Day 57... Thankfulness and Whininess (is that a word?)

Gee, guess what day it is in the wait?

Two years ago, on the 57th day after our documents were logged into China, we received our Travel Approval for Brynn (back then the LOA step did not exist). We were just about at the average wait for TA’s at the time and I received the call while on a field trip with Caleb. Just 24 days after that I was holding Brynn.

Things are slower this time and there is the added LOA step. The whole timeline is so much more unpredictable this round. It is hard to tell what the current “average” waiting time is as the numbers are everywhere and all over.

I am thankful that now more “waiting children” are finding families - two years ago many children with minor needs sat on lists with no inquiries. The long line for families seeking to bring non-special needs children home is leading many families to consider the special needs route and the wait has slowed to bring home children. The CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) also appears to be pushing for those logged in for non-special needs children to switch over and has made many changes recently (since January) to promote this. There seems to be so much focus on getting more people over to special needs the new way that I am sure it pulls resources away from those of us who started the process before a few months ago… the last of the “old way."

Sometimes I get bothered, selfishly, by these changes, even though inside I know that many children are finding homes who may not have otherwise and that many adults are realizing that bringing home a "special needs" child is really not that big of a deal (being a good parent is the big deal). Some days I just have a harder time with the wait. It is hard to look at a picture for over 6 months now and feel helpless. It is also hard to not have much information about how she is doing - we have pictures from her 1st birthday in March but no other information about her since our initial reports from last July. I think also because Brynn’s transition went so well and she was in foster care, I worry more about JinPei’s and the fact that she is in an orphanage.

I wish the process was more defined, predictable, and quicker for all involved.

I expect the LOA in the next couple weeks, then TA up to 4 weeks after that. That puts us due to travel right smack in the middle of the Olympics. Just another big question mark in the journey.

Okay, Friday I promise a fun post - LOA or not!

Kate