So... what do you have to do....

Many people have asked us about the process of adopting our daughter. Well, it is exactly that... a process. We've had background checks, given blood and written book reports. Luckily, applying for medical licenses and hospital privileges was good prep. Here's a run down...

• July 2011: Requested info packets from several international adoption agencies
• Aug 2010: Joined in informational conference call for Chinese Children Adoption International (CCAI). Researched some other agencies.  
• Sept 2011: Sent preliminary application into CCAI. Invited to formally apply. 
• Oct 2011: Faxed medical conditions checklist. Mailed official application to CCAI. Accepted. 
• Nov 2011: Began dossier! Selected Homestudy agency in MN (International Adoption Services). 
• Met with our great social worker, Kathy, several times. 
• Read books- did book report (for real! I thought maybe a diorama might be involved)
• Physician clearance with labs
• Police clearance reports
• Fingerprinting
• Adam Walsh background search
• State clearances. Luckily, Europe doesn't have background clearance databases otherwise we would have had to gather those from our study abroad semesters. I can't see Ireland being too efficient if that had been the case. 
• Letters of employment
• Parent training 
• Reference letters
• This list just touches on the paper chase. Thankfully, we are rather boring people so there wasn't a lot of extras to collect (i.e. arrest reports, physician explanation letters, etc)
• Dec 2011: Completed homestudy report and most of dossier. Sealed and certified through Sec of States  & Chinese Consult in Chicago. 
• Jan 2012: Dossier reviewed at CCAI.  2nd fingerprinting & I-800 (US Customs and Immigration approval to adopt a foreign child).
• Feb 2011: 
• Dossier To China (DTC). 
• Sarah has 10 min to spare--> sees baby girl's face on CCAI website. Abandons evening plans. Calls Chris who is about to leave his outreach clinic. Both of us talk with the gals at CCAI. Receive ZYM file. Lots of calls and rapid research. Lots of prayers overnight. 
• Following morning, we both know- she's our girl. Tell CCAI  "we want her!"
• Mar 2012: 
• Log-in-date 3/6/12 (date our dossier is officially in China's system). Her file is locked to us same day!
• Letter of Intent 3/7/12
• Pre-Approval 3/13/12 (China's recognition of our letter and agreement to move ahead with adoption).  Begin the longest wait of our lives for the official letter of acceptance.
• 1st care package sent 3/23/12.  Pictures of Chris & Sarah and Annie. She needs to know her dog, right? Bunny rabbit, recordable book with our voices, colors and coloring books, camera, etc. 
• April 2012: Waiting...
• May 2012: Waiting to kiss chubby little cheeks...

This is what I lovingly refer to as her "mug shot".  Chris said we should hope this is her only mug shot in life.