Adoption Timeline

2006
July 6 ~ Heard Paul Roger's adoption story (one of my boss's at work)
July 8 ~ Talked to Steven, Ben, Tyler & Caleb to get initial reaction (Yes! Without hesitation)
July 10 ~ Registered online for America World Adoption Association's (AWAA) seminar here in Birmingham-the next one to be held
July 22 ~ Attended AWAA Seminar at Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL from 10:00-12:00
July 23 ~ Filled out online application to adopt a baby girl from China
August 1 ~ Received a call from AWAA that our application has been approved. We should get more paperwork in the mail in 7-10 days.
August 4 ~ Received paperwork in the mail from AWAA with Step One instructions, papers to sign and initial payment information. Also began praying about possibly refinancing our home.
August 7 ~ Steven filled out the Lifeline Children's Services application I printed from their website and mailed it in along with a letter I attached requesting Karla Thrasher to do our home study. I met Karla at the seminar on 7/22 and really loved her.
August 16 ~ We received the call from Jenn at Lifeline that they received our application for the contract home study and that she would be handling our study. Our first meeting is scheduled next Tuesday, 8/22 at 9:30 AM in her office.
August 17 ~ Mailed signed "first step" documents to AWAA with a note saying our first payment will be made online "soon" - Jehovah Jireh will provide!
August 22 ~ Had first home study interview. Steven and I went to Lifeline. It only lasted about an hour. We will each meet with her individually next and then the final session will be in our home.
August 23 ~ Steven and I met at the Homewood Police Department and got our fingerprints done. I dropped them off at Lifeline on my way back to the office so they could submit them for the background check.
August 25 ~ PTL - Jehovah Jireh HAS provided and will continue to!
August 28 ~ Steven ordered his passport. Should receive in 6-8 weeks. He'll need his early for Rwanda!!!
August 30 ~ I shared my vision and heart for adoption and how God led us to adopt Grace with the church tonight.
August 31 ~ Steven interviewed with Jenn at Lifeline today (2nd interview)
September 1 ~ Finished autobiography for the home study and ordered my birth certificates online. Should receive in 7-10 working days. Steven went to the courthouse and got 2 more copies of his today too.
September 5 ~ Mailed off I-600A form to the USCIS (United States Citizenship & Immigration Services). After visiting mom and dad this past Sunday afternoon and Monday, I got my birth certificate from my adoption and sent a copy with the I-600A form.
September 7 ~ I had my one on one interview with Jenn this afternoon at Lifeline (our 3rd home study visit). It went fine. I turned in several pieces of our paperwork including our CAN (child abuse) forms.
September 7-13 ~ Completed lots of required reading for the home study!
September 14 ~ Got passport pictures taken at Wal-mart.
September 15 ~ Completed employment verification letter. Had 1st doctor's visit (me, Steven and Ben) for lab work on the medical exam. Received fingerprint appts. from Homeland Security regarding our I-600A form. We will go October 5th. Ben also had his phone interview with Jenn. AND, Steven and Ben stopped by the G'dale Police Dept. to get their letter of clearance that AWAA requires from all of us. I will have to get mine later.
September 16 ~ Got a letter from the Illinois Dept of Public Records. They can't find my birth certificate. I filled out a form with my adopted name since I just assumed it would be under Karen Sue Scott the first time, and hopefully they will find me under Karen Sue Martin and get them to me soon.
September 18 ~ We finished up our medical exams today!! Everything tested great! All forms are filled out, signed and notarized. Steven also stopped by Lifeline and got our financial statement notarized. I sent off my passport application today too (and had to give them my only original birth certificate from mom that I got a couple weeks ago). God is SO working. Oh, yes, and Steven bought a fire extinguisher! (I did tell Dr. Walker that I'm having some lower abdominal pains and he is scheduling me for an ultrasound.)
September 19 ~ WOW! How quick! I had the ultrasound today at St. Vincent's Health and Wellness Center off of 280. Results will be sent to Dr. Walker's office tomorrow.
September 20 ~ Tried to call Dr. Walker's office to get results, he is closed on Wednesdays. This was also a huge day because we had our final home study visit this afternoon. I left work at 2:00 and Jenn was at the house by 2:30. Tyler went with one of his classes to play tennis today and left his keys there so he had to call us in the middle of our visit with Jenn and Steven had to go pick them up. Jenn had to see Tyler and Caleb in the home as part of this last visit. Thankfully, she was very understanding and she visited with all of us for about 30-45 minutes after they got back home. She helped to answer a lot of our questions and she gave us alot of helpful information. We are all more excited now than ever!!! We only have a very few more minor things to do to finish our part of both the home study and our dossier requirements. We've been working on both at the same time and the Lord is just working everything out every step of the way. We praise Him for that!
September 21 ~ Results show bilateral ovarian cysts and a lesion. Have another appt with an OB/GYN, Dr. Charles Sharp at St. Vincent's next Tuesday morning at 10:30 for further tests.
September 22 ~ I left work early this afternoon to stop by the G'dale Police Dept and get my letter of clearance and they wouldn't give it to me. The officer I spoke to didn't want to do it because he looked at Steven's and saw that the supervisor had signed his and he thought he needed to do mine too. I have to go back early Monday morning to see David Wright. Oh well, this is the first real issue we've had since this whole process began...well, except for the delay from Illinois in getting my birth certificate-but that was probably my fault...so I will not complain!
September 23 ~ Steven's passport came in the mail today!! (it took less than 4 weeks!)
September 25 ~ Stopped by G'dale Police Dept and got my clearance letter. Also, got an email from Jenn, at Lifeline, saying that my suitability letter came in today. This is definitely God because Steven's came back last week after only about two weeks. Jenn tells us that this piece of paperwork is always the last thing to come in and it takes 6-8 weeks. We praise the Lord for His perfect timing!
September 26 ~ Dr.'s visit with Charles Sharp, OBGYN at St. Vincent's. He did another ultra sound, asked a lot of questions about my female history and gave Steven and me his recommendation. The left ovary, with a tumor that is 10 cm (approx. size of a grapefruit) has to be removed. The right ovary he may be able to save with a cyst half that size on it. With my history of pain and other complications every month and since surgery is necessary anyway, he also recommends removing my uterus. He wants to do a laperoscopic hysterectomy. He sensed our concern and asked if we could pray together. He prayed the most Spirit-led prayer over us and our family asking God to give us peace about the surgery and to guide his hands to do only what's necessary but all that's necessary. He prayed for Steven and his trip to Rwanda and he prayed for Grace and asked God's blessings over our adoption process. I was amazed and excited! Someone from his office will call to set-up the surgery date.
September 27 ~ Received call to make appt and received tentative date of October 16th. My blood work came back with an elevated number so I now have to see a gynecologic oncologist as a precaution. Bless You, LORD, You have provided again! We received an unexpected check in the mail today!
September 28 ~ Dr. Mac Barns, the oncologist at UAB, called today. I am to see him next Thursday, Oct. 5th at 2:20 PM. AND, my birth certificates came in the mail today! AND, we got a rough draft of our home study that Jenn just completed!
September 29 ~ We got to see the Abston's baby girl from China at the game tonight. She is Beautiful!!
October 2 ~ Jenn sent our approved home study to DHR and mailed us 2 notarized copies. She said we should hear something from them within 4 weeks.
October 3 ~ We stopped in Lifeline to get our application letter and my birth certificate notarized. We were also able to make our final payment to them. PTL
October 4 ~ Steven took all our dossier with the exception of my birth certificate and our I-171H form (that we haven't received yet) to the Jefferson County Courthouse to get them county certified. Then he mailed them to Montgomery to be state certified. Steven also had his vaccinations today for the trip to Africa.
October 5 ~ Steven, Ben and I had our digital fingerprints taken today for the USCIS. And, I saw Dr. Barns at UAB this afternoon. He is optimistic about the surgery and agrees with Dr. Sharp that my elevated blood count is "probably" due to endometriosis. He will assist in the surgery on the 16th as a precaution. He told Steven he thinks it's only a 10% chance of any cancer.
October 9 ~ Our paperwork came back today from Montgomery. Everything is state certified!
October 10 ~ I made copies and mailed off all our original paperwork to Houston today to be authenticated. It should be back in a week.
October 12 ~ Pre-op visit with Dr. Sharp. He just answered questions again about the surgery and sent me over to the hospital for pre-registration and they had to draw blood again for the anesthia pre-work.
October 16 ~ Surgery day. I was up at 4:00 AM and at the hospital at 5:00 AM. Mom and dad are here. They got here around lunchtime yesterday. Everything went great! They were successful using the laperoscope so recovery will be quick: only 2 weeks; they removed the large tumor and the left ovary that had a lot of endometriosis and they were able to save my right ovary so no hormone treatments will be needed. And no sign of cancer anywhere...PRAISE THE LORD!!! And guess what? My passport came in the mail today!!!
October 19 ~ Our papers came back from the Houston Chinese Consulate today!
October 20 ~ I missed Caleb's football game tonight. Little Leslie is her for the weekend and went to the game with Uncle Teven, Ben and Tyler. Angela went with them and Mel came over to the house to visit with me and Mom. She's been sick this week and didn't think she needed to be out in the night air.
October 22 ~ I'm at home...trying to get well. The surgery incisions seem to be healing up great. I'm just having some issues with a sick stomach, lightheadedness and weak feeling. It seems strange not being in church. Dana is filling in for me.
October 23 ~ I saw Dr. Sharp this morning. He took out the stitches and asked how I was doing. I shared my concerns with him and he said everything I was still having trouble with is normal. He also let me know the pain meds I was on has that affect on a lot of people. So, that made me feel better. Today has been alot better. It was kind of nice to get out. We filled out a grant application tonight with Shaohannah's Hope. We continue to pray for the Lord's direction in getting Grace here. We need Your help always, Father!!
October 24 ~ Steven went to hear Ron Luce at G'dale First Baptist this morning. WOW! Was he pumped when he got back. I so wish I could have gone.
October 25 ~ Our home study was approved today by DHR and has been sent to CIS for approval. Jenn says it can still take up to 90 days there.

2007
January 10 ~ Our I-797 came in the mail today. We're APPROVED!!!! Thirteen days early. It was approved 1/5/07 and got to us in 77 days.
January 11 ~ Steven and Ben went to Lifeline and had the I-797 and my birth certificate notarized and then to the Jefferson County Courthouse for county certification. Then, they drove to Montgomery to get them state certified.
January 12 ~ Steven took the I-797 and my birth certificate to Quick Pack Ship (QPS) in G'dale to overnight them to the Chinese Consulate in Houston for authentication. Coming out of QPS, he ran into Mrs. Abston and Emma Claire, their baby from China! How awesome!
January 15 ~ Steven went online to UPS and saw that someone named "Le" received our package this morning at the Chinese Consulate in Houston at 9:59 AM.
January 22 ~ Our paperwork came back today!!! Everything is authenticated and ready to go! Praise You, Father.
January 23 ~ Made copies of all the dossier. Met Steven at QPS in G'dale at 4:30 to overnight everything to America World.
January 24 ~ Steven checked online to see if our package made it to AWAA. It was received by "Lucas" at 10:09 AM. At noon, Lauren, from America World called my office. She wanted me to know she received a package from us this morning, but she said..."it's not your dossier." She said the box had someone's wedding invitations in it and was supposed to go somewhere in Florida. Our box has been switched!!!! After a very long saga of researching tracking numbers and many phone conversations, we found our dossier in FL and a very understanding lady there named Cindy promised to guard it with great care. Between QPS and UPS, we were assured the packages would be redirected and arrive at the proper places by 10 o'clock tomorrow morning. What a day!!!!
January 25 ~ Lauren at AWAA called Steven this morning to let us know our dossier DID arrive in-tact at their office today! Praise You, Lord. They can only send it to China tomorrow if our payment due is met.
January 26 ~ We phoned Lauren to let her know we were not able to make the online payment. We have until next Friday otherwise due to Tyler's birthday we are out of this deal completely. Many new requirements have been enforced by China since our journey began and with time constraints in getting approvals processed we would be forced to withdraw if Tyler turns 18 before the dossier is sent to China. (Because an 18 yr old in the home is considered an adult and must have background checks, medical exams and be fingerprinted...for the adopted child's safety.)
February 4 ~ Steven got our taxes filed and the refund was within a few dollars of what we needed to get the dossier sent out tomorrow!!!
February 5 ~ America World sent our dossier, along with 6 others to China today!!! Glory be to God on High Who "calls things that are not as though they are." This is amazing! SO amazing!!! We also got a package in the mail today from AWAA. It has a list of names in it and email addresses for those in our group that we most likely will be traveling with. We are group 298, a very important number to remember as we wait.
March 29 ~ We got an email today congratulating us that we now have a log-in date (LID) of February 25, 2007. We can now go online to the CCAA and check progress. The email also said that the estimated timeframe from LID to referral is now 17 months and increasing. That would put us at July '08. We trust YOU, LORD, to bring Grace to us in Your perfect timing.
April 10 ~ An email from America World today gave an update on referral wait time from the CCAA (China Center for Adoption Affairs). The wait time from LID to referral is now an estimated 18-19 months.
April 23 ~ America World's annual 3-day "Esther Fast" designed to encourage families, friends and churches to join together in prayer for all aspects of adoption. Mountains will be moved and many prayers answered as we seek the heart of God for orphans all over the world.
June 28 ~ Debbie called me today and suggested I give Grace my middle name plus add a Chinese name like maybe Grace Sue Young or Grace Sueyong, so that she will have that attachment to me. I told her I would have to think about it. I've never liked my middle name, but the idea of Grace being connected to me in that way is definitely something I will think through. I told her maybe there will be a part of the name given her in the orphanage that will go with Sue too. Even though that name may not mean anything to her in a family way it would connect her with her homeland.
July 2 ~ The monthly update email from AWAA today said that the next group (#237) to receive their referrals will have waited roughly 20 months. If this trend continues we may be looking at October '08. It is in Your hands, Jesus.
December 4 ~ The monthly update email from AWAA today said that the current wait time from LID is 23 months!

2008
September 22 ~ AWAA posted the following update on their website today at 10:52AM:
The CCAA has completed the review of all adoption application documents (dossiers) registered with their office before February 28, 2007.