Timeline

December 2005-
-Decide to adopt (after thinking about it for five years)
January 2006-
-Research domestic and international options
-Decide on International
-Look at four countries: Vietnam, Guatemala, China, Kazakhstan
February 2006
-Research Agencies for the above countries
February 6th, 2006
-Apply to several agencies
February 10th, 2006
-Hear from all agencies- no openings for single applicants- one has an opening from Vietnam
February 11, 2006
-Great Wall China Adoption Agency has an opening for China
February 14th, 2006
-Send in formal application to GWCA
-Begin Homestudy Process
Late February, 2006
-Initial fingerprinting
-First Homestudy visit -Begin paperwork process
March 2006
-Continue paperwork, including medical reports, financial reports, recommendations, affidavits, and countless forms
-Second Homestudy Visit
April 2006
-Third and Fourth Homestudy visits
-Homestudy Complete!
May 2006
- Send in I-600 (petition to adopt an orphan) to US Government
-Receive Fingerprinting appt.
-Get fingerprinted
June 2006
Receive I 171 (petition to classify an orphan as an immediate relative)
-Take pictures for Dossier
-Send in full dossier to GWCA
-GWCA reviews dossier and approves it
July 7th, 2006
-DTC! (Dossier to China!)
July 14th, 2006
-LID! (Log in Date!)
I am told it will be about one year..... the wait begins!
May, 2007
-Apply for the Waiting Child Program in addition to waiting for an infant...
July 2007
-I am told it will be about 18 months..... I am 12 months in.
September, 11, 2007
-Receive a possible referral from GWCA
October 11, 2007
-After much consideration and heartbreak, return the referral
December 2007
-Homestudy and paperwork expires- begin renewal process
January, 2008
-Renew all paperwork and fingerprinting process from 18 months earlier
-The wait is now over 2 years. I am 18 months in.
February 2008
-Receive new I 171
February- July, 2008
-Wait and wait and wait and wait.. The timeline is now extending to over 2 and half years. I am not even two years in.......
July 13, 2008
-Receive another referral (1 day short of my 2 year anniversary)
July 14, 2008
-Take papers to two pediatricians; receive conflicting information.
July 15, 2008
-Accept Referral of Gao Si Dou, a three year old little girl with two small medical needs.
- Send in LOI (Letter of Acceptance)
July, 2008
- work on a name, end up rejecting a list of 20 names that I had been considering for 2 years!
- Susanna Sidou Gruhn is named. (After a brave, funny, practical, and very resilient cousin)
July 28, 2008
- Receive PA! (Pre-Approval)
July 31, 2008
-Receive LOA! (Letter of Acceptance from China)
-receive updated information and more pictures
August 11, 2008
-Send in LOA (Delayed as I was on vacation)
- Decorate and set up Susanna's room
August 28
-Receive Travel Approval!
September 2008
-Receive itineraries, countless forms to be notarized, packing lists, etc
- Get tickets and visas
October 2008
-Our travel group grows from 3 families to 12! There are 12 children coming home, ranging in age from 10 months to 7 years. There are 8 additional children traveling with these families, ranging from 4 years to 16 years.
- Shop, shop, shop!
- Collect finances and forms needed to go to China
Review and review again forms needed!
October 18, 2008
-Sue Wareck, the cousin Susanna was named for, dies after a brave and valiant battle with bone cancer
Oct0ber 27, 2008
-Emily Boland hosts Bon Voyage Shower for 25 friends and colleagues!