A little catching-up...

Well, after many broken promises to myself to do this months ago, I have at last chained myself to the computer to create a "blog" about our adoption. Pretty much everyone who will be reading this is aware that Brian and I are in the process of adopting a baby boy from Taiwan. What many of you don't know are the details. We get so many request for updates and information and pictures that it just seems to make sense to put it all in one place for loved ones to peruse at their leisure. Like so many things in life, taking the first step is the hardest. That's why we are 17+ months into this process-- nearly at the end, fact-- and I'm just now starting this web page. Who, me? A procrastinator? I know-- shocking :) At any rate, my goals are to post updates any time we get news or pictures from the orphanage and to keep a running journal on our thoughts during this exciting time. We tend to get orphanage updates roughly every month, but I do hope to add thoughts here and there in between so check back from time to time if you can.

Enough with the idle chatter. On to the good stuff :)

Whew!! So much has occurred over the past 17 months that it's hard to know where to begin. In the spirit of Julie Andrews, "Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start."

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June 2004: We decide to pursue adoption and being researching. We know we are interested adopting internationally and feel drawn to Taiwan

July 2004: After searching online and requesting info in the mail, we find our adoption agency, Commonwealth Adoptions international (CAI), and sign on. Coincidentally (or perhaps designed by fate), CAI is one of only a handful of agencies in the U.S. with programs for Taiwan adoptions... and they just so happen to be headquartered practically in our backyard! Their main office is less than 5 miles from our house in Tucson! Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but this was the first of several "wooo.. weird!" moments that have occurred during this whole process. That quote on the left hand side of the page is so apropos...

August 2004: We complete our "home study." This is required of all couples hoping to adopt, whether internationally or domestically. In a nutshell, you open up your whole life before a social worker to make sure you are not nutty and can raise a kid! They interview you about your life, marriage, childhood, families, finances, values, parenting beliefs... nothing is left out. You are fingerprinted to make sure you aren't a criminal and examined by a doctor to make sure you are in good health. After all the poking, prodding, prying, and proving is done, the social worker visits your home and writes a 10+ page report certifying that you're decent people who should be allowed to adopt. It was tough, but we made it through. I guess if we can get through that, we stand a fighting chance of raising an ok kid :)

September- December 2004: Taiwan is kind of a unique country to adopt from. It is more similar to a domestic adoption in terms of the process than a lot of international adoptions. What I mean by that is, the birthmother plays an integral part in deciding who should raise her baby whereas in most other foreign countries, the orphanage and/or the prospective adoptive family chooses where the children end up. Part of the selection process for Taiwan involves the family (us) making a photo album and writing a letter showing and explaining why you will be the best family for their baby. As per usual, I went way overboard on this and spent nearly 4 months making the most gigantic and elaborate scrapbook/photo album known to mankind! Brian helped, but I kind of took over this part of the process. It was arduous and exhausting, but in the end, the album turned out beautifully. It was well worth the effort! We have the original (We sent a really nice color copy of the whole thing to cut down on the bulk). If you'd like to see it, we'd be happy to show you next time you see us! Also during this time, we were required to participate in a 10-week "Parent Education" course. This was an online class to help us understand the unique rewards and challenges of adoption and raising an adopted child. Lots of reading and writing! It was good though, so we'd be best prepared for what we were getting ourselves into.

December 23rd. 2004: The behemoth (i.e. the photo album), along with mounds of other paperwork required by the agency, are finally on their way to Taiwan! Now the torture begins...waiting. Our agency has prepared us that we could wait 6-12 months for a "Referral" (to be matched to a baby). Secretly we hope we will be the one special exception that gets their referral in 2-3 months. Boy were we naive!

December 24th, 2004 through September 8th, 2005: Waiting. And waiting. And waiting some more. We try to stay busy and distracted, but it is so hard. Luckily (or not), there's other paperwork stuff to be done during this time. We have to fill out piles of paperwork and get fingerprinted for Immigration. We need to get passports. Ok, so not that much. Really, we just have to wait and try to not go crazy!

September 9th, 2005: The turning point-- at long last, we get our referral!! I will continue this part of the story next time.

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(As you may have figured out by now, this blog is primarily being written by Heather. Brian is pretty busy with school and, well, Heather's the long-winded one so if you want details, she's the girl for the job :) If I can cajole him into it, I'll have Brian post some of his thoughts and reactions about this journey too. He is so excited to have a son but writing and telling long stories about it aren't really his "thing" so most of what will be on this page is from my perspective.)