Progress Report

I read somewhere that an adoptive parent was told they took "the easy way out" by adopting instead of having biological kids. I guess it is easy if you don't take in account the 30 hours of mandatory training, a home study, drug screen, back ground check, endless paperwork and nail biting wait to receive a referral. Oh, and don't let me forget the travel to and from China and the years of follow up visits that continue after you bring your child home. Pshhh, it's easy peasy lemon squeezy.

It seems like we have been toiling away for months, yet we still have so much more to do before we are even close to bringing our girl home. 

Here is a break down of the steps we must take on our adoption journey.

1. Formal application to agency- complete!
2. Home study paperwork- complete!
3. Home study visit 1- complete!
4. Home study visit 2 (+10 hours of training)- complete!
5. Home study visit 3 (+10 hours of training)- 
6. Home study visit 4 (+10 hours of training)-
7. Home study approval
8. I-800A mailed to USCIS
9. Fingerprints
10. Receive I-797
11. Dossier to China
12. Logged in dossier
13. Referral of child or match with a waiting child
14. Letter of Intent
15. I800A approval
16. Article 5 drop off
17. Article 5 pick up
18. Travel Approval
19. Travel
20. Gotcha Day