early 2005, which will put her just a year younger than Matthew. Although,
we won't know any specifics until we get our referral later this year or early next.
April 2005 – We began the home study process consisting of heath exams for us and the kids, getting new
birth certificates for everyone and our marriage license, writing letters and autobiographies, and getting
referral letters. This was a VERY FUN exercise. If you ever want to take a trip down memory lane, write an
autobiography starting with some pre-written questions. We were also very affirmed by those who wrote
referrals for us. This was just the beginning though. Our home study process would take us through the
month of June.
May 2005 – We attended a couple of training classes at AWAA about adopted children. Very good stuff and
helped us further realize the blessing of adoption but also that it’s no walk in the park either. Kim, our home
study coordinator, visited our home for the home study. I believe we passed with flying colors (whew!). I was
thrilled that she didn’t come the week before when we had a few outlet covers out of place. Boy, that would
have been a tragedy! :-) We also began working on our dossier in June. This is somewhat of a repeat of the
home study, but includes a few other “official” documents.
June 2005 – We received our completed home study report and began working on all of the authentications
needed for our documents. We also received our passports (I must say, Natalie looks rather lovely in her
picture) which we’ve never had before. We’ve learned you can travel the best beaches in North and South
America and the Caribbean on nothing more than a birth certificate and driver’s license. Passports are too
bulky for swimsuits. :-) Illinois came through for us and now we are just waiting on Kansas. Funny process -
we have to get all of our documents notarized, but that's not good enough. The notary seal then has to be
authenticated by the state's Secretary of State, and then again by the US Secretary. A friend commented
"amazing all we go through on account of dishonest people." So true. We have been blessed in this process
to meet others that are adopting after having full families - what a testimony to parenting! We have learned so
much from watching others and it's great to have the support of others who have been there first. We're not
even there yet, but the joy that adoption has brought into the lives of folks we've come into contact with is
amazing - no more or less than having a child by birth - just different.
6.30.05 - Went yesterday to the USCIS office (formerly INS) now a part of the Office of Homeland Security
where we were fingerprinted. This is the last step of the process where the USCIS sends you the coveted
form that allows you to bring your foreign child back into the US (sort of a pre-naturalization if I understand it
correctly). We also received our forms back from MO (most helpful) and KS (have to return a doc because
they authenticated the wrong notary for the document). Arghhh! And of all things, KS charges the most
money! Looking forward to getting out of the 'paper chase' process in the next month and getting a breather.
Natalie is diligently working on our 'family pages' - family pics that represent who we are and serve as one
consideration when China matches baby to family. Pray for that!
I must end June by 1) letting you know we should have more pics soon; and 2) posting the most sought-after
email of all time - has nothing to do with Paris Hilton or one of the Kennedy's. No, it's the FIREPOT (click to
read) email where brother (and in-law) recounts his fondness of Chinese food. Thanks to Marc R for sharing!
7.20.05 - What a journey. If I had known before, I would have bought stock in FedEx. You hear about all the
paperwork with adoption, but the crazy thing is not just the paperwork, but all the 'approvals' it has to get. Even
a simple letter written by an employer has to be notarized, state certified, then authenticated by the Chinese
Consulate. Oh well, we're getting close. Bear with us - more will be coming soon. Busy at work.
8.1.05 - We are still waiting on our docs from the consulate, so it may be next week before they get logged into
China. Oh well, God's time. We've talked more about names and really like Marissa (Marisa) and Aimee.
Both have very appropriate meanings for the occasion. See our prayer page for updates there.
8.9.05 - Well - we're done. The paperchase is finished and now we wait. Working frantically after receiving
our documents back from the consulate on Tuesday, we turned them around and got them to our agency on
Wednesday for delivery to China on Friday. We have been given some things to do during our wait and also
the names of others in our group. We now hope to sit back, email the others, play with this site, get caught up
on our reading, etc. Don't give up though - I'm sure there will be more!
